Folktale

1839

Forks, Washington

There couldn't have been a prouder moment for the Swan family as they watched their daughter perform with the church choir on Sunday. Irene and Elias Swan couldn't help to smile at their girl as her beautiful voice echoed through the church. Micheal Newton watched in awe at his future bride, thinking to the future when she would sing to their child. But all of these proud faces were ignored by Izzy, for all her attention was on Edward, who watched with all the adoration and devotion a man could hold for a woman. She could feel his eyes on her and it made her smile in a way Micheal Newton has never achieved.

After the service was done, Johnathan Masen announced to the town that his family would be hosting a ball in the following week. Everyone in town was invited. Izzy excused herself from her parents on their way home, lying to them by telling them she was heading with Jane to the market when in reality, Edward was the one waiting for her. Elias Swan, who never once doubted his daughter's sincerity, allowed her to go.

Izzy's happiness was cut short when Micheal Newton approached her as she left the church grounds.

"Izzy, where are you heading?" He asked.

"Oh, I was heading to the marketplace for some things I needed," she lied, playing with the ends of her hair, which was a nervous habit of hers. "How are you today, Micheal?"

"I'm great. You were amazing today, Izzy, it was like watching a true angel sing," Micheal said, slowly approaching her. He takes her hand from her hair and kisses her knuckles. "I wanted to take this opportunity to ask you to come to the Masen ball with. It'd be our first event as a betrothed couple."

The reminder of her new status almost made her sigh, but she knew this meant so much to Michael, to which she accepted his invitation. Michael had matters to attend with his father at their office and was very sad to not accompany her to the marketplace, much to Izzy's relief. They part with a quick kiss on the cheek and leave their separate directions. Izzy watches her surroundings as she makes her way to the woods, making sure no one sees her before disappearing into the trees.

Edward is quick to wrap his arms around her and pull her behind a tree. He has his hand over her mouth, muffling her scream as he pins her against a tree. Izzy is relieved when she sees it's him and playfully smacks his chest.

"You scared me to death."

"You know I would never let anything bad happen to you, angel," Edward said, fixing her curls over her shoulder. He cups her cheek in his hand and runs his thumb up and down her skin. "You were incredible today like-"

"A true angel?" She asked sarcastically. "Yeah, I've heard."

"What did Micheal want?" He asked.

"He wanted me to attend your family's ball with him, as a betrothed couple." Izzy looked down at her hands. "Of course, I had to accept."

Edward had to hide the jealousy rising inside him. Izzy was already hurting enough for them both. What he would give to be the man who attends that ball with her at his arm. To be the man recognized as hers and for her to be his. Edward tilts Izzy's head up, gazing into her brown eyes he's grown addicted to and pulled her in for a kiss. Neither of them knew what they shared. They only knew how right it felt, no matter how wrong it was. It was a sin.