New Moon

EDWARD_____

Last night had been the usual, Bella had mostly said my name but she had seemed tense about something... It would be so much easier if I could read her thoughts and she didn't have a 'glitch' in her brain...

I had reached school quickly and waited by my Silver Volvo for her tp show up to school. I could here the she sound of her truck 5 minutes before it pulled into the student parking lot. When she spotted me, I heard her heart accelerate slightly, her normal reaction. Her worried expression turned into an agrivated one when she saw the small silver-wrapped box in Alice's hands.

Bella slammed the door of her truck and rust showered on the ground. She walked slowly towards us, Alice skipped forward to meet her half-way.

"Happy Birthday, Bella!"

"Shh!" Bella hissed as she glanced around, probably to make sure nobody had heard.

Alice ignored her, "Do you want to open your present now, or later?"

"No presents" Bella protested. She had requested that she receive no gifts for her birthday.

Alice finally processed Bella's mood "Okay... Later then. Did you like the scrapbook you mom sent you? And the camera from Charlie?"

Bella sighed, "Yeah, they're great."

"I think it's a nice idea. You're only a senior once. Might as well document the experience."

"How many times have you been a senior?" Bella wanted to be 18 years old forever. By becoming a vampire.

"That's different."

They had just reached me and I held out my hand for Bella's. She grabbed it quickly, and she seemed happier for the moment, her heart beat stuttered and I smiled, amused. I traced her lips as I spoke. "So as discussed, I am not aloud to wish you a happy birthday, is that correct?" She had requested that she receive no gifts and we ignore that it is her birthday.

"Yes that is correct."

"Just checking. You might have changed your mind. Most people seem to enjoy things like birthdays and gifts."

Alice laughed, Edward, she is not most people. "Of course you'll enjoy it. Everyone is supposed to be nice to you today and give you your own way Bella. What is the worst that could happen?"

"Getting older" The smile on my face disappeared

"Eighteen isn't very old," Alice said "Don't women usually wait till they are twenty-nine to get upset over birthdays?"

"It's older than Edward" she mumbled beside me.

I sighed.

Alice continued "Technically, just by one little year, though." Bella thought over that idea for a moment.

Alice changed the subject "What time will you be over at the house?" Bella suddenly looked slightly confused. Alice's thoughts raced ahead, The party will be amazing. Edward, you did tell her?

"I didn't know I had plans to be there."

"Oh, be fair, Bella!" She complained "You aren't going to ruin all of our fun like that, are you?"

"I thought my birthday was about what I want."

I ignored her "I'll get her from Charlie's right after school." I would hate having to listen to Alice complaints in her head... And a party was important.

"I have to work," Bella protested.

Alice was smug as she said, "You don't, actually, I already spoke to Mrs. Newton about it. She's trading you shifts, she said to tell you 'Happy Birthday'"

"I- I still can't come" Bella stammered "I, well, I haven't watched Romeo and Juliet yet for English"

Alice snorted "Bella, you have that play memorized"

"But Mr. Berty said we needed to see ti performed to fully appreciate it- that's how Shakespeare intended it to be presented." I rolled my eyes, Bella was trying very hard to get out of this party.

"You've already seen the movie," Alice accused.

"But not the nineteen-sixties version. Mr. Berty said it was the best."

Alice just started to glare at her- God Edward why is she being so stubborn.

"This can be easy, or this can be hard, Bella, but one way or the other-"

I interrupted her threat, "Relax Alica. If Bella wants to watch a movie, then she can. It's her birthday."

"So there" Bella added

"I'll bring her around seven," I continued "That will give you more time to set up."

Alice laughed, "Sounds good. See you tonight Bella! It'll be fun, you'll see." She smiled- I should start planing immediately- Alice's thoughts raced ahead to the party later as she pecked Bella on the cheek before she skipped off to class.