[Disclaimer] Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight. I just like to mess around with her characters and turn them into lesbians.

[A/N] Today's update is dedicated to my reader natcityjp.

8

"Thank you for buying me a new hat." I told her, turning the lilac-colored preciousness around on my lap. I have been told not to accept gifts. But father meant gifts from male admirers. To accept a friendly gift from a lady friend would be alright, wouldn't it? I touched the feathers on the hat's side. "That was so nice of you, thanks again."

Isabella smiled turning her attention to me for a moment. "You are welcome. Seeing your joy in that hat store was definitely worth it." She took the hat and put it back into the box. "It suits you perfectly."

"You can borrow it anytime you want." I promised, clasping my hand together. I had picked that color, mostly because it looked great with Isabella's light brown eyes. Their color was alluring. Like fire and ember had melted together in her iris. I could barely look away.

I had never had such a good time shopping in a long time. Isabella was picky with clothing for herself. She wouldn't try on a single hat. At least, I could talk her into getting a navy blue scarf. I doubted she was going to wear it in public. For some odd reason I couldn't understand, she didn't want any attention to come to her. She was a widow, yes. Even so, that didn't mean she would have to dress in black for the rest of her life. Isabella was only twenty-two and could always get married again. When I had mentioned it, she had laughed. "I am not looking for a husband. I love my freedom too much." The thought of her marrying again made me feel awkward. She sure wouldn't want to spend time around me anymore after she had found another husband.

"You look so lovely today, Alice. The flower on your belt is very pretty." She leaned down and inhaled deeply. "Smells so good, but it is going to fade if you don't water it. Every flower needs to be taken care of." She giggled. I didn't understand what was funny now. "Is it already dried?" I held my breath when she touched the blossom with her fingertip. Her wrist was only a mere inch away from my stomach. If I exhaled a bit deeper, she would touch it. My stomach muscles quivered. Was I going to get sick now? No, I wasn't. There was such a weird prickling sensation in its pit that made me too warm. Between my thighs, I could feel myself beginning to moisten again. My body always seemed to react like this when I had sinful thoughts. "Are roses your favorite flower?" Isabella wanted to know.

"Roses are lovely flowers, but they aren't my favorite. I like daisies." I had loved the little flower since I was a small girl. I loved braiding necklaces and bracelets with them. "Yes, I like daisies the best."

She drove the car up some side road. It was gloomy today and when I closed my eyes, I couldn't envision sunlight to sneak out behind the thick clouds. At least it wasn't going to rain today.

"What are you thinking about in that pretty head of yours?" She turned off the engine. It rattled slightly. I pressed my knees together when she turned to the side and looked me over from top to bottom. "Tell me?"

Isabella shifted a bit closer to me. The hem of her dress was now touching against the side of my left knee. Heat spread through me. I wanted to feel her even closer. If I breathed her into my lungs, it wouldn't be close enough. My cheeks flushed. "I was just thinking about the weather." I looked down instead of at her face. Her chest rose steadily. I wanted to touch it. Sweet heaven, what is going on with me?

"Alice?"

I jumped. My voice was shaking a bit when I spoke up. "I thought about how much nicer it would be if it was sunny today."

Isabella shook her head. "I don't think so." She reached out her hand and tucked a strand of my hair behind my left ear. "I don't enjoy the sunshine that much. What about you? Would you miss the sun?"

I enjoy your company, I thought. I enjoy it so very much. I enjoy it more than I have words. "I don't care about the weather. Apart from storms, that is. Those frighten me." The monster that is coming for me scares me more though. I wondered if it was watching me now. It could appear any moment. If only it wouldn't harm Isabella. I couldn't bear the thought.

Her mouth twitched. "The worst storms are the ones we have in our hearts." She tucked another strand behind my ear. The touch of her cold fingertip against its shell made me shiver. "Has anyone ever told you that you would look amazing with your hair cut short?"

My eyebrow twitched upwards. "Father would never allow it."

"Your parents are pretty strict, aren't they? I think you are old enough to make your own choices. It's your hair. What could they possibly do if you cut it off?"

I nodded. Then, I twisted a thick curl around my finger. My hair was beautiful. It was silky and wavy. The thought of cutting it off was painful. But Isabella's words made me think. In the visions I had about losing my hair, it was something I had no say in. Someone did it to me. My scalp prickled. I could feel my heartbeat beginning to quicken. I would try to trick my visions. I would be the one who would make the decision to have my curls cut and nobody else. I smiled at my idea.

"Isabella," I whispered, putting my hand on her lower arm. "Can you take me to a place where I could get my hair cut?"