Author's note: I haven't written anything in a while, but I was looking through my old documents and found this. I have the first three chapters written already, so my update speed depends entirely on you.

Enjoy the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of, or the story Twilight.

Meet me by the pillars.

Bella was intrigued by the note. Whoever had penned it had done so in the most elegant script. What confounded her the most though, was the ticket to the school's masquerade ball that was to be held in Port Angeles. She grabbed her Trig book out her locker and headed to the cafeteria.

She skirted around Jessica and Lauren, both who snickered as she passed, and sat at her usual table by the other set of doors. She didn't bother grabbing lunch, knowing that she wouldn't eat with them so close to her.

They were all remarkably beautiful. Each of them had flawless porcelain skin, and alluring amber eyes. Rosalie was tall and lean, and had sunlight hair cascading in gentle waves down her back. Alice had spiky onyx hair and an elfin frame, with grace that would make a dancer cry.

The boys, like the girls, were in stark contrast to one another. Emmett was strong and bulky, with curly brown hair. Jasper was leaner, with blond hair like Rosalie, his twin. Edward was boyish, the only one who looked like he belonged in high school. Bronze hair and lanky, every girl tripped over him.

Bella looked away from their table nervously, not wanting to be caught staring. Instead, she contented herself with the antics of her former 'friends'. Jessica and Lauren were giggling, each of them staring at the Cullen/Hale table, or more specifically, Edward. Mike and Tyler were staring blatantly at Rosalie and Alice, and by the looks on their face… Bella shuddered.

Jessica pushed Lauren toward their table, "Come on, I know he wants you." Jessica said, smirking. Lauren flipped her flaxen hair over her shoulder and sashayed over to the Cullen table. Everyone directed their attention to the scene that was about to unfold, "So Edward, do you want to go to the dance with me?" She leaned over the table, her cleavage flashing in his face.

Edward - along with everyone else sitting at the table - looked disgusted with her obvious lack of modesty. Bella twisted a chocolate lock around her finger and looked on with interest. Alice leaned in to whisper into Edward's ear, and his adorable look of confusion was obvious, but when he answered Lauren, his voice was decisive, "I'm sorry, but I'm escorting someone else."

Who is he taking? Bella wondered. She looked down at the note still in her hand. Only one way to see, I guess. Meanwhile, Lauren was beyond pissed. The girl was never good at hiding her emotions, and Bella could see how stiff her arms had gotten. Yet, after rejection, she still tried, "Come on, it won't be hard to drop that loser, you can still go with me."

By now the cafeteria was silent, everyone's attention on the unfurling catastrophe. Alice shook her head and muttered something under her breath. Edward looked irritated, but was still polite enough to answer, "No, thank you," He stood up, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have things to attend to."

Lauren watched shocked as the object of her 'affection' walked away from her without a second glance. Emmett looked on the brink of laughter, and Alice rolled her eyes. The cafeteria watched as Lauren walked out of the room, her cheeks cherry with obvious embarrassment and her eyes lit with petty fury. Jessica and the rest of their followers followed, like an ever faithful Labrador.

After they left, Bella couldn't help but laugh at the events that had just occurred. She was laughing so hard that she didn't notice Alice Cullen gliding over to her table and sitting across from her, watching the laughing girl curiously. Bella was silent almost instantly, and looked down at her hands, which moved quickly to cover the note.

Alice raised an eyebrow, "May I see?" Bella meekly gave in, not wanting to tangle with the impossibly beautiful person in front of her.


Alice approached her table, watching her body shudder as she laughed. She instantly stopped when she caught sight of her however, and covered the note that Alice had oh-so-conveniently placed in her locker before lunch. She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow and asked sweetly, "May I see?"

Alice didn't expect her to comply so willingly. She would have expected more from the girl…never mind. She glanced at the note, not reading - she was the one who had written it, after all - and smiled at Bella, "Can I help?"

She was shocked; her chocolate eyes were wide, and her mouth open, exposing straight white teeth. Alice continued as if nothing had happened, "I mean, whoever this is will be expecting you, and since the dance is next week, we could go shopping in Port Angeles tonight?" She looked at Bella hopefully.

Bella took a deep breath and gave Alice a shaky smile, "Sure, let me call my dad and check if it's okay."

Alice clapped her hands and cheered to herself. She grabbed her bag and ran from the table, "Meet you at the Volvo after school!" She exited the building and headed toward Edward's locker. "Alice, did you see this?" She quickly blocked her thoughts as she took the envelope from his hands.


"I don't want to go, Alice." Edward said, the exasperation for his little sister leaking through his smooth tone. "I don't care who you want me to take."

"However," Alice said, presenting her argument, "if you're seen with her, Lauren might actually leave you alone for a few 'waking' hours." Edward shuddered, recalling the incident at lunch.

He sighed, "Can you at least tell me who this is?" She shook her head and responded, "You and everyone else better ditch the last two periods though, the harassment is pretty bad. Leave the Volvo, though."

"Why?" Of course he would ask.

She flashed him her signature smile, "Because, I foresee that your fate rest on who drives that car home tonight." Or next week, next month….

She leaned against his locker as he retreated back to the cafeteria, "Oh, and Edward?"

He sighed, "Yes, Alice."

"Take the Vanquish."

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Thank you,

Lizzi