Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight. I own the rest. No redistribution without my consent.
A/N: Okay, so after this, I think it's time to fast forward a bit, yes? :)
Everyone tries to cheer me up for my birthday, but it's pointless. The woman who gave me life is no longer a part of it. So really, why celebrate?
Ironically, the day she left us all behind just so happens to be the day before my birthday.
So, yeah. Sue me if I don't feel like celebrating.
Charlie made it back to Forks in the wee hours of the morning. When he finally takes me back home later in the afternoon, I see that he brought me flowers, some new clothes, and a birthday card.
So sweet of him, but why in the hell would he have spent time at the store to buy me clothes?
When I open the birthday card, I immediately recognize Renee's handwriting. It's her last message. To me. It's sloppier than its usual sloppiness. It seems like her hand must have been shaking while she was writing it.
I put the card down without reading it. I can't do it right now. I'm not ready.
"Bells, are you okay?" Charlie asks, his voice quivering.
How in the hell could I be okay? I want to shout at Charlie. But I don't.
"No."
My body feels blank. Vacant. Numb.
A couple hours later, The Cullens and a few other family friends in the Black and Clearwater families come over. The gathering is uneventful. There's cake, food, drinks, random conversations. And of course, occasional tears. Can't forget those. They're unavoidable.
One of the very few good things about today is that I get to spend time with a couple of my favorite people. Edward, of course, and Jacob Black. I've known Jacob for nearly as long as I've known Edward. Unfortunately, they don't get along. Never have, and probably never will.
They've been at each other's throats all afternoon.
"Bella, do you want to see what I got you?" Edward asks after I've eaten my last bite of cake.
"No, she wants to see my gift first!"
"Is your name Bella, Jacob?" He sneers his name, full of venom, as if it were a curse. If I weren't so depressed, I'd probably laugh.
"Whatever. I know she wants to see mine first." Jacob turns to me. "Right, Bella? You don't want to see what old Eddie got you first. It's probably something boring." He snorts.
Edward grits his teeth. "It's Edward."
"Whatever."
"Jacob, stop being mean!" I chastise.
I reach for Edward's gift. "I'm opening Edward's first."
I'm about to rip the off the wrapping paper but stop abruptly when I hear Jacob crying. Edward's hand grabs a hold of my wrist.
"It's okay, Bella. Open Jacob's gift first."