Chapter 4 Happy Birthday, Bella Swan!

Months had gone by since the night I betrayed Edward by kissing Dylan, and though at times I felt twinges of guilt, mostly I was happy with the way my relationship with Dylan was going. Because of him I was completely off my medication, I no longer had to see Dr. Turner, and I was almost two weeks into my senior year.

It was my birthday and for once I didn’t mind all the fuss that was being made. Charlie had flown down for the weekend and that alone was reason to celebrate. I’d missed him even more than I’d realized and being close to him was almost enough to make me want to pack my bags and head back to Forks. Almost.

“Smile, hun,” my mom said for the hundredth time as the camera blinded me with the flash. I was seriously beginning to worry my retinas would be permanently damaged by all the pictures she was taking to document the big one – eight. Today, I was legally an adult. And though I tried not to think about it, today I was officially one whole year older than Edward Cullen would ever be. My smile faltered at that. I hated that the oddest things forced his presence on me leaving me breathless with a dull ache emanating from my chest.

“Here!” Dylan flung a package wrapped in silver with navy ribbon into my lap. Needless to say I did not catch it; it more just landed on me. “I know, I know. You made me swear not to spend much and being good to my word, I did not.” He smiled that smile that could melt girls’ hearts from a mile away and I couldn’t help grinning back at him. I found that he could’ve spent a thousand dollars on me right at that moment and I wouldn’t have complained.

I tore off the paper and chuckled. My parents wouldn’t understand why this was significant. I stroked the heavy leather of the diary and ran my fingers over the embroidered name and date. Inside was a brief message:

B.

Sorry I destroyed your last one, but it was time to let go of the past and make new memories. Happy birthday, woman!