I was in the back seat of Alice's car while said person was in the driver's seat, she was practically buzzing with excitement as she smiled ear to ear. Rosalie was in the passenger seat with her arms crossed. She didn't want to come along, but I overheard her talking with Esme, she said she wasn't comfortable leaving me alone with Alice while she was taking me shopping, unsupervised.
It confused me at first until I realized she meant Alice was a little too childish for her liking. I had to agree, in my short time with Alice I've concluded that she is a very eccentric person.
As we drove Rosalie kept relatively quiet beside the occasional, ' That was a stop sign!' and ' Slow down are you trying to get us killed!' I didn't mind the speed, it was actually pretty entertaining to watch everything fly by in a blur of colors as I tried to keep track.
Alice was talking about a bunch of things, most of which I wasn't even listening to as I kept my eyes glued to the window. I was making a mental map of the area, though I knew it would take quite a few trips till the map was fully complete.
We soon drove into town, not before Rosalie was able to get Alice to slow down. I could see people walking on either side of the street as we grew closer to our destination, I saw little houses, a few not-so-tall buildings, and little diners. Finally, Alice slowed to an almost complete stop before making a sharp turn.
As we pulled into the mostly empty parking lot, I saw a decent-sized clothing store. Alice was practically vibrating as we all stepped out of the vehicle and walked toward the store, well, Rosalie and I walked, Alice skipped and hopped ahead of us.
" Come on slowpokes!" She urged as she skipped back to us.
Grabbing my hand she pulled me along with her, though I could tell she was being careful not to hurt me, as soon as we enter Alice turned left, clearly having been here enough times to know exactly where everything is.
I soon realized that I had no say in what clothes I was getting, Alice did ask me to pick out anything I liked as she began rummaging through the clothes on the top shelf, being so short she needed the help of a step-ladder. As I held up a plain long-sleeved black shirt and grey sweat pants, her nose scrunched in distaste as she snatched the clothes away from me, tossing them back onto the shelf like they would come to life and attack any second.
So I just stood watching her as she matched every shirt, from pants to socks till Alice had what she believed to be an acceptable outfit combination, her face would shine before turning serious as she would pick out shirt after shirt, holding it up to my small fame to make sure it was the correct size.
It was clear that Alice was a creative person and her choice of art was clothes, why anyone would be passionate about fabric? I'll never know, but she obviously enjoys it so I won't judge. I don't how long we were there. Alice, like a child playing dress-up with her doll. I didn't mind, finding it fascinating her obsession with clothes, it seemed almost unhealthy, it was amusing watching her face light up as though she solved the problem to a questioned that plagued her for days.
Rosalie finally came and told Alice she had gotten me more than enough clothes, and it was time to go. Alice looked like a kicked puppy as she visibly deflated, giving Rosalie big pleading eyes. To which Rosalie returned with a deadpanned stare.
They eyed each other, Rosalie with her arms crossed, leaning to one side, Alice with her hands clasped in front of her, bottom lip jutting out slightly.
" Fine!" She shouted, throwing her hands up.
Her cheeks were puffed out as she wheeled the cart to checkout. Alice was sulking as she was almost bent over the handle of the cart, Rosalie was next to her, arms still crossed. I was trailing behind them, listening as Alice grumbled, something about 'never having too many clothes,' or something along those lines.
" Would you stop whining? If it's that big a deal, you know for some reason or another we'll have to come back and get more clothes." Rosalie sighed.
Alice, having heard the possibility of coming back, perked right up, causing Rosalie to roll her eyes and release another sigh.
When we got to the counter Alice beamed at the person behind it.
" Hey, Sarah! Long time no see." She said happily, neatly placing the shirts, pants, and the rest into their own piles on the counter.
" I know, It's surprising actually, have you been cheating on me with other clothes stores?" The girl, Sarah, questioned narrowing her eyes at Alice.
Rosalie had already blanked out of the conversation, before walking outside.
" How dare you accuse me of doing such a thing!? Maybe." Alice said before fiddling with her fingers looking down.
" How dare you shop elsewhere and show your face here, like you won't pay the consequences?!" Sarah screeched.
They stared at each other silently, before bursting into laughter. While their laughter died done to giggles I was thoroughly confused, I thought they were actually going to start fighting over Alice shopping at another store. I should've realized from the start they were jesting with one another.
I couldn't help but watch in fascination as to how they could find such, joy? Happiness? Out of such trivial topics. Most of which were of clothes, of course, but once Sarah brought up the topic of how boring her school was, they somehow ended up on the gossiping rumors of boys and girls, though mostly boys. To which I began to zone out, still being aware of my surroundings.
I was brought back by the hand on my shoulder, I looked up to see Alice smiling down at me, before gently pushing me forwards so I was more in front of her.
" This is my little brother," Alice said, smiling at Sarah who looked close to squealing.
" He's so cute! I didn't know you had a little brother!" Sarah said, once again looking at Alice with accusing eyes.
" Esme adopted him last week, they're still getting the papers sorted." Alice supplied, giving my shoulder a little squeeze.
I was once again highly confused, they didn't adopt me, obviously, only having met just hours ago. Then again I was given a room of my own by Jasper, who I've only known an hour or two more than the rest of his family. I was regretting zoning out of the conversation.
Then a thought hit me, something that should have been clear the moment Alice called me little brother, it was a cover story. I really need to be quicker with the draws. Sighing I silently berated myself.
" Oh, well I hope everything goes well." She said smiling towards me.
Finally, Sarah bagged the clothes, telling Alice the price as Alice loaded the bags into the cart. When they were finished exchanging a few final words, we walked outside. I sighed in relief as I felt the cool crisp air hit my skin. It was too cloudy for me to see what time it was, but it was still fairly bright out so, I'd say somewhere in the afternoon.
I've lived in alleyways for quite some time, but never have I felt so claustrophobic as I have in there. Weirdly enough that feeling came out of nowhere, I was fine throughout the whole trip, and only started feeling it when Alice was in the middle of chatting with Sarah.
Taking another breath I was glad to notice the feeling slowly receding. I followed Alice as we made our way to the car. I was curious now, what caused that feeling? Small tight spaces don't bother me in the slightest, neither do crowds, I find loud noises, especially sudden ones, annoying, but bearable. I scoffed in the faces of bullies and people who could and would beat me, nearly to death.
So what was that feeling? Claustrophobic, I now realize isn't the right word to use, so what is? It felt as though a hand gripped the inside of my throat. Making the flow of oxygen impossible, I was pulled from my thoughts by a voice.
" Took you long enough," Rosalie huffed leaning against the car.
She walked around opening the trunk before getting back in the car. Alice told me to get in as well, she quickly finished packing everything in before pushing the cart back into the store. She skipped back cheerfully, hopping into the vehicle.
" Seatbelts everyone!" She chimed putting her own on.
I saw Rosalie roll her eyes before doing as told. I followed suit, mind still occupied. I let my head fall against the headrest as I resumed watching the colors blur together, trying to memorize every twist and turn we made. I quickly noticed we weren't driving down the same roads.
" Where are we going?" I asked quietly.
I saw Alice perk up more as she and Rosalie shared a glance.
" We're going home, honey, " Alice said looking back at me through the rearview mirror.
" Honey, Another nickname?" I asked.
" Yep!" She answered.
I nodded in response before bringing my attention back outside, trying to remember this new route.
It wasn't long before we pulled into the driveway, as Alice parked the car in the garage I notice the missing spots where other cars once were. Alice must have noticed me staring as she answered.
"Everyone must be out."
Rosalie only grabbed a few bags before going inside, Alice told me to follow her.
" Don't you want help carrying the rest in?" I asked tilting my head to the side.
" I got it hon," She nodded.
Nodding in return I walked inside, going where I assumed Rosalie would be, but upon entering the living room I didn't see her, nor the bags. Glancing in the kitchen it was also empty. I cocked my head, listening, but heard nothing.
I decided the only other place that I could check, that would make the most sense, was my room. Going upstairs I listened, I couldn't hear anything, not the movement of someone walking, nor the crinkling of plastic bags.
Continuing regardless, my eyebrows rose slightly, Rosalie was in my room, hanging my clothes in the closet, what I found curious, however, was the fact that I still couldn't hear the bag, even as she pulled another shirt out of it.
Feeling my stare she turned to look at me, or rather glare, I stared back blankly not at all fazed, even as she furrowed her brows further.
" What?" She snapped, I appreciated the effort she took in trying not to sound so harsh.
" Alice told me to follow you," I answered.
I could see confusion flash across her face before turning to put yet another shirt on a hanger, putting it back on the bar. It wasn't long before Alice slipped in setting a bunch of bags on my bed, flipping the bags over, and emptying the contents, she made sure none of the neatly folded clothes got unfurled on the way down.
Alice paused suddenly, I noticed Rosalie pause as well, before Alice whipped around, pushing Rosalie to the side as she looked in the closet with horror.
" What chaos have you created?!" Alice screeched, frantically arranging the 'mess' that were the out-of-order clothes. Rosalie huffed before storming out of the room.
Alice finished rearranging the clothes before she began to 'properly' hang the rest of the clothes in the right order. Not knowing what else to do I watched her until finally, she was done. Smoothing out the non-existent wrinkles on her jeans, she smiled wide at me.
" Are you hungry hon?" She asked.
I shook my head 'no', I was still quite full from my earlier meal, nodding in response she made her way towards the door.
" Well, do you wanna watch tv?" She asked looking back at me.
I was never allowed to watch tv at the Orphanage, none of us were, the people who ran the Orphanage were very religious, you see. They thought almost all modern technology was evil.
" Sure," I answered.
Walking into the living room I didn't see Rosalie, I assumed she was in another room or just left. Alive skipped towards the couch hopping onto it, before patting the spot next to her. Once I was sat next to her she turned the tv on, turning the volume up, why was it on the lowest setting?
" So, what do you wanna watch?" She smiled.
" I don't know, I've never watched tv before," I answered, tilting my head when I noticed her smile falter.
" That's okay, we'll just have to find out what you like!" She cheered, her smile coming back, though clearly more forced.
I don't know how long we sat there, flipping through shows and movies, Alice asking which I liked best so far. Somewhere between her talking about her favorite shows, turning on show after show, my eyes grew heavy.
When I cracked my eyes open after realizing I closed them, I saw I was leaning against Alice who was now silent. Being too comfortable to bother moving, I just sank deeper into the soothing cool that seeped through Alice's clothing, as I had felt with Jasper.
Closing my eyes, I allowed the void to consume my mind completely.