Dusk till Dawn | Paul Lahote ✔️

Chapter 6

Shopping with Bella Swan, as I was going to learn, was complete and utter torture.

Maybe I should have suggested we went to see a movie, or even gone out for dinner. That would have been at least tolerable. Watching Bella flutter through rows of clothing, and not even pick anything out to buy... even after spending a whole half an hour in a store was torturous in itself. I had a few outfits picked out from different stores already, excited to finally have a few new pieces for my wardrobe but Bella hasn't even chosen a singular clothing item to buy.

"You're not into this, are you?" I raised an eyebrow at her as we exited our third store, and she gave me a sheepish look.

"Sorry sis. Shopping isn't my thing," she admitted with a chuckle. "I just wanted to hang out with you. I feel like we haven't done that since you came down, you're always with Paul in La Push or Emily." I winced at that. I knew I had been spending a lot of time in La Push, but I had a reason... a reason that I couldn't tell her. It did make me feel bad, that I couldn't tell her about this secret life that I had been living, but Sam had told me it could put her in danger.

I didn't want to be the reason my sister or father could be in any sort of danger.

"I'm sorry, Bells..." I trailed off with a wince, sighing. "In my defense you've been hanging out with Jake a whole lot too," I reminded her, smirking when she flushed at the reminder. "Speaking of... do you have a thing for him?" I teased her, laughing when she gave me a horrified look as we were making our way towards the food market in the mall.

"I... no! How can you..." she flushes deeper again, glaring at me as I chuckled some more at her plight. "You want to play this game, huh? How about you and Paul?" Bella shot back, and it was my turn to feel awkward, though a small smile appeared on my face at his name.

"What about us?" I questioned with a shrug, eying all of the stands that were in the mall, deciding which one that I wanted.

Bella smirked at me, raising an eyebrow. "You're going to act all nonchalant about it now, huh?" She mused, snickering. I smiled softly at that. It was nice seeing the old Bella coming back. Jacob was good for her, I surmised, if I kept seeing tendrils of her old personality.

"If you must know," I turned towards her, grinning. "We made it official yesterday." It still made butterflies erupt in my stomach, thinking about it. He was amazing, and I didn't think I would find anyone else more perfect for me than Paul Lahote.

Her eyes widened at that, not having expecting that answer. "What really? I was just kidding, but congratulations!" She smiles at me softly, but I could tell it was forced on her part. She was still hurting from Edward leaving, I presumed, though with how in love she had been with him... it was a no brainer that she was still hung up over the guy. "But... Elaine..." Bella trailed off, giving me a tentative look. "Jacob told me something about him... and I don't know..."

Pursing my lips, I tilt my head to the side - giving her my full attention. "What did he tell you?" I asked. I knew that the people thought Sam Uley's group was a cult. The boys had told me all about that, and I wondered if Jacob had thought the same as everyone else. It would make sense if he had.

Wincing, she gives me a small smile to show what she was about to say wasn't meant to inflict any harm. "Jacob told me that they were in a cult. You know, the group you've been hanging out with... and I was just... I want you to be careful. I know you can make your own decisions, but I just don't want you getting hurt." She told me softly, catching me off-guard. I didn't expect this when we came out to shop. Bella wasn't one to have a heart to heart conversation, let alone initiate it.

Placing my hand on her shoulder, I squeeze it comfortingly. "I'm careful, don't worry. Paul would never hurt me, nor would the others." I promised her, knowing that to be fact.

Nodding her head, she glances around the market. "I'm hungry. I could go for some chicken!" She eyes the Popeyes stand that was in the area.

"I think I'm going to get some sushi," I nod over to the sushi stand that was across from it, my stomach growling. "I'll meet you at a table?" I turned towards Bella, finding she was already making her way towards the Popeyes line. Rolling my eyes I walked over to the sushi place, eying the menu as I waited for my turn.

"Hello, welcome to Tim's Sushi! Can I take your order?" A very cute pale looking guy with black shaggy hair grins at me, showing me his dimples. He was rather young, and I could feel the charismatic energy radiating off of him.

"I'll have six salmon and six shrimp, please!" I grinned at the thought of having sushi. "Also, I'd like to have some soy sauce on the side, and wasabi." I added as an afterthought, making the boy nod his head as he punched it into the computer. As I paid for it he placed the sushi on the plate, putting the side of wasabi and side of soy sauce on there as well. "I'll also have a water," I added last minute with a wince, hoping that wasn't an extra charge.

With a nod, he grabs one of the plastic cups and pours water inside, placing it on the tray as well. "Have a good day!" He nods to me, writing something on the receipt and placing it onto the tray underneath the plate.

Finding Bella already sitting at a table with her food, I join her - sliding across from her. She scrunches her nose up at the smell of seafood. "I don't know how you can eat raw fish and shrimp," she commented, cringing as she took a bite of her fried chicken.

"It's good," I replied, placing my bags underneath the table. Picking up the chopsticks, I put one of the salmon pieces in my mouth - sighing at the taste. "Have you ever tried it?" I questioned her, dipping another one in soy sauce and taking a bite of it as well.

Grimacing, she eyes the sushi on my plate. "No thanks. I can't even stand the smell..." She trails off, shaking her head. "Hey, what's that on your receipt?" She asks me as I move the plate a little, catching something written on it.

Raising an eyebrow I grabbed it, turning it over. It was a number with the name Riley Biers on it, and she smirks at me. "Huh..." I trailed off, turning to look at the boy who took my order. He gives me a smirk, waving when he notices I was looking at him before going to help the next person in line.

"So, you gonna call him?" Bella grins at me, finding this all amusing. If I didn't have Paul I would have found him cute, but I knew Paul was it for me. No one else could take me away, especially a boy I had only just met.

"He's nice, but I think I'm fine with the boy I'm with now." I smiled softly, Bella giggles at the longing look on my face at the thought of Paul. Maybe I didn't know what my future would look like, but I knew it had him in it.

And I wouldn't trade that for the world.