Hello! This is my first time attempting on adult Bella and co. So, please do point out my mistakes as i'm not so familiar with the working world.

Oh and... This chapter is sort of relevant to the story, as this is the first encounter between our beloved main characters, or maybe not. Haha! The real chapter begins next, even though i put this as chapter 1. So yeah.

Please read and review!


Bella's POV

"Marie, are you sure you'll be okay?" Jacob asked. Marie was my middle name, and somehow, Jacob loved calling me that, even though I preferred Bella.

"I'm good. Guys, just go enjoy yourselves, please?" I shooed those two couples away. Dancing is a definite no since I'm considered the clumsiest human being on earth and my friends and not to mention, my brother, Emmett knew, so they left me alone. Finally...

I looked at those two perfect couples in awe. Why can't I have such relationship? Emmett and Rosalie had been in love with each other for six years, ever since we moved to this neighborhood when I was ten and him, twelve.

On the other hand, Jacob and Alice only started going out last year officially, though even before that, they were already inseparable.

A cough broke me out of my train of thoughts. Damn you for intruding my quiet moment.

When I saw the one who disturbed my peaceful moment, I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists. Even with his mask on, I could recognize him almost instantly with that idiotic ponytail of his.

"Hello, beautiful. I'm James." He said, smiling all the way.

What nerves he had! Can't he recognize me? Darling, if he remembers you that well, he wouldn't cheat on you in the first place and left you being miserable for one whole week.

I stood up and turned around, but he grabbed my arm, forcing me to face him.

"This pretty lady here isn't being very friendly, is she?" He smirked as his hold onto me tightened.

I winced and shrugged my arm, wanting him to take the let-me-go hint.

All of a sudden, someone grabbed my waist. "Darling, who is this?" A velvet voice said. My whole body tensed. Wow, since when I was someone else's darling. I belonged to no one.

He whispered, his breath tickling my ears. "Easy there, I'm just trying to help you out. I'm Anthony, by the way."

Just somehow, I trusted him without knowing who this stranger was.

James sneered. "Are you sure she's your girl? She seems uneasy the moment your hands touched her waist."

"Very funny, imagine if someone grabbed your waist all of a sudden. Of course he's my boyfriend, you jerk! Right, Anthony?" I placed my free hand around his waist to further prove my point.

He huffed in annoyance and left us alone.

Anthony quickly removed his hand from me, and I took mine off his waist too. "Thanks for saving me." I smiled even though some weird feeling was stirring in me the moment his warm hand left my waist.

"You're welcomed. Is your arm alright?" His hand touched the part where James grabbed me. I winced. "Sorry. It looks bruised."

"It's okay. I've got worse." I laughed.

"So, would you like to dance?" He mumbled.

"No, it's okay." He pouted. How I wish to kiss that-. Oh no, no, no, not there. "I mean, I can't dance." I gave a weak smile to the bronze hair dude, hoping he'd understand.

He chuckled then pulled me to the dance hall, almost making me trip. He placed my hands around his neck, while his around my waist. I took a sharp intake of breath as the weird feeling came back again the moment I was in his arms.

"Why did you?" I frowned, various embarrassing images of me falling conjuring in my mind.

"It's all in the leading." He smiled- a crooked smile. My traitor heart pounded and I blushed at least ten shades of red right at that moment. Thank God those lights were dim.

"Very well, if I fall, you'll pay for my medical bills." I teased.

He laughed. If only I could hear his laughter everyday. Whoa. Wait a second! Isabella Swan, snap out of it!

"I'll catch you when you do." He whispered and twirled me around the hall.

For the first time in my life, I actually liked dancing and thoroughly enjoyed it, unlike the disastrous one I had with Emmett. But who are you kidding, it's Emmett, Mr. Teddy who's darn childish!

Then someone bumped into me and I lost balance. Screw the person who ruined the best dance in my life. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the fall, but it never came as a pair of strong arms caught my waist.

"Didn't I tell you I'll catch you when you fall?" his sweet breath fanned across me.

I opened my eyes, only to be met by a pair of mesmerizing green eyes. They were full of love and adoration. At that moment, it was as though there was no one in the ballroom. Only me and Anthony…

"Marie, there you are!" Jacob's voice snapped me out of my own little bubble. Blinking my eyes once, twice, only I realized our faces were only inches apart.

Anthony quickly pulled me up and I blushed.

"Girl, I've been looking for you." Jacob placed his arms around my shoulders.

"I'm getting a drink." Anthony said quickly and walked away before I could say anything.

I looked at Jacob.

"I know. You're most welcomed."

I crossed my arms. "Excuse me?"

"What? Weren't you going to thank me for saving you before you kiss that stranger?"

"Very well done, J." I said sarcastically and my eyes scanned the entire ballroom.

After that, he never showed up.

He left…

Well, guys, are guys. They're all the same. One moment, they make your heart flutters, the next, they crush it as though it's nothing.

Way to go, Bella.


[Anthony's POV] or should I say Edward?

"Marie, there you are!"

I turned around and saw a dark haired guy approaching us. I had no idea whether I was mad or grateful that he appeared, because I knew I was going to kiss her right then.

"Girl, I've been looking for you." He said, placing his arms around the gorgeous lady who had the most enchanting chocolate brown eyes ever.

So her name was Marie. Hmm…

The cell phone in my pocket vibrated, reminding me that I had a flight to catch.

I excused myself with the worst lie one could come out with. "I'm going to get a drink." What the heck?

I turned around quickly and walked away, without a backward glance, knowing very well that I wouldn't want to leave if I laid my eyes upon Marie again.

I came to the masquerade ball, expecting yet another boring event- little did I know the moment I stepped into the hall, a girl wearing a navy blue dress would catch my eyes.

She was beautiful… I knew she's gorgeous even though half her face was covered by the mask. The silky spaghetti dress accentuated her curves… The navy blue of her dress matches her skin tone, making her glow even more.

Then some blonde dude with a ponytail showed up. Seriously, a ponytail? Ugh! I was slightly disappointed to see that she had a date after all. However,I was more than delighted to see her turning around without saying a word. Ah, she didn't like his company. But then, asshole didn't take the hint and grabbed her arms instead. Anger flared in me and I just felt an overwhelming urge to protect her from him, take his hands off her.

Just like this, one thing led to another…

I looked at my pair of hands, which held her waist while we were dancing and smiled.

If I knew you before her, the chances of me going after you, is... Well, I guess I needn't finish that sentence...


Who's the her? I wonder. XD

So are you interested in finding out what i have in mind for these two lovely characters? Or does it suck? Do tell!

Review please! Thanks!