3

3. Alice!

I blazed into my house and looked around. Then, I found it, hanging clean on a hanger in my closet. The thongs. The thongs. What's next, Alice? A wonder bra? Ugh.

"Bella!" Alice called, outside my house. I ignored her. I stared at the thongs and hid it under a bunch of clothes. Then, I'll burn them later.

I came back out, and bumped into Alice when I stepped out the door. It sounded like a huge rock falling into a ditch, with a huge impact. "Oh. Hello, Alice."

"Bella! What did Jazz tell you? What did you just do? Tell me!" I restrained a grimace. "Nothing at all. I just went inside to brush my teeth."

"I didn't hear any water." Crap, I have to get better at lying. "Oh. Did I say brush my teeth? I meant brushing my hair!"

"Your hair is exactly the same as it was before you went inside. I can see. Just admit it, Jasper told you about my gift."

"GIFT? What kind of person gives someone a thong as a gift? And why would you need one for yourself?!" Her face puckered. My anger turned to regret. "But I'm not saying you're a…like, you know." She looked up with wide eyes.

"I know, but. I kept having visions of you and Edward." Crap. "And I thought it would tease him more if you wore one….and I wanted see the look on Jasper's face when I wore it…but somehow he saw it. And he got uncomfortable and got the wrong idea. So protective…!" Just like my Edward. I sighed. "Fine. But I am not going to wear it. I'll keep it, but never wear it. Ever. As for you? I'd say, knock yourself off." I closed my eyes and waited.

"Okay!" I opened them and saw a grinning Alice. Wow. Had her hair grown at least, a bit yet? No, she probably likes this hairstyle. She probably cuts it her own whenever its gets long. Ah. "Alice?"

"Hmm?" She smiled.

"What's Edward, Jacob, and Nessie doing?" I didn't forget about them. They somehow strayed to the end of my priorities list when I found about Alice's 'gift'. I wonder if I growled at her….

Alice closed her eyes and pondered. "They're fixing on coming over here to see what's happening. Or maybe Edward already read Jasper's mind…and Jacob just had to tag along. As a wolf. Nessie on the back." She sighed. "Interesting…I never thought I would get used to a dog's smell…" I made a face at her.

A bark or howl came through to us. They're near. And Jacob heard Alice's last remark. Then, Edward came into sight with curious eyes. Jacob followed, tongue sticking out. "Hi." I said innocently.

"Nessie!" Alice squealed. She reached her hands out at her on top of the wolf. Nessie jumped and landed securely in the waiting arms.

Jacob retreated real quick, and came back as his normal self. "I'm not sure if I heard right, but did you get a—"

"Say thong, and I'll rip your throat out." I growled. He laughed, wrapping his waist with his arms. "Oh, wow. I came here to see if you were wearing it…HA! That would be a sight…" My eyes narrowed at him. Edward's hands rested on my shoulders, his chin on my head. "You okay?" He murmured. I glanced at the laughing-his-butt-off werewolf and then Alice. "Yup…" I muttered. He chuckled and turned me around so my face was buried in his chest.

My hands wrapped around to his neck and looked up. I kissed his lightly on the lips, but he made it more. I pulled back—which was something I would never have done. "I need to hunt. Sorry…" He stared, wary, and nodded. I'd never been not in the mood for Edward to kiss me. I need a break.