She has received four rejections (Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Princeton). The other schools are still quiet on the subject of applicant Bella Swan. Except Stanford.
Stanford thinks she is interesting, and would like to interview her in person, when would be convenient for her?
Hmm.
[Hey Alice. If anybody asks you, would you mind telling them you bought me a motorcycle?]
She can drive herself to the airport.
"I so don't care," he says. "Oh, uh, people are really gonna think we're fucking if you show up to school on that thing. You cool with that?"
"Meh," says Bella. "Don't care enough to not use it. I will carry on denying it and say you're just buying me things with your court-awarded money because I helped you with the trial stuff."
A few things click in his head. Presents; beautiful things; designing for function and form.
"Hey, can I make you hot clothes?" he asks, already running through possibilities in his head. Dresses, various lengths; suits; assorted other items.
"Not a fan of dresses or suits on me in general, although if I have to show up to something super-formal I'd wear a dress. Maybe now that I don't trip on imaginary things all the time I'll start showing up to dances? I'd wear dresses to those, and I'll let you make 'em if you want if you let me vet the design."
Bella grins. "Spiffy. I wonder if dancing is one pentagon, or one per type?" She tries it. "Huh. Works with one, but I probably couldn't win a waltz contest, I think this is just general I-can-dance-now."
Bella can see it disappear. She shrugs and puts some waltz music on, and leads, even though he's taller and she's a girl.
Completely for the fuck of it, Alice wishes himself a magnificently twirly pleated skirt.
"That was fun," she says.
"I love it too. And I love you being magical. And I love you," Alice recites happily.
"Charlie'll be home in under an hour," she says, glancing at the clock. "Time to start dinner. You staying?"
"I'm kinda impressed with Charlie for not having remarked on your new clothes," Bella says, heading down the stairs and starting on some rice to serve with fried fish.
Once again Charlie defies Alice's experience of dads! That is a good thing. He should keep doing that.
Bella cooks. She hands Alice things to stir, and stale bread to turn into crumbs. Charlie's home on time, remarks neither on Alice's presence nor on his attire, and is loudly appreciative of the food.
Alice is also loudly appreciative of the food, although half of his remarks thereon are technically silent.
"Mm?" Charlie asks. "Why would you return it if you like it?"
"Well, I'm not licensed to drive it," says Bella.
Charlie's silent for a beat. "Laney, did you get my daughter a motorcycle?"