"Bella darling. Hurry up." Renee called from the bottom of the stairs.
I sighed and climbed up from the windowsill I was perched on. I had a party today. My birthday party. I never really enjoyed birthdays and to make matters worse the Cullens had offered to host a party for my 14th year alive. Of course my parents had accepted, with business becoming so scarce and money being as tight as it was, what else could they do?
"Bella!" She called up again, interrupting my thoughts.
"Give me five minutes." I replied before walking over to my mirror. It was full length so I could inspect my outfit fully. My hair was pulled back into a half elegant bun, with a few brown strands left to frame my face. My average chocolate brown eyes stared back at me, looking mildly worried. I felt ridicules. A deep blue dress covered my body, which stopped just above my knees. And the shoes my mother had forced me into, were plain black with a small heal. I am a naturally clumsy person, so I knew this was a dreadful idea. Renee however thought differently.
"You look adorable!" She screeched, as I ungracefully descended the stairs. Me and my father flinched, due to the volume my mother was reaching.
"Those shoes did do you some good. I told you they would. Might even get you a man tonight. Its about time you started looking…"
I zoned out after that, my mother would often ramble on about how I needed a man. The thing was, I knew now the only man I wanted, I couldn't have. Edward. I had long since realised my feelings for him. But unfortunately, Hitler had long since released a new (well, now old) law.
Jewish and pure German men or woman cannot be bonded in holy matrimony.
That one broke my heart. By this time, Jews had literally no rights. We were treated like animals. Germany had certainly shown its hatred towards us. And to make matters worse, people were disappearing. Ma and Pa told me not to worry, but by their expressions I could tell they were just as concerned as I.
"Well, are you ready Bella?" Charlie asked, dragging me from my various concerns and worries.
"Ja." I replied simply, quickly picking up my plain button up coat. My mother nodded, approving how I looked, and led me out of our home and to our neighbours.
***
"Bella, Renee, Charlie! So nice to see you." The 100th person exclaimed, hugging us all. No need to sound so shocked. This is my party. I thought to myself moodily. Everyone who had greeted us sounded like they were surprised to see us. I could think of no logical reason why this would be.
After my hug, I went back to scanning the room for Edward. Still no sign of him. I sighed dramatically, accidentally attracting the attention catching the attention of my mother. She automatically guessed the cause of my woe
"Edward wont be here for a while Bella. He is attending Hitler youth." She reminded me, sounding slightly sour. Ah, yes, of course. It was Wednesday and every Wednesday Edward would go off to have fun there, leaving me behind. Even though I knew he had to go, I could not help but feel let down. However much I hated it, it was still my birthday. He should be here.
I resisted the childish urge to stamp my foot in frustration, and instead went to find myself a drink.
Glumly, I poured myself a cut of non-alcoholic punch. But I was interrupted by a velvet voice whispering in my ear. "Happy birthday."
I jumped badly, accidentally pouring half the cup down my front.
"Edward!" I gasped, half annoyed because he made me pour the drink on myself, half jubilant because he was finally here.
"Got let off early. Well, I sneaked out. But it is your special day." He smiled, grabbing a cloth and dabbing my front.
His touch was so gentle it may have been a butterfly landing. But it still made my heart thump against my chest more quickly than I thought possible. My head started to spin, and acting on reaction I grabbed the first thing my hand came into contact with to steady myself. Which just happened to be Edwards neck.
More strangely than that he didn't look amused like he normally would have done, his eyes were focused on something. Now most people would remain ignorant to what was going on here, but I'm not stupid. His head slowly inclined towards mine, and as much as I would have loved to continue, I was suddenly very aware that we were in a room full of people.
"Edward." I hissed, regretfully pulling away. "Mine and your parents are here. Maybe not the most appropriate of places." I blushed slightly, and studied his features.
For a few moments, you could see the sadness of being rejected. But this was quickly followed by pure determination.
"Come with me." He whispered in my ear, quickly grabbing my hand and pulling me through into his kitchen. It took me a second to realise he only took me there to lead me out into the back garden. I gave him a confused look, but he carried on walking.
"Erm, Edward. The grass is wet, and I have heals on." I sighed, hesitantly poking the grass with the toe of my shoe. He rolled his eyes at me, but scooped me into his arms. I gulped nervously, clutching his neck with an iron clasp. "You don't have to carry me. I'm a bit heavier than the usual backpack." ( a/n. Hehe sorry. Couldn't resist a twilight quote) He merely chuckled at me pulling my more tightly in. I did wonder where we were going though, he was walking away from his back gate and towards the fence at the end of the garden.
"Okay I need you too climb over this." He instructed, setting me down and holding out a hand to help me. I rolled my eyes at him, did he think I was some kind of pampered up princess. I didn't like people trying to help me like this anyway, so I decided to show him I was made of harder stuff.
Hitching up my skirt slightly, I swung a leg over the wooden barrier. I smiled smugly and threw my other leg over as well. As I did so Edward began to talk hurriedly.
"Erm, Bella? Be careful, there's a…" But I didn't catch the rest, because the next thing I knew, after setting my feet down on the non existent ground, I was rolling down a hill.
I screamed comically, until I hit the solid ground again. I quickly sat up, folding my arms angry, and waited for Edward to join me. Which he did, rather more gracefully than me. He walked down the readily created wooden steps which I had only just noticed.
"I did try to warn you." He stated, holding out a hand to help me up. Grudgingly I took it, quickly standing up and inspecting my dress in the moonlight. I was covered in mud.
"Argh. Edward. I'm FILTHY." I was exasperated; I continued to stare at him angrily.
"Sorry. But you can't blame me. You're too hasty for your own good." He huffed, sticking out his bottom lip. I rolled my eyes, and smiled in spite of myself. It was impossible to stay angry and Edward.
"Fine. Okay. I forgive you. But is this all you brought me here for?" I moaned, indicating my ruined dress. "To get me all dirty?"
He sighed loudly, taking a step towards me. "No, I brought you here for this…" He took my shoulders and turned me round, to face a new sight. A lake. A beautiful lake, with the moonlight glinting off the surface of it. I felt my mouth involuntarily drop open. It was beautiful.
I turned to Edward, and if anything could outshine the scenery, of course it would be him. I felt my heart melt again, his beauty was unmatchable. He was like my own personal version of a Greek god. All for me and only me.
He sensed my eyes boring into the back of his head, and turned round, to face me. His lips stretched up into a wide smile. And his eye's yet again locked onto mine. Yet again my heart started to beat. Overly fast.
Slowly, painfully slowly, he moved forward. Edging closer towards me. His lips puckered. I subconsciously mirrored the action. Closing my eyes and leaning forward. We were so close I could feel his breath tickling me. Just a millimetre closer and our lips would touch…
"BELLA!" My mother screech echoed around the area. I opened my eyes, startled, and quickly jumped away from Edward. Slowly I realised how close I had been to kissing the one person I had ever loved. I was, excuse my language, very pissed.
Edward's face held a similar façade of annoyance.
"Bella?!" My mother screeched again. I sighed, throwing my head back in pure annoyance.
"Mum, I'm down here! Give me a second, and I'll be right up." I called back, slowly walking over to the steps that led back to Edwards garden. As I began to climb the steps, Edward grabbed my wrist. Pulling me back.
He was quiet for a moment. And through his face I could see he was fighting some kind of conflict within. "Bella… I. Erm… I'll see you tomorrow. Yes?" He sighed, realising me and walking back to the lake.
"Of course. Well. Bye Edward." I sighed, the frustration leaking out in my voice. Before I slowly ascended the slope back up to my mother.