On the discussion of my reviews, I got the sweetest anonymous one:
Really great fic, you're a beautiful writer. Can't wait to read what's next! you've got me all excited!
So, whoever you are, if you're reading this, thank you so much! I absolutely LOVE getting reviews, so keep giving!! Just a shout out to my constant reviewing fans:
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This chapter is going to be very long. I know, "yay!" But that means for long chapters, can I get long and multiple reviews? I'm hoping to get to 60 from this chapter? Please? Refer me? Recommendations?
Chapter Eight
"Bella! Oh my gosh we have so much to do and no time! Edward has ME on a schedule. Can you believe that?"
Alice acted as if we had been friends forever, but I liked it. I went to grab my shoes as she walked into my house.
"You know, I like your house, it's very quaint, cozy." She was marveling over my house, but what was weird was she barely even looked around. But she seemed sincere. When I came back from getting my shoes, she wasn't there.
"Alice?" I called her name.
"I'm up in your room!" Oh, no. What was she doing up there? What pictures were out? Oh no. Alice will take care of clothes, an ominous warning. I wish I had taken the hint.
I walked, frightened by the impending situation, up the stairs. Alice was sifting through my closet and my drawers were completely ransacked.
"What are you doing?!" I asked, slightly angered, but also confused.
"Well, Edward told you, you are going on a trip, and I am taking you shopping. I jut wanted to check what you had and what you needed."
"Alice, this is completely unnecessary. I have enough clothes, and I can't let you take me shopping."
"Bella, though I can't agree you have plenty clothes, you haven't seen my closets. And you can let me take you shopping, it's not that hard."
I grumbled. I already knew I couldn't win this war. Alice looked at me with big eyes.
"Please. Let me have a little fun?"
Her eyes were the same color as Edward's. I hadn't noticed the similarity in their coloring. Her eyes were big, topaz orbs, and her skin was that same gravely pale shade. Only their hair was colored different. And their faces, so abnormally stunning, mirrored each other, but their features were so different. It made no sense, the only common features were the eyes and the skin, they had different noses, mouths, cheeks, but they were so…. godly. So beautiful. Dazzling.
"Okay, I'll go, but I'm not saying I'll have fun."
"Oh, I can guarantee you will."
After quickly throwing my room back together, Alice and I worked our way outside. When we stepped outside I gasped. She had an amazing car, just like Edward, but hers was a convertible deep red Coupe. I didn't even know they made those. Mr. Cullen must really love cars.
"Bella, stop gawking and get in!" Alice was already in the car, starting the engine.
"Wow, your family has really nice cars."
"Carlisle is a collector, plus on his salary and his investing he can afford these types of things." Most people would question her not calling Carlisle "Dad", but I understood this. I only call Charlie Dad when I was talking to him.
"What does he do?"
"He's a doctor." She said very nonchalantly, like it was a boring profession.
Oh, so Dr. Cullen.
"So, Bella, you kind of like my brother, don't you?"
I was taken by surprise by her sudden forwardness. "Uhhh, I really don't know. I've only known him for a day."
"You like him. I can tell."
"Alice I seriously don't know."
"He really likes you. His eyes haven't lit up like they did at that party in a long time."
"Does he have a girlfriend?" That would be my luck, for him to have a pretty thin blonde girlfriend back at home.
"Heavens no. He's never taken interest in any girls before you. He was always complete in himself, not needing anyone else. Now he needs you."
Wow, all this so fast. "Wow, all this so fast," I said, finally speaking my mind.
"Edward knows when something feels right."
It did feel right. In a wrong way.
We were already at the mall, a normally 45 minute drive, done in 15. Must be the car.
Alice parked in an unusually close spot, one not often available, and walked into the first store she saw. It being a weekday, the store was not jam-packed. But, we were in Phoenix, so there were a decent number of people. She was practically dragging me to the junior's department, making it there in excellent time. Naturally, I started to walk to the back, to the sales racks to check for bargains. Renee was an exceptional bargain hunter, and had taught me well enough (on our few trips) to know a good price when I saw one.
But Alice wouldn't have that. She grabbed my elbow, almost immediately knowing where I was going, and dragged me to the full priced front.
"Bella, seeing a) I'm buying, and b) you don't know what you're looking for, then I suggest that you let me do the choosing."
"But Alice, I don't want you spending a fortune on me."
"Doctor. Stocks. Remember? I'm not worried about money at the moment."
I sighed, which she took as a sign of defeat. With that she grabbed my elbow once more and brought me to the sparse winter collection. Huh.
"It may help if you put out your arms; I won't be able to carry this all myself." How much clothing did she intend to buy?
I held out my arms, grunting, and mumbled to myself how I didn't see how this was all necessary.
"This is very necessary," Alice replied, hearing my individual conversation. "How could you know if it was or not? You have no idea what's happening." She said that last phrase with a grin.
"On that subject then, what is happening?"
"No chance you're getting this out of me, Bella. Edward would kill me if I ruined his surprise. You will like it though, I can guarantee that."
Bella, you're just going to have to buckle up and live with it.
Alice started stacking clothing on my arms by the bundle. By the feel of them too, they weren't Phoenix- suitable clothing, they were too heavy. My arms were failing as Alice placed the last clothes on the stack. I couldn't see anything but clothes.
"Okay, we're ready; I'm going to lead you to the dressing room now." Alice placed her hand on my shoulder and started leading me somewhere.
"In. Try on the blue sweater with the light jeans."
I searched through the pile and found a light blue cardigan and ripped jeans. They looked expensive; I didn't even want to look at the prices.
I pulled them on, and they fit. The sweater was shorter, showing my tank top, and the jeans were slightly tight. I checked, they were size two. I fit well into a size two.
"Bella, you're killing me here!"
I walked out, Alice gasped.
"I love that color on you. You are getting this end of story."
I sighed, Alice was…well Alice. No other word fit her personality.
I was getting undressed when Alice barked orders again. "Try the red wrap around sweater and the khaki pants."
I searched through the sea of clothes yet again. There they were. A light airy sweater and a pair of light khakis.
This time when I stepped out Alice nearly jumped on me. "Bella, I love this, I think we have found our winners!! Just grab those two outfits and the corduroy jacket and come to the register."
I went back, changed, and took the things she mentioned. The jacket was durable brown corduroy, and was loose. It would fit nicely with the other things she had picked out. As I left the dressing room, I realized how mad the employees would be when they saw the heap of clothes left in the room, so I picked them up and hung them on the rack towards the entrance of the fitting rooms. There.
"Bella, hurry up! Remember, time constraint? And we're not done yet!"
I gulped. Not done? How much more could there be?
She quickly paid for the clothes, while the cashier just stood in awe of what stood before him. I had never seen one person get their way so easily. She simply smiled and he rung the things up without one complaint of their discombobulation (from me trying them on) or a word on how a plain person like me could possibly be shopping with a stunning being like Alice.
He also didn't mind when Alice asked for him not to state the total, he just listened to her every words and hung on each letter.
After she finished, she left him with a dazzling smile and walked me outwards toward the central mall.
"Alice, how do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"You just left that counter guy in complete awe simply by asking for your receipt."
"Oh, that. I don't know, it just happens. That's why I don't take Jasper shopping with me anymore. Too much staring. He hates it." She giggled. "So, Bella, are you hungry? You look like you could use some food."
"I'm fine," I lied. Then my stomach deceived me and grumbled.
"No you're not. There's a pasta place around the corner. You like pasta, don't you?"
"Sure. Anything's fine."
She practically dragged me and our shopping bag to the restaurant. It was partially full; it was lunch break for most people. But with a dazzling smile (and I believe a slight tip), we were instantly given a nice table.
When our waiter came, Alice looked up at him, not even having looked at the menu, and ordered something at a speed so fast I'm surprised the waiter caught it. He then walked away, not even bothering to ask for my order.
"That was rude." I stated. It was true.
"What was rude? I found him very polite."
"Alice! He didn't even ask for my order!"
"Oh, sorry, I kind of ordered for you. Spinach and cheese ravioli, with a side of broccoli."
"Oh, okay."
Our waiter came back, with drinks, and I finally got to really see him. He was about 6 feet tall, with bright red hair. Kind of like a carrot red. But he seemed reasonably sweet, and told us our order would be back soon. Order. Hmm.
"Alice, what did you order? He only said there was one order on the way."
"oh, I didn't order anything. Jasper and I are going out to eat tonight, so I ate a large breakfast and will have a large dinner later."
"Oh. We don't have to eat now if you don't want to."
"It's fine. Hey, cheer up, you get to see Edward in a couple hours, and I don't want him seeing you all sullen and all."
"Alice, can you please tell me what I'm going to be doing?"
"Nope."
"Alice, please…." I looked up at her. Her face was unmoving and would not likely cave in.
"Bella Swan, I already told you, Edward would have my head if I gave away his surprise."
I could not say anything more to that because our waiter came back with a steaming plate of food. I could smell it, and it smelled delicious. Mouth- watering.
I quickly devoured my plate, and wiped my face clean.
"Wow, you're a little thing with an appetite, aren't you?" Alice said, chuckling.
"I like food."
"Well, let's keep moving. We have about 5 more major things we need to get before we leave."
"And these things are…"
"Aren't any use if we don't go and get them!" She took me, once again, by the elbow, and left the restaurant.
"Alice, the check!"
"I paid already," she said with a grin.
"Please let me pay you back for lunch, you are pampering me so much, at least let me do that."
"No chance. This is a treat, and you are not allowed to pay for anything. Edward's orders," she huffed.
I complied, but only because I knew I could not win.
She stopped in front of a shoe store, surveyed it, and then brought me inside.
"We'll find what we need here," she mumbled, so quiet I am sure it was meant for only her ears.
We went down one aisle and the next until she found what she was looking for, a pair of brown boots, that would go up to the middle of my lower leg.
"Bella, what size are you?"
"Ummm, it depends. Around a 6½ to a 7½." I gulped. She was definitely spending too much on me. It made me uncomfortable.
"Here, try these, they're the sixes."
I pulled the boots out of the box and put them on. Hmm…they fit well. And were comfortable. But I knew myself, I would fall the instant I walked. My nose scrunched, and then I was reminded of the pain of the morning.
"Bella, I can see your face, you won't fall. And if you do, Edward will always catch you. I promise."
"How can you be sure?"
"Trust me, his reflexes are very good."
"Okay," I let my voice fade as I finished that. Now for the test. I stood up and started walking. They felt okay, and they kept me on my feet. I mentally congratulated Alice on a good choice.
"Ohhh!!!! They're perfect!! I'm going to go ring them up."
Alice would be Alice. She literally skipped off to pay for the boots, and then, after adding that back to the last, led me to another store. And another. And another.
In the end, we had six bags, containing my first two outfits, my boots, a violet dress, a pair of deadly high heels (to go with the dress), a new suitcase, and my last bag contained a winter jacket, very unpractical in Phoenix.
Alice was holding her own nondescript bag, which she would not let me look inside, but I swear that she had made a mad dash to Victoria's Secret. I had known her brother for two days, so there was NO way that was coming into play. I had never gone further with anyone as far as I'd gone with Edward, and we'd only kissed. She had better hope that either she bought everything there in her own size or that they are fully returnable.
"Alice, I hope that you didn't buy anything in that bag for me."
"Bella, how would you know what's in this bag? I haven't shown you; so therefore, you have nothing to worry about. It's nothing."
I shut up. I wasn't getting anything out of her.
We made our way to the car; it was now around four o'clock. We had been shopping for over five hours. But to tell the truth, when Alice wasn't dragging me from store to store or shoving me into dressing room, which wasn't much, I had had a little fun.
We made the drive home in record time, but also in silence. Alice eyes had fogged slightly over, but she was still focused on the road, or so it seemed.
She had finally snapped out of her trance when she came into my driveway.
"Bella, now you need to pack."
"Pack?!?! Will someone please tell me what's going on here?"
"That's for Edward to do. And he's not going to be here until 6."
6. Only two hours. My heart leaped.
"So, exactly what do I need to pack?"
"And that's for me to do. You go and get some dinner. I'll have things done soon."
Renee wasn't home, I found a note on the "message-board" (Renee's idea) saying they had gone out to dinner and they would be back late. She also left a number for the restaurant that they would be at. Hmph….she didn't feel the need to see me off on my…trip?
I wasn't that comfortable with someone I didn't know rummaging through my drawers, but Alice seemed so comfortable and would probably not do anything wrong, and you weren't the one looking into her big ocher eyes, pleading for you to let them have their fun.
"Oh…okay. If you need help finding anything, just give me a call."
"Don't worry, I probably won't."
"Okay," I sighed, feeling unimportant to the getting ready process, "are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"
She chuckled, as if she was sharing in her own personal joke, "No, I'm fine. Jasper is coming with Edward here then we're going out in my car."
Jasper was coming here. The association between him and the other Jasper were still paining me. Then I remembered something. They were the same. They had to be. The I.D.'s in the email had said Jasper and Rosalie Hale, the exact names Edward had said in his story. (A/n: How many of you picked this up? truly.)
I walked downstairs and reveled on this. I had a few options. I could tell Alice what I saw, and probably see her reaction, those of distrust, of my distrust. Or I could keep mum, but how safe would I be then? What were they planning for tonight, these forgers? Was I to come back? All their actions could have been only to hurt me. Did Renee really know where I was going? Well, there was only one way to find out that.
I picked up the phone and called the number on the board.
When the answering person picked up, I very nicely asked him to ring to Renee. Naturally, she reacted to the call with a very hectic tone.
"Bella, Bella, what's wrong, did he hurt you?" So she did know.
"No mom, nothing's wrong. I was just wondering if you could fill me in on what's happening tonight."
"Bella Marie Swan! No, I promised I wouldn't. Everything's fine. You have a fun time out tonight with that boy. He's a good kid, he is. Came to me and asked to take you out tonight. Don't worry. I wouldn't let you go out with him if he wasn't."
So she didn't know that I had skipped school. She would've mentioned if she did. Hmmm.. I wonder how Alice managed that. Well, Renee actually was lenient with "sick days".
Now that I knew that Renee knew of the plans, I lightened a bit. No need to cause friction, I told myself. I just need to make sure I keep myself okay at all times. No dark alley ways, nothing of that sort. To let myself have fun while always staying safe.
By now I could hear that Alice was almost done, so I hurriedly threw down some leftover chicken and a glass of orange juice so as not to draw questions about the time that had passed. Almost on cue, Alice appeared, with a wide grin, carrying my overstuffed suitcase in one hand, "Get food?"
"Yes, I just grabbed some leftovers, but that does me good enough."
"Bella, now we just have one thing to do. We have to get you ready for Edward."
Uh oh. I didn't like the sound of that. By the way Alice loved dressing me up at the mall, I could only imagine how much of a Barbie doll I would be now.
"Alice, that's really not necessary, I can make up myself."
"No you can't, look, you're barely wearing any makeup now!"
"Just because I don't wear makeup doesn't mean I can't."
"Bella, remember how I promised Edward I would get you ready? Well, doing your makeup and hair counts as getting you ready, so then it's my job."
I repeated to myself from before:
Bella, you're just going to have to buckle up and live with it.
Once I finished my chicken, Alice, once again, grabbed my elbow and led me upstairs. My elbow was going to have a big bruise on it, right where her fingers kept grabbing it.
She sat me down in my small bathroom and took out her ominous shopping bag. She opened it up and dumped it out. I was surprised at how innocent the things in it were, seeing where they had come from. She had emptied out a bag of makeup and Victoria's Secret perfumes. No underwear, thank you God.
She then started to do my makeup, fast, but thankfully lightly. I was never one for that much makeup, as I've said, so I was happy when all Alice put on me was a little dark brown eyeliner and some mascara. I needed not blush, for I knew that my blushing would deceive me at least once tonight.
"Bella, I absolutely love your complexion. I wish you would wear a little makeup now and then, it would offset your eyes so nicely."
After finishing my makeup, she moved on to my hair. I was suddenly very insecure. My hair had to air dry last night, and now it was straight, but with some waves. I very much preferred it straight, and it made me a little mad when it wouldn't cooperate. Some how though, Alice pulled it into a sleek high ponytail, and fashioned the few wisps of bangs that I had to frame my face.
"Bella, go put these on." Alice handed me a pair of jeans, unfamiliar to me, and a blood red long sleeve t-shirt. I would die of heat here in Phoenix.
"It's too hot to wear this here."
"Trust me, where you and Edward are going, it won't be hot."
Just made me wonder even more what I was to be doing tonight.
I dressed, and started to the den to pass time. Alice wouldn't have that, though. She pulled me back and sat me down on my bed.
"Wait, come talk with me. It will make the wait seem like less time. I promise."
"Are you going to tell me what I'm going to be doing? Please?" I attempted to make my eyes widen like Alice's, but it was impossible.
"Bella, you have," she leaned over to check the clock, "Fifteen minutes. Can you please wait? And knowing Edward, and Jasper for that matter, they're going to be early."
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door.
Alice flitted up and started bouncing toward the door. "They're here!!"
She opened the door and I finally saw the one face that had helped me through the day.
"Edward…"
That chapter was so long!!!! Yay!!! Am working on chapter 9 now!!