A/N: Alright now. Please, don't shoot me... I know I have started two stories, but I had MAJOR writers block on it. So I was just typing random things and this happened. So enjoy. And no flames please.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Stephenie Meyer does.

1918

Edward's 18th Birthday Party

EPOV

The dance that was going on was intensely dull. All the females were twirling in their long, expensive dresses trying their hardest to get my attention. I wrinkled my nose in disgust as yet another girl winked at me, even though she was in the arms of another man. The slow song ended and another one started immediately after, this one perkier. I saw my mother watching me from across the room, sending me pleading glances to dance with someone before my party ended.

I watched my two siblings, Emmett and Alice, dance expertly with their spouse, clearly having a better time than I was. The upbeat song was about halfway done, when all of the sudden a maiden tripped right into my arms. I was about to tell her off, when she looked up at me. I had to hold my jaw from dropping and I instantly forgot about everyone else in the room. An honest blush overcame her beautiful, pale features as she turned her gaze down at the floor. Who was this lady? And why did fireworks go off inside of me when I had looked into her hypnotizing, chocolate eyes? Surely, I have seen her before. For I knew everyone in this town…

I hadn't even realized I was twirling her to the last beats of the song, wanting to keep her in my arms as long as possible. As the last note settled, she quickly released my hands, which left them strangely cold and deserted. How absurd was I to feel this way about one person? A person I didn't even know…

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Cullen." Her voice startled me. It was so meek and genuine. Not like the other women here who only wanted my money and my children.

"No, no. That's quite all right, Miss...?" She was about to answer when she broke my gaze and looked behind me, her eyes growing wide. "Are you alright?" She had grown paler than she already was. I turned around to see what was distressing her, but saw no one that could be of harm. Only lovesick girls and a few jealous men. The final song started to play and I spun around to offer my arm in a dance, but she was gone. I hurried to the front of the house and out the door, but she was nowhere in sight.

Who was that girl?

BPOV

I hurried out the door and slipped around the corner of the mansion, sinking into the darkness. I held my breath as he stood on the porch, searching for me. The front door opened then closed, as he retreated back inside.

I slid down the wall and sunk into the wet grass. I heard the door open and slam closed once again, already knowing who it would be. I waited for her to approach me so I could get my punishment. Get what I deserved.

"Isabella Swan?" I heard her hiss as she searched for me. Maybe if I just inch away slowly now, she won't find me…

No such luck.

"What are you doing on the ground? Get up you dirty, pitiful excuse of a girl." I stumbled up, but slipped as I stepped on my own dress. She grabbed my arm impatiently and yanked me up. She didn't release my arm, but only tightened her grip on it.

"Jessica, please…you're hurting me…" I tried to pry her off my arm as her fingernails dug deeper and deeper. I started to small the horrid, rusty smell of blood.

"If you ever so much as even look at Edward Cullen again, you will be tossed to the whore house. Do you hear me? The only reason you live with us is because your stupid father guilted my mother into keeping you before he died." She finally released her hand and wiped it on her dress as if I was a piece of dirt. "Edward Cullen and I belong together and I will not let anyone, especially you, stand in my way." The venom dripped from her words. I squeezed my eyes shut and prepared for a blow that was sure to follow, but when nothing happened, I curiously opened one eye to see Jessica's face entirely in shock. The dim light from the lamppost created ghostly shadows on her face.

"Mrs. Whitlock…what a surprise…" I gazed over to the person Jessica was looking at. She was standing directly in the line of light, with her hands on her hips. But despite her extremely small height, she looked absolutely terrifying. That's when I realized who she was. Alice Cullen…Edward Cullen's sister who just currently wed Jasper Whitlock. A handsome man from the south.

"What's going on here?" Alice never broke eye contact with Jessica, but Jessica fumbled. She kept ruffling her dress and pulling at her sleeves. She cleared her throat and tried to gain composure.

"Well, you see here… I found poor Isabella out here all alone. She had… tripped and hurt her arm in the fall." Jessica flashed a smirk in my direction and grabbed my hand, pulling me forward. "Now, if you don't mind. My mother must be so bothered that we are not home yet, considering Mr. Cullen's party ended a while ago…"

As Jessica started to drag me past the beautiful, pixie-like female, Alice intervened. "Actually, Miss Stanley, the reason I came out here was to see if... Isabella wanted to spend the weekend with me. I would really enjoy her company and the chance to get to know about her. Plus, I think my brother would like to get to know you better as well." She winked and I immediately blushed. Jessica's fingernails dug deeper and deeper into my palm, until I winced in pain. Alice, noticing, pulled me toward her and out of Jessica's grasp. "I think you need to take your leave now, Miss Stanley. A carriage should be waiting for you. Goodnight." She smiled and pulled me, a little less roughly, to the front door and inside the warm, toasty estate. For such a small person, Mrs. Whitlock sure was strong.

"Well, that was interesting." Alice giggled. "So, I know your name is Isabella, but what is your last name and why on earth are you living with Miss Stanley?" She led me quickly up an elegant stairwell, with a red carpet and a beautiful gold pattern. The gold walls ran through almost the entire home, until we got to what I presume was the 'guest room', which looked bigger than Jessica's entire house. She sat me down on the edge of the bed and went rummaging through the closet. "Cat got your tongue?" She giggled, but with actual concern in her eyes.

"Um. My…uh last name is Swan." I couldn't stop ogling at the gorgeous curtains that matched perfectly with the bed spread. This room even had a balcony! What kind of guest room is this…?

"And…" She prompted, obviously thinking I had some sort of mental illness or something.

"Well, my mother died during child birth. So it was just my father and I, until a year ago." I picked at a loose string on my dress. I had never opened up with someone before and here I was, telling an entire stranger everything. "He suffered from a heart attack. I was the one that found him." I looked up at Alice who had stopped whatever she was doing. I had expected to see pity in her eyes, but instead I saw sympathy. "Well, my father and Jessica Stanley's mother were friends, and in his will… he said I would live with her if something happened to him. She didn't like it, I could tell. But I also think she didn't expect him to just…up and die like he did. So now she's stuck with me, the biggest burden of her life…" I trailed off, staring into nothing. Alice bounced over to me, and sat down taking my hand.

"You are not a burden Isabella…"

"Bella." I corrected her. She paused and at first I thought I had offended her. I had no clue on how to act around…wealthy people. But then she smiled.

"You deserve so much better than how they treat you, Bella. I saw the way she acted toward you. I saw the whole thing. And I know she will go home to her mother and complain and lie and start rumors, but remember Bella, you are so much better than that. And I know I just met you, but I am here for you." She pulled me into a hug and then got into a really hyper state. "Now, I know the cutest outfit for you! It would fit perfectly and the blue would just look lovely on your skin!" She threw some garments at me and ushered me into the bathroom. "Now shower up and get a goodnight's rest! And don't worry about anything. If you need anything at all, Jasper and my room is the second door down! Don't hesitate to ask about anything. Also, don't worry about intruding because you aren't. My family is used to me bring home random friends to visit. Now, goodnight Bella!" I heard her singsong voice fade away. How on earth can someone talk so fast and coherently at the same time?

I took a refreshing shower, and put my dress on a hanger in the closet. It looked so dull in comparison to the other gowns that were in the closet. I still felt bad for intruding, even though Alice already told me it was fine but… I hardly even knew this family. I know Dr. Carlisle Cullen was a very trusted and talented doctor and I've heard nothing bad about his wife, Esme, or the rest of the family in fact, but I still felt like…once again, a burden. I used one of my hair pins and put my hair up in a messy bun. My stomach growled and that's when I realized I hadn't eaten since before I left for the party. I debated on going to Alice's room, but I didn't want to wait too long in case she went to sleep or she was doing something with Jasper…

I shuddered from the image that had popped into my head and decided to ask Alice if I could get a little snack. I would never get a good rest if my stomach kept waking me up. I cracked open my door, and peeked my head out. I didn't want anyone to see me in the blue satin nightgown Alice had given me. How embarrassing if I ran into Dr. Cullen or the gorgeous Edward! I exited my room, and then stopped. Alice had never told me if her room was two doors down to the right or to the left! I started to panic. Looking down both directions, I decided to go with my instinct. Left.

I walked carefully down the hall and stopped at the closed door. I listened against the wood, but I heard nothing. "Alice?" I bit my lip and tapped on the door. I was completely surprised by the glorious, deep emerald eyes that bore into mine when the door had flung open. "I…" His eyes were wide and I started to hyperventilate. So I ran.

I basically dived back into my room and slammed the door. That had to wake the entire house. What a terrible house guest I am! I heard a rough knocking on the door and two voices. I couldn't make out what they were saying. But then I heard a velvet voice seep through the wood of the door that halted my breathing completely.

"Isabella? Are you alright? My sister, Alice, says you are an honored guest at our house and I would very much like you meet you." I blushed furiously; as I slowly creaked open the door. He was smiling crookedly and Alice, standing behind him in a red nightgown, was trying to contain her giggles.

"I'm sorry…" But before I could say anything more, he swept my hand up and gave it a gentle kiss.

"Don't be, Isabella. Or shall I call you Bella as Alice says you prefer…"

"Bella is fine." My voice squeaked, embarrassing me. Edward chuckled, releasing my hand.

"Well, it is indeed nice to meet you, Bella. But I believe this isn't the first time we have seen each other. If I remember correctly, you and I shared a dance…" I blushed and looked at my feet.

He leaned in, so close I could feel his breath on my face. I was tempted to inhale in his wonderful scent, but somehow I restrained myself. At first I thought he was going to kiss me, which terrified yet excited me. He was almost a complete stranger, yet he was just so… indescribable.

"And what a dance that was…" His voice cut through my thoughts and when I thought I couldn't blush anymore…

"Okay, okay you guys. Bella needs to get some sleep, so Edward… quit getting her all hyped up and let her get to bed." Alice grinned, looking between Edward and me. I immediately took one step backward, away from Edward's tall, muscled form.

"Actually, Alice. The reason I came out here was…" And then my stomach answered for me. Edward chuckled. I was going to die of embarrassment before I even got a snack!

"Here Bella, I'm quite hungry too. Let's go down and have a chef mix us up a quick meal. That way we can get to know each other better." He sent me a wink and grabbed my hand, sending an electric shock through my palm. How inappropriate is this? I wondered to myself as I walked, well more like tripped, down the staircase. But for once, I had no care in the world what other people thought. For once, I wanted to do something because I wanted to do it. And right now, all I wanted to do was get to know this gorgeous boy.

Ta-da!

Chapter 1.

Please review. It encourages me!

Once again, no flames please.