This was turning out to be the longest weekend ever. Last night had been, well, really different. And today Mom was acting really normal. It was... unnerving, to say the least. I could see something was going down hard on her, but she wasn't willing to tell me. Why she behaving so strongly, I had no option but to guess. And it was sad, and also annoying, seeing her put up a show today that things were back as they were. Her strange request, no, order, last night still confused me.

As did her present one.

"We really have to get some supplies for the house."

So? She looked at me meaningfully. "We need a little trip to the supermarket."

Oh God no. I really didn't want a 'trip to the supermarket' today. I had an essay to submit tomorrow and a book due to read. If I could get some peace today, I'd planned to catch up on all that. But this trip was sure to last through the day. I knew Mom always ended up going shopping for clothes whenever we went out together like this. We went out for some trivial stuff, and then overboard on a shopping spree. That was why I preferred to go alone to get these things. I still don't know why we just didn't go for shopping straight without all this drama. But it was the usual. And these "little" trips were painfully long. I wasn't an anti-shopping person, but with Mom I always somehow felt this way. She was always too excited, and made me try on so many clothes that I literally slumped on my bed after reaching home. Seeing her current state of mind, I wouldn't have bet on that, but it was still hard to imagine a universe where that wouldn't happen. I assume she supposed it was some kind of girl-bonding time. I usually went ahead to make her happy, and because I hardly had a choice in this.

Lately our trips had reduced significantly, thankfully. I don't know what rekindled that spark in her. I was groaning internally. And maybe externally too, for she said:

"Come on dear. You know how fun this can be. I can't remember the last time we went together. It's been so long. And you don't even go with your friends, so you're definitely in need of some new clothes."

Seeing as she'd so recently rebuffed me for my choice of people to hang around with, she definitely was playing it cool today. I wondered if her abnormal behaviour was going to trigger more such actions. It was not a great prospect. So I finally gave in, as always, yet today this was so different. Different because it wasn't normal. Genius. But there was some hidden motive. I think.

Our transition from searching for cereal to searching for new slim-fit jeans happened quickly. Mom thinks, maybe of course, that this way we behave like friends, and can be open in our talks. I'd had all sorts of conversations like this, from the latest style trends to which boy from our class I like. And I can guarantee, it was no less awkward. Right now, Mom wanted me to have the exact same pair of jeans she'd seen some girl on TV wearing. We did have some money now, but I was totally against wasting it this way. This all the more made me less enthusiastic about them. So I was casually looking at whatever was in front of me, and trying to think of the best way to take Mom out of this store. I did like new stuff, just not quite so extravagant.

But trying to get out of this store was quite difficult. And the new collection on display was not the cause for our being held here till eternity. Mom really didn't have her heart in the shopping and why we were going through this..charade..I don't know.

"Emily, why don't you try this one? This colour will go well with that t-shirt we just bought." she said, holding a pair of navy blue jeans in my face.

"No! I tried three already Mom. I'm not trying on anymore. Buy one from those." I was quite mad.

So I did put my foot down. Mom had no choice now that I was almost ready to sit down on the floor and not budge an inch should she make me 'get up and go try something on'. So finally, we bought a pair and headed out. I literally heaved a sigh of relief. Actually I wasn't quite so mad now. The pair we'd bought was definitely nice. And stylish. And I had no real problems against it apart from it being so costly. But since we had to buy something from here or Mum wouldn't leave, this was alright for me.

We were on the second floor of the mall, and now Mom wanted a trip to the shoe store, a Puma store. And I was walking along, telling her how unnecessary this was, and trying to distract her with anything trivial. And then she turned to me:

"Honey, I think I need to go to the washroom."

Thank you God! I really needed time to think of ways to get her home or we'd soon be living on the street. This statement was a relief.

"'Kay . I'll wait by the Landmark store, since we're already on floor 2?"

"Sure."

Woah. Lucky me. I'll see if I can turn that into "in the Landmark store". Oh wait. I had to think of a plan. But it'll obviously fail, so what the heck. Atleast I can get a good new book.

So I was feeling pretty happy by the time I got around the shop. And then I saw them.

Oh God why?

This was definitely a well-to-do mall, and here was one more reason why we should have avoided it. They were all standing there..gloriously. They stood out from the rest. There was Alice Cullen, her arms entwined with Jasper's, faces like angels in a Renaissance painting. A second ago they were both looking at Bella as she came out wearing a dress that I swear must've been made for her specially. She was beautiful. They were enjoying her pained..chagrined? expression at this harmless task. And Edward was there, his eyes brimming with pride, and unmistakable love, as he looked on. A few paces away stood Nessie and Rosalie, looking amazingly pretty, as they laughed at Bella, who looked as if she was going to blush, except she didn't. They'd been standing near the Men's changing rooms, so no doubt who two would be there.

They were standing in the outlet of a very expensive brand. Obviously. I was standing about fifteen feet away from the glass door. They still hadn't seen me. Strange. As if in response, Edward's head flew up in my direction, and his eyes settled on me. And not even a second later did all his family's. They looked surprised to see me, which, due to reasons I don't know, I didn't expect. Then, as if I was imagining it, Edward told them something. I mean, he moved his lips. I didn't know anyone could speak so fast. But they were. Rosalie, the beautiful blonde one, looked angrily at Edward, then Alice, in a movement so quick I could hardly believe it. Then she stared at me. Glared at me. She was really mad.

And then I realised that time was passing and I was not able to drop my gaze. As soon as I realised this, something happened and my eyes were again free. Okay, did that just happen?

I don't know what I should have done. Gone up to them? To do what, say hi? Was one of them going to come to me or something?

But I didn't have to struggle for long. For soon something happened that brought back my senses.

"EMILY!"

Mom looked horrified. And really angry. I was dead when I got home. So with one last look at the Cullens, I turned to Mom. And I was shocked to see Edward Cullen look as horrified as Mom.

I nearly ran to where Mom stood. She held my arm above the elbow and dragged me to the nearest secluded spot. I didn't know how to begin.

"How are you going to explain yourself? Was I not clear yesterday?"

"Woah woah woah, its not my fault at all. How was I supposed to know they're gonna be here? And I didn't bring us here!" This wasn't fair! Why was I blamed for bumping into them when I was against coming here all along?

"Emily, you're never going near them!"

"Well, I don't think so!" I was not going into this again!

"You are not going near them. They're monsters!"

"That's a rude thing to say about someone." I was past the anger and almost about to roll my eyes.

"Emily they're dangerous. They're vampires."

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