Chapter One

September Tenth

I slammed my History book shut and stood up gracefully from the wooden desk. This was High School. Again. I sighed, and started to the door.

Today was my tenth birthday, although I looked way older than ten. My long, curly bronze hair went down to my hips, my smile was dazzling, and I had the features of an eighteen year old. Maybe even older. I sighed, I didn't know what to expect from Alice when we got home. I guess I should say Aunt Alice, I guess. It's only right. But during the day, we went with the human façade, so I called everyone by their first name. Even Mom and Dad.

"Nessie," Aden called behind me, "Happy birthday." he said.

"Thanks Aden." I said, blushing. I hated blushing, I hated having blood. Parents get all the luck.

I went to the cafeteria, heading for the regular table. I passed the lunch line, grimacing at the human food, and took a seat next to Jasper.

"Hello Uncle Jazz." I muttered. I tried to keep the tone light.

"Nessie." he nodded with a smile, "Happy birthday."

Aunt Rose and Emmett walked towards the table, their sweet scent reaching me before they did. Emmett was just Emmett. No "Uncle". He said it felt weird after the first several years. Dad came then. The picture of perfection. Mom wasn't with him. I scanned the room. She was with Alice and Jacob in the line for food. Go figure. Jake, of course, was there to get some food. Mom was there to get food for me and force me to eat it no matter how much I hate human food. And Alice…probably for Jake. He could eat two trays worth of food anyway.

A pair of warm hands covered my eyes, startling me. "Happy Birthday." Jake whispered into my ear. He sat next to me at the circular table, Alice sat across from Jake, Mom sat next Dad, and the table was full. The eight of us sat together, trying to blend in with the rest of the high school students.

Alice shoved the tray to Jacob. "Here you go, mutt." he took it with no complaints. I on the other hand, looked around to make sure no one was looking, and reached across the table to touch her. I sent her my thoughts, showing that I wasn't happy with her calling Jake a mutt, dog, pup or anything else.

"Thanks, leech." Jake said. I smacked him on the side of his head.

"Here Ness," Mom passed me the tray. I scowled at it, poking at it with the plastic spork.

"Bleh." I turned to Jake, "You want it?"

"Nessie," Mom warned.

"I'm not hungry, Bella." I say, as a Sophomore walks by.

Alice suddenly giggled from across the table, and all eyes look at her. Dad began to laugh too. "Be expecting a call from your grandfather later." She says, "And another from the other wolves." Alice warned.

"Oh right!" Emmett said, "Nessie's birthday is today." Rose rolled her eyes. "How old are you now?" he asked.

"Cover is eighteen, but in truth… ten." I blushed again.

"Bonnie alert," I heard Dad mutter. Bonnie was one of my few human friends: her, Aden, Janet and Jeff. "Three…two…"

"Hey Ren." Bonnie said. "Happy birthday. Finally eighteen, huh?" Bonnie is the one person that my mother hates. First off, she looks like a Barbie doll, with blonde hair and pink clothes. She's always chewing gum, so Emmett calls he Bonnie-Bubblegum. And second- she refuses to call me Renesmee or Nessie. She went off creating her own name: Ren. I thought my mother would be happy with the new name, considering she thought Jake was naming me after the Loch Ness Monster when he made up the nick-name. I don't have a third reason. My mom, I guess, just doesn't like Bonnie.

"Yeah. Thanks, Bee." I said politely.

"Hey Jake," Bonnie greeted him. Dad stifles laughter.

Before he speaks, he puts his arm around me. "Bonnie." he said.

She pouts, and then goes on to leave. Dad goes on in his laughter. Jake reaches for the second tray, and conversations are light. The lunch bell rings, and I walk with Rose to gym.

"So Aunt Rose," I say pulling my air up into a ponytail. "When is your birthday?"

"Hmm." She looked up into space. "I don't know, Nessie, dear. I'll ask Carlisle. Maybe he remembers."

"Mom's is in three days." I remembered. "Ten years being a vampire." I whispered, so only she would hear.

"Yes, it is. I hope Alice doesn't…" She smiled at me.

"You know what Alice is planning." I accused.

She laughed her wind chime laugh. "Someone had to help her, Renesmee."

I sighed. I didn't like parties anymore than my mother did. I couldn't wait till I was old enough that people would forget my birthday was September tenth.