Hello all!! This is a new story and originally, this wasn't going to be a fanfiction. But I decided to make it one. Enjoy! =)

Disclaimer: Don't own anything except story

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A bird fluttered nearby, causing a rustle in the leaves of the orange-brown canopy above. I slowly opened my eyes to the dimming light of the woods surrounding me. Gazing around, disorientated, I suddenly realised that I had fallen asleep.

If I didn't get back home soon, mother will definitely throw a fit. It would be in a million years before I would want to go through that again.

I sighed and as I gathered up my now moist rug and bundled up my novels in my arms. I started off towards the mossy path, only a couple of metres from where I had been sitting.

My legs were stiff and my hair a mess, with plant matter sticking to my locks, defying gravity. The pins holding my hair in place were long gone. I attempted to smooth out my crumpled skirt, but gave up quickly.

Within minutes, I could see the lights from my house shining through the windows. Hurrying towards the house, the clanking of pots could be heard coming from the kitchen's open window. The sun was low on the horizon, giving the whitewashed walls a pinkish essence.

As I neared the house's front door, I decided to sneak to my room, to avoid being ambushed by questions. I wondered why I was born an only child, because it could be quite irritating to have all the attention from your parents directed at you and only you.

I was about to turn the handle, when it was swung open abruptly. I stared up at the tall gentleman tongue-tied. He looked just as startled as I felt.

"Excuse me," I mumbled and pushed past him when I had somewhat regained my composure. I could feel his eyes boring into my back, and heated flooded my face.

I almost ran up the stairs to my room. I took a deep breath to try and calm my nerves. I leaned against the door, and stared at my orderly room. It was obvious that my maid, Julie had been in here. Why else would my books be placed in alphabetical order according to the author? Honestly, I should forbid her to my room once in a while.

The bedside lamp was already on, illuminating my room with its yellowish glow. The bed was made, and the semi-transparent curtains draped over the French windows.

There, I hung the rug on the arm of my couch, and tossed my books on my writing desk.

Moving in a flurry, I filled the bath up with tepid water before undressing, and slipping into the water. I just lay there staring at the ceiling, tracing the floral carvings with my eyes. I tried my hardest not to think about anything in particular, just to get lost in the sounds of chirping insects outside.

My mind kept straying back to that gentleman, wondering who he was. My best guess was another suitor my parents had picked out. But he could very well have been another one of my father's clients. He was obviously several years older than myself. He had a handsome form, erect and blond. But I knew better than to have a good first impression on a man depending on his status and looks.

Ever since I was fourteen, my parents have been bringing home men, in hopes that I would find happiness with one of them. I knew that both my parents were in an arranged marriage, when neither of them were older than twenty. They were hostile towards each other at first, but eventually softened up; and they fell in love. And I came along a year and a half later.

But right now I'm sixteen, and it's 1918, not 1901! I don't want to get married at sixteen. I could at least wait until I'm seventeen or eighteen. A year or two might not seem a long time to any of my girlfriends. I'm sure they would happily marry a rich man regardless of their age, especially Rosalie. I groaned internally at the thought of her constant buoyant and flirtatious behaviour around the opposite sex.

Soon, the water started getting uncomfortably cold, so I turned on the hot water. Massaging my shoulders and thighs, I worked to undo the knots in my tense muscles.

I'd been in the water so long now that my fingertips were starting to wrinkle. Time to get out. I pulled out the plug and stepped out of the bath. Wrapping the towel around myself tightly, I tried to keep the cold autumn chill from biting my skin.

Still lost in my thoughts, I pulled on my nightgown in a trance, and settled into bed. I floated off into a light sleep.

I was startled awake when I heard the door slide open. I sat up quickly, and my head spun. I groaned and leaned against the bedpost, before opening my eyes to the intruder.

"Bella… you missed dinner," my mother, Renée said gently.

I smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, I fell asleep outside while I was reading. And I guess I didn't realise that it was so late already."

"It's fine dear. Tomorrow, is going to be a very special occasion so I want you to sleep well tonight." She replied as she sat down at the end of my bed.

"What kind of surprise?" I was curious, though it was quite obvious what her surprise would be. It would be another arrogant male vying for my hand in marriage.

"Now what kind of surprise would it be if I told you? You'll have to wait. But I promise you'll approve."

I nodded to myself before smiling pleasantly, "Right. Goodnight then. I love you mum." I kissed her cheek before sinking under the covers.

My mum then left the room as quietly as she had come. When I heard her faint footsteps fade away, I climbed out of my bed and opened the window. By now, the air had grown chilly and my thin nightgown hardly played a role in keeping me warm. There was a crescent moon tonight and no clouds covered its beautiful glow. I breathed in the crisp air and closed my eyes.

I imagined that I was a bird flying through the night sky, being guided by the moon. I would fly where I wanted and do what I wanted without the constant stares that followed me everywhere I went. That was why I enjoyed going out into the woods to read alone, away from prying eyes.

I wondered idly what it was like to be in love. Sure, I'd experienced infatuation. It was a strong emotion; wanting that particular person to notice you and always worrying about making a fool of yourself in front of them. From what I'd read, love could be the most powerful thing that exists. Love could push people to extremes, and when you lost the one you held dearest, you wouldn't be able function properly again.

I often sympathised with Heathcliff, though I had never been in the situation he was in. I had never fallen in love. I had never been deprived of anything but freedom to do whatever I wanted. I had a family, wealth, education and received what I wanted. Heathcliff had always been in love with Catherine but he was proud and arrogant. Though Catherine was in love with Heathcliff, she married another and he was left as a broken man. His words were passionate and often achingly beautiful. When both lovers were dead, I had cried my heart out. It was a bittersweet ending. The lovers couldn't be together, but were reunited when Heathcliff left this world.

At that moment, I wished desperately that I would fall in love with somebody. What if that person was abusive? What if that person was rude and uneducated? Would I still stay with them? I may say "yes" now but I knew that circumstances would change when my turn comes.

Suddenly, I heard approaching footsteps. They were heavy and shuffled, so I guessed it was my father, Charlie.

I leapt up from the window and sprung into bed, burying half my face in the thick blankets. I waited in anticipation for the door to open.

But the footsteps hesitated outside the door, then started to fade away down the corridor. I relaxed and nestled into my pillow. I glanced up at the moon one more time before turning off the lamp.

I sighed contentedly and closed my eyes. As the seconds ticked by, my muscles turned limp and my rambling thoughts became more incoherent. I fell into a dreamless sleep.

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REVIEW!!! I need to decide whether I should continue this story or not.