(23) Mistake
Carlisle drove out of Tijuana heading towards San Diego. I saw the sunrise over the purple mountains bursting with bubbly clouds surrounding the horizon. The endless horizon that was free from drizzly rain but contained a foggy marine layer that was reminder of my hometown.
Edward sat beside me holding my hand and stroking my cheek while he spoke quietly to Jasper. I closed my eyes against his chest and relaxed knowing my life was safe from danger at least until I went back home. I gasped and sat up straight.
"Charlie?" I asked more as a rhetorical question but cringing from my sure future in house arrest till graduation.
"Don't worry, Bella. I took care of it!" Alice smugly answered from my other side and clutched my good hand with a tender touch.
"How? What did you say?" I asked cautiously knowing Alice could be outlandish with excuses. Once, she told Charlie we went to Canada to buy shoes.
"I said that you were with me while the boys were out camping. You should know that we had a great time! Slumber party that was complete with makeovers and John Hughes movies." She rattled with the exuberance of an adolescent girl. I rolled my eyes and leaned back into Edward.
Edward kissed my hair and smiled at his favorite sister. Emmett perched over the seat and his face was wedged between both of us. He talked to Edward and I closed my eyes. I felt the SUV undulating on the road.
I must have dozed off! The SUV screeched to a stop and that jolted me. I shrieked and opened my eyes. Everyone was looking at me in my moment of panic. Edward whispered in my ear. "It's alright." Alice hugged my shoulder and I felt calm waves in Jasper's direction.
"Sorry. Reflex reaction." I muttered and put my head between my hands. The embarrassment turned my face hot.
"Okay, pick us up at three o'clock sharp. Don't be late." Alice chided and grabbed my good hand. The other one was wrapped in a bandage that Carlisle fastened at the first stop.
"What? Where are we?" I asked confused and sleepy. My eyes were shrunken from my sleepless night. My head was sore which put me in a bad mood!
"San Diego, just a pit stop! We have an appointment." Alice sang and bopped with energy.
"Seriously. Edward I don't want to go." I snapped and caught myself. Calmness I said to myself. Do this for him. I could see in his eyes that he wanted me to go with the girls and get pampered.
Esmee came on the other side of me and lightly held my shoulder. Alice giggled and waved to the boys. Rosalie silently followed behind us and Emmett winked at us. I dragged my feet. Edward leaned out the window and held my face between his hands. He kissed me lightly on the lips just a small brush that sent electric tingles all over my body.
"For me?" He asked and held my gaze. I nodded unable to resist his plea. I walked with the girls to the salon and heaved a huge sigh.
"Oh really Bella! You are a girl! You should enjoy being indulged once in a while." Alice trilled and announced to the receptionist that we would like hair appointments. Rosalie sat in a vacant seat and opened an old issue of glamour. Esmee browsed the selection of shampoos and conditioners. I sat in the chair by the door and practiced slow deep breaths.
Alice sat beside me and picked up a color chart. She eyed the colors and then looked at me. "Hmm, you know Bella, you might look charming with lowlights in your hair nothing too drastic!"
"Alice, don't you dare!" Esmee warned and came to sit next to us. "Don't touch your hair color, Bella. I think it looks very complimentary with your skin tone."
"Okay ladies let's get busy!" A small man exclaimed holding a purple comb in his hand. He gestured with his hands and smiled widely at us. He was wearing a pink shirt and purple vest paired with torn jeans. He was certainly dressed flamboyantly that equally matched his personality.
He indicated four empty chairs that were stationed two to a row. I sat in the first chair with Alice slipping in next to me. Rosalie and Esmee sat in the row opposite us. The bright lights above the mirror made Alice's skin shimmer even though it was overcast outside.
"Hon, can I recommend some deep conditioning treatment. Your hair will thank me." An old woman with red hair commented to Rosalie. Rosalie's shoulders went stiff and I thought I heard a low growl. Esmee raised her eyebrow in warning and Rosalie just grunted at the lady.
I stifled a laugh and Alice made a funny face in the mirror. The flamboyant man came behind me and saw the rough treatment my hair had went through.
"Child, thank goodness you came here. Your hair needs 911 emergency hair services." He scolded and fingered my waves. "It's going to be okay." He held up his hands. "It's okay people I'm a professional!"
He pretended to wipe his brow in exaggeration giggling and brushed my hair. "So! What's the special occasion?" The man asked and reached over to divide my hair into sections.
"Well we are getting Bella ready for tonight. Her boyfriend, my brother, is planning a special surprise." Alice boasted and Esmee laughed warmly.
"Oh! That's wonderful. I do love a man that can plan a good surprise!" He grabbed some clips and sectioned my hair. "I think we need to condition your hair, honey, let's get that out of the way."
I stood while he fastened a cape over me. I walked to the sink and sat in the chair. Alice joined me and sat in the other chair folding her legs. Honestly, I didn't need a bodyguard. But I guess a part of her felt guilty and was sticking to me like glue. She laughed along with the man as he washed my hair. The wash felt lavish ten times better than the painful one I endured with Malirosa. I didn't want to think about her or the awful experience.
"Any idea what the surprise could be?" He asked me and I smelled a wonderful scent he poured from a tiny container on my wet hair. Alice commented on the smell also.
"Love Potion No. 9! It's the finest!" The man exclaimed and snapped his fingers for emphasis!
"I don't know what he's planning. Alice any thoughts?" I murmured and saw Alice raise her eyebrow.
"Nope, none." She lied and jabbered to the man about a new hair product she had bought from an exclusive product line in Paris.
Esmee sat in front with a tin wrap around her hair. She ducked under the hair dryer reading a fashion magazine. I went back to my seat once the conditioning was finished and browsed the magazines. Ugh, too many fashion and gossip ones. I sighed and closed my eyes. I wished I had my favorite collection of short stories.
"So, up or down?" The man asked me putting his hand on his hip and I popped my eyes open.
"Up definitely!" Alice answered for me and squealed from happiness.
"I looked in the mirror and saw Rosalie sitting behind me. The red haired lady was putting something in Rosalie's hair. Rosalie was still pouty from the recent comment from the lady.
"We are going to make you look like a model just like a Seventeen covergirl! Don't worry! You're in the best hands in all of San Diego! That's right I said it!" He put his hand over his mouth in fake horror but winked at me. Alice giggled again obviously enjoying his company. I think she finally met her match in personality.
Esmee sat in her chair and was getting her hair dried with a round brush. The red hair lady came back into the room with a small tray she set up beside Rosalie. She began to take the hot towel and plastic wrap off. I heard Alice suck in a deep breath.
I turned to stare at her and saw her put her hands in front of her face. I stiffened and dropped the clip I was holding in my hand. My hair was partly finished. The remaining tendrils were floating down my back.
Alice darted to Rosalie and shooed the red haired lady away. The lady looked like she was going to faint.
"What's wrong Alice?" Rosalie quipped and turned the page of the magazine.
"Rosalie please try to remain calm! It wasn't meant on purpose!" Alice warned quietly I strained to hear. She put her hands on Rosalie's shoulders and I saw Rosalie's face turn from confusion to hostile.
"WHAT IS IT?" Rosalie yelled and I cringed. I silently prayed she wasn't going to go berserk!
