A Year of New Beginnings

All things Twilight belong to S. Meyer… all the things we obsess over came from her awesome mind. I'm just borrowing her characters for my own pleasure.

Chapter One

Bella POV

January 21

3:00pm

Why did I agree to going to this stupid party? Why? I mean I don't even want to be around people, let alone be around him, maybe he won't even show up. I laugh at myself, because even to me that sounds retarded, we were celebrating his parents for crying out loud. I fall back onto my bed, well technically it's not mine, mine is back at his apartment, with the rest of my life, this bed belongs to Rose and Emmett. I've been staying at their house for the past three excruciatingly long weeks. Staring up at the ceiling, I secretly wish for it to cave in on me in some freak accident so that I can avoid going to the Cullen's house tonight.

As if she can sense the fact that I'm even considering backing out of her parent's anniversary party, my phone rings "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" from Cinderella.

"Hi Alice," I mumble into the phone.

"Bella, why do you sound like you're not getting ready yet?"

"I don't know Alice, maybe because I'm lying on my bed staring up at the ceiling trying to figure out the meaning of life."

"Don't you even think of backing out of this evening, I've put a lot of time and effort into this party for my parents and as my best friend it is your duty to show up with a smile on your face. Besides I found you the perfect dress!" Alice exclaimed.

"Yea, a new dress, just what I've always wanted" I reply sarcastically. "But just so you know, I'm bringing a pair of comfy clothes to change into after this shindig, 'cuz knowing you we'll be up half the night cleaning afterwards."

I could hear Alice groan before she replied, "fine, but you can't change until people start leaving, do you understand me? And bring an extra set of clothes, we may stay the night there and clean up in the morning."

"Fine Alice, whatever you desire darling, what time do I need to be there?"

"Jasper and I are already at mom and dad's getting everything set up for tonight, the party starts at seven thirty, so be here by five. That should give me enough time to beautify you and do touch-ups on Rose and myself. If you're riding with Rose and Em, please remind them to stop and get ice, they tend to forget little things like that" Alice giggled, "oh, and tell them to pack an overnight bag too, just in case. Oh, one more thing Bella, mom and dad don't know about you and Edward yet, so for tonight, can we please, please pretend you haven't called off the engagement."

I gasped, "You mean he hasn't told anyone? Not even Esme or Carlisle? I don't want to be the one to break their hearts, I'm not gonna tell them, I love them like my own parents and tonight is about them, not me or your stupid heart-breaking brother."

"Alrighty then, um, no comments like stupid heart-breaking or cheating Edward tonight, ok?"

"Whatever Alice, I'll be there with a fake smile and I'll try to keep my opinions to myself."

"That's all I'm asking for," Alice replied.

"Sure, sure, see ya later Ali"

"Five o'clock sharp," Alice yelled as I pushed the end call button on my iphone.

I stared up at the ceiling once more, hoping it would collapse on top of me and save me from the nightmarish evening I was sure to endure tonight. But, alas, it didn't crumble so I got up from my bed and packed my overnight bag with the essentials. After making sure I had everything needed, I trudged down the hallway of Rose and Emmett's house in search of the loving couple, to inform them of Alice's new mission for us."

4:50pm

As he loaded the few bags he had bought inside the store, Emmett asked, "Bellsie, you sure you're up for this?" It's not like him to be emotional, but when it comes to family, he's very protective, and even if technically I don't fit into that category, I feel like Emmett will always be my big brother. He climbed in the front seat of his Jeep, and then turned to look at me and smiled, "we can still ditch this thing and throw our own party."

"Only if you want a Tinkerbell sized chic storming our house and destroying all of your precious toys," Rosalie chuckled. "You did remember the ice right?"

"Crap, I'll be right back" Emmett jumped out of the Jeep and took off running back into the store, leaving Rose and I laughing.

"How does he forget the main thing that we sent him into the store for, what was going through his mind?" I managed to ask Rose in between giggles.

She looked back at me with a smile and said, "God only knows with that man."

4:59pm

My stomach started to feel queasy as we made the turn onto the long, winding driveway up to the Cullen's house. I wasn't sure if it was the way Emmett was driving like a madman trying to make it there on time to appease Alice, or if it was knowing that my ex-fiancé, Edward Cullen would be in the same room as me in less than two hours. As we rounded the last corner of the driveway, I could see Alice standing on the front porch and it looked like she was tapping her shoe in anticipation. Emmett parked in the his parent's massive garage and I caught myself doing a quick check of all the cars inside to see if he had arrived yet, letting out a sigh of relief when I realized the only cars here belonged to either Esme, Carlisle, Jasper or Emmett. I grabbed my bag and headed toward the waiting Alice.

From a distance, Alice looked aggravated, but as we got closer her features seemed to change and before I knew it she had her arms wrapped around me.

With her arm around me, we walked into the Cullen's house. Esme and Carlisle greeted us at the door. Embracing me, Esme greeted "Bella, I've missed you, how are you doing?"

I smile at Esme, she's always been a mother figure to me, "I was just here almost a month ago for Christmas, nothing much has changed since then." I lied, I've always been a horrible liar and I could tell Esme knew something was up, but thankfully she didn't call me out on it.

"Esme, hand over my future daughter, I want a hug too before Alice rushes her off to play dress up." Carlisle smiled and pulled me in for a hug.

"I guess that Edward will be joining us after his shift at the hospital?" Carlisle asked me.

"I suppose so," I replied quietly, begging Alice with my eyes to rescue me. I would even sacrifice myself to playing Bella Barbie to get out of this uncomfortable situation. Thankfully Alice came to my rescue.

"Alrighty, enough of this chit-chat, there's work to be done before this party. Bella, Rose, you two take your stuff up to my old room, that's where we'll all be getting ready. Em, you take your stuff and put it in your old room, Jazz already stashed his stuff up there and is waiting for your help to finish some last minute things before you two get dressed. Mom, Dad, go relax, just be ready to make your entrance at seven thirty. Ok, everyone knows what's going on, let's move." Alice hollered. I'm not sure how someone so small can be so bossy.

Making my way upstairs to Alice's old bedroom was like walking down memory lane. There were pictures everywhere. The six of us have been together our whole lives, like we were destined to be together. Emmett, Edward and Alice are the original Cullens. Jasper Whitlock and Rosalie Hale are step-siblings, what with his dad marrying her mom, but nobody ever mentions that because they've been together since they were like three and have never known anything different, to them they might as well be blood related. And then there's me, Isabella Swan, with no siblings but my friends who've basically adopted me on as part of the family. We are within 2 years of each other, with Emmett as the oldest at 25, Rosalie and Jasper are 24, Alice and Edward, they're twins, and I are all 23. I believe Esme wanted to document every aspect of our lives. The first picture I notice is of Alice, Edward and I on our first day of kindergarten, we were so excited. The next is of the boys on their little league baseball team, with Carlisle as their coach. Then there's the one of all of us outside riding bikes in the summer, followed by a picture of us all trying to cram into Emmett's first car. As we continue down the hall, I feel overwhelmed by emotion. Every aspect of my past contains Edward. I stopped at the collage by Alice's door. It has pictures of Junior/Senior Prom with all of us dressed up in front of the limo and pictures from graduation we're all smiling. I feel a single tear fall down my cheek, my life has revolved around these people and I feel like it's crashing down around me. I wipe my eyes, put a smile on my face and walk into Alice's room to be beautified.

7:00pm

"Alice, I give you kudos, this dress looks amazing," I yell to Alice as I spin around in front of the mirror. "Thank you for making me look beautiful." Alice had me in a jade green knee length dress; that was fitted at the top with a gold ribbon tied at the waist into a bow and the bottom looked tucked under to give it that poufy effect. She had paired it with a gold ¾ length cardigan and gold heels. Rose had done my hair, curling it and pulling it into side ponytail with curls falling down. I felt very pretty.

Alice stepped out of the bathroom wearing a turquoise and black striped dress, with her spiky hair fixed to perfection. "well, if my brother doesn't kick himself for not fighting harder to get you back then he's a dumbass."

"I agree, you look totally hot Bell!" Rose exclaimed from the closet, she was wearing a red sweater dress with a black belt, she was searching through the clothes, trying to find the perfect heels to wear with the dress, when Alice sees her.

"Rose those in the corner will go perfect with your outfit. Bella, I know I've said this before, but maybe you should hear Edward out, maybe there's more to the story."

"You mean, more than me catching him making out with that slut of a nurse Tanya on New Year's Eve? Not even a week after proposing marriage to me?" I could feel myself getting hotter by the second.

"Alright, maybe you're not ready to talk yet, but just promise me, that you'll hear him out soon? You guys look so miserable without each other."

"Alright Alice, leave her alone," Rose butted in, "Bella take your time, I know it's hard. We are here if you need to talk."

"Sorry for sounding pushy, I just love you so much and it hurts to see you hurting like this Bella" Alice apologized.

"Love you too Pixie, that's why I'm here remember? Now, let's go get me some alcohol so I can make it through this evening!" I giggle, causing Rose and Alice to laugh as well, but inside I'm screaming for help.

Okay, this is my first fan-fic, I hope I did okay. I've had this story bouncing around in my head and I figured I should write it down. Thanks for reading! Please Let me know what you think! K, thanks, bye! :)

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