Chapter 1

The year was 1920, and I was 17 years old. I was not the richest girl in the city of Chicago but I wasn't the poorest, either. My father made his living as a surgeon. I did not see my father a lot because of his work, but my mother, Elaine, was always there for me until two years ago, when she died from an epidemic of Spanish influenza. I barely survived, and my body still remained weak from the struggle.

When I was old enough I was very fortunate to attend a very expensive school, which was regarded as the best school in the state of Illinois. Most schools at that time were only for either boys or girls, but the school I attended was the only co-ed school in Chicago. I knew plenty of people at school, but my best friend, Elizabeth, and I were the only two in our group. My mother and her mother were the best of friends when they went to school. Elizabeth and her mother were hurt almost as much as I was when she died. Elizabeth's mother was like my mother from then on, and Elizabeth made it very clear that she was willing to share.

At school I always felt like the odd one out because even though Elizabeth and I were so much alike, I guessed that she had something that I didn't have, that made her so popular with the boys. It felt like every week she had a date for Friday night.

After about a year in Elizabeth's shadow, I thought I had found the love of my life. His name was Edward Cullen. Edward was different from a lot of the other boys at school. I didn't know what made him so special at the time but I was soon to find out. He treated me like I was the only girl in the world that mattered. My father, John, really liked Edward and he knew his father, Carlisle, very well from work.

My father, even though he was not around much, really cared for me. From what I heard it took a lot of courage to stand up to him and ask his permission to take me on a date. Edward told me that it took him ten times to convince my father to allow him take me on a date, and he liked Edward.

Edward was finally allowed to take me out to a restaurant, on a date, for my birthday, which was on December first. My father told me this news then gave me some money to go find a dress to wear to the dinner. I asked by best friend Elizabeth if she wanted to help me find a dress. We went to the small shop were we both always got our dresses. Elizabeth spotted an off-white dress with black flowers all over it. I tried it on and it fit perfectly. I thought that this was the perfect dress for the perfect night.