Hey Guys. This isn't the whole chapter, sorry about that. But I'm in the middle of a real, bad writers block. But I didn't want to keep you all waiting any longer. I'll put the other half up as soon as I can. Thanks for your patients.
"Bella! BELLA! Wake up!" An excited sounding Alice screeched, jumping up and down on my bed. I groaned and rolled over; I had no interest in waking up today. But the jumping still continued, swiftly joined by a small set of fingers poking me in the rib. I pulled the cover further over my head, trying to pretend to be asleep. The jumping abruptly stopped and the next thing I knew I was on the floor in a messed up heap.
"Argh. Go away, I'm asleep and I'm not waking up." I moaned in a futile attempt to try and make them all leave me alone. On a normal person, this may have worked. But not with Alice. She threw a cup of freezing cold water over my head. I screamed and jumped up to face a smug looking Alice.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELLA." Everyone shouted, and I mean everyone. Even Charlie, Carlisle and Emmett were present. So that meant it was either sunset or before sunrise. I glared at them all in turn; I couldn't see how anything could be considered as happy, especially not my birthday. The last three I had reached in this god forsaken place didn't thrill me particularly. And what was there too look forward too anymore? All we ever had to eat was watery soup and some bread, I never had any nice clothes and I was fed up with everything.
"It's not my birthday. I'm still 16 now leave me alone!" I growled, quickly lying back onto the sofa. I just didn't know why they wouldn't drop this. I had told them not to bother about a million times. Could they not take a hint?
"But we got you something." That made me feel even worse about the. It was hard enough to get enough food now days. But anything else? It felt wrong.
"Aw Dad. Please say you didn't go to any extremes!" I whined, sitting up and inspecting the formidable looking package that sat in front of me. It was large and lumpy, wrapped in newspaper. I didn't want to know what they had done, but I had a feeling that I didn't have a choice.
Alice thrust the parcel into my reluctant arms, signalling to open it. I rolled my eyes, slowly pulling apart the layers of ink stained paper. I was shocked at what it contained. A brand new dress and a pair of new boots. I was stunned, I know it doesn't sound like much but this was a big deal. It's almost impossible to get hold of new clothes here, I was still wearing the same things I had packed three years ago. So the pale pink dress with a blue ribbon tied around the waist, well it was nothing less than a miracle.
I glanced around the room, nodding at each person, not trusting my voice. They seamed to understand as the tears splashed over my cheeks. This was probably the nicest thing anyone had done for me. It took me a few minutes to compose myself enough to talk, and even then my voice came out in a strangled squeak.
"How did you get this? How?" I asked, stroking the soft fabric whilst admiring the stitching.
"We've been saving, for a while. And I spoke to a man at the factory who managed to get hold of it for us." Charlie mumbled gruffly, not meeting my eye. I had a feeling this was because the person he had got it from sold from the black market. I didn't have chance to thank them all properly, because that moment a whistle sounded, calling all the men to work. As soon as they had left Alice grabbed the dress and threw it into my hands.
"Go on then! Try it on!" She screeched, practically bouncing in her seat. I rolled my eyes, but quickly slipped on the dress over my thin nightshirt. Alice did up the buttons and tied the ribbon amazingly quickly, and turned me around to admire. I looked down, the dress clung to me tightly, making me feel slightly self-conscious. I walked over to the small looking glass we had in our room and stared at myself. I looked older, and almost… sexy. This was a foreign feeling to me and just thinking about it made me blush scarlet. I turned slowly, trying to get a good view of every angle. Everything fit perfectly up until the skirt which flowed out like water. I swayed my body so the skirt swayed gracefully around my body. It made me laugh with joy.
A loud laugh behind me make me jump. I turned quickly to face the small adopted boy behind me. Joe had grown, a lot. And he was much happier now. He would barley talk for the first few months, either too shy or too grief ridden. But after a while he did become more and more confident, now I do somewhat wish he has stayed quiet.
"Bella! Bella! I got you something!" He screamed in delight. I smiled, taking the small piece of newspaper off him. Inside was a stone. That made me smile.