Diary of Bella Swan 21 ¼ years
Dec 31st 2010
Wow! I...ME...Bella "Clumsy ass" Swan has been invited to the most amazing New Year Eve party ever! Well, I reckon it will be. Not that I have actually seen the place yet!
Right...let's start at the beginning. Alice Cullen is on my English course at Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom. She is the craziest pixie I know! She has been my best friend for about three months, well, since we started university together. She realised that I was staying in Newcastle for Christmas, not travelling back to Charlie's, and decided to take matters into her own hands. Charlie is my Dad, he is basically the male version of me, and we get on well. We are both quiet but still enjoy each others' company. Sue, his wife and my long suffering step mother, is awesome! She is so sweet and nice and would do anything for any one. This was the first time I would be away for Christmas due to work commitments. Sue made sure everything was sent up to me though, from their home in Leeds. Since Renee passed on when I was 10 (yeah still can't say the D word) Sue has made a big deal out of Christmas. She is the complete opposite of Charlie but they are just sooooo right together. Seth, the little step brother, is desperate for me to date his cousin Jake. That, however, ain't gonna happen as he is way too obsessed with Ness! Ness, or Vanessa as she is actually called, is a family friend and Jake has had a thing for her pretty much since I met him when I was 10 and we moved to Leeds! God knows how long it had been going on before then?
Anyway...I was working in the Hotel over the Christmas period when I saw Alice with her Mum. She was most disgusted that I had to work and demanded that I should go to their New Year's party at Wynyard. Wynyard is a SUPER posh estate near Newcastle. So I immediately thanked her for her offer and declined politely. The damn pixie that she is, wouldn't take no for an answer and proceeded to speak to my boss, Lauren. I was owed boat loads of holiday so begrudgingly, Lauren granted me a week off starting yesterday, 30th Dec 2010.
Yesterday...
30th Dec 2010
Hey Bella...Meeting in town, Jane Norman, 11.30, U need a dress 4 2moro! Pixie x x
I woke up to the sound of Barbie Girl, the Pixie's ring tone! I sat up, found my phone shoved under my pillow and found the text. I quickly replied that I would be there. I learnt early on that it was completely pointless to argue with her. However, if I had known the horrific experience I was about to be subjected to I would have at least attempted to argue.
What you must remember is I am NOT a Jane Norman, designer, kind of girl. I am a couple of sizes larger than Jane Norman, which I typically term a dead shop – for people who are super skinny, therefore I was not looking forward to going in, let alone trying anything on. I tried to point this out to the Pixie. Tried being the operative word.
"Ali, you do realise I am way too big to be tryin' on anything in here? Don't you?" I muttered.
"Bella, you will clearly fit into anything I pick out!" exclaimed Alice
An hour later and Ali had admitted defeat in Jane Norman, apparently the sizes were fine, and it was the shape of the dresses that were an issue. Mhmmm...heard that before! So we moved onto other "dead shops" like Oasis, Mango and Monsoon. Until I flat out refused to go anywhere else that would have ridiculous sizes. We decided to head to New Look, yes not very upper class but at least they cater for my size! Within 10 minutes I was sorted! A black sequins bandeau dress with a full skirt of purples and blues. Very pretty, even if I do say so myself. Why we didn't start there was anybody's guess? So after 4 hours we had a dress, which apparently needed shoes and a bag? I don't do new shoes; I have a pair of "going out" shoes in black with a matching bag that suits every outfit. However, this was completely unacceptable?
"Belllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! You cannot turn up to this party without new shoes! It is completely against the law! Anyways this is your Christmas present from me! New shoes and matching bag! So there can be no arguments! You will LOVE them, I promise."
Begrudgingly, I continued to wander around Eldon square with the demon shopper herself, Alice Cullen! We finally found some gorgeous shoes, patent leather and matching chain mail bag. They were very beautiful, with a kitten heel so I wouldn't injure myself too badly if and when I fell over in them. They had a dainty bow on the front that matched my dress completely.
Alice was pleased with her shopping excursion, more so than I was and demanded that I turn up to her house early with my overnight bag and ready to be made up. I went back to my flat absolutely goosed! I made something to eat and crawled back into bed. How Alice does that regularly is beyond me.
Dec 31st 2010 5pm
Ok...So am shitting my pants! I am kind of ready, well I've been in the shower and threw on my scruffs to drive over to Wynyard. Feeling a bit self conscious as my car is ancient. It used to be my Granddad's and I was given it when he was too old to keep driving. Needless to say that it is not in very good condition. Anyways, I'm in the car, overnight bag and garment bag at the ready. I am a little scared of meeting Alice's family; I know she is the only girl of three children. Apparently her brothers are likely to turn up but it's not definite. Also her Mum and Dad are well, rich? Intimidating? I've only seen them in passing and they both look like older models! Bloody Hell Swan, what have you got yourself into?
Also, there is always the issue of putting myself on my backside! That happens without the help of alcohol and kitten heels! Ohmygod! What am I thinking? Maybe I should go home? Just as I decide that is what I am going to do, I hear Barbie Girl go off. Grrrrrrrrrrrr! I pull over and answer my phone quickly.
"Hey Pixie, Whats up?" I try and ask calmly.
"You are NOT to turn around, you are nearly here! See you in 15 minutes! Love ya!"
Fucking hell, how did she know? God she must be tracking me with GPS or something!
Fifteen minutes later and I pull up to the biggest house I have ever seen! Bloody hell! How many people live here? I really didn't want to leave 'The Banger' (Granddad's lovingly named car) around the front. As Alice flew down the front steps, she motioned for me to pull around the back. Relieved, I followed her around to the garage. As I got out she gave me a huge hug as if she hadn't seen me for ages!
"Alice, my darling Pixie, I only saw you yesterday!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know but I wasn't sure if you were going to come?" explained Alice. I immediately felt bad; I reassured her that I was going to come to the party regardless because I had promised her that I would. After that, we made our way through the garage into the house, up the stairs and into Alice's bedroom.
She had everything possible to inflict pain on me for the next 2 hours! Straightners, curlers, and things I couldn't even name. I felt like a freak as I sat in front of her while she, "worked" she called it, "tortured" I called it. Half way through I was put in my dress so I wouldn't ruin my hair or make-up. So far so good!
When we were primped, fixed and painted we headed downstairs to the main room. It was unbelievable! The house/mansion was beautiful. It was all creams and browns. There was a gigantic dance floor set up next to a bar and small tables around the dance floor to sit and chat at.
I carefully walked down the stairs and was introduced to Esme and Carlisle, who are Alice's parents. They were very nice and seemed very down to earth. Esme asked me about my English course, which she seemed very interested in. Carlisle was asking me about life in Leeds, having only lived in a city; he was also quite interested in Charlie and Sue. After speaking with them, I was given a glass of rose wine by Alice. I was then introduced to Rose and Emmet. Emmet was Alice's oldest brother at 28. Rose was his fiancée and I was a bit intimidated by her. She seemed nice but I could feel a bit of an undercurrent, like she could be quite harsh if I got on the wrong side of her. We made small talk as the house began to fill with the other party goers.
Alice stayed with me so I didn't feel uncomfortable. However, the more rose wine I drank the more comfortable I began to feel. At about 10:30pm Alice disappeared when two tall men entered the house. I couldn't see very much only the tops of their heads. One was blonde and one had copper coloured hair, just like Esme, so he had to be the other brother.
