Chapter 1
“Just think of it like the adventure it is. You've never really been around humans, and now it's time for you to experiment,” Aunt Alice says.
I was lying in bed trying to work up the desire to go to school for the first time in my life. This month, I will be fully mature, so my mother is making me attend high school with the humans.
“It doesn't make any sense. I am way more advanced than these teenagers,” I say.
“In a sense, but in another, you are a complete novice,” she says in her wind chime voice. “Come here and try this on.”
She held up a black leather mini dress and thigh-high boots. I gave her a dubious look. I threw off my covers and got out of bed. I plucked the dress out of her hands, looking it over. It was not the first impression I wished to make.
“I'm not wearing that,” I say, extending my arm to hand her back the dress.
She quickly snatched another outfit from my closet and returned. It was a cream, cold shoulder, knit top with a pair of black leather pants. Much more my style.
“You did that on purpose, didn't you? Start with an outfit you know I'd hate, then sneak in what you really wanted,” I say.
“You know me so well, Renesmee. Now get dressed,” she says, turning around.
I put on the outfit, struggling with the pants, then checked myself out in my mirror. I look really good. The pants highlight my every curve, and the sweater is short enough to let them.
Alice always knows how to dress me. Maybe I will give that dress a try.
“Now try the dress, won't you? I promise it will fit even better than this does,” she says, holding out the dress to me.
I peeled the pants off of me, then took off the sweater. When I put on the mini dress, it felt like a second skin. My body looked amazing. She paired that with black platform chunky heels, which latched around the ankle with a small four leaf clover charm.
“Now put on that sweater and take it off at the right time. Don't worry. You’ll know when that is,” she says with a wink.
“I shouldn't have doubted you. You always give me the best clothes,” I say.
“No you shouldn't have. Now let me fix your hair and makeup,” she says.
After she's done, my hair is in a high ponytail with the lightest of makeup. She hands me a lip gloss to use throughout the day. I slip on the bracelet I always wore, which I had turned into a necklace, given to me by Jacob when I was a baby. I feel amazing knowing how good I look.
There's a knock on my door. I knew who it was without even seeing. I would know that smell anywhere. It was my favorite. I automatically say, “come in.”
“Good morning, Nessie. I thought I'd drive you to school for your first day,” Jacob says.
He's leaning on the doorframe, looking as handsome as ever. What I wouldn't give to call him mine. I've had a crush on him since I can remember, but he just sees me as a little sister. Maybe this will be my year to show him exactly how much I've grown.
“Of course you can drive me, but only if you leave the top down,” I say.
Jacob has recently restored a red 1970 Pontiac GTO convertible my father found for him. It has much more leg room for his large frame.
“Anything you say, Nessie. It is your day,” he says, standing up straight. “Come on. I’ll make you breakfast.”
We went down to the kitchen and saw my mother getting started on breakfast. It looks like she's making pancakes, bacon, and eggs. We sat at the breakfast bar area while she cooked, making light chit-chat.
“So, are you nervous about your first day?” Jacob asks.
“She can't be nervous. she's a strong, confident lady just like her mama, right Renesmee?” My mom asks.
“Give her a chance to answer,” he says. “I want to know how She's feeling, not how you think she should.”
“I'm not putting words in her mouth,” she says. “Just guessing how I think she's feeling.”
“Can I talk?” I ask, seeing Jacob ready to respond.
“Go right ahead, Renesmee,” my mother says.
“I am a little nervous, but confident I can make at least one friend by the end of the day,” I say, puffing out my chest.
“I'm sure you'll get plenty of attention in that outfit,” my dad says, coming in and kissing my mom on the cheek.
“Thanks, dad,” I say, getting up to do a curtsy.
“It wasn't a compliment,” he says, grabbing plates from the cabinet.
My Uncle Jasper entered with my Aunt Rose and Uncle Emmett. I guess everyone was going to see me off today. We live in the cottage while my aunts and uncles live in my grandfather's house. He is currently in Chile studying the hybrids there.
Mom served Jacob and me while Aunt Rose assessed my outfit, hair, and makeup. I dug into my pancakes as she tsked at my hair. I ducked when she reached out to change it.
Her look of consternation made me chuckle.
She reached out quickly and grabbed my ponytail, undoing the hair tie in one swift motion. Aunt Alice made a noise but did not interfere.
“Are you ready for your big day,” Uncle Emmett asked, punching my shoulder.
“As ready as I'll ever be,” I say, retrieving the eggs I dropped.
Jacob started chuckling, and I turned on him, narrowing my eyes. I hurried up and finished my food, telling Jacob I was ready to go. I hugged and kissed everyone, then got into the car. I buckled up as Jacob turned on the car and put it in reverse.
“Do you think my hair looked better in the ponytail?” I asked, trying to dissolve my nervous energy.
“Your hair looks great either way. If you're talking about my preference, I like it down,” he says, eyes on the road.
At a red light, he looked over at me, and I quickly took off my sweater. I saw his jaw drop and had to stifle a laugh. This was too easy.
“You’re not wearing it like that, are you?” He asks. “Not all day. Your father would kill you if he saw you in that.”
“Hence the sweater,” I say. “You're not going to tell him, are you?”
“Of course not, but I won't need to. I'm not likely to get that image out of my head anytime soon,” he says, chuckling.
“Then go home and stay far away from him,” I say.
“Can you just put the sweater back on, please?” He asks.
“Fine,” I say, as we pull into the school.
