Chapter 9

(The Mall)

Silent Forever

I woke up to an annoying tugging on my arm. Slowly I opened my eyes, and the first thing I noticed was that I wasn't in my room. I looked around and I saw Alice before me with a pout on her face, wanting me to get up.

Suddenly, all the memories of last night came rushing to me, and that put a small smile on my lips. I really wanted to tell Edward all about Tristan, but I didn't know if I could do that yet. Although Edward and I are friends, it's still new. I don't know if I trust him that much to tell him about my past.

I realized that I spaced out for a moment, because Alice was looking at me with a strange expression on her face.

Good morning! Alice signed with a bright smile on her face.

I turned my head, so that I could face the clock. I froze.

Alice! Are you serious? It's only seven o'clock on a Saturday! I signed furiously with a scowl on my face. I hated waking up early on the weekends. For me, the weekends were the only time that I could catch my sleep that I lost during school days.

Stop being so grumpy, Bella. Alice said brightly.

There must have been a good reason that you woke me up this early, right? I asked, still mad but also amused.

Why would I wake you up if I didn't have a good reason? She asked rhetorically. I woke you up this early because there is a huge sale at the mall! She continued.

How does that concern us? I asked, confused.

Her shoulders slumped, so I was guessing that she sighed. I am going to take you shopping! You are really in the need of a new wardrobe. She signed.

I really don't know, I said hesitantly. Charlie probably wants me home already. I said trying to come up with an excuse. As much as I loved Alice, I really didn't like shopping.

Bella, please? She asked, with a pout on her face. As much as I wanted to say no, I knew that she would then get mad at me. I reluctantly agreed, and she jumped off the couch.

Come on, get ready and lets go downstairs to eat breakfast. She signed rapidly.

I groaned and got up from the couch. I went to Alice's bathroom and brushed my teeth. I noticed that Alice had put another set of clothes on the counter for me to change to.

These were a little more reasonable than the sleepwear she made me wear yesterday, and they were actually my style that I would wear.

The outfit consisted of dark wash jeans and a formfitting baby blue T shirt. I also saw a white jacket and I had put it on.

Looking in the mirror, I saw that my hair was a mess. Since I really didn't want to deal with my hair today, I pulled it into a semi high ponytail.

Well, this is as good as it's going to get. I thought, while looking at myself in the mirror.

Getting out of the bathroom, I noticed that Alice wasn't in her room. I figured that she was probably downstairs eating breakfast with the rest of the family.

Walking in the kitchen, I noticed everyone at the table eating breakfast.

Good morning. I signed politely to Esme and Carlisle.

Esme smiled at me and motioned me to take anything I wanted for breakfast. I noticed that the only place left at the table was right next to Edward. I looked at Alice, and I saw her smiling innocently at me. I gave her a disapproving look, and sat beside Edward.

On the other side of me was Emmett.

Watching Emmett eat breakfast was quite a site. He wouldn't even stop to chew the food, he just swallowed it whole. He was also a very messy eater. Watching him drink his orange juice in one gulp, I laughed.

So, what were you guys doing last night? Esme asked all of us.

I saw Rosalie and Emmett share a glance and smile at each other. Watching this exchange, Edward rolled his eyes, and gave me a small smile. I smiled back at him and started eating my food.

Bella and I watched a movie with Edward. Alice answered Esme.

Today was Emmett's turn to clean up, so after we all finished eating, Alice and I went to her bedroom to get ready for the mall.

While Alice was getting ready, I sat on her couch. I looked around and I saw that on her shelf she had a copy of A Tale of Two Cities. I knew that Alice was probably going to take long to get ready, so I began reading where I left off at home. I needed to finish the book by Tuesday, because Mr. Whelan has a test scheduled then.

I got through a few pages, when Alice came out of her bathroom all ready to go.

Come on Bella. We need to get there before all the good clothes are gone! She signed with a worried expression on her face.

I just had to laugh. Relax, even if the clothes are gone, it's not the end of the world. I tried to reason with her.

She just looked at me like I had grown another head. Bella, let's just go! I rolled my eyes, and I followed her down the stairs.

Alice went to the kitchen to tell her mom that we were going, so I just stood near the door waiting for her.

I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder, so in one swift motion I turned around. I saw Edward grinning at my expression. My heart was pounding so hard.

Don't you ever do that again! I signed, my heart still pumping loudly.

He just laughed and asked, So, where are you guys going?

Alice is dragging me to the mall. She thinks that I need a better wardrobe, but I don't see anything wrong with what I wear. I said.

I think your clothes are nice. Edward signed trying to make me feel better.

Thanks, but that's not going to get me out of a shopping trip with Alice. I said.

Want me to come with you, so that I could keep Alice in check? He asked.

Would you really? I asked hopefully. Having Edward there with me won't be as bad as me being alone.

Sure, I don't have any other plans anyway. He said.

Just then, Alice came and motioned me outside to her car. Come on Bella, let's go.

Wait! Can Edward also come? I asked, hopeful.

Sure, I guess. But Edward, you can't distract us from shopping. Alice signed with a serious look on her face.

Don't worry, I won't. Edward said, amused.

Finally we managed to get out of the house, and walk outside to the garage. I saw Alice walking past the Volvo, so I looked at Edward, questioningly.

Since Alice is driving, she doesn't like to use my car. She has her own. He explained.

I watched as the garage doors slowly opened, revealing a shiny yellow car. I gasped when I saw that it was a Porsche. I saw that Alice walked to the front seat and sat behind the driver's wheel.

I could definitely know see, that the Cullen's had a lot of money. Realizing this, I was kind of scared about our shopping trip. I didn't have much money on me, only about forty dollars.

I didn't give it to much more thought, because we were soon off. Seeing Alice ride to the mall was an experience.

She was bouncing up and down on her seat, very excited for all the shopping that she was going to get done. She looked like a little kid who is on a sugar rush.

Alice, calm down. We are only going to the mall. I tried to calm her down.

Since she was driving, she couldn't really talk to me but I saw the incredulous look on her face.

I turned around to face Edward, and I saw him giving me a brilliant smile.

Why is she so excited to go to the mall, of all places? I asked.

His shoulders shook with laughter and he replied, Alice has a little shopping problem. He signed sarcastically.

I just smiled, and turned back around.

It only took us about thirty minutes to get to the Port Angeles Mall. The mall was definitely huge and since it was a Saturday, there were a lot of cars in the parking lot.

Getting out of the car, we started walking to the entrance of the mall.

***

Going shopping with Alice was quite an experience. She dragged me to every store that I couldn't afford anything in. I was now standing in the Dolce & Gabbana dressing room. In front of me was a black dress that Alice wanted me to try on.

I quickly managed to pull it on, and I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress was absolutely beautiful, but I didn't think that I would manage to pull it off. Sighing, I walked out of the dressing room so that Alice could see the dress.

When I reached Alice and Edward, I saw Alice smiling widely. Yeah, we are definitely getting that one. She said.

I turned to face Edward and I saw him staring at me. His mouth was slightly agape, and I started to get self conscious.

So… I asked him.

It took him a minute to form a coherent sentence and I noticed that his cheeks were slightly red.

You look great. He said with a big smile.

Thanks. I replied, walking back into the dressing room. After I was done changing, I looked at the price tag of the dress. My eyes got wide when I saw the dress cost five hundred and fifty dollars.

There is no way I could afford such a dress. I quickly grabbed the dress of the hanger, and went to Alice. I saw that she was browsing for some shirts.

What's up? She asked me. How's the dress?

It's fine. I signed back hesitantly. I need to go to the store next door for a second. I'll come back here when I'm done. I said.

Alice agreed and I went out of the store. I was kind of embarrassed that I couldn't buy the dress that Alice wanted me to get.

I walked around the mall trying to find some decent store, but I have found none. Apparently this was the type of mall that only held designer clothes. I sighed, and started making my way down to the store where Alice was shopping at.

I felt a presence next to me, so I looked up and I saw Edward walking next to me.

Where did you go? He asked with a concerned expression on his face.

Nowhere, I just was walking around the mall. I said, trying to come up with some excuse.

So are you thinking of buying that dress? You do look really great in it. He said.

Blushing I replied, Thanks. But no, I'm not getting it.

Why? He asked, frowning.

Do you promise not to tell Alice? I asked, wanting to be sure.

Yes, definitely. He replied.

I really can't afford the dress. I only brought about forty dollars with me, and I think the dress is way too expensive. I really don't want Alice to get upset with me though. I answered frowning.

Alice would never be mad at you for not being able to buy the dress. He signed.

We were now standing inside the store. Do you like the dress? He asked.

Yeah…It's very pretty… I answered unsurely.

He motioned me to follow him. I saw him pick the black dress where I left it, and he started walking to the cashier.

Edward, what are you doing? I asked.

I'm buying you the dress. He replied, at the same time as giving the lady my dress.

Edward you can't. I can't accept this. This is way too much. I said, trying not to let him buy me the dress.

Bella, stop. I want to buy you the dress. It's my gift to you in the honor of our new found friendship. He answered with a huge grin, while giving the cashier his shiny black credit card.

Thanks. For everything. I signed to him, smiling.

A/N:

So, I know that this is probably the worst chapter that I ever wrote. It's kind of transition chapter, because the drama will start in the next chapter :D

Ok, so I am making a contest. And you can find all the details on my profile but here they are:

So, since Silent Foreveris going extremely well, Laurene and I thought that we should have a writing contest of some sort. Basically for this contest, you will have to write a one shot about the cullens and what they do on april fools. Since april fools is quickly approaching, Laurene and I thought that this should be a fun topic for the contest.

RULES FOR THE TWILIGHTERSUNITE APRIL FOOLS CONTEST:

1. Has to be a one shot.

2. All cannon pairing. No slashes (no offense), No threesomes, and it basically has to be twilight related (duh!)

3. Can be all ratings (yea, lemons are accepted)

4. Once you did write your story, post it on your fan fiction page and PM me that you did post it. This way Laurene and I will read your one shots

5. At the end, we will pick the top 3 one shots, and we will have a vote on our profile.

6. When you post the story on your profile, you can title it what ever you want, but in the summary make sure it says "Twilightersunite April Fools Contest"

7. Have fun! Just try it. This could be a great start for some of you that havent wrote anything yet for fan fiction.

Remember this is a story about how the Cullen's spend April fools, it doesnt have to include all the couples. It could just be Edward and Bella.

Since Laurene and I are posting this contest a little late, the dead lines for the stories are April 30th, 2009.

If you have any questions, you could PM me. ***This is the last time the author note will be this long***

-jess