All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
BPOV
I fell in and out of sleep for a long time. The black tint of the windows on the car made it hard to decipher where I was. Not that it mattered, not that I cared. Silent tears were my constant companion as I pictured Charlie's face upon reading my note. I had made it clear that I loved him, but could no longer live with him. I had been cruel really, using the same words my mother had used when she left him. It was the only way I could ensure he would not look for me. I had promised to call as soon as I could to let him know I was all right, but knowing I had hurt him was too much.
At one point I had become almost hysterical demanding to go back. In all the confusion I had completely forgotten about Charlie's safety. I had been so wrapped up in saving myself, so selfish, that I had completely forgotten about him. Edward had promised me that the others were looking out for him, and that he would be safe. I was mollified for the moment, but would question the others once they called with news to make sure. If he got hurt because of me…if any of them were to get hurt because of me…the thought made me sick.
Edward's shirt was soaked with my tears, but he never once complained. He simply held me in his arms, occasionally whispering words of comfort. The car ride for the most part had been silent. I could feel myself beginning to dose again and I didn't fight it. At least in my dreams I was safe, the world was normal, and no one was in danger.
I woke feeling just as tired as when I fell asleep—it could have been hours or mere minutes—I wasn't sure. The sun had risen and I could finally see of the countryside, but it was too generic to give me a hint as to where we were going.
"Bella?" Edward asked in a soothing voice.
I looked up at him, but did not say a word. His eyes looked pained as he took in the vacant expression on my face.
"Are you hungry?"
I shook my head. "No." I croaked. My voice was hoarse from all my crying.
He sighed. "I think you should at least try to eat, at the very least drink something."
I shook my head again. "I'm fine." The truth was I wasn't sure I could eat even if I wanted to. My stomach was one nig knot of anxiety. The mere thought of food made it do slips.
He caught Alice's eye in the rear view mirror. It looked as though they were having a private conversation, but I was too tired to care and I looked away. There were so many questions whirling in my head. I could guess that something supernatural was after me, but I didn't know why? I had no idea where I was going or for how long. I had no clothes, and no money. I was completely at the mercy of Edward and his sister. The thought made me uneasy, but there was nothing I could do about that at the moment. I shifted beside Edward, pulling at the Esme's clothing that hung on me in all the wrong places. I wanted to change into something more comfortable, but had no other choice but to suffer for the time being.
As late afternoon fell I noticed Alice veer off the highway. I became more alert wondering if we had finally reached our destination.
Edward noticed. "There's a mall here. We're going to get you some clothing and something to eat."
I opened my mouth to protest but Edward cut me off. "No, butts Bella. You need to at least try to eat, and I know you are not very comfortable in Esme's clothes."
"I don't have any money." I admitted in a low voice.
"It's all taken care of, no worries." He soothed.
"I can't let you do that." I said dropping my head to stare at my hands in my lap.
"You can and you will." Alice said to me for the first time since entering the car.
I started to shake my head. Edward reached out placing his hand under my chin forcing me to look at him. "Don't worry about it. You have enough to worry about without concerning yourself with finances. Please let me do this much for you?" His eyes penetrated into mine, pleading with me to comply. I had no other choice really and reluctantly agreed.
Alice skirted, deftly, through the traffic and we arrived at the mall in no time. Alice parked in the parking garage, and it did not escape my notice that they both appeared to be avoiding the sun. It was something I would question Edward about later.
"What would you like to eat Bella?" Edward asked as soon as we were inside.
I shrugged, nothing sounded good.
"I'll surprise you then." He smiled at me but it was all wrong somehow. "You go with Alice and get whatever you need."
As he pulled away from me I grabbed hold of his sleeve. Alice seemed like a nice enough person, but I didn't entirely trust her yet. After the run in I had with his other sister I wasn't sure what to expect from the other members of his family.
He reached out stroking my cheek with his hand. "You'll be perfectly safe with Alice. I promise." His words rang with sincerity and slowly I loosened my grip on his shirt and he pulled away. I watched him walk away for a moment before I felt Alice take my hand.
"This way Bella."
I followed her into a store that I would never frequent on my own. I wouldn't be able to afford a pair of socks let alone an outfit.
As soon as we entered Alice turned to me spreading my arms out at my side.
"You're about a two." She stated rather than asked, and then she was off. She flung clothes into my arms at an alarming rate. Every now and again I would she would grab something for her or Edward, but the majority seemed to be for me.
She didn't bother having me try anything on before she led me to the register. I turned my head as the total grew higher and higher. I did not need to know how much she was wasting on me.
She pulled me into a few more stores purchasing me hair supplies, and other necessities for which I was eternally grateful, before we ended up at the food court.
Edward was sitting in the far corner with two trays heaped with food. It looked as though he had frequented every vender.
"I wasn't sure what you would like." He said as I took a seat across from him.
"Thanks." I said eyeing the food with little enthusiasm. I finally reached for the turkey sandwich and took a small bit. I quickly took another much bigger bit, realizing I was much hungrier than I originally thought. I reached for a drink and began guzzling it down, and soon it was empty. Alice quickly discarded it and Edward pushed another my way.
I felt self-conscious as they both sat watching me eat, but was too hungry to slow down. After my second soda and having eaten the rest of my sandwich I was finally satiated, and leaned back in my chair.
"Did you get everything you needed?"
"And then some." I muttered feeling guilty for having allowed them to spend so much on me.
Edward grinned. "We should get on our way then. Did you want to take any of this for the ride?"
I furrowed my brows. "How much longer are we going to drive?"
"A while yet."
I nodded grabbing another sandwich from the tray with a drink. I started to walk off but felt a hand on my arm restraining me.
"Where do you think you're going?" Edward asked. He sounded angry.
"I have to use the bathroom."
"Alice will go with you." As if on cue, Alice got up and came to my side.
"I can go alone."
"Alice goes with you, or you don't go. I'm not taking any chances." He said firmly leaving no room for argument.
I narrowed my eyes at him, but knew there was no way I could get out of it. I handed him my food forcefully, turning on my heel with Alice directly behind me.
"This is so not necessary." I mumbled as I entered the bathroom.
"He worries about you." Alice explained taking me by surprise. I didn't think she would hear me.
"Why?" I asked earnestly then ducked my head and spoke much more softly. "I don't understand why any of you are doing this. I'm not worth all this trouble." I never did understand his infatuation with my safety. Why did he seem to be so concerned, why did he always care so much? Why was his family so willing to get involved?
"Don't you know?" Her tone was very soft and gentle.
I looked up at her with tears in my eyes. "Know what?"
She pursed her lips. "That's for him to say, not me. And you are worth it." She added a little more forcefully. Before I could say anything else she led me to the handicap stall and put a pile of clothes into my arms. "I think you'll be more comfortable in these."
"Thank you." I whispered as a few tears escaped my eyes.
She smiled warmly wiping my tears away. "No need for thanks. You better hurry. I'm sure Edward is getting anxious."
I gave a small smile and changed closed the door to change.
"Pass me your old clothes, but keep your sneakers." She called to me and I quickly obeyed.
The clothes she had bought for me were extraordinary and fit me like a glove. The jeans were dark and hung low on my hips. The shirt was as soft as cashmere and I wondered if that was exactly what it was. It was dark blue with a v-neck. Once I emerged from the bathroom she handed me a hairbrush and a hair tie, whish I gratefully took. My hair was full of knots and tangles. I gave up untangling my hair after a few tries and opted instead to simply pull it back into a messy bun until I could shower and properly work on them.
I splashed water on my face, and sighed as I took in my reflection. My face now looked cleaner but I still looked a mess. My eyes were swollen, my face was blotchy, and I had deep almost black circles under my eyes. There was nothing I could do about any of that so I gave up walking away.
Edward was waiting right outside the bathroom door once we emerged. He took one look at me and smiled. "You look lovely."
I scoffed dropping my head as I blushed.
He took my hand in his and began leading me out of the mall. All our bags were put in the trunk, except for a choice few, which Alice rolled up and put in the backseat. This time Edward took the driver's seat and Alice sat up front with him.
"You need to sleep." Alice instructed me.
I laid down feeling much more tired than I thought I should, and within minutes of driving I had drifted off to sleep.