A/N: Okay here is why some of you can't review the last chapter: I deleted my two author's notes, so if you reviewed the last chapter eleven…..which is chapter nine….then you can't review again. Some of you will have the same problem with this chapter, but after that it should be fixed. So no worries! Everything is fine lol. And! I'm not Stephenie Meyer. Also thank you to Fatima-FireAndIce! She wrote the summary I have up right now.
I looked at Emmett dumbfounded. When he walked up to Edward and me, I was expecting some sort of outburst.
"An apology?" Edward asked. He was just as shocked as I was.
"Yes. Ed, the only reason I was getting mad at you was because I thought that Bella wouldn't be ready for anything, and I didn't want you pressuring her."
"I wouldn't." Edward stepped in.
"Let me finish, please. I know you wouldn't. I over reacted. And Bella, the only reason I was frustrated with you was because I thought that you didn't realize what was going on. I didn't know you liked Edward, too." He finished. His reasoning sounded logical enough for me.
"It's okay, Emmett, I understand." I nodded, and Edward gave him a pat on the back and a crooked grin. Without saying another word the three of us walked into the house where Charlie, Billy, and Jake sat.
"Hey Bella, Edward. How was church?" Charlie asked seeming genuinely interested.
"It was great. I think I want to go back." I said out loud unintentionally. Church seemed to help the way I felt. Edward's expression went from confused to excited. I hadn't really expressed to him that I had plans of going back. Charlie also seemed pleased.
"That's great, Bells." Charlie said with a plastered grin.
"Yeah Bella, maybe next time I can go with you." Jake said, causing both him and Billy to muffle laughter. Charlie seemed oblivious to the entire exchange. Even the part where Edward and Emmett both shot death glares at Jake.
"You would have to ask Edward." I said with a little too much venom that Charlie did notice.
"Let's go play video games in my room." Emmett said, playing peacemaker. I didn't like this Jake character, or his father. Edward and I nodded and followed Emmett to his bedroom. Emmett sat on his recliner that was very out of place, and too much too much room, but he seemed to like it there. Edward and I sat on the bed. He took my hand, which was a pleasant surprise.
We sat quietly for a few minutes, enticed by how excited Emmett got playing Halo. Finally the round was over and Emmett could finally breathe.
"Bella, I forgot. Alice wants you to call her." He informed me, I got up to go get the house phone but Edward pulled me back down handing me his hi-tech looking cell phone. He already had the address book opened to Alice. I looked up at him, and he wore the sexiest grin I'd ever seen. I didn't think I could ever get enough of him.
I rolled my eyes at him, causing him to chuckle as I dialed Alice's number.
"What?" She answered. Obviously thinking it was Edward.
"Alice? This is Bella." I told her a little nervously, she sounded like she didn't want to be on the phone.
"Bella! Hey. We're going shopping. I just wanted to know what time is good for you?" She told me with much more excitement than she had when she thought it was her brother. She never asked me if I wanted to go shopping. Alice was funny like that.
"Why are we shopping?" I asked, completely confused.
"Edward told me to take you to get a dress for your date on Friday." She explained like it was obvious. "Jasper, Rose, and I are coming for dinner at your house tonight. How about I come get you in an hour or so, and we'll come back in time for dinner?" She suggested like she could sense I was uncomfortable before I had even said a word.
"That sounds great, Alice. I was hanging out with your brother, but I don't think I want to anymore. So the sooner the better." I said through gritted teeth, causing Edward to chuckle.
"Oh, don't be mad at him Bella. He just wants it to be perfect." She defended her brother.
"Alright. I'll see you in a bit, later." I said, hanging up. I tossed the phone a little too hard into Edward's lap. I glared at him, trying my hardest to look intimidating which only caused him to look amused.
"Yes?" He asked, trying not to laugh. I wanted to smack him and laugh with him all at the same time, because I would do anything to hear his laugh, even if it was at my expense.
"Why am I getting a dress for Friday?" He reached over to grab my hand again, and I ripped it away. "Answer the question, Cullen." I spat at him, and I was beginning to see the humor, too.
"Because formal attire is required." He beamed at me, still trying to get my hand which I would playfully take away.
"Edward, seriously. I only have thirty dollars to my name. I don't think I can get anything 'formal'." I admitted a little shamefully.
"Oh no! Don't you dare argue with me, Isabella, but you are NOT paying for this. I've given Alice plenty of money for a dress, shoes, and a few other things, just in case you see something you like." He said the last part with a wink.
"Edward. I can't let you do that." I said seriously. I didn't want him to think he had to take care of me. I was getting by with what I had.
"Please, Bella? I really want this to be perfect. If it makes you feel better, I have to wear a tux." He told me, and it did make me feel better. Thinking about Edward looking sharp in a tuxedo made my heart melt.
"But you're paying for your own." I pointed out, getting back to the issue at hand. Emmett didn't notice this conversation at all. He was lost in his own world.
Edward took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "I knew you would argue about this." He said making me feel guilty. I could tell he really did want me to let him pay for that stupid dress, but I was making sure he got the change.
"Fine fine. I'll let you pay. I won't even complain anymore." I said finally letting our hands make contact, I would have done anything to get his smile back. It worked and he was beaming.
"Thank you." He said leaning over giving my cheek a quick kiss. I felt like my face was on fire.
The doorbell rang, and I jumped up to go get it. It was Alice, of course.
Edward had followed me to the door. "I'll see you tonight. Have fun." He instructed.
"We will!" Alice answered for me enthusiastically. Edward smiled, and headed back up the stairs. I took a deep breath to brace myself for the trip we were about to take.
"Come on, Bella. It will be fun. Turn that frown upside-down!" She joked. I laughed lightly and climbed into her Audi.
She turned the radio on low, and we began to the trip to Port Angeles. "So you know where Edward's taking me?" I asked her.
"Yep." She nodded and smiled, but didn't volunteer anything else.
"And you're not going to tell me?" I pleaded. I hated surprises.
"Nope." A musical giggle filled the car. I crossed my arms over my chest and let out a little huff. I thought that pouting might have given me what I wanted, but she just laughed louder.
"You really will love it, though. He's never tried this hard for a girl before. He really likes you." She explained.
"Really? He doesn't do this with, you know, every other girl he's dated?" I asked. I was shocked by the revelation. I thought that Edward Cullen, smooth operator of sorts, had this game down with every girl he ever took an interest in. It didn't necessarily bother me.
"Good God, no! Edward usually doesn't want girls to know we have money. You're the first girl who's ever met our parents." My jaw literally dropped when she revealed this.
"Wow." Was all I could say. Truth be told, I was a little too messed up to even deserve Edward. And to think that he had taken such a liking to me was shocking. I had always half expected that I was being trailed along until he found someone better, and I was infatuated with him enough to take it. I was beginning to believe that he felt the same about me more and more everyday.
"Yeah. He definitely has feelings for you, Bella. You should have heard what he said to Mike Newton." She said with a laugh that was almost, maniacal.
"What?" I gasped. "What could he have possibly said to Mike, and why?" I spoke quickly and Alice pressed her pretty lips into a hard line.
"I wasn't supposed to say anything." She said bluntly.
"Alice! I won't say anything to Edward, I promise." I held up two fingers.
"Alright, alright. Mike was talking to Tyler, Lauren, and Jessica about things they could do to make your school year miserable. They didn't know that Edward and I were standing right there, and Edward just sort of…slammed into him, and got in his face. He told him that if anything happened to you, he would know who was responsible and to pretty much watch himself." She finished and I was pretty sure my jaw was at the bottom of the car by that point. I had wondered why Mike wasn't harassing me anymore, I assumed I was just old news.
"He did that for me?" I asked myself more than Alice.
"Yes, but you swore you wouldn't say anything. He really doesn't want you to know about that." She said as she glanced over her shoulder to switch lanes so she could take our exit to Port Angeles. I didn't really see what the big deal about me not knowing was, but I promised.
"That's just so…sweet." I said to her, searching for the right word to describe the gesture. It was nice enough that he did it, but even nicer that he didn't want credit.
Alice pondered for a moment as she pulled up to the mall. "Like I said, he really does have feelings for you. Everyone can tell." She shrugged and took a parking spot. "You ready?" She asked me, beaming. Alice loved to shop.
I nodded and got out of the car. Alice and I walked to the entrance of the store. Alice looked at home in the mall. I was, however, out of place and felt awkward. I didn't know where to go, I didn't even know what was in half of the stores.
"Let's go there, first. They will have the best dresses." She said pointing to a store that was written in French. It looked out of place for Washington, and hardly anyone was inside.
A short chubby man pranced up to us as soon as we were inside. "Alice! How wonderful to see you." He exclaimed flamboyantly giving her a kiss on each cheek.
"You too, Sal. This is my good friend, Bella. She needs a dress. Edward is taking her out on Friday." His face lit up like a Christmas tree as Alice revealed this. I just blushed.
"I haven't seen Edward since you two bought your mother that dress for her birthday!" He exclaimed. "Nice to see he isn't still with that skank." He mumbled lower, causing both Alice and I to giggle.
"I have to agree." I smiled.
"So where is he taking you?" He asked me.
"He won't tell me, and neither will she." I said pointing to Alice. Alice just got up on her tippy toes and whispered something in his ears.
"Really?" He asked with shock toward Alice, who just nodded with a proud smile. I rolled my eyes, it seemed like everyone knew but me.
"Well right this way, sweetheart. I have a few dresses that would be perfect." He took my hand and led me to a rack on the back wall. He threw five dresses at me and rushed me to the dressing room.
I put on the first one. It was white with a sweetheart neckline. It was the longest of the five. It didn't really have much detail, it looked like an elaborate slip. I stepped out of the dressing room in front of Alice and Sal, who were sitting in two modern chairs just outside.
"It's beautiful, but this isn't a wedding. Next!" Alice said, while Sal just nodded in agreement.
The next dress was bright red. It was far too low cut for my liking. "I don't even think I should come out in this one, I might get arrested." I shuddered as I looked at my reflection.
"Come on, Bella!" Sal yelled, and I did as I was told. I walked out with my arms crossed trying to cover myself up.
"Whew girl, you look hot!" Sal shouted, causing everyone in the store to look at me. "I think it might be a little too revealing for where you're going, though." Alice agreed and I was tossed back into the dressing room.
The next dress was Black. It was very sophisticated. I liked it a lot. It had subtle beading throughout, and hit just below the knee. I stepped out with confidence.
"Boring!" They said in unison, and turned back with a little pout to try on the next dresses. I really liked that one.
I only had two dresses left. I put on a green one. It was pretty, and not too revealing. But green had never been my favorite color. If I stepped outside in it I probably would have gotten lost amongst all of the green in Forks. I stepped out.
"Hmm." Alice said.
"I don't know." Sal shrugged. "Try on the last one, and we'll see which one we like better." He told me, and I made my last trip into the dressing room.
I held up the last dress to stare at it for appraisal. It was a strange lilac color, not one that you would see too often on a dress. It was flowy, and low cut, but done tastefully. I slipped it on. It gave me the perfect amount of cleavage, and it was the perfect length. I walked out.
They both gasped and clapped as soon as they saw me in it.
Yes, this was the dress.
A/N: I'm at my friend's house. I figure I can manage to give you guys chapters, my internet really won't work until like the third or so of Sept. I'm very frustrated lol. But I found a way to get you all chapters! So I'm happy. The dress is on my profile. Also! I started outlining my next story. I wrote a prologue, I'm excited! Review?