(A/N: Yo! Enjoy the preface?? Get you all excited to read the story?? Good! :D I haven't had time to completely edit this, so you're going to have to make do with the auto-corrections of Microsoft Word Office. w Have fun with chapter one! :3)
Party gifts
Great, everything I didn't want to happen, happened.
I sighed. I didn't want this day to come. I didn't want to be reminded of this, but alas, the day started bright and early in the morning. After yanking myself out of bed, I trudged towards my walk-in closet. I knew what Alice would say if I disobeyed her. She had asked me- no, demanded that I get up at eight-oh-clock this morning, and that I got dressed in one of the many dresses she's gotten me, but that I haven't worn.
I picked through the various outfits, finally deciding to just grab the cute, Lolita-styled outfit. Out of our many trips around the world, I found Japan had the most promising clothing. It fit my style well. Throwing on some ballet flats, with laces that coiled up to reach just below my knees, I flitted down the corridor of the cottage, hopping on the stones in a zigzag pattern, and stopping at the door. I took a deep breath, and shook my head.
When I got to the Cullen's main house, it was worse than I'd expected. Alice really went overboard, even for her. There wasn't an inch of the house not wrapped in silk. The floor was covered by silk, bunched up to look like a soft cloud. Edward's piano was wrapped in dark red, overdramatic silk bows, and the walls were draped in a long row of red, hanging in the middle, then being scrunched together and forced into a big bow, with lace surrounding it. Roses also scented the room, vases placed variously around the room, and pink, white, black and red petals scattered across the floor. I couldn't help but smile; she must have started on this early morning yesterday.
"Alice." I spoke quietly in my high-soprano voice. I knew she could hear me. She appeared at the top of the staircase, which, I noticed, was also covered in big red bows, roses, and their petals. She looked down at me with hopeful eyes. I grinned at her, flashing my teeth. She smiled in response, and bounded gracefully down the stairs. "How long did this take you?"
"Oh, not long. But that's not important. What is, is that you shouldn't be here. You should be upstairs, in the bathroom, trying this on!" She threw something shiny and silver into my hands. I didn't even have time to look at it; she was already pulling me by the arm up the stairs, and towards the massive bathroom. I sighed. After she got me to the room, she smiled, winked at me, and danced out the room. Looking down into my hands, I realized what she had given me was a tiny crown. I closed the door, and looked into the enormous mirror in front of me.
My eyes were blank, like I felt, from lack of sleep. I'd stayed up late last night, much, much too late, and now regretted it. Then I smiled. The colour of my eyes, although brown, slightly showed what my diet was; blood wise. The way the lines curved in my iris, it made it look like the middle of my eye was a sunflower. The pupil was the dark middle, and the lines around it were like jagged petals. The background lines were like clouds and grass... The jagged petals in the middle are what showcased what my diet was. It was either gold- if I had drank animal blood last, which was usual, or dark crimson red- if I was treated to donated human blood, which Carlisle would have bought. But that was even rarer than it was before. Today, they were gold- but that might change. I snickered. There was something else that was different about me; my teeth. My fang teeth. Actually, every tooth, both sides, up and down, beyond my fang teeth were sharp. I didn't know if it was a vampire thing, or it was just because I liked to bite. A lot. I had already chewed the crap out of my teddy bears and Jacob. But neither seemed to mind, what with one being an inanimate object, and the other healing quickly; Jacob didn't have a single scar. Which was good, because otherwise, I'd feel guilty.
The tiara slid firmly into place beneath my bronze hair. My bangs were medium length, slightly sweeping to the side, while my hair was straight at the top, and eventually curled and twisted into tight, small, delicate ringlets of brown. Looking over my outfit once, I smiled wider, and pranced out the door, towards the stair case. This time, I smelled something different. Not the average vampire smell, but the smell of a dog...
"Jacob!" I trilled, looking down into his face, which was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me, a grin across it. I pitter pattered down the steps quickly, and ran into his open, friendly arms. Everything would turn out fine, if Jacob was here. I'd have shot him if he didn't come today. My mom and dad had also joined us, both of them snickering at Alice's work.
"Hey, Nessie," Jacob greeted me, attempting to muse my hair. "Oh? A crown? Well, I guess it suits you...I mean, it's your Sweet Six, right?"
I looked up at him and scowled. Did he really have to bring that up? I sighed. I was six, yet I looked the age of a sixteen year old. This had bothered me to tears a couple days back. .My childhood had slipped away years ago. I looked seven when I was two and a half years old. You try dealing with that. Now, I had only but a year left to actually grow. Once I turn seven, I'll look like I'm seventeen. That's it. I'll stop growing, just like Nahuel. Of course, that'd be a good thing, in a way. I'd be stuck like that forever, so when I was actually seventeen, I'd be much happier. It also meant that I'd get to live the life of lies my family did. After a few years, we'd have to leave Forks. People might get suspicious of us. Well, then again, the Cullen's have stayed here for a while now, and not much suspicion is going on. At least, not enough to drive us away.
Edward stepped towards me, his arms out stretched, and a smile on his face. "Renesmee, you look gorgeous."
"Thank you." I replied with a smile, and ran into his arms. This day was going to make me depressed, so someone like Jacob, dad, or mom would keep me happy. Well, Jasper could also, I guess. But that's not exactly what I mean. Edward snickered at my thoughts. Alice came back into the room, and I turned to see her carrying a bunch of papers. I looked warily at her. "What are those for?" I asked with slight hesitance. She just smiled, and leaped off into the kitchen. Reluctantly, I followed her, pulling Jacob alongside me. The kitchen floor was also flooded with soft silk, and I couldn't help but unlace my shoes and slip them off, along with my tall socks. Taking a seat in a chair, I saw that the wrought-iron bars were surrounded by yet another dark red silk bow, tied together on the back of the chair. I looked up at Alice, who had taken a seat in the chair across from me, and placing the papers on the table. She was hopping excitedly in her chair, like she could spring up into the air at any given second. It was starting to bug me.
Edward cleared his throat, and I looked back at him, as Alice looked up at him. He nodded. I looked back at Alice, and she lifted the papers, hit them into a straight pile on the table, and then handed them to me, a pen wedged between the papers and her thumb. I gazed up at her questioningly.
"You're going to school, Renesmee; Forks High School." Alice said in a low voice, as if trying hard as ever to keep from squealing in delight. I started at her with wide eyes. A chuckle came from behind me; Jacob obviously knew about this before I did, and was pleased with my reaction.
"High...school?" I squeaked, repeating her words.
She frowned. "Aren't you happy?"
I leaned across the table, and placed a hand on her cheek. I replayed the scene for her, only expressing the shock of her words, and how I was too bewildered to register the words until now. Her smile returned, and I returned my hand to my side. A huge grin played on my face. "How?" I asked, completely taken aback.
Edward pulled up a chair. "Simple. You've come to the age that aging quickly doesn't really show. If you go to school now, no one will suspect a thing. You're intelligent; you've read nearly half the books in this house. You may have the chance at a normal childhood, which a few exceptions, of course..." He trailed off, then, seemingly absent-mindedly, took Bella's hand and pulled her onto his lap. "You'll have to take precaution when it comes to your thirst, and also, biting. Absolutely no biting anything or anyone, got it?" He asked, leaning onto his elbow on the table, his left hand twisting in Bella's hair, playing with it.
I nodded. He smiled, and then continued. "You must control yourself when it comes to gym class and such, and most importantly, you mustn't show anyone anything. And of course, the obvious; keep our secret." He finished with a smile, then dropped his hand from Bella's hair, and reached toward the papers. It was much too good to be true.
The morning passed quickly after that; Jacob, mom, dad, Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie and I played the games Alice had set up in the back yard, things like miniature golf- which had turned into golf, thanks to our impatience with swinging powerlessly at the ball. We hunted, of course, and I actually found a mountain lion or two. Edward had gotten me a car- go figure. It was a white Lexus- nothing too...bang, nothing too simple. It was fine. To be honest, it was my dream car. Bella had gotten me a credit card- woot! Now I didn't have to worry about asking for money any more, and I didn't have to bug mom or dad until they felt guilty and just handed over their card so I could shop online... Apparently, though, there was one more surprise. But that would have to wait until lunch. Which was now.
We entered through the back door, and I skipped to a chair once again. I was bouncy. Edward, Emmett, Jacob and Jasper had run off somewhere, which made me suspicious, but I could tell it was part of the surprise. I glanced at Alice, then Bella, then Esme. Where was Rosalie? I looked back at Alice.
"So?" I started to say, my voice calm. "What's the big surprise?"
"We renovated the house." Alice answered smugly.
"You did what?!"
"Oh, stop freaking out and come see!" She encouraged, grabbing me by the hand and tugging me along down the hallway under the stairs.
At the end of the long hall was a door; a familiar door. It opened up to a slightly smaller hallway, and had four doors of its own- two on each side- that opened up to four spare bedrooms. But as Alice opened the door, it wasn't at all what was expected. They had been renovating- there were no doors, no little hallway, and no walls in the middle. Instead, it was a huge, nearly-empty space, with only four walls.
The floor was dark oak flooring, the walls a slightly lighter brown. The huge back wall was covered entirely in mirrors- and along the middle ran a black, wooden bar. Four pillars ran vertically up to the ceiling, which had spot-lights here and there. Tall windows lined both side walls, starting from middle-point and nearly reaching the ceiling- I noticed Edward, Jasper, Jacob and Emmett putting the finishing touches on the center window of either side; a beautiful, elegant rose surrounded by different coloured glass. It was a ballet studio. I gasped, forgetting how to breathe for a second.
Edward chuckled, and was in front of me in a second. "Do you like it?" He asked. He already knew the answer, but might as well let Alice know, right?
"I'm speechless." I replied. I turned to Alice. "You did this for me?"
"The other's helped. But yes, it's all for you."
I smiled, and hugged her tightly. She patted my hair. "Where's Rosalie?" I asked, pulling away.
"Oh, she's in the dressing room, tiding things up. I'd do it myself, but I couldn't wait to see your reaction! Do you seriously like it? Is it good enough?"
I touched her cheek, and showed her the memories of two-years' past. I had taken ballet classes, at first with a group in the community, then privately at home in the Cullen's living room, and I enjoyed it too much to let it go. I was always being encouraged and complimented; thanks to my superior grace among other ballerina's. I remembered sitting in my room early evenings, doodling my own plans for a ballet studio that I'd force Emmett to build for me if dad wouldn't. The thought of being graceful without even trying was comforting, and now I could dance whenever I pleased. I smiled, and pulled my hand away, dropping it to my side. "It's perfect." I whispered.
The soft tapping from Rosalie's high heels against the hardwood floor made me turn. "You like it?" She asked in a sweet voice.
"I absolutely love it, Rose. I can't wait to dance!" I flitted gracefully down the long room in bare feet (my shoes and socks were still in the kitchen) and towards the right side of the room, where, I noticed, a wooden door stood open, calling me in.
Inside, there were racks upon racks of gorgeous ballet tutus. Shoes lined one wall, hair accessories filled another, and along the back were a few changing stalls. Lanterns and candles accented the warm pink colour, shining brightly in the small room. I squealed.
"It's so beautiful! Just like I imagined!" I stopped for a second. I turned slowly, and looked out the open door and towards Edward, who stood silently and smugly. I started at him through narrowed eyes. "You cheater."
"What?" He asked, holding back a laugh.
"You read my mind."
"So?"
"So you cheated! You're suppose to guess what my dream studio is supposed to look like. You can't just look into my head when I'm drawing out the plans and just use it!"
He just laughed. "You should be happy. You didn't want us to build you a room that you didn't like, did you?"
"Well, no," I started. "I guess not. Still, anyone normal would have guessed at it."
He snickered, and then walked slowly towards the middle of room, dragging Bella by the hand. "I guess this would be a perfect place to waltz, too." He whirled around, and pulled Bella close.
I sighed. Walking out of the room full of dresses, I closed the door, and walked to the door Alice and Rosalie were standing at. "Daddy," I trilled. "I need your help. I want to practise my violin. You're piano compliments it well. Same with your violin, momma."
They were already twirling around the room to some invisible music when I actually turned to look at them. "We'll help you in a minute, Nessie. Why don't you ask Alice? Or Rosalie?"
"Grr." I glanced over at Jacob, who was still fixing the stained-glass window. "Jacob!" I whined. "Will you help me?"
"I don't play the violin." He objected, jumping down from the ladder.
"You could at least criticize me."
"All right," He agreed with a snicker. "It's your birthday, so I might as well."
He ran to my side, and I grabbed his hand, dragging him out of the room. Rosalie followed; I'm sure she was fed up with Edward. I ran to the living room couch, where, on the wall, was my violin, my small, perfect wooden instrument and the bow of horse string that came with it. I took it down, jumped off the couch, and walked slowly towards Jacob, who was sitting on my dad's piano bench. I scrunched my toes- which felt good against the silk- and placed the violin on my shoulder. Clearing my throat, I brought up the bow, and started playing at random. Eventually, the notes formed themselves into a beautiful lullaby- my mom's lullaby. I guess after hearing it so much, I remember it absent-mindedly. Suddenly, I heard the keys of the piano begin to create music, too. Then a second violin...
It was peaceful. It was beautiful. It made fully appreciate the day. Being able to go to school at last, getting a car, a credit card...and a beautiful room all to myself. The moon shone gracefully through the back window wall, splashing the perfect scene with its light.
(A/N: Sorry! I know it's really long, and rather cheesy. o.o And I noticed Bella hasn't spoken a single word yet. o.o She'll speak...eventually. Nah, she's one of my favorite characters, so she'll have a reasonably big part next chapter. Anyways, I'd like to dedicate a song to this chapter, as I will for every other chapter, if the chapter relates to a song. ... Chapter chapter chapter...
Song(s): Carter Burwell - Bella's Lullaby (Twilight soundtrack) )
