Chapter two persuasions.

Today was finally Bella birthday. Today she was 18, and everyone, and I mean everyone, was excited. Even Rose, as much as she would hate to admit it, she was simply ecstatic, that after so many years, we were going to have something to celebrate. Like I said before, being a vampire isn't always hunky dory.

Bella, on the other hand, hated surprises and attention. Even so, she was going to enjoy this party even if it kills her. I had all the decorations, I needed to make the house look stunning, after enduring yet another day of school, I would come home and plan out were I would put them all. I even brought a giant cake, I watched a T.V show once, and the characters had brought a cake to celebrate, I guess that's tradition; humans were weird.

I swiftly ran upstairs to get changed in the latest fashion, still fantasying about the party. When I returned, Edward was waiting in the car for me. I placed the small silver present that I was carrying on my lap. We sat in silence throughout the Journey, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Edward finally broke the silence, glancing at the small package on my lap, warned me, yet again, for Bella's sake not to go overboard with the celebration. I stuck my tongue out at him. I was going to have my fun no matter what he said anyway.

When we arrived at school, Edward, and I stood against the Volvo in the car park, waiting for Bella to arrive. Normally, I would go off and do my own thing, leaving Edward to his, but today was a special occasion, and I wanted to wish my favourite sister-to-be a 'happy birthday'.

We all heard the noisy Chevy before we saw it, Gee, that thing was old; it was cruel to drive it when it was so clearly past it. But, Bella, for some reason, loved it.

I couldn't contain my excitement; I had the biggest moronic grin on my face. When Bella finally stumbled out of the vehicle walking at a slow human pace, it took all I had not to run over to her at full speed and drag her to our spot. Whilst she was, making her way over to us her eyes locked on the present I held in my grasp, she frowned at it. She did say no presents, but I didn't listen, you can't have a birthday without presents, it totally defeats the point.

I couldn't wait any longer; I skipped over to meet her.

"Happy birthday, Bella!"

"Shh!" she hissed at me, glancing around the car park to make sure no one had heard me. I ignored her.

"Do you want to open your presents now or later?" I grinned eagerly, as we walked at super slow human speed to my awaiting brother.

"No presents" she mumbled.

I pouted at her, what was wrong; it was her birthday for goodness sake. "Okay...later then. Did you like the scrap book your mom (mum) sent you? And the camera from Charlie?" I asked her, swiftly changing the subject, I saw her opening it earlier, I already knew the answer; she loved it.

"Yeah, there great" Goodness, Bella lighten up, gee, your acting like someone just died.

"I think it's a nice idea. You're only a senior once. Might as well document the experience"

"How many times have you been a senior" she questioned

"That's different" Yes, my family and I had been through high school a lot, but that was not the point. This is the last human school experience Bella will ever have, she has to make it special.

We reached Edward then, and he eagerly reached out his hand for Bella's. He had been impatiently muttering before, too quiet for any human to here. They had a little gooey moment together, and I heard Bella's heart stutter slightly. Edward smiled at her reaction towards him, he loves the way her heart beats.

Edward lifted his free hand and traced his long fingertip around the outside of Bella's plump lips. "So as discussed, I am not allowed to wish you a happy birthday, is that correct?" Edward said coolly.

"Yes. That is correct." Bella said shakily, it was kind of cute watching her trying to mimic Edwards tone.

"Just checking." He ran his hand through his hair. That was a very annoying habit of his. "You might have changed your mind. Most people seem to enjoy things like birthday gifts." I laughed my musical laugh. So, I wasn't the only one who thought Bella's behaviour was odd. Nah well, she will end up having a good time.

"Of course you'll enjoy it. Everyone is supposed to be nice to you today and give you your way, Bella." Apart from your party that is my department. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"Getting older" she answered. I did mean it as a rhetorical question. I felt Edward stiffen beside me, as his grip tightened around Bella's waist, and his smile disappeared.

"Eighteen isn't very old" I said trying to reassure her, and relax my brother. "Don't women usually wait until they're twenty-nine to get upset over birthdays?"

"It's older than Edward" God was she stubborn. Her statement wasn't entirely true.

Edward sighed.

"Technically." I said trying to keep my tone light. "Just by one little year, though. What time will you be at the house?" I said trying to divert her, today was meant to be a celebration.

"I didn't know I had plans to be there" Didn't she know me at all? Of course she had plans with us tonight.

"Oh be fair Bella!" I complained "you aren't going to ruin our fun like that are you?"

"I thought my birthday was meant to be about what I want." Man I knew that would come back and bite me.

"I'll get her from Charlie's right after school" Edward said to me, totally ignoring Bella's protests. Yay! , that's why I love Edward. He knew how much this meant to our family and I, and Bella will just have to understand that.

"I have to work" Bella argued.

"You don't actually" I said smugly, she wasn't wriggling out of this that easily. "I already spoke to Mrs. Newton about it; she's trading your shifts. She said to tell you 'Happy birthday.'"

"I-I still can't come over" she stammered over her words. "I, well, I haven't watched Romeo and Juliet yet for English."

She was shameful. "You have Romeo and Juliet memorised" I snorted at her lame excuse.

"But Mr. Berty said we needed to see it performed to fully appreciate it- that's how Shakespeare intended it to be presented."

Edward rolled his eyes. I couldn't blame him. Did Bella really think that will be a good enough excuse to get her out of her birthday?

"You've already seen the movie," I accused.

"But not the nineteen-sixty version, Mr Berty said it was the best."

I was getting tired of her crap. I stood and glared at her. "This can be easy, or this can be hard, Bella, but one way or the other-"

Edward interrupted my threat, obviously reading my mind, he knew what I was plotting, and he wasn't going to allow it. "Relax Alice. If Bella wants to watch a movie she can. It's her birthday" I couldn't believe my ears, what was he saying. I stood gawping like an idiot.

"So there," Bella added for good measure.

"I'll bring her over around seven," he continued

I laughed. "sounds good see you tonight, Bella! It'll be fun, you'll see." I grinned widely at her- then pecked her on the cheek and danced off towards my first class. I heard Edward sigh. I had my grin still firmly in place, a few humans backed away from me when they saw it. Their instincts kicking in. But I didn't care. I was having a party tonight.