Summary
What if, when Edward was gone, Bella fell in love with someone else? Not a human, of course. Someone a little more interesting. . .
Chapter 1 - Gone
It's like there's a huge hole in my chest. Where my heart was, maybe. The bit of my heart that loves Edward. Well, all my heart loves him, but the biggest part is gone, I guess. Charlie hasn't actually said it, but I know he wonders why I don't get another boyfriend. Jacob Black, maybe, or Mike Newton, of even Eric Yorkie, as long as I stop this mindlessness.
But I don't want anyone new. I want him to come back.
Spring dance is coming up. I remember last spring dance. When things were normal. Well, as normal as things can be when your dating a vampire. But a whole year has passed since then, over half a year since he left, and to prove I'm not a mindless zombie I'm going to the stupid dance.
At lunch break, while I'm waiting in line for food, Eric approaches me, grinning.
"Are you going to spring dance?" Why do boys ask that? They'd have heard if I was.
"No," I admit. "Haven't been asked."
His smile widens. I so wish I could say yes to him. But I won't.
"Do you, uh, want to go to the dance with me?"
I smile back. "Thanks, but no thanks." I've already thought about who I want to ask me, and I'm sure he'll ask soon.
Tyler is next to ask. Like he still hasn't forgiven himself for the accident. At least he has the grace to look nervous, unlike Eric, who just looked excited.
"Hey, Bella."
"Hey."
"Heard Eric Yorkie asked to the dance."
"Mm."
"You let him down easy, I hope. You know how emotional he can get."
I laughed, remembering his tears when we watched Romeo and Juliet.
"Anyway, since you're not going with anyone. . ." He let the offer hang.
"Sorry. Maybe next year." Well, not next year, actually, cause it's senior year.
Even Jacob want to know who I'm going with. I tell him nobody.
"Can people from other schools come?" Notice he doesn't specifically say boys.
I consider saying yes, just to hear him ask me, but I can't hurt him like that.
"No," I lie.
"Would you go with me if I was allowed?"
Ugh. I don't want to answer that!
"Maybe. As friends, yeah."
"Kay." He's disappointed. I really don't care, though. I wish the right guy would just hurry up and ask. I know he's desperate to.
As predicted, he catches me after school.
"Hey, Bells."
"Hey."
"So. Spring dance next Friday."
Well, duh. "Yep."
"You going?"
"Not yet."
"Not asked?" It's sort of a rhetorical question. He's certain someone asked.
"Eric asked. I said no." Obviously.
"Oh."
"Yeah."
Silence, then;
"You want go with me?"
I grin. "Sure."
"Cool."
I'm on my way to improving drastically. I'm going to spring dance with Mike Newton.