My waiting got me somewhere with Bella, and unfortunately that somewhere was stuffed into a little car zooming down the highway.
Jessica Stanley, the owner of the said little car, drove fast. If she was seen by a police officer she would definitely get a ticket. I tried to ignore the gossip going on in the front of the car as we sped towards Port Angeles, but try as I might, I learned a lot about people that I didn't know before.
Even though prom was still months away we were going dress shopping. Or, rather, Jessica and Angela Weber were going dress shopping and they invited Bella, who in turn dragged me along so she wouldn't be stuck alone with those two.
I didn't hate shopping personally, I just didn't need new clothes very often and so didn't do it much.
This past month had been very interesting where Bella was concerned. Ever since Edward rescued her, he had avoided and ignored her. It didn't bother me except that Bella was now obsessed with him and clung to the thought that he was superhumanly fast. I still think she hit her head.
Bella had been very quiet this week. Last weekend I was down at the beach and met up with Jacob, who told Bella the tribal legends. I had heard them several times before and had always found them interesting. They were just stories, but when Billy told them, they came to life.
"Okay! We're here!" Jessica announced as we came to a stop in a parking lot of a clothing store. I slung my purse around my neck as we walked inside.
Jessica and Angela headed straight for the dress section while Bella sat down on a chair outside of the change rooms.
I decided to browse for jeans as a previous pair of mine had been thoroughly ruined for public wearing. It had been a complete accident. Jacob was working on his car and I was bringing him a snack when he stood up and bumped into me. I tripped and fell over backwards into a oil pan all before he could turn around. The jeans were now to be used only when I was in the garage with Jacob. And the cookies, well, they never did get eaten on account of them being drenched in engine oil and covered in dirt.
I studied a few pairs before I picked two to try on, a black pair and a light blue pair. I turned to head to the change rooms when the skirt rack caught my eye. Normally I didn't wear skirts to often, but this one was perfect. It was semi transparent navy blue with pink petals over a shorter, solid navy blue underskirt. A thick black belt was attached to the waist of the skirt.
After grabbing the skirt, I hurried into a change room and tried on the jeans. The black pair fit well but the blue one was a little on the large side. Setting the jeans aside I pulled on the skirt. It fit perfectly and felt good swishing around my legs. I stepped out to get a second opinion. "What do you think?"
"That looks nice on you," Bella said, still sitting on the chair.
I took a few steps and then twirled to make to skirt flare.
"That is gorgeous!" Angela exclaimed as she stepped out of her change room wearing a blue floor length dress.
"Thanks. You look really good in that colour," I commented.
Angela blushed. "Do you think Ben will like it?" She asked.
"He will love it," I assured her. I didn't know who Ben was, but if he was smart he would like it. Or, if he liked Angela he would like it.
After paying for the skirt and jeans, I joined Bella in watching Jessica go through dresses. Probably half an hour later she found one in her price range that she liked. Fortunately for me the jeans and skirt didn't cost more than twenty dollars each. Another reason I don't shop very often. Clothes can be ridiculously expensive. She and Angela paid for their dresses while I used the bathroom.
When I got back Bella was gone.
"Where did Bella go?" I asked the girls.
"She said she was just going to the bookstore and for us to head over to the restaurant while we wait," Jessica answered.
I nodded. We headed over to the restaurant, found a table, and sat down to wait. We waited, and waited, ... and waited. After a hour had gone by with annoying chatter from Jessica, I was unsure of two things: how in the world Bella was friends with her, and where Bella was.
"Maybe we should eat," Angela said. "It's been an hour."
Jessica and I agreed, so we ordered, though I was starting to worry about Bella. It was dark out and it wasn't safe to be wandering around in the city on ones own. Especially for a girl. Stories from dad's line of work started bubbling up into my thoughts, but I tried to push them down. Bella was probably immersed in a book and had forgotten about the time. At least, that is what I hoped.
When the food came I was starving. The spaghetti I ordered was covered in a delicious looking cream sauce. We ate quickly and paid.
Just as we left the restaurant we saw Bella heading towards us.
"Where were you?" I asked, frowning. It didn't seem like her to just go off on her own for so long, but then again, I didn't really know her anymore.
"We would have waited but we got hungry," Jessica said.
"Sorry, I..." Bella started.
"I apologize for keeping her," Edward Cullen stepped up behind her.
"Bella?" I asked, frowning at Edward. I didn't like that he was with her. Why was he even here in the first place?
"Oh, it's okay, no problem. We'll leave you two then," Jessica rambled, tugging Angela and I to her car.
"I really do think that Bella should eat something though," Edward said. He guided Bella, who didn't protest, to the restaurant door.
Jessica pulled me to the car. "Bella, are you sure you don't want to come home now?" I called, trying to resist Jessica.
She shook her head. "You go on without me. I won't be that long."
I frowned. "That's what you said last time," I muttered, but got into Jessica's car. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as we pulled away from Bella into the raining night.
Jessica drove home a little slower since it was dark, but still fast enough that my dad would have given her a ticket. She pulled up to my house and I grabbed my stuff and Bella's jacket that she had left. "Thanks for the ride," I said, getting out.
"No problem." With that Jessica and Angela drove away.
I unlocked the door and went in. Dad wasn't home. He was probably working late on some case. I tromped up to to my room to put my clothes away, and tossed Bella's jacket on her bed as I passed by.
I pulled out a navy blue shirt that I laid next to the skirt. It would make the perfect outfit for semi casual to semi formal occasions. Not that there were many formal events that I went to. I could count on one hand that formal events I had been to.
I heated up some leftovers for Dad when he got home. He got home around ten, very grateful for some food. "Where's Bells?" He asked around a mouthful of casserole.
I leaned against the counter and twitched my lips wryly. "She's getting a ride home with Edward Cullen."
Dad looked at me sharply. "What's she doing with him?"
"Getting supper," I snorted.
"You don't sound to happy about it," Dad observed.
I sighed and rubbed my head. "I'm sure he fine and all, but... I just don't really like him. I don't know why, but I don't." My arms flopped down in defeat.
"Okay. But so far the Cullens haven't caused any trouble, so I don't know where you're coming from," Dad said.
"Like I said, I don't know why," I said grabbing a carrot from the table to distract myself.
It was getting late so I headed up to bed, still munching on the carrot.
"G'night Dad," I called.
"Goodnight Ana."
The sound of a car pulling up made me walk to the window. Bella slowly got out of Edward's car and made her way to that house. I waited until Bella came up the stairs but she disappeared into her room. I sighed and lay down, trying to figure out what I disliked about Edward.