Twilight: But it's a Thriller and I Never Read Twilight

Chapter 8: Bloodlust

"We're supposed to be," I said, but she gave me a pouting face that told me she wasn't planning on opening that book back up anytime soon.

"Shopping, shopping, shopping," she started to chant bouncing a little in place and making the whole bed shake.

"What are we shopping for?" I asked. I hadn't been shopping with Jessica before, but apparently it was a common occurrence between her and Angela to go to the local thrift stores and search through their racks.

"You could use some winter clothes," she said. "And there's a winter dance coming up in December."

I shook my head. "Yeah, I don't think I'm going to that."

"Why not?" Jessica demanded. "You don't have to have a date or anything. Me and Angela went together last year. We can all go, please." She pouted some more and gave another elongated "Pleeeeaaaasse," as she looked to me with bright, shiny puppy dog eyes.

"Okay," I said. "Okay. Fine. I'll go look with you, but I make no promises."

"Yay," Jessica shouted and jumped off the bed. "Can I call Angela?"

I looked at her for a second. Our conversation about the Cullens was over, it seemed, but I didn't know if I had any more questions. I just hadn't gotten any answers and that left me a little disappointed. I nodded and started to get off the bed as she texted Angela.

"Can we take the truck?" she asked.

"Yeah. I'll leave a note for my dad," I said as we headed downstairs.

It had been a long time since I went shopping, but Jessica was right. I needed something warmer that the thin sweatshirts I'd brought from home. I'd never thought to ask Charlie to take me shopping, but I didn't think I'd like going shopping with him. It would be a different nightmare from going with my mom who'd comment on the cut and size of everything I tried and ask me if I was getting a bit chubby. With Jessica, I hoped maybe I'd like shopping and looking at clothes for once when I'd never liked it with my mom.

"She says she'll meet us there," Jessica said as we headed out the door.

Jessica directed me to a little store on the corner of a street not too far from Carver's. As I parked the truck and let the engine idle a moment longer, I saw Angela hopping out of her old junker in the parking lot. Jessica pushed a door open and waved her hand up above the roof of my truck to wave her down. She leaned back in towards me as Angela started making her way towards us.

"Is there any change I can get you to do to the winter dance?" she asked.

I just shook my head, a little smile hidden in my features. She must have thought she could convince me, but I was dead set on staying home for that particular event. There was no place for me there.

She gave a little pout as she dropped her boots onto the asphalt and slipped out of the truck, heading to meet Angela halfway. I turned the truck off and followed them out, passing through the sloshing snow that clung to the heels of my boots.

"Are we going as a trio to the dance?" Angela asked after Jessica stopped hugging her and I stopped just behind them.

Jessica gave me a look, still trying to convince me, but I just shook my head. "I'm just here to help."

"She needs a new jacket," Jessica said. "And snow boots."

"I need a lot of things," I admitted. I was woefully prepared for the cold and the rain that fell like hurricanes. For a long time, I'd ignored it, mostly because I really didn't want to go shopping with Charlie, but it was quickly becoming a need and Jessica was happy to oblige.