AN.. . .i know I haven't updated in a while, I am so sorry, but every time I sat down to write I wrote about a page then got writers block. . .by the way, no one figured out who the lyrics in the last chapter were so no one got a present and this chapter is dedicated to no on. . .sorry, if anyone figures it out they will still get a present. . .

Disclaimer . . . sadly, I don't own twilight but I do own this plot. . .one day, Edward Cullen will be mine. . .

Flashback to last chapter-

"So, something new to ask. Bella, when do you plan on being courted? Are you eyeing anyone in particular?" Rosalie asked to get the attention off her.

I flushed red and quickly said, "It's improper to speak of such things. I would scandalous to discuss it. Besides I don't feel the need to enter a courtship with anyone." Rosalie and Alice exchanged glances and ambushed me with questions.

"What do you mean you don't feel the need?"

"Who are you waiting for?"
"Are you a sapphist!?!?"

"Who are you waiting for?"

I took a deep breath and reluctantly said, "I am not a sapphist, how dare you even suggest that. The idea alone is ludicrous. I do not feel the need because I have my father to look out for and I would not like to be tied to anyone right now. I am not waiting for anyone. No one has caught my eye anyway."

"Isabella Marie Swan. You know very well that you do not have to look out for your father, now what are you hiding. We can keep secrets. You must be waiting for someone. Let me guess . . . Jacob Black?" Alice said, angrily, adding in Jacob to provoke me.

"Marie Alice Brandon, I cannot believe you would even suggest that improper, ignorant, egomaniac, immoral, two-faced, repulsive, brainless, obnoxious, moronic dog! I would rather die than court him, I do not care who his father is! To think of him makes me nauseous; I am disgusted to think that you suggested him." I said coldly staying in a proper voice. Rosalie shook her head at Alice and Alice looked down guiltily.

Before either of them could say another word I continued, "And further more, just because I am more interested in learning doesn't mean something is wrong. I have not ever really liked someone, now if you please. Let the subject drop!" Neither replied and the carriage stopped. The driver announced, "Miss Brandon, we have arrived at the second destination. Will you all be getting out?"

Alice quietly said, "Than you Mr. Thomas, we all will get out." Alice blindfolded us again and we walked into the boutique. It smelled like satin and silk. There was also a lilac fragrance hanging in the air. Alice pulled us through the room, careful not to let me trip. Rosalie and Alice were extremely graceful but I was as clumsy as a drunken fool was. Another voice entered and began speaking rapidly in French about my dress; Alice made me cover my ears so I could not hear a word of it. After about five minutes, Alice let me hear again. Another voice began speaking in Italian and a shaky man's voice in Spanish.

Half an hour later, the tree of us left and Mr. Thomas followed carrying all three very heavy designer dresses. We got into the carriage and talked about whom would be with who at the Masquerade Ball and gossiped.

"So, Alice, who have you been eyeing. Will he be at the Masquerade Ball?" Rosalie inquired a glint in her eyes. Alice looked away and said, "I haven't been eying anyone. I don't know who you are talking about."

"Marie Alice Brandon! You dirty little liar. You know you have been eyeing a certain someone by the name of Lord J-"

Alice cut he off wit a rude and sharp, "Shut Up!" Alice was tomato red and looking everywhere but me. Something was defiantly up.

"Rosalie, who is that someone?" I asked as sweetly as I could.

As Rosalie opened her mouth to answer me Alice threatened, "Rosalie Hale if you answer her I will forever hate you and I'll ruin your dress!" That silenced Rosalie. I put together Alice's reaction to me, the beginning of the name. Lord J-, who did I know whose name started with a J. Then, suddenly the pieces fit together. Alice, my best friends, liked . . . no way I could be right, I wished.

"Alice, you want MY BROTHER!?!?" I cried out, Alice flinched and turned even redder. I exhaled unable to believe it. Jasper was my twin brother, Alice was my best friend. I guess he was in a way handsome. He was tall and lean with pale skin and wavy honey colored blond hair; his eyes were a clear blue. His voice was mysterious, brooding, deep, and strong. Alice was so small, petite, and she was snowy white. Her eyes were caramel colored and she had short hair, in length was half way down her neck. I pictured them together in mind and suddenly they did not look bad together. They looked like they belonged together.

"Well, as long as I don't have to set you up with him it's okay." I said kindly. Alice's face lit up with happiness and eagerly asked, "Do you mean it? You are okay with this." I nodded. Alice brightened up very fast. I smiled back, her happiness infectious.

We stopped at a small café and got lunch. As soon as we walked in the waiter seated up to a seat. He was starring directly at Alice and Rosalie. It did not bother me; I was used to this kind of reaction. Rosalie was the most beautiful creature anyone had ever seen, or so she is frequently told. Alice was also extremely beautiful. It also had to do with the fact of who their father's were. If people starred at me, they starred because I was a famous twin, one of the Swans, Lady Swan. No, this kind of reaction did not bother me. I was used to it. I was not offended, they could not help but be who they were, I was not pretty and I had long ago come to terms with this. Alice ordered for us and we all had a salad with some fresh ground pepper. I was still extremely hungry but it was improper for a woman to eat much in public. We continued to discuss the Masquerade Ball all through lunch. Alice decided that since I was more likely to complain, I was going last so that I could not change anything Alice or Rosalie did. Rosalie loved when Alice dressed up her, she always felt even more beautiful. She loved to be the center of attention, especially for her beauty. I did not think anything of it, who could blame her, she had always been so beautiful, and she did not know any better. Alice loved to be in control of things and liked to organize a plan everything.

Next, we went to get our shoes. The routine was the same. Alice made us blindfold ourselves. The whole thing was ridiculous, why on Earth was this so import to keep a surprise. When we finally had all of our things for tonight Alice had Thomas take us to my house. That poor man, always having to listen to young ladies gossip and always carrying their heavy luggage. Poor Thomas. I sympathized with him and found my self feeling pity for the man. Before returning to my own house, Alice stopped at her estate and picked up some of her necessary objects. They were probably nothing but make-up and accessories. Rosalie also had to pick up some of her hair products for Alice at her own house. When we finally got to my house, I saw the carriage was not there, Charlie must have left to the country club again. He was always trying to pick the biggest prize for me to get. I wondered if Jasper was here. Thomas helped us out and opened the door for us. I offered to help with the dresses or accessories but her refused, he said it was his job and he was determined to do it right. It took him three trips to bring in all of our things. It was 5:00 p.m. when we got to my house. We still had four hours until we had to leave but of course, Alice would quickly use those hours up.

Alice had Rosalie sit down and she started to twist and curl and shape Rosalie's perfect honey colored hair. I was amazed that Alice could do such things and create such masterpieces. I grew tired and left, telling Alice I would be back in an hour. I wandered aimlessly around my house. It had been exactly eight years since the night I ran away. Away from the pain, the memories, the hatred, away from everything. As I walked around, I heard laughter and felt happiness, things I had not felt in a long time. The memories of when mom was alive. I wandered to the library, my favorite place in the whole mansion. Mom and I used to spend hours reading books and hiding away in here. When she died, I came here to read the stories she loved and remember the passion she felt for literature. I loved the library for another reason, because I loved to read. I loved the way the characters in the story could do anything and not have to follow any rules. I searched for my favorite book, Romeo and Juliet. About two star-crossed lovers died to stay together, true love. I yearned for true love but also shied away from it, I never wanted to lose the person I love again, I didn't want to be abandoned. An interesting epiphany, to want love yet to hate love, to never want to get hurt yet to feel loved and to take the risk.

I sat down in my private spot, a little tiny corner that was impossible to find unless you already knew where it was. I could see the whole library from here and anyone coming or going but they could not see me. When we were little, Jasper and I used to always play hide and seek. I would hide here and Jasper would never ever find me, it drove him mad as a hatter. I started reading the battered old copy, the binding falling apart from being read to many times. I immersed myself in Romeo and Juliet and became Juliet, desperately trying to be with Romeo, despite the fact that he was the son of her family's enemy. Shakespeare's beautiful words filled me up and made me feel whole again. After what seemed like minutes, I heard Jasper calling me. I quickly placed my book where it belonged and went to go see him.

"Alice needs you; she says it's your turn. I don't know what she is talking about but she almost tore my head off trying to get me to find you." Jasper said in an amused tone. I nodded and quickly jogged to my room. Alice quickly attacked me. She sat me down on a chair and started brushing my long hair, yanking and curling. I winced but never asked Alice one word. One of the things you learned from being her best friend is to never complain while she is giving a make over. Rosalie cleaned my nails and washed my limbs in some strange substance. It felt like water but smelled like freesia. When my hair was finally done, Alice had me keep my eyes closed. She then began to apply many different products to my face. She applied three unknown powders to my eyelids and two liquids to my eyelashes. Five different powders and oils were put on my cheeks and forehead. Finally, after applying two different liquids to my lips, Alice and Rosalie had me stand up, still with closed eyes.

Rosalie held me up so Alice could put my many layers on. Alice helped me put on my new dress and still refused to let me see my self. On my last layer I asked, "Did you make Rosalie keep her eyes closed the whole time too, or is it just me?"

Rosalie snickered and Alice impatiently sighed. "Bella, of course this is only to you. I love to torture you. Rosalie is much more enthusiastic so she can see herself the whole time."

I sighed and grumpily said, "So if I was super enthusiastic then I could open my eyes?"

"No," Alice replied happily. They both continued working on me, trying to me make me pretty, I knew it was hopeless, fighting a losing battle but Rosalie and Alice continued to battle. I finally gave in and began reading Romeo and Juliet in my head. I read the book so many times; I had memorized the whole book. After my dress was on, I felt something heavy and cold go on my neck; I shivered and had goose flesh from the sudden iciness of the jewelry. To gloves, they were sliding over my hands, one on each side. When they were completely done with me, Rosalie and Alice whispered at the same time, "Bella, open your eyes and prepare to be amazed."

Again, if anyone wants the present here is the lyrics again-

The world we knew
Won't come back
The time we've lost
Can't get back
The life we had
Won't be ours again

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ttfn,

beautiful-bella