God made life simple; we are the ones who complicates it. Now, as I feel the earth, I came into realizations that you can touch the sun in spatial distance. That's how I live, I'm Bella Swan and welcome to my mystify life. Now, as I enter this building of ours it made me feel that I'm favored. Though I have a lot of questions without any retort from my family, I'm still self-possessed to find the correctness of my fate.
This must have been the pristine privilege that anyone can come by, but me, I've never been please on what I have, and I'm always craving for more. As a consistent candidate of "no boyfriend since birth" I know that there's only one person who loved me unconditionally, and that's my adoring Grandmother. She served as my buffer when pollution of melancholy is there to obsess me. Alone in this perfect king-size unit, I almost forgot that I really have a family. I hope I have at least one brother or sister who can crack jokes with me or even watch the television and laugh like there's no tomorrow beside me. It might be possible if only my mom and my dad cared that they can actually form another zygote after my mom's bikini incision. Never mind.
Now, I'm holding this latest model of cell phone with 8 messages, 7 from my mom telling me not to eat a lot and to stay away from too much radiation, whatsoever. And one from an unknown person telling me to smile. I don't care. As I lie down I felt that my body is tired of 6 hours practice of exhilarating tennis. Thanks Mr. Smith, he allowed me to rent the court even though I left my wallet on my drawer.
Nowadays, thinking too much is not anymore fashionable. Not even to form ideas without solution. Look who's talking? Me? I'm not good on that. My brain is overused, so instead of dross rumintae habit, it is much better to close my eyes, hallucinate for a great win in tennis and enjoy the rest of my sleeping hours. Wait, there's something wrong. My fear is here to stay again. What's happening? These are strange emotional times. And I'm not prepared for it. This isn't tennis, this is nightmarish.
Mysteries of unspoken world haunts me in a very undesirable way. There's a reign of terror following me. It's so hard to breathe. I can reminisce about what my mom said, dyspnea, it's called dyspnea. I'm enduring the pang, twinge. Nostrils are flared, looking creepy. Where am I? Why is this place so dissimilar? The air is so unwelcoming, I'm not dressed accordingly, and I didn't brought a jacket with me. Left or right, in this dark-pitched room, I can see nothing. I'm petrified. Now, somebody's coming, the sound is getting intense, footsteps, I can hear footsteps.
"Hello? Who is it?"
"Bella, my dear."
"Where are you? I can't see you!"
Lab dab, lab dab, lab dab. My heart starts to beat like crazy, I'm too young, of course I'm not experiencing a chronic overload, not this time. That voice, I know I heard it before. Of course it's her. That warm tone, speaking with smile. The lovely voice that I missed for consecutive 4 years. The one and only person who calls me on that way, my grandma.
"Grandma?"
"Bella, it's okay. Don't be afraid. Follow me, come with me."
She's holding a candle, small portion well lit. She's wearing a long black dress, with her lips painted in a red strawberry like hue. But there's something wrong with her eyes, it looks as if she's sick. But why is it that she's walking like so fast? So fast that there's no pause. Farther-farther away from me. Floating, getting smaller, fading. Gone.
"Bella!" a sound that came 3 centimeters behind her.
Without further sound she just emerged behind me, it's not a surprise but rather an ambush. Eyes wide open, black circle surrounding her eyes. Pale, with inexplicable tiny veins in her face. She reached me. Her hand, deadly cold like ice. Holding me on my shoulder, her nails so sharp going deeply. Diverse sensation of pain and artic reaction bruising my shoulder.
"Grandma, you're hurting me! Let me go!" shouting.
"Bella, you must use it for 17 times. Retrieve it my dear." composed tone.
"Grandma, stop it! I don't get it!" words of severe pain.
She released me. Blood-blood in her eyes, dripping in her face. She's crying. Looking demented and disturbed. Trembling. I want to comfort her but she's frightening me. It's as if she's possessed with evil spirits, and she can't defeat it.
"Grandma, what's happening? Grandma!" puzzled.
Krring!
It was just a dream. And it's grandma again. This isn't normal, it's the third time that I dreamt of her. I wonder why. I can't grasp the idea of having her inside my dream. It's driving me insane. She's already dead, its been four years now. A nightmare? I'm having nightmares more often? I know she wants to tell me something. I need to find out what it is.
Krring!
Oh! My phone. A phone inside my room? Finally. Let me guess, this is either my mom or my dad. 5:46 in the morning. Great.
"Hello?"
"Alice here. And today is my birthday!"
"Oh! Happy Birthday then, Alice."
"5pm don't miss my party. I'll see you later, don't forget your gift. Bye."
"Wait, Alice I-"
My best friend. I can't believe that she's already awake early this morning. Is it the adrenaline that made her act that way? Or her endorphin level increased because she's happy? I can't blame her for being so exaggerated, today is her 18th birthday. And I don't want to come. I'm not a party person; this is the first time that I'll attend a party like this. Take note, a formal party. Can I just wear my chucks instead of those sharp stilettos permanently hidden in my shoe cabinet? Rubbish. Hell yeah, I'll meet the party animals later. I should be there, she's my best friend, my only best friend who stayed even I'm damn boring girl. What about my dream? Am I going to tell her it later? I can't, today is her day. I can't wreck it. May be after her party. She loves to help me, I can count on her.
My mom needs to know this. That dream is disturbing me, as time goes by it's getting worst. She won't understand, but at least she knows what's happening to me. I'm sure; she'll prescribe me to consult a psychiatrist, or may be ask me to pray at night. Boring. That dream, my grandma. Argh! Enough of it. Now my door opened. Oh! It's Annie.
"Good Morning Annie! Guess what I dreamt of grandma again and-"
"You dreamt of Mrs. Rose again? Is it bad?"
"It is bad. Close to a nightmare. I think it means something important."
"I hope your Mom and your Dad are here. They haven't called yet."
"Not astonishing Annie. So what are you doing? I mean here in my room, this early?"
"I'll get your used clothes, it's Sunday. Washington day. I'm your nanny remember?"
"Washington day? What's that?"
"A day for laundry. Washing tons of clothes. Get it? Breakfast is ready, you can go down now."
"Okay I'm coming"
Washington day sounds weird. The citizens of America might kill Annie for that. I don't wanna go down yet. I'm still sleepy. Today is Sunday. 24/7 in the palace of science, and my parents are still working. Insanely good. That's the reason why I don't wanna be like them. I want to be a Doctor but not the type of Doctors like them, after a very toxic day their still on the run to do senseless things. I don't understand their style. It hacks my dream down. Charlotte, that prodigal friend of my Mom. Who cares if she's a psychiatrist? I don't like her. She's influencing my Mom to shop more. Charlotte knows so well that my Mom is trying to cure her disease called shopaholic, so what the hell is the purpose of inviting my Mom over and over again? That foolish girl. May be they're having a tour within the streets of New York. And I'm sure their credit cards are thinner because of non-stop swiping, on the machine of interest. And my Dad, of course he's having an overtime syndrome again. Working hard for her stubborn daughter, for her shopaholic wife and for his 16th birthday present for me my first class dog, Cookoo.
Still here in my room. I wanna sleep again. This black, soft pillow of mine, so addicting. I don't wanna let it go. Oh! My blanket, hugging my body from head to toe. That red couch on the right was my Cookoo sleeps. There's no other place like my room, my white laptop that I bought for myself, my second hand component from a surplus shop that functions so well, and my newly painted treadmill.
I can't believe that I just had that dream. I want to cry. Maybe I dreamt of her because I can't accept the fact that she's gone forever. Her caress, whenever there's frown displayed on my face, her stories about my embarrassing childhood days and her hug-a hug that is one of a kind. She's there to rectify my Mom if she's having delusional and impossible claims about my behavior. And now that she's gone I might as well accept it. Next week I need to go back in Texas, maybe there's an answer waiting for me about this inexplicable dreams related to grandma. I should get up now; I need to buy a gift for Irene.
Wow, pancakes! This is the best breakfast in the world! Let's add some butter and blueberry syrup, heaven! And yogurt-strawberry yogurt. Heaven!
"Bella you're already finished with your breakfast?"
"Yes, Annie. Can you call Mr. Anderson for me?, Tell him that I need the helicopter"
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to buy a gift for Irene. It's her 18th birthday. Beverly Hills you know."
"Okay, I'll call him."
"And oh! Annie, take good care of Cookoo I'll spend my 2 nights in Beverly Hills with Irene. Don't let him starve okay?"
"Yes, Bella I will keep my eyes on him"
Though I'm already seventeen years old, I still feel so sorry for myself because until now, I still don't have a car yet. But it's alright. Dad said that I'll get whatever I want on my 18th birthday. So six months from now, yeah!
"Good morning Mr. Anderson!"
"Oh! Good morning Bella."
"I told you not to call me on that way. Just Bella please."
"But Mam, I can't"
"Okay, then I'll tell mom to get another driver."
"Bella! Where are we going?"
"See. Saying my name won't hurt you, name is safe. Beverly Hills. I need to buy a gift."
"Okay Mam Bella, I mean Bella"
Mr. Anderson our family driver and pilot. He's working for our family for like 25years already. He is loyal and hard-working. So kind that sometimes he is my partner in crime when my mom prohibits me to go to some places. I don't want to waste this time, maybe he knows something that I don't know about my grandma. Let me handle this.
"I dreamt of grandma last night."
"Really. Is there a message? Did she tell you something? What happened to your dream?"
"Okay Mr. Anderson, you seem so excited to know what happened,"
"Bella, it's just that I miss your grandma so much, we both know how kind-hearted she was. She is brave and patient."
"It's a bad dream and she scared me to death. It seems I encountered the anti-thesis of my grandma."
"You mean a nightmare? But she loves you, maybe it's not her."
"It was her! I swear to God! And she appeared so weird. She wants to tell me something, but I can't understand it. She said I must use it for 17 times, that I must retrieve it. What is that suppose to mean? What's the IT that she's talking about?"
"You need to find-out Bella, It's in you hands now."
"Wait, Mr. Anderson you know something, tell me."
Kring!
Damn that phone. For sure it's my mom 9am, maybe she's going home already. Mr. Anderson will be there to fetch her later. But it'll take a long time, Beverly Hills pretty far from New York. She'll realize that taking a cab is her best choice so far. Thank God Irene have chosen this place, Beverly hills. Oh! Hug me for two days!
I'm sure he knows a lot of things, Give me a week or two, I'll squeeze Mr. Anderson's mind. I need to know the truth. No giving up this time. He gave me a hint, I'll use it.
"Bella, your mom just called, she said I have 2 hours to meet her. I need to-"
"It's okay Mr. Anderson we're already here. You can go now. Thank you so much. I'll see you on Tuesday."
"Hey Bella! Take care of yourself okay? Be good."
"I got that Mr. Anderson"
I have so many memories using that helicopter. Thanks to my grandma she gave it to me, on my name. The best thing about riding in a helicopter is that you can see the world without moving. The ugly and beautiful faces. It sends you to the places without getting butt burned alone by sitting in hours. The black helicopter.
I still have eight hours before Alice's birthday party. Damn it! Now I need to find the place where she'll celebrate her birthday, and I need to find a dress for me. Yeah! A black or blue dress will do. I gotta find one. I'll go home on Tuesday-Tuesday of course. How am I going to ask permission if my parents are not around? I mean I better give them a call instead.
Independence, freedom, emancipation, whatever you may call it, it's with me.
The question is what gift will fit the needs of an eighteen year old? Stuff toy? No, she's not anymore a kid; dress? Of course she has hundreds of clothes every month she might just give it to charity and use it only once. BAG! She loves bags so much and she might keep it if she'll love the bag that I choose, bag-bag of course I'll give her a bag. I don't have cash, but I have a card and I'm going to buy a bag.
This store might handle the needs of Alice, I've been in this place before when Mom bought Charlotte a bag, The place is still the same the customers are dressed to the nines with sparking stones on their body, still sipping champagnes, Nothing has changed. Well, me? I'm wearing chucks, dark jeans and green t-shirt, not bad right?
"Yes. May I help you?"
"Of course, I'm looking for a bag that I can give to-"
"Oh! I'm sorry kid But I don't think you can afford the bags that we have here. You can check other shops and find the bag that you want."
"I have my credit card here, are you crazy? What are you saying?"
"Oh really? But, that must be fake. I'm sorry you have to go we don't allow beggars here. This is a decent shop, made for decent shoppers. Not for a lost, trash like girl like you."
"Excuse me? You're humiliating me! Where's your manager?"
"I'm the manager, Guard? Please take this girl outside!"
"Don't you dare touch me? Hey you retarded manager; I'll make sure that my mom won't shop here anymore."
Whew! I can't believe that those morons just kicked me out of that store. What did I've wrong? I was so nice, what's wrong with me? My shoes are the limited edition of the most popular sneaker shop in world. Oh! I get it, may be because I'm not wearing any make-up, or even any jewelry. I can't believe that they judged me on that way. I need to prevent that from happening again. I'm a Swan, and no one can do that to me again.
Makeover, I think that's how they call it. Of course I need a makeover. I need help from experts. This shop is interesting, The mannequins are looking at me so weird, Let me enter it.
"Good Morning mam, is there anything that I can do for you?
"Absolutely, I need a makeover for my myself; I need new wardrobes for myself. Do you accept credit card here?"
"Certainly"
This store offers a very soothing feeling. I'm not a fan of colors but these pastel colors looks incredibly superb. I don't know what on earth I'm doing here but I'm a girl, I think I need it sometimes. The clothes here are too girly, I hope I can wear them as long as 2hours. Thank God the sales lady here is friendly unlike the other man that I encountered a while ago, he's bald and wild. And all of a sudden he's acting like a woman who is experiencing menopause. I'll tell Mom what happened, he'll pay for what happened.
"Mam? I prepared three options for you. You can choose whatever you want. Let's start?"
"No! You gotta be kidding me! But those three options that you prepared are all dresses? Skirts?"
"This is makeover remember? You can try it don't be scared, I'll help you look fabulous"
"Okay... Let me try the first one. Yellow tank top, brown skirt with matching accessories. This is terribly awful."
"You look cute on that mam!"
"Oh! Please! I really feel uneasy with this. Give me the second one please. I can't believe I'm sparkling with these clothes. This is favorable If going with socialites to a party."
" But that's beautiful mam, that's a head turner dress"
"Stop it, the third one please. Whoa! Pink dress with brown leather belt. This is pink and too girly but weird I kinda like it."
"Oh my God! You look sexy and perfect!"
"I know, this is just so weird, the sandals is flat the dress is pretty conservative but still sexy, and the belt fits me well. Although it's pink. Hmm... Alright I'll take it."
As far as I can remember, the last time that I wore a dress was on my 10th birthday. And then after that, I never wait any of it again. But look what I'm wearing now. I feel a little uncomfortable but I feel pretty. I can't believe that Beverly Hills can do a little change for Bella. Alice might laugh so hard if she'll see me wearing this frock, but I'll tell her what happened if she'll ask me. I have no idea how to go to the hotel that she's been talking about and I only have $500 here in my wallet. Cabs don't accept cards right? But wait I need to find a gift and a dress for the party. Look at this store, the bags are classic and beautiful. I'm still lucky to find it.
"Hello Ms. Beautiful thanks for choosing our store. May I help you?"
See, when you're looking great, with pleasing clothes on, everything will follow. Well at least this man in front of me seems so accommodating and sweet. Great he's gay, gays are artistic, and I love 'em.
"I have a friend who will be celebrating her 18th birthday tonight, I decided to give her a bag. I need a genuine bag, something unique and special."
"Well Ms. Beautiful-"
"It's Bella"
"Ms. Bella rather, you are lucky because we just received our newest bag from Italy. Come, I'll show it to you."
"Okay, a red bag?"
"Yes, Bella. Around the globe, our store with 30 branches worldwide only sells one bag like this. We are lucky to be chosen to sell it to the public this year. Last year, New York got-"
"I'll take it. How much is it?"
"This is only $1800, see not that expensive after all."
"What? $1800 that's freakin' overpriced! But yeah, charge it all here. It's for my best friend anyway. I'll take it."
Time check 1145H. Just one more thing, my dress for tonight. Ooh! I'm starving, I need to eat or else I'll collapse. So where are the restaurants here? I better ask anyone here.
"Excuse me? Where the restaurants located?"
I feel something weird on my stomach, but maybe because I'm hungry. It's gurgling, and my heart seems to beat 3 times per second, it wants to jump out of chest. This guy in front of me, he looks so familiar, but I don't know his name. Is this what they call "Love at first sight?", is this "law of attraction?, in my stomach, are those butterflies?"
"Ms. Hello? Are you listening?"
Oh! No! I can't say anything. I'm so freezed.
"Ms. What's wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong, I-I-I just want to know where the restaurants are?"
"Uhm, turn around it's behind you."
"Oh, thank you. Thank you so much."
"I'm Bella-Bella Swan"
"I know, I mean I'm E-"
Kring!
No! Not this time please.
"It's okay, take it."
"Hello? Oh! Irene, yeah I'm coming. See you soon. Bye. What's you're name agaIn?"
Where is he? I can't believe he's gone. But he's right behind me when I took Alice's call. I'm gloomy. This is heart breaking. I guess I already know how it feels to be abandoned by someone you love. What love? Wait love? I already love him? No! It's just a crush. I want to give him a pen name. Hmm... Mr. Exit-Mr. Exit because he's gone. I need to find a dress and find the Hotel. God. Please. Let Mr. Exit enter my life again. Last shop.
"Hi Mam! Looking for a dress?"
"Yeah, I need a dress for a party tonight. I'm part of 18 candles. I want a blue or black one, and please keep it simple."
"We are known for having the most elegant party dresses. Let me see, how about this?"
"Ah, I'm not really good in choosing what's good for me, can you suggest at least 3 dresses that you think will fit me well?"
"Of course Mam. 3 minutes."
I've never been smitten to someone like him. Mr. Exit has the power to keep my eyes focused for one to three minutes to an angelic face that he has. Tall, with eyes that you can't decode, nice decent smile. He never waited for me but that call only lasted 18 seconds and the he disappeared? Gosh! I'm missing him?
"Excuse me Mam, your dresses are already waiting for you. You can start fitting each of it now."
"Thank you"
"Are you okay Mam? You look upset."
"I don't know may be I'm just broken hearted."
"Oh! I'm sorry Mam."
"These are beautiful. I think I'll get this one. But don't you think it's too short?"
"No mam, that's the style. It only praises your body. It fits-"
"I'll take it thank you."
"Mam, How about this one?"
"No way! I another pink dress? But I'm already wearing pink."
"But yeah, in case I need a back-up. I'll take it too. And oh! One more thing, I have this invitation where my friend will celebrate her party, do you know where this place is?"
"Just take a cab, It'll only take you 9-15 minutes to go there."
"Thanks."
I already lost my appetite. May be I'll just sleep when I got there. Within 4 hours things happened so swiftly. I met a pre occupied manager, two smart sales ladies and a very enchanting guy form heaven. Well for the next hours things will still surprise me. I'm out of my comfort zone right now, I better be cautious. I can't wait to see Irene, all these things happened because of her. I never saw this coming. Maybe it's just a coincidence to meet Mr. Exit.