No, no, no, no, NO! This sad excuse for a life couldn't be mine. I was living in an oppressive world where my opinions and decisions did not matter in the events of my future. In this world I had to hold my tongue and act proper.

My mother and father had recently thought that it was time for me to grow up, my being 16 afterall. I was to be wed in a few years, though I didn't know to whom yet. Being the daughter of a wealthy college professor I was expected to marry, produce an
air, and collect dust. My mother had done the same thing with her life. Marrying at age 17, having children, attending social gatherings and become a hostess to countless parties. I didn't wantthat for myself.

"I will see you downstairs in an hour, and you will be dressed appropriately," my mother told me with authority.

"Ugh!"

"Do not groan at me. This is for your benefit, if you must know. There will be many young suitors there and I expect you to atleast show some form of interest in one of them."

I had grown to like my slouchy styled clothing, which of course was only to be worn in the confines of my home. This dinner party was a black tie occasion and I was to wear the usual attire. It had a neck line that went right on my collarbone, a silver
string rope that wrapped around my waist and the straps held up by delicate clips. The dress itself was a parakeet green colour that complimented my dark brown locks. The silk fabric of the dress ended above the knee and underneath, sewn into the
hem was drapings of shamrock coloured lace.

It was not that I did not like the dress. I actually loved it on me. It was just the whole idea of dinner parties that gave me a sick feeling. I hated the idea of small talk between people I barely knew. Recently, my parents had thrust me upon any man
under the age of 25 in hopes of me finding a relationship with a future husband.

After I put on the dress and fixed my hair into a bun of sorts, I made my way out of my room, down the stairs and into the awaiting automobile. I sat down and continued to grumble until my parents entered. The vehicle started and we were off to the Masens'
home for the dinner party.

"Bella, I hear that the Masens got a grammophone. There should be some dancing happening this evening," mother explained, trying to get me somewhat excited to even be there. Me and dancing. That was a laugh. I couldn't even make it down the hall without
tripping on my own feet and now I was told I was dancing in the public eye. I could only hope that I could escape long enough to not have to endure any embarrassment.

After about a half an hour we had pulled into the Masens' driveway. The driver got out and opened the door helping my mother and myself out.

"Shall we?" my father asked taking mother's' arm in his and offering his other to me. The three of us walked to the front door and were greeted by a tall man with a chiseled jaw and a straight nose. The lady standing next to him was close in height to
her husband and had a soft face that seemed warm and welcoming. Her hair was a strange colour of auburn. It seemed like it couldn't decide. Next to her was a boy who looked my age, but might have been older.

I have never been interested in boys. They never had shown much interest in me and didn't think of me being 16. But something about this boy had caught my interest. It could've been the way he stared deeply into my eyes. Or the disheveled mess of auburn
hair on his head. Maybe it was the defined jaw that he had that made him look almost too good to be true. I noticed as I glanced up at his eyes that they were an interesting colour of green. They stared intently at my eyes as I looked straight back.
The emotions running through them were hard to read.

"Hello Charlie, Renee, Isabella. It is so good to see you again. You remember my son Edward. He just got back from school out east," Mrs. Masen greeted.

"Oh yes. It has been a long time. Edward! Look how you've grown. Such a handsome young man." As my mother said this Edward's' ears turned a bright red took a glance at me and looked almost shocked. He kept looking at me with a glint in
his eye.

"Isabella, might I say what a beautiful young lady you have grown up to be. Edward, Isabellais just your age. Why don't you take her out onto the porch. You must have lots to talk about."

With that being said, Edward gestured for me to go ahead, while he lightly put his hand on the small of my back. He guided me through the double french doors onto the lighted porch. I leaned up against the railing and let out a sigh of relief. The night
air sent a shock to my body, giving me chills. Parties had always made me feel stuffy and pressured to be someone I was not.

"May I…". "How was….". We both started to speak together. Edward said for me to go first. Such a gentleman.

"I was going to say how was school? You have been there for a while. Must be very nice to get away for a while."

"I actually never enjoyed myself during school. Well, except for the baseball team, I didn't make a lot of friends," he said looking somber.

"Did you not have any lady callers. Pardon my boldness, but I couldn't believe that you never had anyone."

"No, no one ever caught my eye. Yet…" he mumbled. I took a chance at looking into his eyes and saw him giving me a look of longing. Now that we were really studying each other I noticed all these things about him that I never saw before. Before he left
for school, he had a chubby, child like face. But now seeing him here, older than before, he had a manly appeal to him. His jaw was hard and was at an angle. A nose that went a little to the left. I just wanted to take my hand and trace his face to
memory.

"You look cold. Why don't we go inside. I might just steal a dance," Edward said with a smirk.