April 1918

I was already in my beautiful blue dress when my mother came in. She was in her dress too, but more formal.

"Mom, are you sure this will do?" I glanced once again at the big mirror, which was reflecting a 16-year-old girl with chocolate hair and a beautiful pale skin.

"You look beautiful Bella," Renee, my mother, assured me "Everyone will be stunned" I knew well she meant every man, and I knew too, that tonight my parents would decide who my fiancée would be. I suppressed a sigh. Finding true love was not my first priority, so I wasn't very upset.

"Come on it's time to go" She said pulling me towards the door, 'this is going to be a long night' I thought.

Later that night, Charlie (my dad) my mother and I, arrived to the party. Everybody was wearing expensive robes and jewelry. Tonight was the night that I was supposed to be introduced to society as a lady, as if they were keeping in the dark some diamond and exposing it 16 years later. 'Miss Swan', all men would call me.

"Isabella," my mom interrupted my train of thoughts "I would like to introduce you to Michael Newton"

A blond boy with curly hair took my hand and kissed it gently "Nice too meet you, Miss Swan" what did I tell you?

"Nice to meet you too, Michael" I answered, blushing a little at the gesture

"Would you like to dance with me?" His sudden question took me off guard. I never learned to dance, maybe because I was too clumsy, even to walk on a flat surface without finding something to trip with. I just nodded and answered "humm, sure"

I glared suspiciously at my parents, Charlie was talking to Mr. Newton and my mom was gossiping with a small group of friends. She met my gaze and smiled apologetically.

My partner was dragging me to the center of the dance floor. Just a few couples were dancing and I recognized one of my best friends. She was the daughter of one of my mom's friends. Of course she visited frequently.

"Angela!" I smiled in relief, at least a familiar face "Nice to see you again, where have you been?" this Newton boy seemed annoyed, but honestly did I care?

"Bella!" she answered a smile on her face too "I know, I missed you too, well I was on vacation, and when I came back I got a surprise, and guess what?" she put her left hand up showing a small diamond on her third finger "I'm engaged!"

"Really? Wow this is amazing, congratulations Ang!" I hugged her tightly

"Thank you" she hugged back "And what about you?" she asked looking briefly to the blond boy behind me

"Nothing new, sorry" I apologized, then I whispered "But I'll work on it tonight don't worry" I winked "Now, if you don't mind, I have to finish something" I turned back with Michael after throwing him a pleading look, and the dance started.

It wasn't half as bad as I thought. He was a great dancer and somehow he managed to avoid my clumsy feet. We were dancing a second song, when my mom interrupted us, the boy seemed disappointed but I just follow my mother eagerly to get out of there.

"I want you to see somebody" she whispered as we approached to were my father was talking with a very tall boy, and his father on a wheel chair. I rolled my eyes, but when we came closer I could hardly recognized the boy

"Jacob?" surprise colored my voice

"Bella?" he answered in recognition and a grin appeared on his face "Oh Bella! I've missed you"

"I know, me too" I tried to hug him, but my mom pulled me and gave me the 'not here' look

"So, Bella I see you remember Jacob" Of course I did, he was, in some way, my brother, my company, not like Angela, she wasn't that easy to be with. With Jake was easier to be me, to be Bella.

My father went on "…and well, he asked if he could court you"

I froze.

"What do you say Bella?" My dad pressed

'No!' I wanted to shout, I never thought of Jacob as a lover, and less as a husband, I just liked him, but I didn't love him, not at all. Then I remembered the Newton boy and wondered if my father would marry me to him if I said no. I shivered at the thought and imagined mi life with Jacob. It wouldn't be so bad after all, he was very handsome, with black hair and russet skin, our children would be beautiful too, and we could grow together as a family, he would be my best friend, we could be happy. We will be happy…

"Bella?" Jacob asked anxiously

My head snapped back to reality where everyone was watching me with worried expressions "Well?" my father kept pressing

"Hum" I mumbled "Yes"

Jacob grinned proudly "Excellent"

I half-smiled and saw my parents and Billy (Jacob's dad) smiling proudly too, ad if they won the lottery. Maybe they did

"Would you like to dance?" He asked offering his arm. Isn't there another way to conquer a woman?

For a second time in one night, I was being dragged to the dance floor… more uncomfortable than before

And this time was different because he placed his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I felt weird.

"You look beautiful tonight" he whispered in my ear "Thanks for accepting my offer today"

I just nodded and kept dancing, trying to ignore his compliments which made me feel so awkward in a way.

"What's wrong Bella?" He pulled a little to see my face "You don't seem very happy"

"It's nothing" I lied "This dress is a little tight that's all"

He chuckled "You were always a bad liar" he stroked my hair with the back of his hand.

I shoved away instinctively. I didn't like the new Jacob. He was different, less friendly, trying to charm me. I knew why, he wanted me as a wife, so that he acted like an idiot, admiring me like a trophy. And I knew Jacob wasn't like that, or so I thought.

He frowned at me "What's wrong Bella?"

I shrugged "I guess I need some fresh air" and before I heard his answer, I ran outside to the garden, pushing lots of people in my way. When I finally made it outside, I was panting, so I sat on one of the benches illuminated by lanterns and raised my head to admire the beautiful garden, but found something better…

That was when, I met those soft green eyes for the first time…