Disclaimer:I do not own Twilight, any location, person or product in this story, no copyright infringement intended.
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My mind whirled around me. It was happening again. I would never get to live in peace. Someone would always be tormenting me. I didn't realize I was falling until I felt Charlie's arms underneath me.
"Bella are you alright?" my father asked worried as gently placed me on the kitchen chair. I looked at him but I couldn't really see him.
"Yeah of course, I just stood up to fast." I laughed nervously as I carefully slide the paper into my back pocket. Charlie didn't look convinced.
"I'm fine, really." I smiled. Thankfully I heard Alice pull up outside. I grabbed my jacket and kissed my dad running out the door before he could say another word.
Alice sat on the hood of her ridiculously bright yellow car. I thought it was hideous but Alice adored it. I was at the house the day Edward drove it home for her. She was ecstatic, I asked if it was her birthday but she assured me it wasn't and laughed saying that Edward was buying her off. When I asked Edward why he was bribing her, he seemed annoyed giving Alice a look and saying that could just as easily lose her car as keep it. Alice just stuck out her tongue and squealed out of the driveway.
"Let's go" I mumbled low enough to only she could hear, slamming the door and buckling my seatbelt, Alice was a more cautious driver than Edward but it was still terrifying riding with her.
"What's going on?" Alice asked as we sped out of Forks.
"What do you mean?" I asked playing dumb.
"Bella, come on, your heart is beating out of your chest and your paler than normal?"
"I'm just excited, I got my acceptance to school today! " I tried laying it on thick.
Alice didn't buy it I could tell but she didn't push the issue any farther .The rest of the short trip was filled with Alice's non-stop chatter. When we arrived at the mall they were unlocking the doors.
The shopping trip went normally, well as normal as could be with Alice. Apparently Edward had given her his credit card as well and although I tried to argue with her paying for the clothing I fought a losing battle. The only request I gave to Alice was that I didn't want to know the totals. She readily agreed.
We were in Victoria's Secret, Alice going through lingerie while I stood blushing trying to keep my eyes on the perfume section that she dropped the bombshell on me.
"So did Edward mention we're having guests for the next few weeks?" she looked at a black silk nightgown while speaking, her eyes not meeting mine. It was odd she seemed like she was actually uncomfortable.
"No, is it a friend of Carlisle?" I asked as confused. I really didn't know of anyone who would visit the Cullen's.
"Not exactly." She muttered as she placed the black garment back on the rack.
"The Denali sisters are coming to visit. Esme finished the renovation plans to their home and they are going to stay with us while they are completed. They think it would be best to stay away from the temptation of workers." She huffed.
"I take it you don't care much for them?" I asked confused. "Edward hasn't told me much about them only that you stayed with them shortly. He said they were the closest thing you have to family." I shrugged.
Alice scowled.
"Listen Bella, I just want to warn you. Things may be a little awkward while they are staying with us and I think you need to be prepared for that possibility." Alice picked up a spritzer of perfume and sprayed a little.
"Why would they be awkward, won't they like me?" I asked trying to dodge the scent.
"That's not the problem, Kate is wonderful and you guys will hit it off I'm sure, Irina can be pleasant when she has to be, but Tanya is the one you need to be worried about." She placed the bottle back on the shelf.
"Why? I've never even met her? "
Alice took a deep breath and sighed. "Let's just say you have something that Tanya wants." She said smugly turning back to the rack of clothing.
"I highly doubt that I have anything that she would want." I snorted.
"Don't be too sure about that." She smirked this time holding up a red silk nightgown and eyeing me.
"Your crazy, Forget it!" I grumbled. "There is no way your spending money on something that I won't wear."
"You wore the corset, what's the difference?" Alice debated.
"That was a onetime thing, besides Edward doesn't care what I wear to bed." I blushed feverishly when I realized how bad that sounded. I knew she was aware that Edward and I still had not advanced in that stage of our relationship much to my objection but still the idea of wearing something like that was out of the question.
"Bella you are so naïve, of course he cares!" she argued but gave up willingly. "Let's go get you some lunch."
The food court was jammed with teenagers and children with their parents. I quickly grabbed a drink and a burger from the closest stand although I wasn't hungry. The note was still on my mind. Who had written it? Was it someone from the Volturi, Victoria, or Mike? Could it be some other unknown threat? Perhaps it wasn't a threat at all? Perhaps it was only an admirer or someone from school playing a prank? I mean if I was in danger wouldn't Alice have seen something?
"Earth to Bella!" Alice swiped her hand in front of my face. "Are you there?"
"Oh I'm sorry Alice, what were you saying?" I mumbled looking again over my shoulder. I had an uncomfortable feeling I was being watched.
"What is with you today? You keep zoning out, are you sure everything is alright? You seem…distracted."
"It's nothing really, I just off because Edwards gone." I smiled weakly.
She frowned. "I don't believe you, something is up. I should call Edward."
"NO Alice, don't please!" I begged. All I needed was for Edward to get involved in this mess. "I swear I'll get my act together, just don't call Edward!" I whined.
"Ok but on one condition, you let me buy you anything I want from Victoria Secret!" she clapped.
"You're evil" I scowled. Alice just smiled and dragged me back to the store.
When she had finished with all the measurements I convinced her to let me go to the nearest bookstore while she continued shopping. I couldn't bear to watch as she loaded the bags with articles of clothing that would never see the light of day.
The bookstore was the newest addition to the mall, and it was the only store I was actually excited to check out. I eagerly entered the store with my arms loaded with bags that Alice had given me and headed straight for the classic literature section. My main objective was to obtain another copy of Wuthering Heights as the binding of my other had finally been destroyed but I immediately became lost in the endless array of books. I'm not sure how long I was there totally oblivious to the world around me but all too soon Alice was pecking me on the shoulder.
"Aren't you done yet?" She pouted while tapping her foot on the tiled floor.
I held up the book in my hand. "All I have to do is check out." I smiled. "It will only take me a minute." I sighed.
"Fine I'll meet you at Saks." She scurried off as I made my way to the counter. I had got my receipt and my bag and stepped out of the door to meet Alice when I felt an arm clamp down on my shoulder.
"Excuse me ma'm, Mall Security, you need to come with us."A huge burly man with a tattoo down his right arm and a scar under his eye demanded.
"Wait! What? Why?"
"Please place your hands behind your back."
He moved my arms behind my back and slapped something across my arms that felt like cold steel. I knew well enough what they were as he escorted me down a dark hallway to the back of mall.
"What's this all about!" I yelled as the man opened the door and thrust me in a cold metal chair.
"Is this your book?" The man snarled as he picked up one of my shopping bags and pulled out a book. A book that I knew I hadn't purchased. My eyes grew larger as I stared at the John Grisham novel. I knew why I was here. I was accused of shoplifting and I had no proof that I hadn't. Even if I denied it, he wouldn't believe me. I was trying to think of how the book had even gotten into the bag when I saw it. The small piece of paper stuck to the cover.
"Can I see that?" I swallowed hard as he shoved the book in front of me.
The small paper covered the title but I knew it wasn't a coincidence.
I can ruin your life just as easily as I can end it
I was about to burst into tears at the threat when the man seemed to soften a little.
"Listen Miss, you seem like a nice girl, I could charge you with this but since you bought the other book we'll assume it was somehow an accident. If you agree to pay for this book I'm going to let you go."
I quickly agreed and we went back to the store where Alice was waiting.
"What happened!" she squealed. One minute I'm in Saks trying on a pair of jimmy choos and the next thing I know I'm having a vision of you being cuffed and arrested! I've already called Edward and he's on his way." She panicked.
"Its fine Alice, call him back it was just a misunderstanding." I lied as I placed the book on the counter. The girl gave me a dirty look as she rang it up.
"A Time to Kill?" she whispered giving me a doubtful glare.
"The title says it all." I laughed nervously, trying not to show how much the underlying message had disturbed me.
"I think it's time we went home." Alice said unenthusiastically as she gathered our things. I just nodded, I couldn't agree more.