𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀'𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘
you're my best friend, i'm always going to protect you

IT WAS Bella's eighteenth birthday, and she was determined to give her the perfect day, even if she was less than pleased to be turning another year older, seeing as she wants to be a vampire, something she has told Ophelia many times throughout the time that they have gotten to know each other. It had nothing to do with Edward — though that was a plus in Bella's mind — but it had everything to with how she wants Ophelia and her to be best friends forever.

Ophelia made her way into their bedroom after taking a shower. Charlie was just leaving his daughter's bedroom, where Bella was seated on her bed with a new camera and scrapbook in hand. 

"Bella!" Ophelia exclaimed at the sight of her, bounding into their room with a grin. "Happy birthday." 

Bella winced at the reminder, but nevertheless, she allowed the vampire to embrace her in a hug. The dark-haired girl sat down beside her, opening her handbag and taking out the present she'd gotten her. 

"O," Bella immediately shook her head. 

"It didn't cost a thing," Ophelia smirked, ignoring the unimpressed expression that appeared on her sister's face. 

"Phelia, no," Bella muttered, pushing the present away from her. 

"No complaints," She scolded, to which Bella let out a sigh. 

With great reluctance, she accepted the present, a pout forming on her lips as her fingers began to carve through the wrapping paper, tearing it away to reveal her gift.  "Oh, my god," Bella gasped, their eyes meeting as she beamed. "O, this is too much." 

Ophelia grinned. "I have a matching one, too."

Resting in Bella's hands was a rectangular box made out of leather, the lid open to reveal a silver necklace which had a half-moon pendant hanging from the chain, glistening stones embedded in the metal. Ophelia reached up to grip the golden chain that rested around her own neck, allowing the brunette opposite her to view the identical pendant.

It was a kind of joke for both of them seeing as Ophelia is a creature of the night, but can walk in the sun due to her ring, and Bella wants to be a creature of the night. It fitted the perfectly.

"Seriously, this is so pretty," Bella breathed, lurching forward and enveloped Ophelia in a rare hug. "I love you."

"You better." Ophelia grinned.

AFTER SPENDING most of the day out together, getting their nails and hair down, and shopping for things neither of them needed, Bella declared that this was the best birthday that she has ever had before Ophelia decided to save her that one day in the alley. She couldn't be more grateful for that day seeing as she finally as a person, a best friend, that she can rely on, someone who will be there for her no matter one, who she will be there no matter what.

Ophelia has taught her so much about herself, made her feel worthy and pretty, and that she shouldn't have to deal with anyone's bullshit. She loved Ophelia like an actual sister, and she sees the original in her life for the rest of her immortal life once she gets changed into a vampire.

OPHELIA STARED into the mirror in her room. When they had gotten home, Charlie had a surprise for the twins. He had fixed up the attack for Ophelia, and it was designed the way he thought it would suit her. Once he had saw her smiled, he knew he did a good job. After all, it was her birthday, too, and he wanted to make her happy.

Not only did he do that, but sometime in the time they were gone, he had fixed up Bella's room, and made it less dark, and got rid of Ophelia's bed that was in it. So, now Bella has a room that suit her, too. Though, they all three know that Ophelia will touch it up slightly.

Ophelia's eyes were full of happiness and excitement. She loved Charlie like he was her actual father. He was so kind to her even though she wasn't his biological daughter, not that he knows that. But, she began to feel guilty, thinking she should tell him the truth, because she did love him, and she didn't like feeling like she was using him for her gain.

But, here she was, dressed for Bella's party which was in an hour.

Alice had called her earlier that afternoon, while the twins were out pampering themselves, and demanded that they dressed up seeing as they're having a

"You look beautiful, darling."

Ophelia smiled as a pair of stone-cold arms looped around her waist, and she immediately eased into the touch as shivers of content ran down her spine. Jasper pressed a kiss to her cheek before stepping away, allowing the brunette to smooth the black lace that hung around her frame.

"Are you sure?" She asked, tilting her head.

"You are absolutely stunning," Jasper assured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Don't doubt that for a second."

She blushed, a bashful smile tugging at her lips as her eyes met his in the mirror. She worried for a moment that she'd made him uncomfortable, but he appeared unphased as he shot her a grin. "We should get going, darling."

She smiled at the pet name and allowed Jasper to lead her outside, and climbed into the jeep that Jasper had borrowed from Emmett, before backing out of the driveway and speeding into the night.

BELLA WAS about to start opening her birthday presents when Ophelia and Jasper arrived. They were the last ones to join the gathering in the living room, and Ophelia was quick to join her best friend, a tense Jasper right behind her, clinging to her like she was his lifeline.

"Sorry I'm late," Ophelia muttered to Bella who smiled at her and said, "It's fine."

It's a necklace," Rosalie muttered as she stepped towards Bella, shoving her present into the nervous girl's hands. "Alice picked it out."

"Thanks," Bella muttered, careful as she placed the gift on a nearby table.

As Rosalie walked away, Alice moved to take her place. Bella's new camera was clutched in one hand, and with the other, she ushered Edward to join her, determined to take a photo of them together. "Show me the love," she demanded and began taking photos.

Edward rolled his eyes, but didn't protest to wrapping an arm around his girlfriend's waist, his smile wide and blinding. Bella grimaced at the camera, but allowed a tiny smile to tug at her lips as she leaned against Edward. Once Alice had taken enough photos, she moved to choose another of Bella's birthday gifts, shoving the present into her arms.

"Emmett's gift," she beamed. Bella frowned at the lack of weight, turning to face the boy in question as he released an amused chuckle. She shook her present, eyebrows raising towards her hairline when she was met with nothing but empty silence.

"Already installed it in your truck," Emmett smirked. "Finally a decent sound system for the piece of crap."

"Don't hate the truck," Bella scowled at him, but muttered a 'thank you' anyway.

As everyone laughed, Alice appeared by the birthday girl's side with a thick envelope in her hands, which Bella took without a word of protest, confused.

"Just a little something to brighten your day," Carlisle smirked, and everyone laughed again.

"You've been looking kind of pale lately," Esme added with a smile of her own.

Ophelia watched in amusement as Bella struggled to open the envelope, shaking her head as her friend released a sigh of frustration. "You'd think you'd be able to open an envelope, Bella."

Bella shot her a playful glare, one of her fingers slipping under the wrapping paper. The sharp piece of paper pricked her skin, a line of crimson beginning to drip down her hand when she pulled away. Ophelia's eyes went wide as her best friend winced, oblivious to her mistake.

They heard a snarl come from behind Ophelia, the brunette in question spinning around with a gasp.

Jasper was glaring past her, eyes pitch black and teeth bared. Ophelia's heart sunk as everything seemed to slow down around her. Edward rushed forward to force Bella out of the line of fire, a loud crash echoing around the room as the clumsy brunette collapsed against the coffee table.

Quickly, Ophelia went to push Jasper away, but didn't expect him to be enraged so much that he sent her flying out of the house, glass shattering, and she landed on the ground harshly, her arm and leg bending in weird angles.

Ophelia was quick to pop her arm and leg into place before speeding back up to the room to see six ravenous vampires staring at Bella who was on her knees in a pile of broken glass, a few of the pieces pierced through her right arm, causing a river of crimson to drip along her skin.

Ophelia quickly crouched in front of her human best friend and hissed at the Cold Ones. "Back off or head's will start flying." They all slowly back out of the area, and the Original was quick to turn to her best friend, and feed her some blood. "I'm so sorry. I should've been more prepared. I should've have—"

"It's okay," Bella gasped out as her wounds healed and everything went back to normal. "You were there to protect me. Again." She chuckled lightly. "Can you take me home? I'm a little tired."

"Sure thing," Ophelia was quick to pick Bella up and speed out of the Cullen's house without a glance back.