Dear Bella, it read,
Sorry but we had to leave, the guys needed to go to the airport to collect some of Emmett's luggage found at the gate. Rose and I have gone to run to the mall. Could you meet us there when you get this? We have to get some stuff done. See you soon!
Alice.
What did Alice have to do at the mall? It's not that I was surprised she was there at, at all, it was just that she didn't normally go with a certain goal in mind. I reached over to the coffee table beside the sofa and got my phone. It was one o' clock. Why had I slept in so late? I'm normally awake at eight in the morning in Charlie's. I grabbed my bag of clothes and ran upstairs to get dressed. I was curious to see what Alice was planning in the mall. I knew I was going to regret this curiosity almost instantly though. After I put my last shoe on I started working on the tangled mess that was my hair.
I then ran to my truck. I got to the mall within about 15 minutes, which was good if you consider my trucks low speed and my bad driving. I am surprised I didn't spiral off a cliff on my way to the mall. I had texted Alice and Rose earlier so they were already awaiting my arrival outside the mall. As soon as I got to Alice I started the questions.
"So what was so important that I had to be down here too?" I asked. Alice made a face, she knew my dislike of the mall.
"Well, tonight there is a party at my house with everyone from school, and my cousin and his friends," I noticed Rosalie smile in delight at this news. "And I know as well as you do that you have nothing to wear." I tried to look offended by this but I knew it was true. My wardrobe wasn't exactly 'party ready'. "So I've decided to treat you to a new dress as an early Birthday present."
"Alice my Birthday is in six months" I pointed out, I knew that it wouldn't change a thing.
"Yes but you know how I'm an early planner." She smiled, and without further delay grabbed mine and Rosalie's wrists and began dragging us toward the mall doors. Rosalie did not need to be dragged, she was more than willing to go, I however, felt like a prisoner being sent to permanent exile.
The first shop Alice took me to was Belle. This was a shop where people got dresses for weddings, or professional shows, or Hollywood parties. Why was Alice taking us here?
"My dad gave me a lot of Birthday money last year." She said. How she had any of it left I had no clue. "So lets get to work" She said, pulling up her sleeves and making a dart towards the first pink satin dress on the rack. She had a determined look in her eye, and if I'm being totally honest, it kind of scared me. She ruffled through maybe ten dresses before she settled on one. It was light Caribbean blue with with royal blue lacing, it's straps tied around the neck. It came slightly in at the waist and then flowed delicately. It looked about above knee height.
"Here Bella, you try this on, this colour would look amazing on you." She handed me the dress and before I could respond was pushing me towards the dressing room. This dress certainly didn't look like anything I had ever worn before. I slipped it on carefully. I noticed how the back dipped down slightly which made me a little bit self conscious. I looked in the mirror. Who was I? I looked so different. I quite liked it, if I was being honest, I actually loved it.
I walked carefully out to Alice and Rose terrified I might trip and fall into something that could destroy this dress. Rosalie stared at me gob smacked, while Alice examined me carefully holding her chin in her hand.
"Yes, I was so right. It looks beautiful Bells" Alice said and then began smiling so bright it nearly made my eyes hurt. I felt very awkward and embarrassed now. Even the lady behind the desk was staring at me. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks so I just nodded and turned quickly toward the dressing room. Behind me I could hear Alice squeal in delight that she had got me finished and then heard her begin to look for Rosalie.
I looked in the mirror one more time. How would Edward react when he saw me like this? Would he react like Rose and Alice? Would he be disgusted? Was he into this kind of girly dress-up thing? I hoped for the first one. I wanted him to look at me in amazement. I highly doubted this though. I got dressed and put the dress back on the hanger and brought it out to Alice. As I looked out the window I noticed Edward, Jasper and Emmett, looking lost my the food counter. Embarrassed I quickly turned the other way and handed my dress to the cashier.