(7) Drive
"It's a big NO." She said and stared at me. She shook her head and muttered under her breath. I opened the window and felt the cool breeze.
"Alice, can I use your phone?" I asked and lifted my eyebrows. I saw her hesitate. She reached inside her jacket pocket and handed me her new I phone.
"Go ahead, he's going to say no." She smirked and continued driving down the highway.
I stared at her new phone and sucked in a deep breath. "Call him, I don't know how to use your phone." I rolled my eyes and put the phone in her hand.
It rang three times before he answered it. I heard rustling in the background. An animal noise blared through the speakers. I grimaced and forced through the conversation.
"Edward?" I asked and bit my lower lip. He would not be happy with my decision.
"Bella, what's wrong?" Edward asked quickly and I heard a silence. He probably moved further away from Jasper and the horrible animal noise.
"It's okay I know what's going on. I'm not mad at you or Alice. Well actually I was mad but now I'm okay." I said and glanced at Alice. She had no expression on her face, great now she chose not to interfere.
"Wait, I am confused. What are you talking about?" He asked acting his part flawlessly.
"You and Alice faking me out. I know that you know about the scary truck driver, the weird, creepy guys, and Alice's car race. I know everything. What would be the point in pretending I don't? Although I do want to ask Alice if I can do something with her permission since it's her car but I wanted to let you know too." I said and heard a stressed silence.
"What is it you want to do with Alice's car?" He said each word distinctly. He was measuring caution with his tone. I knew that tone it was right before the explosion of emotion released from his fury.
"I want to drive Alice's car." I said and waited for Edward's furious response. I knew deep down that he would say no. But I was ready with my plea I wouldn't give up without a fight.
"Absolutely not Bella. That is out of the question." He declared and I knew he was doing a masterful job of controlling his outrage.
"Okay, but Edward. I don't think it's fair that I was manipulated by Alice for almost the entire trip and tricked into thinking that I was on my own." I started and paused to make sure he hadn't disconnected the phone. This was so much easier in person when he could see my pouting face.
"Go on." He said quietly as if he knew my intended pause was to make sure he was still there.
"I am not asking your permission to drive Alice's car. That's Alice's choice but I just want you to stay put when I do drive the car. You can't come and rescue me besides I promise to be safe." I vowed and gripped her phone. I hoped that he would take into consideration my argument before he came bolting to where we were.
"Bella," he began and I imagined him pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation. "I can't agree to not rescue you. I am being pretty agreeable with this adventurous girl's trip but I have to draw the line somewhere." He proclaimed and sighed deeply.
"Edward, I guess I see your point. I mean I think it's okay that you don't trust Alice to take care of me." Alice raised her eyebrows but I continued finally a reaction from the girl.
"After all nobody can do a great job of protecting me except for you. I totally understand that you don't believe she is capable of keeping me safe, it's cool." There I let the words sit with Alice and Edward. I am quite pleased with this statement. Alice prides herself on her ability to keep me safe.
I saw Alice fuming as I said each sentence. I didn't promise to play by the rules. They deserved to be manipulated after the scheme they pulled earlier.
I heard Edward groan because he knew that Alice was furious at what I just told him. Alice calmly reached her hand out for the phone. I rejoiced inside and gave it to her.
"Edward, I don't want you to misconstrue what I say so I will say this once. How dare you think I cannot protect Bella? I have done a fantastic job so far." She looked at me and I gave her an encouraging nod.
"No, Edward you cannot come and get us we are having so much fun." Alice complained and tilted her head under the phone. She gripped the steering wheel.
"Edward Cullen you stay in that forest. Besides by the time you get to us we will already be in Los Angeles." Alice hesitated. "Edward please be reasonable and I will be careful and yes no foolishness. Okay, here she is." She said and gave the phone back to me.
"Yes?" I asked innocently and heard Edward sigh again.
"Nothing is ever easy when it comes to you, Bella. I will not interfere with your night but I will warn you that if it looks like you are in trouble. I will come." He stated and I heard the determination behind the words.
"Edward, I will be safe. I will see you at home, later." I said and waited for him to reply.
"Okay, love of my life, be careful." He said sincerely but still a little wary.
"I love you. Don't worry so much. If vampires got gray hair your hair would be completely gray by now." I said laughing and disconnected.
"So isn't this great. Do you need to find a clear road or are we going to do this on the highway?" I asked and turned towards Alice.
"Your not serious. Bella, this is a Porsche not your ancient truck were talking about here. I don't know if I can let you drive it."
"Alice Cullen! You heard Edward say it was fine please Alice."
"Well," She said and looked flustered.
"Alice, please, it's all I want to do." I pleaded and made the pout face. It worked on Edward it might work on Alice too.
"Bella, you are dangerous. I don't know how Edward resists your pleas. I am only agreeing to this because I am sitting right next to you and will be able to take over if necessary."
I smiled and shrugged. "Sure Alice fine whatever." She slowed the car and I jumped out.
I walked to the driver's side and saw Alice slide over to the passenger side. She watched me get in and waited until I fastened my seatbelt.
"Okay, basic introduction. The clutch is by your left foot and the gears areā¦"
"Alice I know how to drive a stick shift Edward taught me."
"Okay then." She gestured with her hand. "Let's go."
I turned the key and started the car. I put the car in drive and released the clutch. The car lurched forward and stalled.
"Crap."
"Here put your foot on the clutch and pump. Now start it." She watched my feet and grimaced.
"Okay, here we go." I started to go and stopped suddenly. "Wait, I thought I saw a deer."
"It was nothing let's go."
I took off again and guided the car to the highway. I was gripping the steering wheel so tight that my knuckles were white. Wow, I am actually driving her car. Crazier things have happened. I saw the sign for Los Angeles gleam ahead.
"Alice you're the best friend I ever had." I said and smiled at her.
"I don't think you have much to compare me to." She said and watched my movements as I drove.
"Okay had enough?" She asked
"Just five more minutes." I said and moved the gears. We were going sixty and began to hit seventy.
"Okay speed racer time to slow down." She said and looked at me.
"The car is accelerating on its own. I didn't touch the gas." I panicked and started to turn the car off.
"No, you'll crash if you turn it off." She reached over me and moved her foot on the break. Nothing happened.
"Alice what do we do?" I started shaking and opened my eyes as I saw a line of red lights ahead. "Do I turn off the road?"
The red lights were getting closer. It was a roadblock. We were going to crash and possibly kill all those people.
"ALICE WHAT DO I DO?" I shouted.
