Chapter 3: Grocery Run In

What little sleep I got was plagued with nightmares, old memories that would twist into something else. I was being chased by at least two people one, a female with a high pitched giggle, the other male, with a deep menacing chuckle. I woke up with my heart pounding and anxiety in my chest. I roll over and look at the clock at 3 am, the witching hour, I sigh. Carefully I extract myself from the bed without waking Bella. I settle down on the floor after grabbing my burn bowl and ripping out the sigils I made yesterday. I slowly start burning the sigils, hoping the smell doesn't wake Charlie up. I meant to do this last night but forgot, now is as good a time as ever. I put everything away when the last of the embers go out. To pass time I make a list of everything we'd need to get from the store, making a note that we may need to head up to Port Angeles. I pick out a dark blue cropped long sleeved milkmaid top and a black skater skirt with safety shorts under it. I grab my all black bandana for veiling purposes. I set my clothes on the computer desk chair and gaze out the window. For a few seconds I thought I saw something move outside, I'm tired so I ignore it as the rain playing tricks on me. I close my eyes and let the sounds of rain soothe me.

At 5:30 I get up and enter the bathroom. I take a quick shower. I flip my head upside down and add a defining curl cream and a gel to my hair. I scrunch and finger curl my hair. I get dressed in my dark blue milkmaid top and cinch it using the strings on it. I finish getting dressed in safety shorts and a black skater skirt. I wipe off the condensation on the mirror and leave the bathroom. I wake Bella up and go through my jewelry. I pick out a black ribbon choker, silver rings for my spider bite and a black tourmaline crystal necklace. Bella enters the room wearing jeans and a black camisole. She rifles through the closet. I grab a green and black flannel from the dresser and hand it to her. I go back to the bathroom and do my makeup and finish my hair. I line my eyes with black eyeliner and pick out a dark blue lipstick that matches my top. I replace the rings in my spider bite piercing with the silver ones. I tie a black bandanna around my hair, it makes it look as though I no longer have an undercut. I go downstairs where I find Bella cooking.

"Looks like it's eggs again," she remarks.

Feeling nauseous I say, "Just make enough for you, I already ate earlier. Couldn't sleep again."

"You sure?"

"Yes, thank you though."

Peaceful silence reigns as Bella finishes making her food. Even the smell of it is making things worse for me. I do my best to ignore it.

"Looking forward to school today?" I ask.

"Not really," she replies.

"Edward? Yeah he threw me off too, I've never seen anyone look so angry and I've seen a lot of anger. If he's still an ass today, punch him in the dick," I suggest.

Bella laughs, "No, I couldn't."

"I'll do it for you then."

"Doll no," she gasps out between peals of laughter,

"Doll yes!" I tease.

After Bella finishes with her food I wash the dirty dishes. We grab our bags and head to school this time I drive there. Classes pass by quickly, and before I know it it's the end of the day. As I climb into the truck, I glance over at the Cullens. Alice turns and waves.

"So was Dickward around?" I ask.

"Doll. Don't call him that. And no he wasn't here today," Bella states.

I glance in my rearview and see Emmett boisterously laughing as he climbs into his car, "What? He was a dick, and is still probably a dick. I thought he was just skipping Spanish and lunch."

"Okay, we should get going," Bella remarks, a small smile playing on her lips.

I drive from the school to the grocery store. I hand Bella the list as we go in, having memorized most of it last night. We both grab a cart and head off in separate directions.

As I'm reaching up to grab a box of cereal off the top of the shelf, I'm hit with vertigo. Everything starts to spin, moving at dizzying speeds. I feel myself slip and fall. An arm wraps around my waist and hauls me up.

"Whoa there. Give it a second and it'll pass," a voice with a slight southern twang murmurs against my ear.

"Jazz! Is she okay?" A sweet voice chimes.

"It's just vertigo, Alice. She'll be fine."

"I'm fine," I say, struggling to stand on my own.

"If you say so," The male voice doubts.

I manage to turn and see Jasper Cullen and next to him is Alice. A few minutes go by in silence. I squirm in Jasper's grasp, wanting to be let go. I clear my throat looking pointedly at his arm.

"Sorry about that," I apologize.

Jasper smiles and reaches up and hands me the cereal I was reaching for earlier, "Not a problem darling."

I shiver slightly, "Thank you. Um, bye."

I leave the aisle as quickly as possible, heart pounding in my chest. I take a deep breath and go about finishing my half of the list. I meet up with Bella at the cash register and checkout. Bella drives us home. Once we get there we see Charlie talking with two slightly familiar faces.

"Is that the Blacks?" I question as we climb out of the vehicle.

"Jacob? Billy?" Bella calls out.

"Bells, Lia! I can't believe you're here," Jacob exclaims, picking each of us up and spinning us into a hug.

"Girls, it's good to see you. Chief here wouldn't shut up about the pair of you coming to stay," Billy teases, elbowing Charlie.

"Jake wanna help us bring in groceries?" I offer.

He shrugs and starts to help Bella and I carry things in. Bella and Jake unpacks and I sort through and place them in the necessary spots.

"So when did you get so tall?" I ask.

Bella chimes in, "And buff. I remember you as a twig Jake."

"Uh…"

"Dude if you can't tell us it's fine. Don't force yourself. Stroganoff for dinner B?" I interrupt.

"Only if you make those cookies for dessert."

I laugh, "Get started on the stroganoff then."

"I don't want to pry but why now?" Jacob inquires.

"Mom got remarried, I wanted to give her space and time to be with her husband," Bella replies.

"Please we all know Renee was happy to see me go. And as for Forks I had a hunch that things would be better if I came with Bella."

Jacob asks, "Doll, where would you have gone too if not Forks?"

"New Orleans." Bella and I say in unison.

Bella starts on the stroganoff while I begin making dark chocolate chip and honey oatmeal cookies. Things are silent but peaceful for a while. I go to pull out the cookies when Charlie and Billy walk in.

Charlie sniffs, "It smells great girls. Oh by the way I was thinking of hosting a little welcome back party for you two. It'd be tomorrow though. Sorry for the short notice."

I take a deep breath, "I don't mean to sound rude but you couldn't say something earlier like before we went shopping so we could make a trip to Port Angeles or something? Like you couldn't leave a note or anything? Sorry. We'll figure something out though, we always do."

"Doll!" Bella chastises.

"Dahlia, watch your tone," Charlie warns.

"Sorry, it's just Ren...mom used to spring stuff on us at the last minute and we never had enough time to prepare and we'd get scolded for it," I apologize.

I place the cookie tray on the counter on top of a pot holder. I drizzle chocolate over the top and transfer the cookies to a wire rack. I grab my notebook out of my backpack and start writing down ideas that will feed everyone.

"Dad, who is all coming?" I ask.

"The Blacks, the Clearwaters, and the Cullens. Maybe a few others. Around twenty or so," he answers with a shrug.

"Dinner is ready. How about you and Billy eat in the living room so you can watch the game?" Bella suggests.

Jacob, Bella and I eat at the table. I take a small portion, finishing quickly. I get up and start prepping to hand out the cookies. I store the rest of the cookies in a storage container. I work on the list of foods for tomorrow. I don't notice as Bella approaches me.

She leans over my shoulder, "I can make cucumber salad. And we can make a pasta salad, in addition to the gumbo you have planned."

I startle, "Shit, sorry didn't notice you. But yeah that sounds good, we'll have to do another grocery run though."

"I can do that if you want? I know you haven't been sleeping well. You should talk to Charlie about it," Bella says, concern lacing her voice.

"That's fine. I'll make a list for you. If I can't sleep again I'll mention something to Charlie," I reply.

Bella agrees and does the washing up with Jacob as I hand out the cookies. I write out a list of ingredients we'll need for tomorrow and place it in Bella's coat pocket. Once the leftovers have cooled enough, I store them in a container and in the fridge. I grab a dish towel and start to dry and put away dishes.

"Damn these are good," Jacob says with a mouthful of cookie.

Bella chuckles, "I know that's why I asked Lia to make them. They're one of my favorites."

Soon afterwards we say our goodbyes to the Blacks and a goodnight to Charlie. We go upstairs and get ready for bed. I change into an old t-shirt and shorts. Bella climbs into bed and I join her. I blackout as soon as my head hits the pillow.