Ebb and Flow (Twilight x Reader)

Chapter 15

Months and months later, at the start of Senior year, Bella and I turned eighteen.

Bella wasn't happy like usual, though. Not even as I set her favorite breakfast down in front of her that morning. Not even as I gave her the present I'd gotten her. Instead she was glum and I knew it was because she had aged another year, and Edward never would.

I didn't get too excited about our birthday either, but I had to admit there were some small things that made me smile. Bella had annotated one of her favorite books and gave it to me, and later I found out that Dad had gotten me a new CD and Mom sent me a new pair of boots.

When we got to school, Edward was waiting by the Volvo like usual, but Alice was standing there with him as well. When we parked, Alice skipped over to us, but Edward stayed by his own car. I still hadn't forgotten what he'd said to me at prom, and it seemed as though he'd taken that literally. He always kept his distance and never came within five feet of me. Even when I went over to the Cullens with Bella—after what had happened, Alice started inviting me to things—he made sure to stay away. He didn't talk to me when he didn't have to.

"Happy birthday, you guys!" Alice exclaimed. She was holding two tiny wrapped boxes. "Do you want to open your presents now or later?" she asked eagerly as we made our way to where Edward still waited.

"No presents," Bella protested in a mumble.

Alice finally seemed to process her mood. "Okay...later, then. Did you like the scrapbook and boots your mom sent you? And the camera and CD from Charlie?"

I grinned. Of course she would know what our birthday presents were. Alice would have seen what my parents were planning as soon as they'd decided that themselves.

"Yeah. They're great," Bella replied. "I've never been much into photography, though."

"I think it's a nice idea. You're only a senior once. Might as well document the experience."

"How many times have you been a senior?"

"That's different."

We reached Edward then, and he held out his hand for Bella's as he moved to the side of her, as far away from me as possible.

He looked at Bella, captivated. "So, as discussed, I am not allowed to wish you a happy birthday, is that correct?"

"Yes. That is correct."

"Just checking. You might have changed your mind. Most people seem to enjoy things like birthdays and gifts."

Alice laughed, and the sound was all silver, a wind chime. "Of course you'll enjoy it. Everyone is supposed to be nice to you today and give you your way, Bella. What's the worst that could happen?" She meant it as a rhetorical question.

"Getting older," Bella answered anyway.

Edward's smile tightened into a hard line.

"Eighteen isn't very old," Alice said. "Don't women usually wait till they're twenty-nine to get upset over birthdays?"

"It's older than Edward," Bella mumbled. He sighed.

"Technically," Alice said, keeping her tone light. "Just by one little year, though."

Bella didn't seem convinced.

"What time will you be at the house?" Alice continued, changing the subject.

Bella raised her eyebrows. "I didn't know I had plans to be there."

"Oh, be fair, Bella!" she complained. "You aren't going to ruin all our fun like that, are you?"