(24) Speculation

Rosalie glared at Alice and turned her cold eyes in my direction. I quickly looked down and studied my fingernails. Esmee walked over to Rosalie's seat and looked at her hair. Her face blanched and she patted Rosalie on the shoulder. Alice cringed and picked up a piece of Rosalie's hair.

I saw the ruined section and I gasped. A part of me was thankful that Rosalie had the mistake especially when she made it difficult for anyone to like her. Although she did risk her life to save me! I couldn't be too mad at her. The middle of her hair was streaked with a color that was a cross between orange and brown. The color reminded me of a tiger nonetheless it wasn't good.

The red haired lady was still in her same position at the back of the store and she started to apologize. Alice held up her hand meant to silence the red haired lady. She shook her head back and forth. The ugly stripes were zigzagged down Rosalie's hair making the blond color surreal against the damaged parts. It was not the kind of mistake you could hide! It was extremely hideous.

Rosalie was furious. If steam could come out of her ears I believe it would have! She gripped the sides of the chair and I saw the metal twist. Esmee brought her hand down to Rosalie's and tried to hold it steady. It was a futile effort.

Rosalie was eerily quiet. I didn't know which was worse her anger or silent fury. The flamboyant man was shocked at a loss for words. He snapped out of it though and went to the back of the salon. He was hurriedly opening cabinets and clattering items. Alice was struggling to ease the tension in the room. Esmee stood firmly next to Rosalie and held onto her shoulder. I didn't think it was a nurturing touch more like a warning to not kill the red haired woman.

"I have a dye that matches your color, honey! Don't worry you'll be as good as new." The flamboyant man promised and held a tiny bowl in his hands. He set it next to Rosalie and parted her hair into sections.

Rosalie shattered through the catatonic state and awoke with a vengeance. "Don't touch one strand of my HAIR!" She roared and got up from the chair. "Your sorry excuse for a hairdresser has ruined my hair! I don't want you to try to fix your mistake! That is not going to happen in this lifetime!"

"Miss, I would like to make amends for our horrible error please let us fix it!" The man reasoned and saw Rosalie's face contort into different stages of anger.

"I am going outside. Don't try to follow me!" She pointed her finger at the man. I saw her figure cross next to me and she flung the doors open. Alice looked torn between following Rosalie and staying with me. I saw her take a few steps to the door then she hesitated. Esmee stood beside Alice and shrugged her shoulders.

"Alice, let Rose calm down." Esmee suggested and sat down at her chair. The hairdresser finished blow-drying Esmee's hair. I slunk back into my chair and eyed the flamboyant man. He looked stressed out.

Alice had an intensive look on her face. "She'll be fine." She pronounced and told the flamboyant man to continue with my hairstyle. "I would like to have my hair up too!" Alice proclaimed and gave the man a smile.

The atmosphere was tinged with stress. The rest of us in the salon were getting over the drama. The red haired lady was gone probably in the back hiding until we left. I saw the rest of my hair twirled into an elegant twist with tendrils falling down my back. A small clip was attached to the back and pins were pushed into the loose ends. Alice clapped in approval when I was finished. She had her hair styled in a French twist.

Esmee stuck with a simple sleek hairdo. I was impressed that the rest of us were unscathed when we left the hair salon. We exited through the doors and saw the SUV parked at the curb. The door swung open and Edward hopped out to let us in. He complimented all of our hair. He stood close to me.

"You look so beautiful. I am the luckiest man." He murmured and kissed my neck. I shuddered and put my arms around his neck.

"Your wrong! I am the lucky one. How's Rosalie?" I asked when I saw her stony wintry face in the backseat. She was wearing a hat that was an old beret it was glittered with a few rhinestones in front. It looked awkward on her head but I wouldn't dare say anything.

"Upset! Poor Emmett he's in the doghouse." Edward muttered and I glanced at Emmett. He was looking out the window faced away from Rosalie. He winked at me and didn't turn his face one inch.

"Why? What did he say?" I asked quietly. Alice was trying to ease Rosalie by asking her questions but Rosalie gave her short answers huffing and crossing her arms in front of her.

"He said Tony the Tiger says your hair looks grrrreat." Edward whispered and I saw Esmee stifle a laugh. Alice turned quickly to the side and I saw her cheeks curve upward. Jasper remained quiet and Carlisle sighed. Emmett giggled and Rosalie punched Emmett's arm.

"Oww, come on babe! It's just a joke!" Emmett said and Jasper shook his head.

I climbed in the car and plopped next to Alice. "Easy Bella your hair needs to be intact until tonight."

"Why?" I asked. "Are we going to a ball?" I asked in horror.

Edward snorted and put his arm around my shoulder. "A ball in Southern California? I don't think so."

"Are we going to a fancy dinner?" I asked and looked into Edward's eyes. His eyes were amber my favorite color glimmering in the fading sunlight.

"Bella, would I make such a big deal about a dinner." Edward mocked and grinned at me.

"Come on you gotta give me a hint?" I persisted and saw Edward mull it over. He turned to Alice and she beamed.

"What's the hint?" I asked persistently while Alice clamped her mouth shut.

"No hints my sweet Bella! You're just going to have to be patient and find out!" He teased.

"Are we going to get married?" I joked and Edward stiffened. I stiffened my body in response. Was he serious? I felt my bones turn rigid failing to move the tiniest inch.

"What? You're taking me to get married!" I said the words tightening in my throat. A small part of me was flattered but the reasonable part was saying are you crazy?

Edward relaxed and laughed in my ear. "No silly. But you deserved to be scared now stop trying to guess and relax." Edward pulled me against him and was careful to not ruin my hair.

"Can you at least tell me what city we are going too?" I muttered completely defeated. He wasn't giving in.

"Back to Los Angeles. That's the only clue you are getting." He rubbed my shoulders when I shivered against him.

"Are we going to see a movie premiere? Am I going to meet a celebrity?" I asked hopelessly. Emmett laughed and Esmee turned back to me and winked. Edward chuckled and shook his head.

"Bella, your surprise is probably going to be the greatest night in your life!" Alice suggested and Edward hit her leg. Alice shushed him and bounced in her seat.

"Now one more stop and then you will get your surprise!" Edward announced while Carlisle gave him a slight nod up front. Edward was probably conveying directions to our next destination. I gave him a look.

"This is not fair! Am I going clothes shopping again?" I asked because we all know how the last one turned out.

"You will see nosey!" Edward teased and Jasper cleared his throat.

"Sorry Jazz, Bella, Jasper would like to ask you a question." Edward declared and I turned towards Jasper. He was sitting up straight with his back tightly against the seat.

"What is it, Jasper?" I asked curiously.