Midnight Dust

Chapter Three: Shopping with Alice

BPOV

Biology was very awkward, it was a movie day and all I could think of was what happened during detention. Edward was sitting next to me his hands fisted as he rested on his arms oblivious to everything, lost in his own thoughts. Things have been very confusing lately. I've had so much on my mind; thinking of how I'm going to tell Charlie and Renee about the wedding, were the hell Jacob is and when he'll come back, and this whole sexual frustration stuff! It wasn't so out of character for me to over react when Edward kisses me but for him to do so was a major event, my god we've never even had an open mouthed kiss until recently. And his eyes…I've noticed that they've darkened day by day and that there are ruby colored rings forming around the topaz. I sighed and began to rub my temples. This slight action was all it took to snap Edward out of his reverie.

"What's wrong?" he whispered concernedly. Oh I don't know Edward, how about we start with you and your PMS? Or are all vampires this bi-polar? Seriously one second you're all sexy and seductive then the next moment you're angry and frustrated! Thank god he couldn't hear my thoughts. I'd love to talk to him about his freaky mood swings but I'd prefer a more private setting and –frankly- I really appreciate the opportunity to word it better. Somehow I don't think Edward would be appreciative of me telling him he was acting like an overly hormonal girl.

"Nothing," I lied, "I'm just tired and I remembered something." I whispered back.

"What?" he asked looking concerned.

"You said that Alice is going to babysit me" I said disgustedly, "which means I'm going shopping." 'Shopping' fell from my lips like a curse. I love Alice, I really do, but there is only so much shopping one girl can take –especially if she has a low tolerance for people spending money on her. He eyed me suspiciously.

His next words called me out on my omission and half lies. "There's more that you're not telling me." I swallowed nervously. Where's the bell when you need it! I thought in despair while trying to think up some believable lie or some sort of half truth. "Well what is it?" he was definitely getting more frustrated by the second. He hated when I didn't tell him things.

"We need to tell Charlie and Renee this weekend." He continued to stare at me with narrowed eyes, obviously trying to read my face –or perhaps get a glimpse into my freaky brain.

He gave up. "I agree," his voice was so low only I could hear him "we should tell Charlie Sunday and then call Renee, Alice has been driving me insane! She keeps throwing wedding plans at me -it'll be a relief to add some certainty to the event to keep her happy. But there is something else you're not saying Isabella." He was doing it again, his eyes burning into mine. Urgh! How I hate you Edward and your damned dazzling abilities!

But oh, how I love you!

My lips parted involuntarily as I stared into his smoldering eyes and I had trouble thinking. All I knew was that Edward wanted answers from me –and in that moment I was totally convinced: what Edward wanted, Edward gets. Just as I was about to tell him Mr. Banner interrupted, pausing the movie and cutting across the sudden silence.

"All right then class, on Monday you will be given a quiz on what you've just seen. Have a great weekend everyone." We quickly gathered up our books and silently walked out of the class room, Edward pulled me aside as soon as we got out of ear shot.

He sighed frustratedly and pushed a hand through his messy bronze locks "Listen Bella; I want you to just…stay out of trouble for me while I'm gone, okay? Please? Just…stay with Alice. When I get back we can talk about what's bothering you. And Bella-" his eyes narrowed and he told me very deliberately, "we will be discussing it." He sighed and smiled crookedly, a lingering sadness in his eyes as he softly said "I love you." He leaned in and softly kissed me. It was a sweet kiss; chaste and full of nothing but love.

"Love you more." I was almost crying –it was almost pathetic how dependent I was on him- I couldn't bear the thought of us being apart for a full twenty-four hours! He laughed sadly with me.

"Doubt it." He sighed again and said softly "I hate leaving you." He kissed me one last time, smiled and left.

Shockingly enough, despite the fact that I didn't have Edward to look forward to, Gym went by relatively quickly and I only tripped once. As soon as I began to walk to the parking lot I noticed Alice leaning against my truck with a huge grin on her face as I began to walk reluctantly towards her. Maybe I can run for it. I mused, smiling slightly. As if I could outrun a vampire.

"Oh Bella darling come here, I have a surprise for you!" her musical voice chimed out. It was amazing how villainous that beautiful voice could sound. As if she was a vampire in a horror movie trying to convince her poor victim to open their window or some other thing that would lead to their inevitable demise. I laughed internally at that. I would have to tell Emmett that; he'd get a real kick out of it. I smiled cheerfully at her, my happiness restored at the sight of my best friend and soon-to-be sister –despite the horrors I knew she had in store for me- and met her at my truck.

"Shopping time!" She called gleefully, just as I had suspected. "I had a vision and you're going to need a few things…" Before I could begin to form even the weakest semblance of a protest -which I knew would do me no good but which for the sake of my conscience I had to do anyway- she held her hand up and began to take me to task.

"Before you say no or come up with an excuse let me explain." She then led me to her car leaving mine behind for one of the other Cullens to pick up later.

I was more than a little suspicious; it was rare that Alice felt the need to come up with an explanation for one of 'our' shopping expeditions. "Alice," I began ominously, "what is this about? Explain. Now." It came out a little harsher than I had intended and I felt slightly guilty but decided to save my apologies for a later time –like after she'd explained.

"Sheesh Bella! Chill! No need to flip out! Like I said, I had a vision and I can't really tell you but you need to trust me and just go with the flow. Come on, put on your seatbelt –we're going shopping!" I was still looking at her dubiously and she saw and rolled her eyes. "Bella, trust me. I'm Alice!" It was impossible to maintain my current state if irritation with those wide golden Cullen eyes and that uniquely Alice pout aimed at me. If I could but capture the force of the Cullen eyes –and lips- and bottle it, I'd have a weapon of mass destruction in my hands.

What could I do? I sighed and capitulated, smiling wryly at my favorite Cullen girl.

Alice-POV

It was time to take thing in to my own hands since Edward and Bella obviously won't. My poor Jazz nearly passed out at lunch today from their emotions! And he's a vampire! I really don't care if Edward thinks it's dangerous or if Bella misguidedly thinks they both want to wait for the wedding. I've looked ahead and Edward doesn't kill or hurt her, neither of them will get mad and they both find it highly agreeable. They will so thank me later.

BPOV

I was definitely in trouble, so, so deep in trouble…but how could I say no to her unbelievably cute vampire eyes? Ugh, just when I thought I was used to shopping. We were in the Seattle mall; I reluctantly followed Alice until I saw where she had taken me and stopped dead.

"Mary Alice Whitlock-Cullen!There is no way in hell I'm going in there with you!" I whisper-snarled furiously at her as I stared at the scary big pink letters that read 'Victoria's secret'.

She looked half guilty. "Well, technically you can refuse and walk away, but you see you don't really have a choice. When you and Edward left the house this morning I snuck into your room and burned all your bras, panties and pajamas." It took me every ounce of will power I possessed not to strangle her. Not that it would have any affect on her but it might scare some of the passers by.

She looked at me smiling brightly. Damn evil pixie-pire. "Well are you coming in our not?" Her voice was sugary sweet as she asked. I snorted, as if she didn't already know! I stomped childishly behind my tormentor.

"All right so what size are you?" She eyed me up and down, making me blush terribly. Why did she even have to do this? She's seen me naked before and vampires have photographic memories. I think she was just doing it to look more human –and consequently embarrass me. I nearly growled.

"34C" I told her coolly, "and small in everything else." Despite my tone I was painfully aware of the fact that I must be blushing as she smiled at me. She immediately went to work throwing things left, right and center for me to try on. I dragged myself into the dressing room and looked at myself despondently in the three way mirror. Why didn't I just tattoo pushover onto my forehead?

"Alice!" I shrieked, scandalized, as I held up a midnight blue corset with black lace and skimpy looking lace panties. "What the hell is this?!" I practically threw it at her, and her smile didn't even falter.

"Well you need pajamas don't you?" I began to hyperventilate in fear and anger. Did she really think I'd be comfortable sleeping in that? It was a corset for crying out loud! No one wore those to sleep! They wore them for their boyfriends to take off them! Edward would not appreciate this! Or even worse –he'd appreciate it too much. What the hell is she up to? I wondered angrily, we had enough trouble restraining ourselves without this. Despite my furious protests we left the store with five big pink striped bags in hand, I didn't even bother looking at the price tags. I wasn't even going to wear them. I'd rather sleep in jeans and I'm sure Edward could give me his shirt. It would be far more comfortable than a corset. Gah!

After the terrible trial of Victoria's Secret and the incumbent skimpy lingerie that dear Alice expected me to wear in place of my pajamas –and I knew they had a line of decent sleepwear that she hadn't seen fit to allow me to buy- Alice led me to a hair salon. I glared once more at my so called best friend. The hair stylist pushed me into a chair as Alice told her what to do with my hair. Admittedly she could see the future and see what would look the best but still! It was my hair which I would probably end up living with for eternity –shouldn't I at least get a say? Something was definitely up; Alice was usually very good about allowing me choices –except when it came to going shopping that is.

I replayed her voice in my head and thought about what she had told the hairdresser to do "She needs more body to her hair" she'd told the woman "and some bangs. But don't cut it short, it looks better long." I decided I would like the hair style and it would have been something I would have agreed to anyway. Alice had probably foreseen my answers and just gone ahead and done what I would have agreed to. Still, usually she would have still asked me. My eyes narrowed in distrust.

"Alice," I said with gritted teeth "can you please tell me what this is about? I'm not Edward you know."

She rolled her eyes and sighed as if I were being particularly dense. "Well it's rather obvious isn't it?" Perhaps to her, I was still waiting on the explanation. She saw the look I was giving her and hurriedly explained "You do realize that you and Edward have been driving poor Jazz crazy with all your tension." Oh. Now I get it. Yow! Poor Jasper.

"I'm sorry Alice I didn't realize, I, we, just sorry." Then I realized something. "And this is going to help? How?" All that would happen was that Edward would spontaneously combust. Or he would behave badly and we would both spontaneously combust.

"Oh don't be silly Bella it's not your guy's fault, I'm just trying to assist you guys." Realization dawned on me. Ugh great. Alice is trying to get me laid. Wow, I really didn't see that one coming. The hair dresser who had been studiously ignoring our conversation finally twirled me around and I gasped at my hair.

It was gorgeous! It was cut to where the top was slightly cropped and it was a bit choppy at the ends but it looked great. I had never styled my hair before and I actually had bangs.

"Alice you did well." I smiled at my reflection actually pleased with myself. Then I turned around and faced her, frowning. I waited until we'd left the salon before opening my mouth to tell her why this was a very bad idea but she –of course- already knew and beat me to the punch.

"Listen Bella, you're wrong. Edward doesn't really want to wait. He was just messed up when he told you that. He was afraid that you'd back out of the wedding but he's not afraid any more. Only respect for you and your wishes keeps him from ravishing you. So just go with it okay? It all turns out well in the end.

I thought about it and smiled.

I had to trust her –she was Alice.

Disclaimer: I own nothing not the characters nor the books the credit goes to Stephanie Meyer. I just created this FICTION!

Beta and re-worded by: Phantom-writer3739 [Awesome-est Beta ever]

Links to haircut and corset on profile

Playlist: eh none for this chap.

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