Prologue: A Gift

I slumped down on the couch, too lazy to take any care in actually sitting correctly. I gazed at the T.V, not seeing any of the images flashing by. I heard laughter in the background, but had no idea what had just happened. My life was so boring! Nothing ever happened to me! But that was never going to change, so I why was I wasting my time thinking about it?

I had never even been invited to a real party. Sure, those crappy get-togethers and kick but study parties, but never a real party. Never a party that was even remotely fun. But I guess that's what I get for being the school nerd…which would probably explain the whole nothing ever happening to me thing.

Behind me I heard sounds of clashing metal and feet stomping through the house—my mother making dinner and the little neighbor boy we were babysitting. I tuned them out so I could get back to my sulking. If I could just go to one good party, my life would be complete. Well, not really, but still.

"Bella! Dinner's ready!" My mom called to me from the kitchen, her voice faint over the neighbor's rowdiness. What was his name again? Oh well, it's not like it matters or anything.

"Coming!" I called back, trying to hide my true emotions. There was no need to get parents involved in this. Everybody knows their little cheer up speeches do nothing but annoy you.

I shoved my hands into the couch in an attempt to hoist myself up, put the cushy pillows only deflated beneath my palms, making my hands slip back and thus making me fall on my back. Right back where I started. I sighed in defeat and sat up, breaking my impressive chain of lazy actions.

As I got to my feet, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it mom, I'm already up." Well, why stop now with the whole not being lazy thing—my chain was already broken after all.

"Thanks honey." my mom said politely.

I walked up to the door, my blue converse sinking slightly into our thick brown carpet. I swung the door open, but saw nobody. Not even a car or a distant black silhouette. I stepped out of the house, confused, and looked around the sides of the house. Nothing. It was when I was walking back to the house that I found the source of the doorbell…you know, after I tripped on it and almost fell face first to the ground.

A small brown cardboard box lay on our doormat. The mailman must have dropped it off or something. I picked it up delicately with my fingertips and carried it back into the house, where I could see who it was addressed to.

"Who was it honey?" my mom asked as I walked in.

"Nobody, mailman I think. Left a box." I said looking at the address.

"Who's it for?" she asked. "I haven't ordered anything recently."

I stared down at the box, confused. It was for me, but I hadn't bought something online or anything lately. And it definitely wasn't from a faraway friend—had none of those. "Me."

"Whose it from?"

"I don't know. There's no return address."

"That's odd. What is it?"

I did my best to rip open the innocent package, but ended up using my house key to slice the tape. I unfolded the top flaps to see what the package held. What I saw was a delicate necklace with a gold chain and an emerald stone set in gold. My face reflected off the smooth stone.

"A necklace." I answered as I cautiously dipped my hand in to remove it from the box. As I snagged it up, a white slip caught my eye. I set down the beautiful jewelry on the couch to grab the note that lay within. I unfolded it and read:

Who I am matters not. What matters is you keep this necklace and guard it with your life. Don't ask why, you won't get an answer. After all, you don't even know who I am. Where it around your neck and no where else. Do not let anybody even so much as hold it. Also, DO NOT TELL ANYBODY any details about where or who you got it from. Shred this letter as soon as you understand it. Good luck. I really hope I don't see you soon.

I folded the letter and put it in my pocket when I heard my mom approaching. Carefully, I picked up the necklace and admired its beauty. My mom walked up beside me in the living room, drying her hands on a towel. She put the towel in her back pocket and her hands on her hips.

"That's beautiful," she made a move to grab it, but I remembered the note. I had no idea if it was phony or not, but something was finally happening to me, even if it was a prank. I put it back in the box and said, "I don't know. I don't think I should keep it. It doesn't seem right that anybody would give this to me."

"Normally I would agree with you honey, but there's no return address. We can't return it."

"Hmm…I'm going to my room to put it in a safe place. I'll be down for dinner soon." I said in an attempt to get it far from those who wanted to touch…like most people do…

"Alright." My mom said, proud I was being responsible, I think.

I trudged up my stairs with the box in my left hand, being careful not to jerk it too much. I wasn't sure if it was fragile or not. I opened the door to my room and did a quick 360 to see if there were any good hiding places. Well, in the corner of my closet under a thousand pounds of loose clothing would have to do for now. I tucked it away and stomped back down the stairs, thoughtful.

But whatever the mystery behind the necklace was would have to wait—I had pasta to eat and a mother to fool about it.