FLASHBACK

It was a beautiful evening of May. I was getting ready for Angela's birthday party. It was her 18th birthday. We all envied her... She was stepping into adulthood and the rest of us were still seventeen.

The sky was cloudy but beautiful. The setting sun peeked through the covers of dark clouds. Although, happy I was, for some unknown reason, my mind was not in peace. I had a feeling – a premonition... Something terrible would happen. Something very dark would take over me. So, I choose the black short dress that Edward gave me. It suited my mood as well as provided a little bit of peace... a sense of security – a feeling that I always had, whenever I was near him.

My disturbed mind got an ounce of rest, when I saw Edward coming inside Angela's house, wearing a black tux. He had a big wrapped gift box in his hands for Angela. When his calm green eyes met mine, he smiled a flawless smile. My heart throbbed. The usual warmth spread through me again. I wanted to be near him... to touch his lips, to feel his breath on my skin, to hold his hands while we watch the sunset and the rain. He greeted Angela first. He wished her happy birthday, while I stood near the staircase waiting for him to come. He came towards me and held my hands. His eyes appraised me from top to bottom.

"You look beautiful tonight, to say the least." He said with a smirk.

"Thank you for the gift. Your choice is very good." I said, touching the lower portion of my dress.

"I know that." He smiled at me and then kissed my hand. My heart fluttered.

The rest of the evening was serene and uneventful. We stayed close, always holding hands. His simple touch brought a sense of completeness in me. I wanted him the most at that moment. I wondered what else could happen between us...how far we could go at that night. I was too busy with my thoughts that I did not notice an anxious and angry expression on his face, at first.

"What is the matter, Edward?"

"Nothing." He replied through clenched teeth.

"Edward!"

"Excuse me for a moment." And with that he was gone. I tried to stop him, tried to follow him but he was fast like a panther.

His absence again brought a feeling of unrest in me. I was about to call him, when Angela and Jessica came.

"Hey Bells! Where were you?" Angela asked.

"I was with Edward." I said absentmindedly.

"Spend some time with us too. After all we are your friends." Jessica complained.

"Hey! That's a false accusation. I spend a lot of time with you." I defended myself.

"Sure." Jessica said with a roll of her eyes.

"Come! Lets have some drink. It's my 18th birthday." Angela said with a broad smile on her lips.

"No." My eyes were searching him.

Angela's face fell and Jessica gave Angela a look which clearly states "I-TOLD-YOU-SO".

All my friends and classmates were dancing and in that crowd I was sure, I won't find Edward so I decided to accept their proposal.

"Fine... let's have few drinks."

Angela seemed happy but I could not interpret Jessica's expression. It was something between reluctance, worry and relief.

Jessica brought us drinks – no alcohol, only soda – while Angela and I sat on her big couch. I did not realize how thirsty I was until I started drinking. I drank forever. My worries regarding Edward stayed at the back of my head while I enjoyed myself with current gossips, supplied by Lauren. I was drinking soda – I am supposed to drink soda and no alcohol – then why was I feeling so tipsy? I did not know. I was too busy listening to them that I did not notice that half of the guests had left. Only Jessica, Lauren and I stayed.

My mind was foggy and eyes were sleepy. I thought I was drinking soda!

"Bella! What happened? You seem drunk." Angela seemed worried.

"Drunk? But Bella's been drinking only soda."Jessica said.

Lauren picked up my half empty glass and sniffed. "No, it is just soda...no alcohol."

"Yeah. It's not the soda...it's me. I am tired and sleepy. I am going home." I said while finishing my soda.

"Can you go home? It seems, You would pass out anytime. You can stay here." Angela offered.

"No."

"At least let me drive you home." Angela was simply worried about me.

"No need. Edward would."

"Where is he? I have not seen him in a while." Lauren asked and before I could answer, Jessica said, "May be with Mike. I saw him talking to Mike."

"Thanks. Bye everyone." I mumbled

I came out of the house searching for both of them- Mike and Ed- but no one was there. I tried to call him. He was not picking up the phone and it was very difficult for me to stand straight. I fumbled. I tripped while I tried to call him or find him. I went towards the backyard. It was too dark and I could not keep my eyes open. I fell on my knees because my legs were not supporting me. I called him again, while my eyes remained closed and suddenly I could hear hiscell phone's ringtone. He was nearby then. I heard footsteps behind me and thought it were of Edward but before I could turn and be sure of that, something grabbed my mouth from behind. I tried to remove that strong muscular hand but I was too weak. And then everything became dark...