"I'm sure it's not necessary for it to be this tight, Esme," Alice said between gasps. She was holding the edge of a wall - holding herself steady - as Esme pulled the laces of her corset even tighter than they already were. With each tug, Alice's face turned redder. She pressed a hand to her ribcage and felt her stomach fall and rise ever so slightly with her breaths.
"Alice, dear, when you're as small as you are, you need all the shaping you can get!" Esme laughed. Alice scowled. She knew Esme meant well, but nothing she could do was going to give Alice any 'shape.'
"Is Bella's hair done?" Alice asked. "It was such a mess before I left."
"Yes, yes, it's fine," Esme said. "I took care of that." She pulled a lace tighter than necessary. Alice shook with the force of the tug. "So. That young lad you were with, Alice. You never really told me who he was, you know."
Alice managed a breathy laugh. "Would you believe, ma'am, that I never did get his name?"
"Well, that's a pity, isn't it?" Esme said, twisting her lips and giving a final pull of the corset lace. "There, that should do it."
Alice slowly let go of the wall and felt as though she could faint. She hated those bloody corsets.
"I believe we'll be seeing him at dinner, though," Alice said, trying to breath steadily. "I invited him to come find us, and I believe he'll be bringing his sister, as well."
"He's a first-class passenger?" Esme laughed. "I'd have never guessed, with that unruly hair and messy tie!"
Alice laughed a fuller laugh; her breath was coming back to her, but she was still going to loosen up the ties before she slipped on her dress.
"So it's alright that I invited him, then?" she asked Esme. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind."
"Mind?" said Esme, amused. "Of course I don't mind. We can never keep enough good company."
Alice smiled. "So how are you doing, ma'am? Have you seen the ship doctor about the child yet?"
Esme rolled her eyes. "Oh, Alice, why would I see the ship doctor if I'm already married to one?" she teased. "Carlisle says the voyage shouldn't hurt me or the child at all. He can't very well do a check up here, but he'll be making sure I have the necessary rest and things of the like."
"That's all very well," Alice said. "Have you told Bella and Edward yet?"
"Oh, I did! While you were out, actually." The ends of her eyes crinkled with her smile. "Bella's happy, of course, and Edward is excited, naturally. He's always wanted a brother."
"How can you be so sure it'll be a boy, ma'am?" Alice asked. Esme narrowed her eyes. "Esme," Alice corrected herself.
"Mother's intuition, I suppose," Esme said contentedly. "Now, you go on and finish fixing yourself up, love. I still have another girl to check on." She laughed.
"Alright, then, ma - Esme. Let me know when we're to head to dinner."
"Will do," Esme answered. With one foot out the door, she stopped, looking coyly back at Alice. "Oh, and, darling, do make sure to look extra lovely tonight. I'm sure your new friend will appreciate it."
She closed the door behind her, and Alice shook her head in amusement. Oh, Esme…
Alice hurried to her dresser, as though moving quickly would make the time go by faster. She couldn't wait to see the Grand Staircase; she'd heard it was the most luxurious appointment on the entire ship, which, after seeing much of the first class section, was definitely saying something.
Which drawer had her gowns in it? Alice couldn't remember. She opened each one at a time; the bottom held her nightgowns, the next her undergarments, then her coats. Just as she was about to open the top drawer of the dresser, which was bound to have her dresses inside, her eyes fell upon the reflecting silver that she'd seen earlier.
It was a mirror. Alice picked it up; it was heavy and cold in her hands. Turning it over, she examined the intricate detailing of the handle and back. Her fingers ran across the smooth curves of the sides. Tucked between the silver and mirror was a note, written in Esme's handwriting.
Your mother forgot this when her and your father left our home to find work elsewhere when she found out she was pregnant with you. I never got a chance to return it to her, but I overheard her saying she was going to give it to you at your wedding. I didn't want to wait so long, and I didn't suppose you would want to, either. Your mother loved you very much, Alice. Never forget.
Alice had long trained herself not to cry over her parents, but holding a piece of her mother in her hands was far too much for her to handle. She collapsed into the chair beside the vanity, pulled her legs up, and cradled the mirror between her knees and chest as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"She held this," Alice whispered to herself. "She held this in her own two hands; probably fixed her hair in the reflection, as well. This mirror has seen my mother; reflected her face. Maybe even my father, as well…"
Alice had a habit of talking to herself, especially when she was overwhelmed. This was no exception. She rambled on softly for longer than she should have. She didn't uncurl herself until she head a soft tapping at her door.
"Almost ready, Alice?" Edward asked. "It's nearly time to go."
Alice wiped her tears and set the mirror on the vanity, hurrying over to the dresser. "Five minutes, Edward!" Alice promised as she tossed her gowns around, searching for exactly the right one.
"Hurry," she heard him grumble. Alice rolled her eyes and grimaced; so impatient.
It wasn't hard to find the dress she wanted. The material alone was enough to alert her hands when they came across it. She pulled it out and, not even bothering to close the dresser drawer, pulled it on over her head, yanking it down so that it hung properly.
The material of the dress was fairly thin, but it wasn't cold, so Alice didn't mind. Sheer, black, beaded fabric hung over the dress itself, making the purple of the gown seem a dark, near-black. It was long enough that her shoes wouldn't be visible, but Alice spent a few minutes looking for the perfect pair to match anyway.
Alice looked in the mirror, surprised that the corset had actually done its job for a change. If she hadn't been seeing her body every day for the past nineteen, she would've been fooled into thinking she actually had curves!
She ran her fingers through her hair, pulling the tangles from the spiked ends. She supposed she should have curled it instead of having it in its usual style, but she couldn't be bothered in such a short amount of time. Besides, she preferred her spiky hair to anything else.
Alice slipped on her beaded black bracelets and, deciding she was about as presentable as she could be, headed out the door only to collide with Esme, who seemed as though she'd been coming to retrieve her from her room.
"Goodness, Alice, we thought you'd never be ready!" Esme chuckled. "Well, hurry along, now. Carlisle, Edward, and Bella are waiting outside."
"Jasper, honestly, boy, calm yourself. People 'round here are gonna think you've got a nervous tick or something."
"Rosalie, you just don't understand," Jasper said, running his hand through his hand and stopping his pacing to face his sister. "She's wonderful; amazing. You'd have to meet her to grasp even the smallest - "
"I'm gonna stop you right there," Rosalie said, blowing a ring of smoke in his face. "You know I did meet her, right, Jazz?"
"Don't call me that," he muttered. "You met her, but not the way I did."
Rosalie rolled her eyes. "Right." Her eyes moved from Jasper's face to something behind him.
"Oh, Lisa, I absolutely adore your fan!" Rose said loudly, waving the hand that held a cigarette at Elisabeth Walton, a twenty-nine year old woman from Southampton Rose and Jasper met once three months prior. "Ostrich feathers, correct?"
Several heads turned to Rosalie, who, as always, did not care in the very least what others thought of her. Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Correct," Elisabeth said curtly with a nod of her head, and a twist of her lips that could hardly be called a smile. "Good evening, Rosalie. Jasper." She turned away from them, and Jasper threw a glare at his sister.
"What?" Rosalie said innocently.
"Rosalie, I am begging you," Jasper said. "We are on the greatest ship to ever sail the ocean, surrounded by the finest company England has to offer. Please, try not to make a spectacle of yourself, at least until we dock in America."
Rosalie smirked. "You're gonna have to brush up on your begging skills," she teased. "You're not being very convincing."
"At least try to act a bit more… civilized," Jasper pleaded. "Alice's family occupies one of the only two millionaire suites on the entire ship; we want them to think of us as more than just new money." He slurred the phrase as though they were dirty words.
"Well, from what you've told me, Alice isn't all that dignified." Rosalie laughed and blew more smoke at her brother. Jasper coughed. "Sorry, love, but I don't conform for nobody."
"Anybody," Jasper corrected.
"Boy, you act like you didn't spend more than half your life on a farm in the American south." She chuckled. "Besides, don't you want people to like you for you, and not the you that's pretending to be one of these hoity-toity airheads?"
"I just…" Jasper sighed, shaking his head.
"You just want your chance," Rose supplied for him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "With her. Especially with her."
Jasper glanced up at her, then cast his eyes downward.
"Honestly, Jasper, you act as though it's such a hopeless, embarrassing idea!" Rosalie said, waving her hand exaggeratedly. "Look at you; you've got 'shame' written all over you. What's so crazy about wanting her to fall for you, huh?" She nudged him playfully. "At least you're not a steerage passenger. That'd be impossible." Rose winked at him and laughed. Jasper managed a shaky chuckle.
"I didn't even tell you I fancied her," Jasper said, looking at Rosalie. "Am I really that obvious?"
Rose grinned. "Just a bit." Her eyes wandered again, and Jasper braced himself for another improper comment, one which didn't come. Instead, she said, "Hey," and elbowed him in the ribs, subtly pointing toward the grand staircase. "There she is." She patted her brother on the back. "Go get her, Jazz."
Jasper barely heard his sister. His eyes flew to the top of the staircase, providing a vision that, very literally, took his breath away.
"Good evening, sir, ma'am," the man at the large oak doors said, nodding politely to Esme and Carlisle as they walked by. He extended the same courtesy to Edward and Bella as they passed, arm in arm.
"Good evening, miss," he said to Alice. She grinned at him from ear to ear.
"Evening, sir," she said kindly. "Wonderful day, isn't it?"
The man raised his eyebrows, his graying mustache lifting slightly with his smile. "That it is, miss. That it is."
"Oh, there she is. Alice, come meet Mr. Andrews!" Esme said once Alice was through the doors, motioning for her to join them. Alice walked toward the grey haired man who was grinning from ear to ear. He extended his hand to her and gave it a brief shake when she took it.
"Mr. Andrews, this is my daughter, Alice," Esme said. Alice shifted uncomfortably. As much as Esme was a mother to her, she could never be her daughter. "Alice, this is Thomas Andrews. He was the head designer for the Titanic."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Andrews," Alice said. "You built an absolutely astounding ship. I'd like to ask you a few things about the ship itself if you don't mind; what would be the procedures if the ship was to sink? And what exactly - "
"That's quite enough, Alice," Esme said with a shaky laugh, moving to stand in front of her. Alice grimaced. "Mr. Andrews, would you do my family the honor of joining us for dinner?"
"Oh, ma'am, as much as I would love to, I'm afraid I have prior commitments," he said apologetically. "I would, however, be more than delighted to join you and your family for lunch tomorrow, if you'll have me."
"Why, of course, sir!" Esme exclaimed excitedly. "The pleasure would be all ours."
Mr. Andrews grinned. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be off." He glanced briefly at the clock to his right. "The captain will be expecting me soon." He tipped his hat to Esme and shook hands with Carlisle. "It was fantastic to meet you all."
He started making his way past the family, but stopped when he reached Alice, placing both his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't you worry about a thing, Alice," he said to her. "I've built you a strong ship. She won't sink so long as I'm alive and well, which, I assure you, will be for many years to come." He patted her cheek gently. "Don't you think on it for even a second."
He grinned reassuringly, a gesture which Alice returned, before he hurried along through the large oak doors, excusing himself past an elegantly dressed couple and their child.
"Such a kind man," Bella acknowledged. "The Titanic truly is a masterpiece." They all nodded in agreement.
"Oh, Esme, we have a few minutes before dinner, don't we?" Alice asked. "I'd like to take a look around, if you don't mind. I can meet you in the dining room, if you'd like."
"Very well, Alice," Esme said. "Don't wander too far, love."
Alice laughed. "I'm not a child anymore, Esme," she said. "I believe I can get around without a warning. I'll see you all in a bit."
As her family made their way toward the dining room, Alice moved closer to the clock. She tried not to make it so obvious that she was examining its every detail, but it was difficult to remain inconspicuous when all she wanted was to kneel and come face to face with the stunning woodwork.
When she started feeling stares on her back, she moved away from the clock and toward the edge of the stairs, leaning against the rail and looking up at the large glass dome. She could only imagine how beautiful it would look in the day time, with the sunlight filtering through it.
She stood at the top of the stairs, one hand on the railing, her fingers tracing the soft wood; flowing across it like a dancer's feet across a stage.
Alice cast her eyes downward. Honey blonde and blue eyed, the mystery man from earlier that day was standing at the foot of the stairs, looking up at her.
He extended his hand to her, and she took it, without stopping to make sense of what she was doing. The jolt of energy from having her hand in his pulled her forward until she was standing beside him. He bent down to kiss her hand.
"Alice," he said, grinning.
"You," Alice said with a laugh. "I never did get your name."
"Jasper," he said, straightening up. She hadn't noticed before just how much taller he was than her. "Jasper Hale."
"Hale," Alice said softly. "Why, you're Rosalie Hale's brother!"
"Indeed he is," a familiar voice chuckled. "And an awful one at that. How are you, Alice?"
Alice jerked her head toward the sound of the voice, and, sure enough, there was Rosalie, standing as tall as her brother in a feathered dress almost as outrageous as the one Alice had first seen her in; at least this one covered her ankles.
"Oh, I should have known," Alice laughed, nodding her head toward Rosalie in greeting. "I'm well, Rosalie. Isn't the ship beautiful?"
"I'm almost positive I told you to call me Rose," Rosalie said lightly. "And yes, it is quite nice. I haven't seen much of it as of yet, though. Perhaps later, after a smoke or two."
Alice raised her eyebrows without thinking, though she wasn't particularly surprised. It didn't seem too out of character for Rose to be a smoker.
"Well, are the two of you still doing me the honor of joining my family and me for dinner?" Alice asked. "They've already headed into the dining room; Esme is looking forward to meeting the two of you."
"Of course," Jasper said. "We'd be delighted." He held out his arm for Alice, who took it without a second thought.
"Keep up, Rose," Jasper drawled as he and Alice began to walk. Alice could nearly hear the roll of Rosalie's eyes as her shoes click-clicked behind them.
"You actually took me up on my offer," Alice said, looking at Jasper. He smirked.
"If I remember correctly, it was my offer to begin with," he said. "I did offer to escort you to dinner."
"Yes, but I'm the one who asked you to join my family," Alice argued lightly. "Therefore, it was my offer. Besides, didn't your parents ever teach you not to argue with a lady?"
"My parents didn't teach me much of anything," Jasper murmured. Alice's eyebrows furrowed.
"What was that?" she asked, just to check and see if she'd heard correctly.
"Nothing," Jasper said, shaking his head. Alice tried her best to shrug it off.
"You clean up nicely, Mr. Hale," she said, noting his straight tie and clean suit. His hair was still a bit of a mess, but not as much as it had been before. She giggled slightly. "And we match."
Jasper looked down to appraise his appearance, the corner of his mouth turning up. "Why, yes, I believe we do." His new vest was identical to the green one he'd worn before, except for the fact that it was a purple that was almost exactly matched to that of Alice's dress.
The three of them entered through the doors leading into the dining room. Alice tried her hardest to keep her mouth from falling agape at the sight.
It was beautiful, to say the very least. A dome much like the one over the grand staircase made up the ceiling, and windows with curtains drawn apart lined the walls, allowing a breathtaking view of the night. Chandeliers hung over large tables with elaborate cloths draped atop them.
"There's my family," Alice said, pointing to a table in the far left corner of the room. They were sitting with people Alice had never seen before, laughing and chatting as though they'd known each other for ages, though Alice was sure they'd most likely just met.
"Alice, there you are!" Bella said, waving her over. She turned her head to the red haired woman beside her and moved her lips, though her words were too soft for Alice to hear.
"Alice, this is Frederick Hoyt, his wife Jane, and his cousin, William," Bella said, motioning toward each person as she spoke of them.
Frederick and his wife were, as Alice noted, rail thin. The bones in Jane's cheeks butted out the sides and her husband looked as though he hadn't eaten a meal in months. William, however, was a very large man. Alice could tell, even from the angle in which she was standing, that half his rear end hung off his chair.
"How do you do," Alice said politely, curtseying gracefully. She didn't notice her sister stare enviously; Bella never was one for grace.
"Charmed, I'm sure," the woman, Jane, said, with a voice much fuller than her body. From the corner of her eye, Alice saw Esme look at her expectantly.
"Oh," Alice gasped. "Right. Everyone, this is Jasper and Rosalie Hale. They're siblings."
Everyone's eyes bulged at the sight of Rosalie who, judging by the look on her face, was adoring the extra attention. She swung herself dramatically into a chair and crossed her legs.
"It'd be mighty fine if you all called me Rose," Rosalie said, nodding in the directions of the people surrounding her. "I find Rosalie to be a mouthful."
Jasper threw an apologetic glance at Alice, who responded by squeezing his arm understandingly. She had to admit, she was slightly bemused by his sister's actions; Rosalie Hale wasn't something anyone really saw everyday in England's conservative upper class.
The appetizer passed, and soon the main course did, as well. They were joined by other men and women whose names Alice could not remember. She was squeezed in between a jolly old man who could have well been Father Christmas himself, and Jasper.
"Are you alright, Alice?" he asked her softly as the dessert cart approached. "You look a bit… worn out."
Alice scrunched up her mouth. "I already told you; I don't feel like I belong here at all. I'm not comfortable around these people."
"I know what you mean," Jasper muttered. "It sounds cliché, but I really do." He held his hand out to her under the table, formed into a loose thumbs up. "Ever played thumb war?"
Alice shook with silent laughter. "Once," she whispered to him, "with one of the menservants at our estate. I lost."
Even with the bitter tone of her words, she entwined her hand with his in the proper position to play. Jasper grinned slightly, straightening up in his seat to make it look like he was actually paying attention to the conversation occurring at the table. Alice followed his example.
"One, two, three, four," he said under his breath. "I declare a thumb war."
"Five, six, seven, eight," Alice said just as softly. "Try to keep your thumb straight."
He had her thumb pinned in a matter of seconds. Alice struggled to get it free.
"No!" she giggled, louder than she meant to. The voices at the table stopped and everyone turned to look at her. Jasper dropped her hands and folded his in his lap. Alice, not frazzled by the situation, smiled reassuringly.
"Dropped my napkin," she said, holding up the folded piece of fabric that was in her lap. "Oops."
Several heads nodded, confused, but conversation soon resumed. A waiter placed glass goblets filled with an orange ice in front of everyone at the table.
"Nice save," Jasper commended her as they both picked up their spoons. The second the substance touched Alice's tongue, she gagged slightly. The dessert contained alcohol. How dreadful.
"Thanks," she managed, taking a sip from her water and inconspicuously sloshing it around in her mouth to get rid of the taste.
Jasper raised an eyebrow at her. "You don't like rum?" he asked her.
"Is that what this atrocity is?" Alice asked, sticking her tongue out slightly as though the air coming through the windows would blow away the taste. "It's awful. I was never one for liquor. Esme said my father wasn't, either."
"Smart man," Jasper said so quietly, Alice wasn't sure she'd meant for her to hear. She decided it best not to ask.
"So, Mr. Hale, what are you and your sister hoping to find in America?" Esme asked suddenly. All eyes turned to Jasper, and even though Alice knew no one was looking at her, she still shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"It's not what we're hoping to find, ma'am, that's taking us overseas," Jasper answered charmingly, setting down his glass. "It's what my sister has already found."
Rosalie's laugh was like bells. "I met a man when my brother and I first came to England. He was an American, in Southampton doing business. We got engaged in January. He's already in New York, seeing to final wedding details and finishing up the house we're gonna live in. The wedding's just a week after we're to arrive."
Alice could tell how forced Esme's smile was, though she wasn't sure why it was so; Alice had a very slight feeling that Esme didn't like Rose all that much. "And you, Jasper? Now that you're sister is making a life for herself, what do you plan to do?"
"I plan to do the same thing I've been doing all my life, I suppose, ma'am," Jasper said. "Get by on luck and chance, by the skit of my teeth; live each day not knowing what will come next, but look forward to it anyway."
"That's a risky lifestyle you're counting on, Mr. Hale," said Mrs. Hoyt with a slight smirk, as though she were making a joke.
"With all do respect, ma'am," Jasper drawled, "if it wasn't for my risky lifestyle - " He winked at Alice. " - my sister and I wouldn't be here tonight, dining on the finest ship to ever sail the seas surrounded by the finest company we could have asked for."
"Well, then," Edward said. "That is some mighty fine luck you carry around in your pocket, Jasper."
"I like to think so, sir."
Soon, the dining ceased and Carlisle stood from his seat.
"I believe we can all agree that this was, indeed, a very fine meal," he said. "And I ask the gentlemen if they would like to join me upstairs for a smoke."
Alice caught sight of Bella's worried eyes from across the table. Their gazes met, and Alice nodded ever so slightly to let Bella know that she had it covered.
"Help me," she whispered to Jasper.
"With?" he asked.
"Distraction," was all she said.
Everyone stood, and Alice noticed the dining room was nearly empty. That would make it a bit harder for Bella and Edward to leave unnoticed, and a bit more frustrating for Alice to keep her promise of helping them get away.
William and Frederick Hoyt were already heading toward the exit, when Carlisle stopped and turned toward Jasper. He hadn't seemed to notice Edward wasn't part of his small group.
"Not coming, are you, Jasper?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm afraid not, sir," Jasper answered politely. "I don't smoke, and I actually have a prior commitment."
"Very well, then," Carlisle said. "Ladies, Jasper." He tipped his head in goodbye and started off.
"Actually, gentlemen, if you don't mind, I'd love to join you," Rosalie said, moving to join their huddle. "I love a good smoke after a meal."
Alice saw Esme's eyes practically bulge out of her head. She stifled a laugh.
"Rosalie, please, don't," Jasper muttered.
"Um. Of course, Miss Hale," Carlisle said confusedly. "Right this way, then."
Taking advantage of Esme's distraction, Bella and Edward hurried over to Alice.
"She's pregnant, so she won't be up too late," Alice reminded them. "But, still, please try to get back into your room quietly. She's not a heavy sleeper."
Bella kissed both of Alice's cheeks. "You're a lifesaver, Alice!" she said quietly. Edward looked thankfully at Alice and took Bella's hand.
Esme was recovering from her shock. "Now, where did Bella and Edward head off to?" she muttered softly. Bella and Edward froze. Alice threw a pleading look at Jasper, who immediately responded by stepping in Esme's line of sight.
"Um, Mrs. Cullen, yes, I'd just like to speak with you about…"
"Go!" Alice urged her sister. She cringed every time Bella's shoes hit the floor exactly wrong, causing a sound that was almost deafening in the near quiet of the dining room. Eventually, Bella took her shoes off and ran without them. The silent laugh she could see on her sister's face made Alice smile.
Once she was sure they were both out of sight, she slipped into place beside Jasper.
"Oh, there you are, Alice," Esme said. "I thought you'd pulled a disappearing act on me." The three of them laughed.
Oh, I'm not the one who disappeared, Alice chuckled to herself.
"Now, did you see where Edward ran off to?" she asked Alice.
"I believe he went with your husband, ma'am," Jasper answered for her.
"Really?" Esme asked, craning her next as though the group of gentlemen and Rosalie were still in sight so she could verify for herself. "Are you certain? I didn't think I saw him leave."
"Yes, ma'am, quite certain," Jasper urged. Esme nodded, satisfied by his answer.
"What about Bella?" Esme asked pointedly at Alice. "I didn't see where she went off to, either."
Alice shrugged nonchalantly. "I believe she said something about heading up to the deck," she said. "You know how she loves to study the stars."
"Lovely," Esme said with a smile. "I think I'll go join her."
"No!" Alice and Jasper exclaimed at once. Alice was surprised by how much he seemed to genuinely care about what happened to her sister.
"I mean, no," Alice such, much more calmly. "Ma'am, the cold night air won't be good for your health. Besides, you look tired. Think of the child."
Esme stared at them both, scrunching up her eyes to try and tell the lie. "Very well," she said eventually. "I suppose you're right. But, Alice, if you call me 'ma'am' one more time, it'll be overboard for you!" she joked. Alice laughed and shook her head.
"Sorry, Esme," she said. "I'm working on it."
Esme smiled. "What'll you be up to, then, love, for the remainder of the night?" she asked Alice.
"Actually, ma'am, I was hoping you'd let me borrow Alice for the remainder of the evening," Jasper intervened. Alice raised her eyebrows.
Esme looked at him expectantly. "Oh?" she said. "And you'll be sure to take good care of her, then?"
Jasper grinned. "As good care as she'll let me," he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "And, don't worry, ma'am; I'll be sure not to keep her out too late."
A/N: Happy birthday to me :D Yep. Today, 08.05.10, I am thirteen mother fuckin' years old; young & fressh. Nah, just kidding. Mom thinks I was born thirty and I've just aged even more since then. SO TECHNICALLY, IT IS HAPPY 43rd BDAY TO ME.
Alright, spazz attack over. This was a long chapter and I worked super duper hard on it just for you guyss. I don't know if I'll be able to get another update in between now and like.. Christmas. I want to update on 09.09.10 to commemorate my two year fanfic anniversary (damn, it's been a long time) but since school starts right around then, I probably won't be able to. Therefore, I'll just take right now to say thank you so much to everyone who has stuck with me these past two years, whether you've been reading from the beginning, or you just figured out who the hell I was two days ago. I know it's been hard, having to read the useless CRAP my eleven year old self wrote, the slightly better crap my twelve year old self turned out, and now the crap my thirteen year old self is gonna give you guys, and I know there were probably 2798567846 times when you guys were like "Why the hell does she keep writing?" But you kept coming back anyway, and for that, thank you so, so much. Writing has been one of the things that have actually saved my life over the course of these couple of years, and I don't know where I would be without it. You guys all deserve a fucking round of applause, because without the encouragement and support all of you have given me, I might have never written another word. Also, a huge thanks to , who left me my first ever review on my first story and really is the main reason why I'm still posting awful shit for you guys to read. :)
Alright. Now that I'm done crying my eyes out over this whole thing and writing a super long A/N that no one's gonna read, you guys can press that pretty little review button to leave me feedback & birthday adoration (; haha. I love all of you guys. So. Much.