"Merry Christmas, Sadie!" Alice exclaimed when Sadie entered the room.
Sadie looked around, confused. Mark bumped into her back when she stopped suddenly.
"Whoa, why'd you st-" Mark stopped as he saw the entire Cullen family gathered inside the living room.
"Huh?" Sadie asked.
"Merry Christmas!" Alice repeated.
"But Christmas isn't for another three weeks," Sadie reminded the overactive vampire. She wondered if it was tradition to celebrate the entire month of December instead of just the 25th.
"I know, but we've got you a Christmas present!" Alice answered excitedly.
"Aw, thanks, but I didn't get you anything."
"Never mind about that, just open it!"
"Um, ok…" Sadie took the envelope Alice waved excitedly in front of her face and opened it carefully.
Inside was a note:
You, Mark, Esme and I are going on a three-week shopping trip to Seattle! Don't you dare argue, you're in desperate need of clothes.
Love, Alice
Mark read the note over Sadie's shoulder and grimaced.
"Why do I have to go?" he complained.
Alice just looked at him with narrowed eyes, and his whining ceased. Mark would have never admitted it, but Alice sometimes scared him.
"What about school?" Sadie asked.
"It's all been taken care of," Carlisle answered. "I spoke with your principal this morning, and you have permission to go."
"And my mom?" Mark asked.
"I've also talked to her. She says to tell you to have a good time."
"Great, even my mom is in on this," Mark grumbled to himself.
--------------
"Why are we really leaving?" Mark asked Alice as soon as Sadie had gone upstairs to grab a few things.
"I had a vision," Alice hissed.
"About what? The Vol-whatsits?"
"I'm not sure. There was a vampire, but-"
"Did he attack Sadie?"
"No, I didn't see that, your herd got in the way."
"Excuse me, we are wolves, not cows. It's called a pack."
"Well, whatever. I couldn't see."
"So this is just a precaution?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Do I really have to go?"
"Yes you do, so stop whining and be a man."
"Hey! I am a man!"
"Fine, just stop whining then."
"But wouldn't staying help more than running off to Seattle?"
"No. You're the only one that Sadie trusts completely, so you're going."
"Are we really just shopping for three whole weeks?"
"Yes."
"How much stuff are you planning on buying?"
"Oh, that's for me to know and for you to find out," Alice said evilly as Mark backed slowly away, a rather frightened look on his face.
--------------
Sadie packed a few books into another of her ridiculously expensive book-bags and ran downstairs. She knew that Alice was impatient to leave, and she was slightly afraid of what Alice would do if she took too long.
"Sadie! Hurry up!" Alice called.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Sadie exclaimed as she began to run out the front door. A familiar hand stopped her. Sadie turned and looked into Carlisle's dark eyes.
"Be careful," he said quietly.
Sadie nodded, and ran over to the car a few feet away.
Alice honked the horn impatiently as Mark helped Sadie throw her bag into the trunk of the car.
"Finally!" Alice said, when all the passengers were seated. "Seattle! Here we come!"
--------------
Alice had only allowed them to bring one bag each, filled with one change of clothes and a toothbrush. She said that was all they needed, for now.
Sadie had actually snuck some books into hers, hoping she would have time to read them during the shopping-breaks they took. However, as she watched Alice's enthusiasm now, she really doubted she would have time to even open one of the books to the first page.
Turning from Alice, and tuning out her persistent chatter about what stores they would visit, Sadie turned to the window and watched the trees flash by. She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was some other reason for taking a three-week shopping trip, even if Alice really was capable of arranging that.
Sadie gradually became drowsier, until she fell asleep, her head leaning against the window.
--------------
Mark noticed his best friend fall asleep, and he slowly moved her so she was resting her head against his lap instead of bumping against the window. He really didn't want to go shopping, but he'd do anything to protect the girl beside him. He hadn't known it in the beginning, when he'd just entered her room, but they were born to be friends. They fit together like puzzle pieces, and Mark could feel a certain lift in his heart every time he saw her. He suspected he was beginning to like her more than just a friend, but every time his suspicions would overwhelm him, he forced them down, telling himself that he would imprint someday, and what was the use of falling for a girl who might not even live to the next day? Mark also knew, deep in his soul, that Sadie might not last long in the world of mortals, not with the entire Volturi army after her. He knew that there would come a time when he would lose her, but he certainly hoped he would get her back. For better or for worse, he loved Sadie more than he let himself admit.
--------------
Esme watched the pair in the backseat with concern. She had known they would become friends, yet she hadn't known they would grow so close, and for some reason that worried her. She didn't know what would happen to the pair, but she had a bad feeling.
--------------
Alice sat, apparently oblivious to all that was happening around her. She chatted about all the stores they would just HAVE to visit, and all the things they would HAVE to buy. While she talked, however, her mind wandered to what would happen to the rest of the Cullens. Would Alice return three weeks later to find a barren wasteland in the place of their home?
Alice's better judgment assured her that it would be impossible for one vampire to overcome six powerful vampires and a large pack of werewolves, but still she worried.
(A/N) Woo! Another chapter posted! Do you love me or what? Well, maybe you don't, but I hope you do. Anywho, I hope you like it. Oh! And before I forget, I shall post the disclaimer. (Haha Catty! I remembered!)
Diclaimer: I do not own Twilight, or a car, sadly. If I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction instead of best-selling novels, or cruising around the neighborhood in a brand new CAR!