Chicago, 1911
"I am bored."
I chuckled, as I watched Bella finish her book and look around the park expectantly. I looked back down at my own book.
"You are always bored Bella."
Again she sighed in annoyance and I got the hint, closing my own book and crossed my arms due to the chilly wind. It had been raining the past week and this was the first chance we had to come to the park, even though the ground was all muddy.
It was also the first chance I had to see Bella this week. Due to the rain and our different tutors we hardly saw each other, and her parents weren't very happy when we would go on outings together. They had also enrolled Bella in etiquette classes and this also limited out time together. The week became very depressing when I didn't get to see my best friend.
She was still the same old Bella, despite her new appearance. She hardly wore her comfortable clothes anymore, with her various muddy pinafores. Her mother had now bought her these new, ruffled dresses, with lace trim and Bella despised them. She always complained of how she could never move in them and considering how clumsy she was her dresses barely stayed intact.
"So Bella how was your class yesterday?" I asked, smirking because I knew how she hated them.
"Horrible." She sighed, and twiddled her thumbs.
"Why is that?"
"I'll show you." She got up, picking up my own reading book. I couldn't help but chuckle as she imitated her etiquette teacher, Mrs Basile's voice.
"Now Miss Swan, standing up straight with all the other girls. Straight girl, you look like a camel." Bella straightened up, her shoulders back and head high. I laughed out loud at the ridiculous voice she made.
"Now balance is key to any lady's stature. We do not want to be mistaken for common women now do we girls?" Bella shook her head, replying to herself, "No Mrs Basile."
"Good now – Isabella Swan would you please stop itching and stand still. We must all walk with poise and dignity, almost as though we are floating."
I laughed as Bella twirled around as if she were a ballet dancer, imitating her teacher.
"Now, take your book and place it on your head." Bella placed my book on top of her head. "Balancing it on top of our heads, posture girls, posture." I watched as Bella began to step forward and I knew this wouldn't end well. Bella and balance just did not mix.
"Isabella Swan watch where you're going. No not the bookshelf—"
I watched as Bella's imitating voice stopped and Bella tripped over a stick and fell straight into a mud puddle. Her forget-me-not blue dress covered in dirt. I couldn't hold it in and I burst out laughing, falling onto my back.
"So I fell into the bookshelf and I tipped the books all onto the floor. It is not that funny Edward." A muddy Bella folded her arms but I couldn't stop.
"No...you're right...it's not..." I continued to laugh and she stormed over to me and pulled me up by the arm.
"Ok if you are so good why don't you try it?" She placed her book on my head, and I tried to control my laughter and straightened up. I managed to walk a few steps until I felt Bella's hands on my back and I was falling forward into the mud. In a last minute attempt to stop myself I held onto Bella's dress and with a giggle we both fell into the mud puddle. Bella squealed.
"Edward why did you do that?" She tried to frown but one look at each other's muddy faces and clothes we burst out into giggles and I began to tickle her. She tried to fight back but I knew I would win; she jumped on top of me in protest.
"Edward Masen and Isabella Swan!" A loud and annoyed voice shrilled out and we stopped in fright. Bella shyly looked up, however I couldn't move due to her straddling me.
"Hello mother." She replied and I saw Renee tower over us and pull Bella off of me.
"What do you think you are doing?" Renee shouted out, and Bella and I frowned in confusion. We usually ended up playing in the mud, what was so different this time?
"We were just playing mother."Bella replied and I stood up also and saw that Renee was still clutching Bella's arm.
"You do not play like that Bella. Not ever do you hear me? Not with Edward." Renee continued to shout and Bella and I looked at each other worried.
"I can't play with Edward? He's my friend." Bella protested, squirming out of her mother's grasp but she would not let go.
"No Bella, not with Edward."
"Have I done something wrong Mrs Swan?" I asked confused, moving towards my friend but Renee pulled her back.
"Edward you should go home. Come on Isabella."
"But mother—"Bella tried to walk over to me but her mother pulled her away.
"Come on now." She turned to walk out of the park and I ran after them, worried.
"Bella, what's happening?" I ran up to her and she shrugged, still trying to squirm over to me.
"Mother, why can't I—'
"Go home Edward!" I froze as Renee yelled at me, and continued to drag Bella further and further away from me.
"Edward!" Bella called for me but Renee just looked back at me threateningly. I had to go home.
--
I ran all the way home; ignoring all the curious looks I was receiving about my muddy attire. I had to figure out why Bella's mother was acting so strangely. It was as though Bella and I had done something wrong.
"Mother! Mother!" I yelled for her, running inside our home and my mother ran into the sitting room, a worried expression on her face.
"Edward just look at your clothes—"
"I am sorry, but something has happened." I tried to catch my breath and my mother barely looked surprised, and sat on the lounge, pulling me over to stand in front of her.
"I know darling." She picked some dirt off of my collar and I frowned.
"You do?"
"Renee came and saw me only a few minutes ago. Something happened at the park with you and Bella?"
I nodded, "Renee was so angry. I know that Bella and I were in the mud but we were only playing."
My mother sighed, smiling softly. "Renee is worried about Bella."
"Why?" I queried, panic shooting through my body, "Is, is something wrong?"
"No. No, it is just that Bella is growing up Edward."
"I am also." I replied, still confused as to why Renee was so angry and my mother chuckled.
"That is the problem. Edward you are becoming a man and Bella...well she needs to start to become a lady."
"I can't be her friend anymore?" I asked sadly, looking down and my mother held my chin up gently.
"No. Edward, Bella will always be your friend, always. However, it might be best if you spent some time away from each other." My mother smiled sadly, stroking my cheek and I frowned.
"So I cannot see her?"
"It's time you two grew up Edward..."
I nodded slowly, and blinked back the angry tears which were starting to form in my eyes as my mother held me tightly. This wasn't fair; Bella was my best friend, what was I going to do without her?
"Come on. Let's get your bathed before your father comes home."
--
The next few days I stayed at home, not even trying to see Bella. I merely remained in the drawing room, playing my piano piece, over and over again. I hoped that Renee would get over her anger and Bella and I could see each other again.
"Renee, Bella it is so good to see you."
I froze in the middle of a bar as I heard my mother's voice from the foyer.
"Ellie..." Renee replied and I could just imagine Bella standing beside her mother, fidgeting in her dress and glaring up at Renee contemptuously.
"Did you wish for some tea?" I heard my mother happily continue but Renee's voice sounded very cold.
"No, we cannot stay. I just wished to tell you that—"
My mother cut her off, her voice lowered but I could still hear it. "Don't do this to them Renee."
"Ellie...Charles and I have agreed on this already—"
I refused to continue playing, and listened in. Renee and my mother's quiet conversation was very unnerving.
"They are only kids." My mother sighed.
"Elizabeth—"
"May I see Edward?"
My heart skipped a beat as I finally heard Bella's voice but it didn't sound like her. She was usually so bubbly, but this voice was sad and cold.
"Isabella—," Renee began disapprovingly but my mother cut her off.
"Renee, don't. Of course you can Bella. He is in the drawing room."
I began to play my piece again, but I missed too many notes and keys to be playing properly. I gave up and looked to the door, waiting for her to burst in claiming of how bored she was. However all that came was a tentative knock.
"Come in." I called out and in emerged Bella, looking down at the ground in another new dress which she despised.
"Bella—" I began happily, and jumped off of the piano stool but Bella didn't respond. "Is everything alright?"
"Edward..." She looked up, and I frowned worriedly at the tears which fell down her pink cheeks. I had never seen her so sad before. I walked in closer and hugged her tightly, allowing her tears to soak my shoulder.
"I don't want to go." She sobbed and I pulled back, hesitantly wiping her tears.
"Go? Go where?"
"I have to go away. Mother and father are moving us away; they're sending me to a boarding school."
My eyes widened in fear at the words 'boarding school', and I shook my head in disbelief.
"Boarding school?"
"In Washington."
"That's far away."
She nodded sadly and I tried to hold back the angry tears again.
"What am I supposed to do without my best friend?"
"Isabella! Come on, it's time to go." I heard Renee's voice call from the foyer and Bella let out another sob, burying her face in my shoulder.
"Don't go Bella." My voice broke shakily, "Please?"
"Bye Edward..." She tried to smile through her tears and before I could respond her face was so close I could see the tears which clung to her eyelashes and her wet lips touch mine softly. I froze in shock and surprise as my heart almost popped out of my chest.
As soon as it started it was over and Bella could hardly look me in the eye as she ran out of the room, away from me.
"Goodbye..." I managed to whisper, those angry tears falling to the floor.
TBC