A/N: I do believe I promised more than one chapter in the same day for the long wait, did I not? I'm not Stephenie Meyer.
After the dress was paid for, by Edward, of course. We went to a shoe store. Alice insisted that I got silver shoes, and I was in no position to argue. The shoe process was much shorter than the dress process. The second one's I tried on were perfect.
"You know, I had my reservations, but thanks, Alice. I really couldn't have picked out something without you." I told her sheepishly, causing her to grin.
"No problem at all." She said before leading me to Sephora, which would be the last shop on our trip. She had insisted that I needed some make up, and she was right.
I looked around for a bit. "Thirty dollar eye shadow? Alice, are you joking me?" I said putting the small container back.
"It's good make up, Bella. You never have to re-apply, and it's all hypo-allergenic." She explained, and I gave up.
We spent about 200 dollars on make up. Everything fit into a small black bag.
I eyed the small bag skeptically. "Worth every penny." Alice assured me. I just nodded.
"Thanks for helping me pick it out." I told her. I wouldn't have known what colors went with my skin, and hair. She seemed like an expert on the subject.
"No, thank you. I was sure you would give me hell. I live for this stuff." She explained with a giggle.
We exited the mall, and got back into her car. She turned the radio back on.
"So you still won't tell me where he's taking me will you." I stated. And she nodded.
"I just love the element of surprise, don't you?" She asked and I nearly choked. How could anyone like surprises?
"I hate surprises, actually." I admitted, and she frowned a little bit.
"Don't tell that to Edward, he would be really disappointed." I nodded in agreement, I wouldn't want to disappoint him.
"I'm just worried. I've never been anywhere nice enough to wear a dress like that. I'm not sure I'll know how to act." I said. I was sure Alice and Edward had both been to charm-school or something. They were so well mannered.
"You'll be fine. Edward likes nice places, but not snobby one's. You're one of the most polite people I've ever met. My parents were both very impressed." She said.
"What did they say about me?" I wondered out loud. I had tried not to think about the impression I had made on Esme and Carlisle. They seemed very nice, but I couldn't be too sure.
"They just said that you seemed very sweet. And that you're really beautiful." I had to blush at that. How could a family of the most beautiful people I'd ever seen think I was anything close to it. "Oh don't make that face. Everyone you meet thinks you're beautiful. Edward couldn't talk about anything else the first day he met you. We both kind of pictured you being like Emmett with long hair." She said and we both started laughing hysterically at the mental image.
"With that comparison, of course he thought I was beautiful." I managed to say between giggles, which started another fit of laughter.
"You're ridiculous, Bella." She said, still giggling. I sighed, I guessed that I would never see myself the same way that other people did.
We spent the rest of the drive joking, and laughing. We pulled up to the house and saw that Rose and Jasper were already there. Alice had a huge smile on her face.
"Excited to see Jasper?" I asked and guessed at the same time.
"Nope, I'm excited to see Rose. I want to know if she'll help do your make up on Friday. She's an amazing artist." Alice would never cease to surprise me. I giggled a little bit, and we both got out of the car. As soon as I was outside I got goose bumps, I felt like someone was watching me. I randomly got that feeling sometimes so I shrugged it off, and went inside.
Alice ran up to Jasper giving him the biggest hug her small arms could manage. Rose and Emmett were playing halo together upstairs. I looked around to find Edward. He was standing next to Jacob, their faces just inches apart. It almost looked like they were snarling. They both looked ready to attack. I walked up to them and took Edward's hand in mine. His threatening expression turned into a grin, and Jacob walked away.
"Hey you. How was shopping?" He asked.
"It went very well. Thank you, for everything." I said and he wrapped me in a quick hug. "What was going on with you and Jacob?" I asked. His faced twisted into a grimace again. I was almost certain that it had to do with me.
"Nothing really, he just invited himself to dinner. He said he wants to stay to 'get to know you better'" He said in a mocking tone. His face held nothing but hatred and disgust.
"Why does that bother you? I don't want to get to know him any better, so it shouldn't matter. If I ignore him long enough he'll get the hint." I assured him, and a small smile played on his lips.
"I'm beating him up if he tries to touch you, though." He teased. I rolled my eyes.
"I think I will beat him up myself if he touches me." I shuddered causing Edward to laugh.
"So you got a dress, yeah?" He asked. He looked like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Yes I did. And shoes, and even make up." I wiggled my eyebrows, and he laughed.
"Can I see?" He asked while biting his lip. He was so adorable.
"Of course you can." I said.
"Really? I thought it would be more difficult than that." He said with true shock written on his face.
"Well of course it is. You can see if you tell me where we're going." I smiled, proud of my tactic.
"I'm taking you to Denny's. Lovely place, very 50's feel." He joked, and I smacked him on the arm.
"You're lying!" I accused.
"Duh." He chuckled.
"I guess you'll see the dress on Friday, then." I shrugged acting like I didn't care, which I did.
"Alright then, how about I help you start dinner?" He asked. It was almost five. I nodded and we walked into the kitchen. "What's on the menu, chef Swan?" He asked jokingly. I giggled a little.
"Pork chops, buttered noodles, and salad. Any objections?" I asked, if he was going to help I could at least make him food that he wanted.
"None at all, what can I help you with?" He asked, ready to do anything I told him to.
"You can start by….telling me where you're taking me Friday." I thought it was worth a shot. He chuckled.
"Next." He said simply.
"Alright, fine you win. Get the long skillet and put it on medium head vertically across the two left burners." I instructed him, and he smiled.
"You're awfully specific." He pointed out.
"Well. I need the high heat for the noodles, and it's on the right. So actually, I'm just smart." I took my index finger and tapped my noggin a few times.
"As you command." He said and he did exactly as he was told.
I got out some olive oil, and dusted the pork chops in a flour and pepper mixture. Jake walked into the kitchen.
"Hey Bella. You look nice today. What do you want me to do to help?" He asked, and I had a hard time not rolling my eyes. Edward just snorted.
"Actually Edward and I got everything, thank you, though." I told him with as polite as I could manage turning my attention back to dusting the meat.
"Surely there's something I can do. Anything?" He said suggestively.
"No there's not, this kitchen isn't big enough for the three of us, so back to the living room, Mongrel." Edward said stepping between Jake and me much to my relief.
"Why don't you let her answer for herself?" Jake said in a mocking tone that lacked the confidence and maturity that Edward held. Edward just stepped out of the way, and shrugged smugly.
"Actually. We really have everything handled just fine." I said politely.
"You'll come around." He said, walking away.
"I'm going to hit him someday." Edward said nonchalantly.
"Please don't." I giggled.
"Why not? You can tape it, and we'll put it on youtube." He suggested and I laughed.
"Whatever you say. Will you get out the spaghetti pot for me?" I asked him and he nodded walking over to the cabinet. He still knew the kitchen better than I did.
He filled the pot with water while I gently placed the pock chops on the skillet. He put the pot on the burner next to it. Since everything was on the stove, I put the ingredients for the salad on the table and sat down. Edward sat down next to me.
"So when is your next football game?" I asked making small talk.
"Saturday night. It's in Portland, Oregon." He told me.
"How far is that from here?" I questioned. I wanted to go. Maybe Emmett would drive me.
"It's four hours. Do you…want to go? Emmett, Jasper, and I are going to stay in a hotel that night and hang around Sunday, maybe Charlie would let you come if you and Alice stayed in another room." He suggested and a tried to hide my excitement.
"Maybe Rose, too." I added, not wanting to leave her out.
"Yeah. My uncle owns the hotel, I'm sure he won't mind getting another room or two." He said with a smile.
"I'll ask Charlie after dinner." I told him.
We finished chopping up all of the vegetables. I walked over to the stove and turned the pork chops, and put spaghetti noodles in the water. I went back and took my seat.
"So what now?" He said with a chuckle. I giggled a little bit, too.
"I guess we wait. We can always go watch Emmett and Rose play Halo, but I think Jake might come in and poison our food." I said.
"At least I would get to hit him for that." He concluded and I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.
"There's always that." I shrugged.
"So tell me something." He started. "You know about me and Lauren, but how about you. What were your last boyfriends like?" He asked with true curiosity.
"I've never really been serious about anyone. Kind of dated here and there a little bit. I wasn't really popular, but I wasn't a nerd, either." I tried to explain the best I could.
"So if I'm being too bold, please don't answer. But you've never…you know.." He trailed off. And my eyes went wide in defense.
"No, Of course not. Like I said, I've never been serious about anyone. And I wouldn't do that unless I was serious." I said quickly hoping to change the awkward subject.
"Me neither." He said.
"I would hope not. I think Lauren probably would have given you something." I giggled, and he joined in.
After the awkwardness was over, I went to go take the pork chops off the griddle and drain the noodles while Edward went to fetch everyone. Charlie and Billy were going out for dinner so they could shop for new fishing gear.
"Smells good." Jake said coming up behind me, making me jump. I would never have jumped at Edward's voice. I really wished that Charlie and Billy had taken Jake with them.
"Umm. Thanks. You can go sit down, everyone else will be down here in a second." I said almost as a warning.
"So I know you're busy Friday, but how about Saturday?" He asked, ignoring my previous statement entirely.
"I think I might be busy Saturday, as well." I said.
"She'll be busy every day as far as you're concerned, Jacob." Edward made an appearance looking menacing with Emmett and Jasper behind him for back up. Rose and Alice were in the corner giggling at the entire situation.
"You seem to like speaking for her, Cullen?" Jacob said before turning to me. "Does he always control you like that, Bella? I don't think you should get into a relationship like that. I mean, you're mom did and look what happened to her." He said casually.
Before I knew what was happening. I pulled my arm back and with as much force as I could muster I flung it forward until it was stopped by Jake's nose. I heard a loud crack, and was proud, until I realized that it came from my hand.
I stormed out of the room, not wanting anyone to see me cry. I had been crying too much. Edward followed me.
"Let me see it." He said calmly, though I could tell he was angry with Jacob, everyone was.
I reluctantly reached out my injured hand, wiping my tears with my other hand. He took it and I winced in pain.
"It hurts." I whined.
"I know. I'll take you to my dad. He'll fix it for you, and you won't have to go to the hospital." He told me, knowing that I would do anything to avoid a hospital visit.
I nodded and he led me back down the stairs into the kitchen where everyone sat, just glaring at Jacob. Who was trying to stop his bleeding nose, I was a little smug once I saw that.
"Alice, do you think you can manage serving dinner? I'm going to take Bella to dad, she hurt her hand." Edward said to his little sister, who nodded.
"And Jacob, you better stay away from her or so help me God I will finish what she started, and I'm not that breakable." He said through clenched teeth, I could tell he was holding himself back from attacking Jacob right there.
"Don't worry Edward, we'll get him out of here." Emmett said, sizing himself up, if that were at all possible.
Edward nodded, and then led me outside. I got the same eerie feeling that I got the last time I was outside. I instinctively glanced around and then I saw a figure wearing all black standing at the edge of the woods right across from my house. I gasped loudly and recoiled into Edwards chest.
"What?" He asked, holding on to me.
"Do you see that?" I said trying not to let my tears spill over again. He looked at where I was pointing and took a defensive stance, and just like that…the figure disappeared into the woods.
And at that moment I knew that I had been found.
A/N: There ya go, over 6000 words in one day. I enjoyed it, and I hope you guys did, too! Updates should be more regular from now on. Also, when I said I wrote a prologue for my new story, I didn't mean that I posted it. Sorry if I confused you, but I won't post it until this story is finished. I'm just getting a way way way head start on it. I'm really sorry about saying that lol, I was just excited.