Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters. I own the plot of this, though.
Author's Note: Descriptive filler chapter here. It's very blah, truth be told. I'm looking forward to finishing chapter 15! I have some lines written down already. So wait for that, 'kay? :) By the way, thanks for the near-3000 hits. To the people who read/fave/alert this story, tell me what you think about it, okay? :) Telling anyone who cares: I got an adorable American Bulldog puppy named Pie. :D
Thank you to maple-bella, IfIShouldStay & Stefania Shesana and Darnmella for the story alert add! Thanks to Claudia95, littlesmeow77 & Sarrebham1 for the favorite story/author add! Thank you, rayeman25, June Afternoon, darkimpulse, Claudia95, Straw Hat Melody, Sarrebham1 & akina nakamori for the awesome Reviews! :D
Akina Nakamori: Love you, too, dear. You will always get this special mention here. Haha!
June Afternoon: Ate, I think I want a different nickname for her. hahaha. sabaw. :D
Rayeman25: Francesca is Asian. I don't want to be specific race-wise, so I'll describe her for you and, well, for everyone.
Francesca. Complexion is yellowish in the non-hepatitis way. Think Oriental. Her eyes are chinky, too. Her hair's burgundy-brown, just below the shoulder. 5.4 height, maybe? Petite built. Hope you were able to visualize well. :)
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Chapter 14
My back still ached a tad when I woke up the next morning. The night before seemed more like a fantasy than reality. Edward and I fell asleep holding each other's hands on the hard, evil surface of my ditch's floor. By the time we woke up, it was nearly eleven o'clock in the evening. Before he headed home, though, he asked me, on behalf of Alice, to come with them – by them, he meant Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie and Edward – to their weekly shopping spree. I agreed, of course. I would never pass off an opportunity to buy things, nor a chance to hang out with friends.
I woke up eight in the morning and headed straight for the bath room. I felt slightly strange, probably due to the unexpected things that had happened the night before. I switched on the faucet and let warm water fill the tub. I checked the temperature of my bathwater, entered the tub and let my mind wander off as I cleansed my body. My brain oddly worked better whenever I took a bath.
Everything was, without a doubt, advancing too quickly for comfort. I had only met him last week, for crying out loud! I mean, friendship-wise, all was good. We had a connection, true. I couldn't believe I was thinking what I was thinking. Friends are what we were – friends and nothing more. I was over-analyzing everything again, like I always did. Then again, I couldn't overlook the palpable frisson between us. It was practically screaming – at me, at least. The so-called quasi-spark could have well been unreciprocated. Well, this sucks.
I stepped out of my tub half an hour later feeling refreshed. I was thinking of eating breakfast before I left but I figured that I had an hour to kill before I was expected at the Cullen's. I'd stop by for a morning meal on the way; I'd probably get them something, too. I hunted for the perfect outfit. I put on a plain lime green a-line summer dress that I accessorized with a thick white belt. I grabbed a small white bag and slipped on my most comfortable pair of white flats. I was ready for a day of shopping nirvana.
I drove downtown and headed for Le Pain, my favorite bakery. I ordered a light meal made up of blueberry crepe, a few strips of bacon and a cup of hot chocolate. Along with that, I bought a box of assorted filled croissants to go. I sat on one of the dainty wooden chairs set outside the bakery. I ate my breakfast as I watched people move around me.
I suddenly remembered that school was to start a little less than two weeks from now. I made a mental note to visit my cousins who resided at the other side of the state. Maybe I could sleep over for a day or two; I'm sure they wouldn't mind. They've been inviting me to do just that. I should probably buy my cousins, both younger than me, some things today.
As soon as I finished my meal, I stood up to leave. I drove to the Cullen's place. It was a quick drive to the mansion, but you could easily get lost on the way if you weren't sure of where you're going. I was surprised I actually remembered the path. I parked my car right behind Edward's Volvo that was on the driveway. I stepped out of the vehicle, took the box of pastries and my bag from the passenger seat, and headed for the front door. I rang the doorbell once and not too long after, Alice opened the door. She was unsurprisingly wearing such an amazing ensemble. She sported a green-on-dark-grey floral kimono style top match with blue-green shorts and dark grey flats. She puts my fashion sense to shame.
"Francesca!" she squealed as she gave me a quick hug. I should've expected the over-enthusiasm, yet I was still surprised.
"Hi, Alice," I said, trying to mimic her verve. I handed her the box. "This is for you."
"What is it?" she said as she took a peek. "Oh! You brought us breakfast!"
I laughed as she led me inside. She took a bite of one of the mini-croissants and nodded in approval. We entered the kitchen where the others were. Everyone was seated on the breakfast table, munching on cereals.
"Hi, guys!" I greeted them.
"Good morning," they chorused.
"Francesca brought this for us," Alice said as she placed the box on top of the table. "They taste amazing."
"From Le Pain?" Edward guessed as he stood up to offer his seat.
"Of course," I smiled. I thanked him as I sat down.
"So what's the plan, guys?" Rosalie started.
"You and Emmett ride together," said Alice. "Jasper, Edward and I will try out Francesca's new ride."
"Sounds good," I grinned at her.
"Shall we, then?" Jasper asked.
Nobody bothered to answer. Everyone stood up and headed for the driveway. By the time the four of us had boarded my Beetle, the red BMW was already on the road. I followed Rosalie's lead as we zoomed to the mall.
