There are moments in our lives that are cause for celebration, birthdays for in such case of point. Bella was turning eighteen, and I had everything structured; planned. Months before she would finally become the age of an adult.

Here I am, standing and holding an inflated number eighteen balloon in one hand, then a heart framed pendant boxed and encased. ready for gifting.

I couldn't begin to believe bella was the first, out of us two, to turn an important milestone age. It was no secret she despised aging. Certitude in actuality her fears of growing old in the natural way a human should, having the privilege given to her at birth.

More the less she was vocal on the occasional days, she wants anything but to stay young. in dismay of the years affecting her but not me, forever youthful; my length of life not moving. how she would die before I could.

Charlie turns the door knob to Bella's bed room, both coordinated gifts he partnered with Renee in, were balance in his free hand. " happy birthday, Bee." I pulled the rope of the streamer, I had planned using, and colourful shredded paper comes out. She ducks her head, dodging the Remanences, giving a puff of laughter. Charlie scowls, but could definitely see it was playful.

" yes, before I was interrupted kindly by Malachi, happy birthday. Honey."

A copy of Romeo and Juliet lay sprawled on Bella's pillow, open, the pages creased and one corner bend to mark the chapter she was reading. " I thought we agreed, this especially to you Kai, no presents. you know how I feel of these Occasions." I let the words go in one ear then out the second, ignoring her complaint. I was not allowing her to spend an important date, such as this, with no presents.

" well, for one. The first that isn't wrapped, is from me, so it doesn't count."

It was a latest edition and version of a digital camera, pink, a matching coloured bow sticky taped on the lens. " this is actually great. thanks, dad."

The smile never leaves, when she aims and captures a photo of myself, grinning. " my first photo in my new camera."

" it goes hand in hand with one from your mom. We coordinated. Well, she coordinated me." Bella places down the camera, now opening the second thin wrapped gift showing a yellow checkered scrapbook. " it is to put pictures in from senior year. How did you get so old fast?".

I knew how Bella reacted to 'old' set off a trigger. she is quick to say " I didn't. It's not that old, dad. Malachi and I are the same age, only difference is I am three months and two weeks older."

there was a glint of apprehension; anxiety, behind her eyes, that the human cannot perceive but I could detect. " I don't know is that a grey hair I spot." Charlie fuels his light hearted banter, taking one hair follicle in his fingers.

Bella gets off and out of her bed, I had to hold in a chuckle when she stands before the body length one way mirror. Searching for greying hairs. " that is very funny dad, really funny." He does a surrender motion. " Happy birthday. I will leave you to open your gift that Malachi has, for you. I know his is very sentimental." I mentally thank Charlie for leaving, bringing the door to close and give us privacy.

" Now. I know you are not the materialistic girl, so on. But I was careful to think about and choose this specific, for this reason." I pass over the plain white linen box, grey ribbon circling each sides. Bella gives a light shake, wanting to know the contents before opening. Her eyes become tender, full of positive emotion, revealing a sterling silver brass locket necklace. " have a look at what is inside, bee."

Her fingernails open the two sided pendant, a soft gasp of breath leaving. a photograph of her and me, embracing at my sixteenth birthday celebration mom captured.

On the second, left side, the night of our junior prom. Edward had volunteered in taking the photo. " This is beautiful, Kai." Tears begin falling. " hey, why the tears? Come here." I place a hand on her back, and Bella rests her head in the corner of my neck. She nestles closer, releasing an indistinct hum. I sigh, hearing her heart rhythmically beating rising then falling.

" I know you have your fears, belle. Of growing older. But that is in the nature of humans to grow, age. it sounds daunting if you ponder too long." it was easier said, then to be done, I suppose.

" and that is what scares me more, Kai. I don't want a life, knowing the possibility of me growing old; never see you with wrinkles. Then me, being in a nursing home, all the meanwhile you are young. Ageless. I don't want to live in this world knowing I could leave you seventy years from now, or tomorrow. It terrifies me."

her reasoning was valid. But I did not want her to have these thoughts ruining her birthday. I take her hand, pausing her action of tussling her hair. " let's just be in the present day, moment, bee. see where the hours lead us. And I believe school is beginning in an hour, you should start choosing what the wear for today."

-

I chose to drive Bella and i to school, in her orange pick up Chevrolet truck. Angela, Mike, Jessica and Eric were grouped before a grey jeep belonging to a student. Jess waves, enthusiastic in noticing me exiting the truck, and Bella shoulders her bag coming beside me.

" today is the day of all days, Kai. Bella! The r and j essay, did you do your studies of the book. I know I didn't want to, but like I need this grades if I wish to see the day of graduation."

" is it bad I didn't?" I already knew the information needed for the essay, having a photogenic memory proves to be easy when relaying needed statistics. Her eyes bulge.

" Uh, yes! Very much bad. Kai!" she whines. " I was just playing, I studied the book. I have my answers here."

one tap of my cranium makes her place a hand over her chest; being melodramatic. " don't cause me to stress, like that!" She puffs.

" My parents. They want me to take a picture of you guys, as a group. My mom, she wants me to put together a scrapbook of memories. of our senior year in school." Bella spoke up, nudging her head instructing me to join the group. Jess gives out her arm, a signal in wanting me to stand beside her.

I obey taking a step, towards the smaller frame girl. " I am the one to take photos," Angela reveals her camera, " not be in them."

Jessica forms a fist handling my leather man jacket, beaming then gasps. " you will photoshop my nose if it looks big. right?" I gave a good natured laugh. " your nose is not that huge. Jess." She scoffs, " please. You are lying, my nose is the one part of my body that is big in size. Besides my boobs." She spoke; plainly, crinkling the muscles of her face.

I hid the smirk I wanted to show. " Straight forward, are we. I am glad to know you feel comfort talking freely like that. With me. I'm honoured." She gave a exuberant scoff, over exaggerating an eye roll. I plaster on a merry smile, for the camera.

" Don't worry, I'm in the picture. No one will be looking at you." Eric, with self confidence, says. He arranges Angie under his arm, she becomes timid; giving a diffident composed smile. camera lens twisting, then shuttering, taking the image. Bella mumbles.

" Good. Good picture. Kai, you must have had a grown because you appear taller." It was an observation Bella states, taking a once over. " I never noticed. Wow."

Then the demeanour, which once was, dissipates when seeking Edward's silver car coming into the parking space. I detect Mikes change of tone, dry, when he begins speaking.

" oh, look. Cullens here. Good." Jess is reluctant to let her arm down. But moves it away, " we will meet you in class. Okay?" I gave a visible nod. Bella moves her elbow into my arm, " do you want me to give you and Edward some space. I don't want to impose."

I am transfixed on him approaching, he is beguiling. Not hearing her talk, only giving a vague 'No. it's fine. Stay.'

" happy birthday, Bella. Malachi told me it was today." He hums, giving an acknowledged; courteous smile. This has Bella blink in incredulity. Not expecting that wishful thought of words. " T-Thanks, Edward."

" she is worried about her age. Being she is now one year older then before." I say, having felt Edward attach his hands to my hips. Resting his chin on the polyurethane material crafted jacket.

" I think eighteen is a little young and a drastic age to begin, start worrying about that reason. You are in your early years of youth."

She groans. " If I hear that one more time today." her grumbles were amusing. I feel Edward trail his nose up the skin of my neck, leaving behind flutters of kisses. The action alone causes each hair to stand. I try to not let my eyes close, from pleasure. " you know I can see you, Edward. stop trying to eat my best friend for your breakfast! Shit. you have no decorum." Bella was not the one to swear.

when she did, the hilarity of it was comical.

" we should leave for class." Edward motions to the building. " I agree with him, Kai, don't want to stay out here in the cold for any longer. Besides the point, it means he won't be trying to un-dress you in the parking lot. any longer then possible." that in itself had Edward set a playful glare to her.

Then it changes, an indignation settling on his features, when my perception has me aware of a new presence behind me. I turn my body half around, seeing Jacob coming towards where I stood with Edward and Bella. " Jake, hi." I say, showing my confusion. " Kai!"

He seems to have grown muscles in a limit period of time. The last I saw of him was at junior prom night, in June. Going on four months after.

I couldn't think of how just how fast he had formed those in the matter of weeks. " are you here for Bella? It is her birthday. I would not be in shock if news got around, with how Charlie is. Edward and I can give you space to talk.."

Jacob moves his head 'no'. " I am actually here for you."

My eyebrows twitch up. " Me?"

Bella bites down on the bottom of her lip. I gave a 'what?' Stare to her, in response she hid a coltish, coy smile. " I think someone has a secret admirer." She goes on her toes, using her hand to cover her mouth when speaking in a hush tone, In my ear. " bee." I haltingly deny, reprobating her words. He was just a friend.

" Now, why are you so far out from the Rez. And hello there, biceps! You know having anabolic steroids harm your health, Jake. especially at the age you are." I begin making my towards Jake, Bella doesn't move.

" I am just filling out. it wouldn't seem drastic, you know, if we hung out more." is his response and answer. His growth of height is what has me focusing on him. He had to be in leastwise several inches taller then I, and I was quite above the average height for a boy my age. 'I could ironically assign the blame of that on my dad. He has a long structure,'

" you should transfer here. Be with the pale faces, that way we can see each other each day of the week."

Jake smiles. " I'm all right, being I prefer the Rez's school exclusivity. They would let any old riff raff inside of this place." If only he knew just how right that was, glancing at Edward. I wanted to laugh. " I see. Okay, then why are you skipping and slumming it?".

" I am buying new parts for my car. The rabbit. when it's done you should really come and take a ride with me. We can go on a trip, I can show you around the Rez." I take in account of how Jacob inch closer, if you were not paying close enough of observation it would be unnoticeable. " is it fast?"

" it's decent." He chuckles, cheeks reaching to his eyes in a smile. " Definitely not race car worthy speed."

" I am only kidding." I say, humorously, giving a light slap of his arm. He then gives an expression, as remembering a detail, his face shining. He searched the jeans he was dressed in, showing a small woven dreamcatcher. feathers, Aline around and twist the sticks that create the formed handmade willowed talesman. It was very well crafted.

" Catches bad dreams. Thought you might appreciate it, as this reminded me of you."

'I was certainly not expecting to be gifted this, out of all days.' " it's perfect, Jake. Thank you."

" you don't have to thank me. But you are welcome."

Edward then comes to stand beside me, a ghost of a glare on his flawless face. I wonder as to why he was hostile. " the Bell is going to ring, meaning school is going in session. We should be taking our leave now, Malachi." Jacob gave an amiable leer, a snark of a smile.

" look at you. The psychic, are we?"

" no. I have a gift, but not that one in this particular ordeal. Reading watches, I can do. I am clever like that." Deciding in interceding, wanting to prevent the tension from continuing, I situate my body in the middle, stopping their glaring. " thank you, Jake. For coming all this way. I think it's best we leave now, Edward. Let's go."

He, quiet, agrees taking a step away. My hand squeezes Jacob's tricep, before walking off.

'Men and their Testosterone. Here I am thinking my father is the only man with high levels of muscularity. has me to wonder if I am the same.' I chuckle, thinking.

-

Jasmine Talks;
First chapter of part two; New moon complete. Now I just want to add, gifs are glitching and not staying for the chapters. I have no clue as to why it is doing this, so in advance I am informing you that I will be adding them when there is a new wattpad update, which will hopefully fix this issues.

®️all rights to Stephanie Meyers.