Authors note: I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their reviews so far. I hope to be able to update regularly but some chapters may take a few days. Thanks to everyone who reads the story! I hope you are enjoying it.
"Alice slow down!" I gripped the center console with all my strength as Alice weaved through the traffic. This was going to be a long trip.
"Relax Bella. I know what I'm doing. Even on a bad day my driving is better than yours." I growled at her and looked out the window. I'd been to Olympia only a handful of times and under normal circumstances I would've loved to see the city. But Alice had other plans in mind. A shopping trip. I shuddered involuntary.
"Are you cold?" Alice reached over and turned the air down. I was too nervous to object. It's not like I was sweating or anything.
"Bella? Are you going to ignore me the rest of the trip?" Alice turned to look at me.
"Alice watch the road!" I shouted as I covered my eyes. I didn't care to watch my death coming head on.
"So over-dramatic this one." Alice turned her eyes back to the road purely for show. I knew she could probably look at me, adjust the radio, and never stray from the perfect line she drove. Still, I was only human after all. Maybe I could convince Alice to let me drive at least part of the way.
"How far now?" I decided to break the silence.
"About half an hour, maybe less." Alice looked secretly pleased. What should've taken us over 3 hours we managed to drive in about an hour and a half.
"You remember our agreement? I get--"
"Yes, you get the final say in what I pick out." Alice interrupted clearly not happy.
"Just checking." I mumbled. Today was quickly becoming the worst day of my life.
"We're here!" Alice squealed excitedly.
"Great." I rolled my eyes as I looked out the window at the surprisingly small mall we were pulling into. I felt a little relief. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought.
4 hours later...
"Alice, I swear this is the last time I'm going shopping with you!" I threw the bags of clothes into the back seat before yanking my door open and climbing inside.
"It wasn't that bad Bella. You're going to look so great! I wish you would've changed while we were in there though. That shirt just isn't doing you any justice." Alice started the car and pulled out nearly hitting a waiting car in the process. I shrank in my seat. Edward was going to get an earful when I got home.
We sat in near silence for the next hour. The radio played soft rock in the background and Alice hummed happily to herself. Still pouting from the shopping trip I looked sullenly out the window at the passing scenery. My stomach growled loudly letting me know it was time to eat. I glanced at the clock. It was 3pm. I barely had time to eat breakfast before Alice showed up this morning, ten minutes early I might add.
"Alice, I need food. Human here." I didn't even look at her. I knew I was being childish but I felt like some doll she was playing dress up with.
"Oh, right. Sorry." She glanced at me sideways knowing better than to take her eyes off the road again.
"Uh, I'm not really any good at this. Why don't you tell me what you'd like to eat." Alice looked a little uneasy, nervous perhaps. There's a first time for everything I guess. I held back a sarcastic retort as my stomach growled again. I needed food. Maybe I wouldn't be so grumpy after I ate.
"That sign said there's a Burger King off the next exit. That will be good enough." I tried to sound a little more friendly. It wasn't Alice's fault I hated shopping or had bad taste in clothes for that matter. She was only trying to help. Great now I'll have to apologize.
"I'm sorry. I'm being childish. Thank you for everything Alice. Really. I'm sure it will all look great." I managed to get the apology out through gritted teeth and still sound somewhat sincere.
"It's ok Bella. I knew it would be a fight. I was prepared. You do look great though you know. Edward will be pleased. Though for some reason he seems to love your ratty jeans and t-shirts. He just might have some competition now though with your new look." Alice grinned but we both knew no one could compete with Edward. There was only one guy my heart belonged to.
I relaxed a little. There was no reason to fight with Alice. I really wanted to have a good time on this trip. It could be fun. And the worst part was now over. I made a mental note to buy Alice something special as a thank you. I was being ungrateful and I wanted to make it up to her.
"Ok so how does this work exactly?" Alice looked nervous again as we pulled up to Burger King. I laughed.
"Just pull in the parking lot. I'll go inside and order." You could see immediate relief flash across her face. I wondered if she even knew what Burger King was.
"I'll just...I'll wait here."
"I'll be back in a few." I smirked as I headed towards the small run down building.
I walked into the empty dining area and stood back a little as I studied the menu. Everything looked good right now. I ordered probably too much food but I could save some for later, in case Alice forgot I was a human again. As I approached the door to leave I saw Alice struggling with a tall black man. I froze in fear. I knew Alice was perfectly capable of protecting herself but she was amongst humans and couldn't risk exposing who she was. I watched as she kicked the man in the stomach, a little too hard as he went flying a few feet backwards. She quickly grabbed the bags out of the backseat and ran towards me. I jumped back as Alice pushed the door open and stepped inside. I relaxed a little when she was out of harms way. We stared out the window in shock watching the man race out of the parking lot in the new car Alice had bought just for this trip.
"Oh my god Alice, I'm so sorry! This is all my fault. I could've waited to eat. We didn't have to stop here. If I wasn't a stupid human..." She cut me off when I got to that part.
"Bella this is not your fault. You need food." Alice sighed but it was more of an annoyed expression she wore on her face. I glanced down at the bags she carried.
"I notice you found time to grab the clothes." I rolled my eyes annoyed.
"But of course. I wasn't about to let them go. The car is replaceable. However you will probably never enter another store as long as you live. I made the sacrifice." She grinned at me.
"Gee thanks. What are we gonna do now?" I chewed on my nails, a nervous habit I thought I had kicked months ago.
"Now I gotta go steal a car. You know, before you came along Bella I hadn't had to steal a car since I first found Jasper and we headed to find Carlisle." She poked me in the side with her elbow to let me know she was teasing. Although I was sure what she said was true.
I seemed to attract danger. Edward said it best, 'If there is anything dangerous within a ten-mile radius, it will invariably find you.' I sighed as I remembered Edward. I missed him and we hadn't been gone even 12 hours. The only downside to this little road trip. Well that and the fact that apparently danger had decided to follow me. Alice disappeared and I sat down in the dining area avoiding the stares of the workers. Suddenly I wasn't hungry anymore. I didn't have to wait long though. Alice was back within 2 minutes. I gawked at the car she had picked. Just as flashy and conspicuous as the car in Italy. I shook my head and wondered if she secretly enjoyed grand theft auto.
"So whats next on the agenda, jail?" I joked and she laughed the most beautiful laugh. I wondered if I'd sound like that when I finally became a vampire. I sure hoped so.
"Well get in! I think they'll be looking for us soon. We need to find a dealership so I can buy another car. We don't want the police on our tail all the way to Florida."
I climbed in the passenger side and put my seat belt on. The bag opened a little and the smell of fresh fries made my mouth water. I decided I was hungry again and I devoured the entire bag of food. Of course I regretted it afterwards. I was stuffed so full I thought I was going to throw up. Holding my stomach, I rolled the window down letting in some fresh air.
"Finally!" Alice nearly shouted in relief. We pulled into a BMW dealership. Naturally.
"Shall I wait here?" I was feeling so sick now I wasn't sure I could even make it to a bathroom to throw up if I needed to.
"I wouldn't recommend it actually. I think we passed a cop a few miles back. Don't worry though. I already know which car I want. I'm paying in cash so that will speed things up. No need to have it detailed either." We came to a stop and Alice hopped out of the car. I was thankful for the awnings that stretched out nearly 50 feet from the building providing a nice shade for Alice. The last thing we needed was her throwing rainbows in the sun.
"Yes I'm absolutely sure that's the one I want. Now if you wouldn't mind I'm in a bit of a hurry...." I stopped listening as Alice wrapped up the deal. My concentration was focused on my stomach and not hurling all over the polished floor. It seemed like hours before Alice came back and announced we were all set to go. My stomach had calmed down some so I was fairly certain I could make it out the car. Once we were in, I reclined the seat a little. I let out a deep breath. At least now I knew we wouldn't be arrested for grand theft auto.
"Much better. This car can handle higher speeds than the last one." Her eyes gleamed like a child on Christmas morning. I closed my eyes and prayed, yet again, for my safety. Alice could survive just about anything so I wasn't too worried about her. Damn being a stupid fragile human.
"Next stop, Portland!" She exclaimed happily as she hit the gas.