{{Charlotte's POV}}
I stepped outside my room while Carla and Jessi were still asleep. We had stayed up until almost three talking about my party. We decided to have it at the beach in La Push. I always wanted a beach party and La Push wasn't that far away. It was perfect. I stepped over them and quietly shut my door. I heard the front door open then close. I stopped.
"She must not know yet," I heard my dad say. He was talking to someone.
"I can't just lie to her." Seth was down there. I hid behind the railing.
"I'm not asking you to lie to her. I'm asking that you keep this a secret from her. I know it will be hard and I know you started to tell her, but you have to wait a while. I think we can keep Arianna from her birthday party." Seth nodded slowly. "This is for her benefit Seth, I promise."
Who was Arianna, and why were they keeping from my party? I shrugged. I didn't know anyone named Arianna, so I wasn't too concerned. My dad went out the door. Where was he always going? He always disappeared and never told me, but then again it wasn't my business.
I walked down the stairs. Seth turned to look at me. He had a sad expression on his face.
"Why so down? Cheer up. The day might get better." I patted his back and headed to the kitchen.
"Nothing can make this day any better." He slouched in the chair. I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn't.
"Well, I can try to make you feel better." I kissed him.
He smiled a bit. "That makes me feel a little better." He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him. "But I need more cheering up." He gently touched his lips to mine. They were so soft. I leaned closer to him.
"Awww. That's so sweet."
We jumped apart and looked up. Carla stood in the doorway with Jessi behind her.
"Wow. Don't stop just because we came down." I blushed.
"We need to eat," I said. "Seth, are you staying for breakfast?" I opened the refrigerator. Yum…turkey bacon.
"I hope so," Carla whispered. I glared at her.
"It's almost two. I think you guys missed breakfast," he laughed.
"Brunch then."
"Sure, why not." He leaned back in his chair. "I've always wondered what a group of girls talked about in the morning. Just pretend like I'm not here." I cooked all the bacon. It smelled so wonderful.
"It's hard to pretend that a hot guy is not in the kitchen watching us," Jessi said under her breath.
"No kidding."
I wanted to tell them that Seth could hear everything they were saying, even if he was sitting across the room staring out the window. I could see a smile at the corner of his mouth. He was trying not to laugh. But it amused me how they thought they're conversation was private, so I let them continue.
"So Charlotte, are you two dating?" Jessi leaned against the counter. She started peeling an orange. I found muffins in the pantry and put some in the microwave to warm up.
"Yes, we are." More than they would ever know. "Don't bug him with your questions. I'm positive you'll approve him."
"With a kiss like that I would hope he is." Carla bit into an apple. "You never kissed Drake like that." I had forgotten all about Drake. I'm sure he was fine though. "What happened with you two?"
"We just broke up. We didn't want the long distance relationship. There's nothing more to it." I really didn't want to discuss this with Seth sitting there. He was still upset about it. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. Sure enough, his jaw was clinched and his body tense.
I put the bacon and muffins on a plate and sat in Seth's lap. Jessi and Carla sat in the only other two chairs. "It's in the past. Let it go," I said low enough so only he would hear. I felt his shoulders relax. His arms wrapped around my waist and his chin rested on my shoulder.
"So what are you girls going to be talking about?" I knew he was trying to distract himself.
"We were talking about her birthday party when we fell asleep."
I groaned. "I thought we were done discussing this. We have the place, the decorations, the food planned out… What else is there?"
"We are going to look for our dresses today. That's all that's left."
I planned to borrow something from Alice. I was sure that she would want to dress me anyway. Seth's phone rang.
"Hello? It's for you. It's Alice."
I took the phone. "Alice?"
"So I was thinking about your dress. I have a perfect one. And I have some for your friends. Come over as soon as you can." She hung up before I could say anything.
"We don't have to go shopping for dresses." I handed the phone back to Seth. "Alice found some that we might like. Don't worry, I'm sure you will find something that you like. Her closet is huge and filled with anything and everything you could want and more," I explained.
"Uh, okay."
"I guess."
"You'll be there all day," Seth protested. "She'll never let you leave her room. You'll be lucky if you make it out alive."
"She's not that bad. She's just excited with clothes and fashion." Even though I hadn't spent much time with Alice, I could clearly see she loved clothes.
"Well, we should check out this friend of yours. Let's not waste time." They went to get changed.
I reached for another piece of bacon, but the plate was empty. "Thanks so much for saving me a second piece."
"Sorry." He stood and placed me on my feet. "I'll meet you there. I'm sure she'll want to dress me as well." He kissed my cheek and left.
"Wow."
"I like this."
We stepped inside Alice's closet. She had disappeared in the mass of fabric and came back with an armful of dresses. I couldn't even see her, just a pile of walking colors.
"Okay, this is some of them. Pick what you like. There are more if you don't find anything that you like, but I doubt that will happen. And don't say thank you, I'm always happy to help." She pulled me into one her closet. "This one is for you. I think you'll love it." She pushed me into one of the changing rooms.
There was a plastic dress bag hanging on the wall. I unzipped it. It was an emerald satin knee-length dress with ruffles and bow sash at waist. It was beautiful and perfect. I loved it instantly. I tried it on. It fit perfectly. I stepped out.
"How does it look?" I asked.
"Perfect."
"Amazing."
"Man, I'm good. Turn around." I turned slowly. "Shoes!"
"I'm not wearing heels Alice! I can't walk on the beach in heels!" I yelled.
"Fine!" she called back.
Carla had found a mid-thigh length purple dress. It had light purple at the top and a darker purple at the bottom. A black band was wrapped around the waist. Jessi found a simple, blue pleated dress. Alice brought out the flats. All of them were black. So much for being individual. I assumed she was going to give us flats that were the same color as our dresses. I was starting to think she was slacking. My dress was put in plastic bag and zipped. Alice didn't want anyone else to see it.
We stayed and had dinner. Seth came down a few minutes later from one of the other rooms. I didn't even know he was here yet.
"She wouldn't let me go until I tried on every possible option." I didn't see anyone else.
"Alice, where is everyone?"
"They're out. They wanted to be prepared for your birthday party." I was confused. "They went hunting. Just to be on the safe side," she whispered.
After dinner, we went back to my house, promising Alice we would come around three after we set up the party equipment. She wanted to be sure that our hair and make-up was perfect. Jessi and Carla agreed quickly.
"Don't go overboard tomorrow," I warned her.
"No promises," she laughed.
Seth went home saying he'd meet us tomorrow and help set up.
I went to sleep feeling excited. I had a beautiful dress, perfect place to have my party, I was turning eighteen, and everyone that I loved was going to be there. What could possibly go wrong?
Charlotte's dress:
Carla's dress:
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Jessi's dress:
/dresses/images/co3092_rblue_
I'm not sure if the links to the dresses will work. So if they don't just can someone tell me? And I will see if I can find the dress again or one close to the description. Thanks.
So I counted all the chapters, and there is a total of 38.