" Bella, it's time to wake up." my mother cooed as she opened curtains letting the sunlight stream into my room.
"Just a little bit longer, Mom. Please?" I mumbled, still half asleep.
"Nonsense! Today is your birthday so we're going to go to town after breakfast to get you some presents. Doesn't that sound nice?" she asked.
"Okay." I croaked.
When I came down for breakfast, I was greeted by my father. "Good morning , Bella." he mumbled while shoving food into his mouth.
"Morning." I replied quickly, not wanting to waste any time. The sooner we got done shopping, the sooner I could get ready for my party. I missed my best friend, Alice. It's been a while since we've talked to each other and I was anxious to see her.
"Come on, let's go!" I cried from the door of our house. The carriage was waiting outside and I was ready to get this over with.
"Patience, child!" my mother chastened.
"Please hurry, my dearest mother." I said sweetly.
"Don't push it." she warned.
Shopping, in a way, was actually fun. I got a ton of presents. My parents told me I could get whatever I wanted, and I did just that. I know I sound spoiled, and I am, but I'm not a brat. My parents raised me better than that. They taught me to use my manners early on when I was still a small child.
On the ride home, I began thinking about my life. To be honest, my life has been perfect so far. I have parents that love me and have more than enough money to live comfortably.
"Go to your room and get ready for the party. The guests will start arriving shortly." Called my mother as I ran up the steps to my room. I decided to wear my new yellow dress.
"Bella! Your guests are here!" cried my mother.
When I got to the great hall, it was completely transformed. The long table that's usually right in the middle of the room was moved up against the wall and was covered with food. The chairs for the table were set along either side of the table on the wall, giving us plenty of room to move around.
"Mom, this looks amazing!" I eyed her suspiciously. "Almost too amazing."
She giggled nervously. "W-what do mean? This is- oh! Hello! Well, I'm off to go find you father." she quickly scurried off in the other direction.
"Wait, Mom!" I called after her.
"Bella!" I turned toward the voice that screeched my name only to be attacked by an all too familiar figure.
"Alice, hey!" I hugged her.
"It's been way too long! I have so much to tell you." Someone behind Alice caught my eye.
"Umm, Alice?"
"Yes, Bella?" she immediately stopped her chatter.
"Turn around." she spun around and surveyed the room. It took her a while, but she finally found what I was trying to get her to see. She took one look at him and almost instantly fell back on top of me. I tried to steady her while she tried to not pass out.
She turned to me and her face was bright red. Walking towards us was her not-so-secret crush, Jasper Hale. We all know they're going to get together some day.
He walked right up to Alice and I thought she was going to have a heart attack. "Hi, Alice."
"H-hi, Jasper." she stuttered.
"Hey." They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. "So I'll see you later?" he asked shyly.
I laughed at how cute they were together.
"Yeah! Def-definitely!"
"Okay." he replied, walking backwards and almost tripping over herself. "Oh, umm, happy birthday, Bella." he said suddenly as if just now noticing me.
"Thanks, Jasper." I tried not to laugh. We watched his retreating form until he was out of sight. I couldn't hold back any longer and began laughing so hard that by the time Alice pinched me I had tears in my eyes.
"You're just jealous!" she said defensively.
"Of what?" I asked. "Not having a guy drooling over me?"
"Well… yes." You have got to be kidding me!
"Alice, you and I both know I'm not even in the slightest bit interested in any of the men here in London or anywhere else for that matter."
"Well I don't see why. I can't wait to get married."
"Men are nothing but trouble. I would rather not get married and live in a small house out in the country."
"All by yourself?" she asked with worry.
"Of course not."
"So you do want to get married?" her eyes brightened.
"No. I'll get a dog."
"Why must you be so difficult, Bella?" Alice asked, rolling her eyes.
"Ladies, come on! It's time to start the party!" announced my mom.
After hours of flirting, laughing, and gossiping, it was time for the party to come to an end. Alice was the last one to leave.
"Happy birthday, Bella. I hope you enjoy the rest of your night."
"I'm sure I will." We hugged and I waited until she was in her carriage before I went back inside.
In the entry hall, I found my parents huddled together in a corner whispering frantically to one another.
I walked up to them, curious. "What's going on?"
Immediately, they ceased their private little chat and turned towards me.
"Bella, your father and I need to talk to you."
"Why don't we move into the living room where we can sit down?" my father suggested. When I was seated, I noticed that their strange behavior just got stranger. Neither one of them would look me in the eye. Mom looked like she was about to have a panic attack while Dad kept fidgeting.
Mom was the first one to speak. "Bella, darling. You know how much your father and I love you and how we only want to do what's best for you."
This can't be good. I thought
"Tomorrow we are going to visit the Cullen family in Bristol. They are a wealthy family much like ours. They have a charming son as well. He's not much older than you."
"Umm… okay? So why are we going to go visit them?" I questioned.
She let out a nervous giggle and glanced at my father. "Well, you see, Bella, you are betrothed to their son."
My eyes widened and my mouth popped open. This could not be happening. My parents would never make me marry someone I didn't love much less know. I had so many plans for my future that didn't involve marriage and now…
No. It's not possible. I must be dreaming. This is nothing but a sick dream. I would have pinched myself but I couldn't move.
"Please tell me you're not serious." I pleaded.
That's when my mother cracked. "I'm so sorry!" she wailed.
Dad looked at her sadly before saying, "I would never joke about something like this. I'm sorry, Bella." Then he turned to his wife and tried to comfort her.
My eyes began to sting and I knew it wouldn't be long until I was in the same state as my mother. I stood and walked out the door. I heard my mother try to call out to me but choked on her own tears.
I began the long and slow journey to my room, ignoring the servants as they wished me happy birthday when I walked past them.
I jumped into my bed wishing it would swallow me as I cried into the pillows. I had so many questions. Would I have to move far away from my family? Why me? Have my parents lost their minds?
I don't know how long I had been lying there. The crying had stopped a while ago. I heard footsteps coming towards my room. I listened to my door as it creaked open and. I could hear my parent's soft voices. They must have thought I was asleep.
"She's asleep." my father whispered.
"My poor baby." my mother sounded like she could break out the water works at any moment. "Are we doing the right thing, Charlie?"
"Of course, Renee. Edward is a fine young man. He and Bella are bound to get along."
"Yes but what if they hate each other?"
"They won't hate each other. Sure thing will be rough in the beginning but it'll work out. It could possibly even turn out to be a happily ever after." he said with a slight chuckle.
"I hope you're right." she sighed.
What began as a perfect day, ended as a nightmare. Literally.