Edward's POV

June 24, 1910

A little less than a month ago my little sister read her first words. At first we thought that there was not much to it but then she started reading everything she could.

One time I even caught her rummaging through my drawer of books in my room.

"What are you doing Hayz?" I asked her

"Notin" she said guiltily but I knew better.

"Why are you stealing my books?" I hinted.

"I dunno" Hazel said.

I raised my eyebrows at her "If you say so." And she smirked.

Today was Hazel's fourth birthday and I couldn't believe my little sister was already growing up it seemed like yesterday that I was five and she was just born but it was a whole four years ago.

Hazel knew the strawberry tradition by now but she licked the whipped cream off of the strawberry after one bite and then ate it plain again as part of her "Hazelness".

"Hazel…how old are you today?" I asked her.

She thought for a minute "Four!" she shouted and I kissed her nose.

"Dang! You're smart girl!" I said and she laughed.

"Alright Hayz, what's next?" I asked her and she looked at me.

"What?" she asked and I tousled her hair.

She laughed and I picked her up. "Come on, do you want to go for a walk?" I asked her.

She nodded so I went to go ask mama.

"Mum, can I go take Hazel for a walk?" I asked

"Yes but be back in a third of an hour OK?" She asked

"OK" I said and I looked at the clock in our house that was 2:00 so I would look at the town clock to see when I had to be back.

"Come on Hayz" I said and saw my now four year old sister.

Hazel scrambled down from the cabinet or whatever she was on and took my hand that was waiting for her.

I took her to the lake that was near the place where we both nearly died.

"How's being four treating you so far Hayz?" I asked her and she shrugged

"Very well thank you" she said imitating me and I nudged her. But not before she gave me one of her "priceless smiles."

I picked her up and swung her around as she squealed with laughter "Down!" she shouted.

"Alright fine" I said trying not to laugh. I tried to think of everything that had happened in my lifetime so far…everything was going pretty smoothly I guess but I mean I was only nine so what really was to happen in a nine year old's life.

Something probably wouldn't happen until like eight years or something…when I was older and more important in the world.

I think it was right then and there that I decided I wanted to join the army when I grew older. I had heard so many stories about how America got into wars with people so I figured it would happen in my lifetime.

The only thing I could think of was Hazel…if I went to war when I was eighteen per say she would be thirteen…who knew what trouble my little thirteen year old sister would cause if she was causing so much trouble now. But then again I dismissed the thought, especially since I wouldn't have to worry about it until much later in life.

"What's wrong Eddie?" Hazel asked me since I guess my face must've shown a solemn expression.

"What do you mean…I'm fine" I said but I was a mess inside.

"No you're lying" Hazel said.

"No I'm not." I said

"Yes you are." Hazel argued and I smirked.

"OK fine you're right I am lying." I said and ruffled her hair.

"I thought so" she said again doing another imitation of me.

Sometimes my sister was the only one who knew me and this was one of those times.

August 9, 1910

Today was the first day that Hazel attempted to write anything. Although I admit it was a bit funny she couldn't really accomplish much besides writing her name but it just came out looking like chicken scratch.

First she saw me writing and then she came up to me and said "what's dat?"

"A fountain pen" I replied.

She gave me a puzzled look.

"Come here" I patted my leg and she sat on my lap. "Watch me." I began to write

Hello Hazel and she laughed. "So you put reading words on the paper?" she asked

"That's right" I told her "do you know what that's called?" I asked

Hazel thought for a second trying to remember if she had heard any conversations relating to the word. "Wreating?" she asked and I chuckled.

"Writing" I said.

"Stupid" she pointed to herself.

"No you're not stupid Hazel…you're only four years old."

"Yeah but I should've known that" she said

"Stop being so hard on yourself" I said holding her tightly.

"OK fine" she said.

"Do you want to try?" I asked her.

"But I'm stupid Eddie I can't write" she said.

"Alright then I'll just have to make you." I said

"No!" she shrieked.

"Then say you're not stupid and write" I said.

"OK" Hazel said and tried to write. First H then A then Z-E-L

H-A-Z-E-L

"It's bad" she said looking at me.

"Well…it does take practice" I said

"Well I'm going to wait until tomorrow to practice more" Hazel said.

"OK Hayz." I said

Hazel grabbed her teddy bear and left the room.

December 18, 1910

So today we went to the theatre to go see some play that mama and papa wanted to go see but they couldn't leave Hazel and I alone so we had to go.

Mama had bought 3 tickets which meant that Hazel had to sit on someone's lap. I figured she would choose mama.

When we got to our seats Papa said "Hazel, you have to sit on someone's lap who do you want to sit with?"

Hazel looked a bit shy for a second because papa barely spoke to her. "Eddie" she pointed at me and I was stunned but happy because I wanted her to pick me. I picked Hazel up and put her in my lap. I didn't really pay attention to the show. Mostly I just paid attention to my quiet little sister sitting in my arms.

March 10, 1911

Today was the day that Hazel officially learned to write her full name. Remember how she first started writing and started practicing well. Mama, Hazel, and I were sitting at the breakfast table while Hazel was using one of my fountain pens to write with.

After several minutes or so she held up the page and said "Is this good?"

I stared at it "yeah it's amazing Hayz…it's the best I've seen actually" I said

My mother was surprised "Wow Hazel where did you learn how to do that?" mama asked.

"Eddie showed me" Hazel said looking at me and so did Mama.

"Did you really Edward?" Mama asked

"I guess" I said

"No you did" Hazel said and I smirked

"OK maybe I did." I said

I picked Hazel up and put her in my lap. "Can I have a kiss?" I asked and Hazel gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Why thank you Hazel" I said

"You're welcome Edward" Hazel said doing an imitation of me.

I nudged her and said "you just don't learn"

Her eyes widened and she looked hurt "what…are you calling me…a…a" but mama cut her off.

"No, he's not calling you that say you're sorry Edward" Mama said

"Sorry Hayz" I said and Mama looked satisfied but Hazel just ran to her room.