Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything from Twilight!

Leah had her leg stretched out on the barre. Yes, she knew the barre was mostly known for ballet users, but it helped her keep her muscles stretched and in shape. Besides that, if anyone said anything to her about it she would simply either hit them or say something back. Not many people bothered her when she was working out. They knew her temper had a short fuse and she was like TNT. If they were not careful she could explode in their face.

Jacob Black sat in a chair as he watched his best friend practice. He tilted his head when she bent over to get a good long look at her ass. Leah seemed to be the only person around who didn't realize he was hopelessly in love with her. He had been in love with since they were kids. When she shoved his face in the mud for trying to look up her skirt when she was seven. Ever since then, Leah had been the only girl he ever looked at.

The Quilette teen watched as he friend stood up only to bend down and touch her toes. He cleared his throat nervously. "You going to this dance Lee?"

By dance he was talking about the masquerade thing the school was throwing. The teachers thought it would be a great way to get the students to interact with each other. Since they would all be wearing masks, nobody would know who they were talking to until the end of the night when they had to take their masks off. They believed this would create a bond between different groups since they have no choice but to talk to someone new.

Leah figured it would only cause more fights. At the end of the night she had no doubt that someone would be going back to the dorms bloody and beaten. She wondered if Mr. Carlisle Cullen would ever get the idea that peace was not an option. She would most likely go just to see the devastation which would be caused at the end of the night.

After stretching thoroughly, Leah took a scrunchie out of her pocket and put her long hair in to a messy ponytail. After she had done that, she turned to answer her friend. "Probably Jake. Why do you care anyways? I thought dances weren't your thing?"

When would she realize that anything she did was something which would be his thing to. He would do anything for her to just notice him. Even if it meant wearing a mask like some weirdo. Jacob would risk looking like a dork if it would make her happy. Why couldn't she see that?

Instead of telling her this though, he shrugged like it was no big deal. "Geeze Lee, don't shoot me for being curious."

"Don't get so defensive or I may think you've turned in to a girl." She smirked and clicked play on the CD player.

The song Push by Enrique Iglesias came on and she started to some move that Jake was sure had a weird name, but he never could remember them. She swiveled her hips to the beat of the bass and waved her arms in front of her as if she were clearing the area ahead of her. When the chorus came on, Leah locked her fingers together and and pushed her hands out from her chest in time with the music. Then when the song said 'back up on it,' she would bend her back in an arch until her hands touched the floor. Her legs would curve up and over her head in a sort of backwards cartwheel.

The Quilette drummer shook his head in awe. She was really good at what she did. He wasn't even a dancer and he could you that. Or it could be the fact he was in love with her and maybe that made him biased. He wasn't sure, but did it really matter?

"Would you like me better if I were a chick?" His words were mumbled and she wasn't supposed to hear and yet she seemed to pick up on every word.

Jacob really did wonder sometimes if Leah would like him better if he were a girl. She had dated Rosalie Hale and they weren't even friends before they hooked up. The native American boy couldn't wrap his mind around the reason Leah Clearwater would date a girl over him. He had always been here for her and he never would leave her side even if she ordered him away. So why couldn't see that he was here?

Leah rolled her eyes and broke her routine to grab Jacob's hands. She pulled him up from his seat and proceeded to let him spin her around the room. "Ha ha..Real funny Jacob."

Jake smiled as they twirled around the room. He was sure they looked like a pair of idiots and still he could care less on how he looked right now in this moment. "If you are going then maybe you could save me a dance?"

The street dancer raised an eyebrow. "You hate to dance."

He shrugged at her statement. It was true, but he wanted to dance with her. Maybe he would be able to finally tell her how he felt. "Yeah well, maybe I want to get my grove on?"

Laughter filled his ears when he started to moon walk. Leah shook her head and copied him. "Well Mr. Emperor wants to try his new grove, I'll save you last dance of the night alright?"

The drummer went to say more only to have the door burst open and Edward Cullen and Bella Swan walk in. Immediately he lost his air of fun and games. His smiled turned in to a cringe. He grabbed Leah's bag and slung it over his shoulder. He knew that as soon as someone else entered the room Leah would want to leave. She never shared the dance room with anyone who wasn't either Jacob Black or a street dancer like herself.

"Morning Clearwater." Edward greeted with a lazy grin. He had on his black dancing tights and his arm was wrapped around Bella's shoulder. Everyone knew Bella Swan and Edward Cullen had the on again, off again, then on again kind of relationship. "Have you finally decided to allow me to teach you how to be a real dancer?"

"Eat me Peter Pan." She snapped back as she passed him.

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Leah stood in her dorm room. She shared it with Alice Cullen who happened to be Edward's twin sister. Alice wasn't so bad once you got to know her. She wasn't like those stuck up snobs her brother hung around with. Alice was kind of funny if you had a twisted sense of humor. She was a painter who also loved to dance. Unlike her brother, Alice gave all kind of different dances a chance.

The short girl with crazy spiky hair was also bi-polar. Leah always had to make sure she wasn't having a down day before she left for class. The last time Alice had a bad day because of Jasper Hale mocking her hieght, she had spent the whole morning crying and painting her side of the room a pitch black. Leah made sure to never leave her alone on a down day again.

"You look so nice!" Alice chirped as she came out of the bathroom. The cool things about the dorms was the fact you had your own connecting bathrooms. "Can I do your hair? It would look so very nice if you wore it up and all curly."

The Quilette dancer wanted to say no, but one look in to those wide green eyes and she could no longer find the words. Nodding mutely, she sat down to finish putting on her make up. Since she would be wearing a mask over her eyes, she focused mainly on the lips and cheekbones. She applied a pink blush that brought out her dark skin more. Then she painted her lips a dark crimson color before she outlined her eyes in black. It would bring out her eyes more from behind the mask she'd chosen.

An hour later and she was ready to go. Alice had curled her hair and piled it on the top of her head. The little painter had used pins to keep it up and she placed a golden crown on Leah's head. The crown had fake rubies all over it and they matched the red color of her dress. The dress chosen had been a bright red sun dress which flared out at the bottom and had a small slit in the left side of the skirt. The top had straps and a low v-neck cut.

A string of fake pearls rested against Leah's throat as she reached up to place a gold mask with silver vines as a design, on her face and over her eyes. The edges of the mask had clips that locked in to her hair and kept it from falling off. When she the La Push dancer was all ready, she slipped on her red stiletto heels and turned to Alice.

"You look very pretty Alice. I don't know why you're dressing like this for a guy who teases you every day of your life." The russet skinned female shook her head at the very thought.

It was pretty clear that Alice Cullen had a crush on Jasper Hale. The guy tormented her every day and still the tiny painters face would turn red when his name was mentioned in conversation. She had it so bad for the guitarist that it wasn't even funny. That douche bag had a big enough ego as it were, he did not need another over obsessive fan girl. If his ego grew any larger, Leah was sure someone would have to pop it like a balloon with a pin. Mentally she laughed at the image of and inflated Jasper flying all over the room because somebody popped his ego. That's some weird Disney kid movie crap and yet still hilarious.

As if on cue, Alice's entire face turned a bright red. "I do not like Jasper Hale!"

"Sure you don't." Leah countered and held the door open for her friend.

She had to admit that Alice did look cute. She was wearing a white gown type of dress that clung to her every curve. It made her seem taller than she really were. Or it could be the five inch heels she was currently wearing. Her pale complexion and dark hair meshed well with the outfit. Guys would be falling over themselves to talk to the smaller girl.

"Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night. Don't think I do not hear you calling out his name in the middle of the night. Jasper! Oh Jasper!" She mimicked Alice's high pitched voice as she shut and locked the door behind them. It was time to get their party on.

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Edward Cullen sighed as he stood in the auditorium. His arms were crossed and he happened to be leaning against the wall. His outfit consisted of black slacks and a blue button up shirt. His mask matched his shirt and covered the top and right half of his face. Only a small portion of his skin was in in the bottom left corner, but it wasn't enough to let on to his identity. He wore white gloves over his hands as well. He had decided that if he was going to be forced to wear a mask that he would add gloves to his costume. A top hat finished off his outfit since Carlisle demanded he cover up his bronze colored hair. It would've been a dead give away if anyone had spotted it.

Right now he was trying to see if he could pinpoint any of his friends. It wasn't an easy task with the lights turned on low and everyone in some kind of disguise. He knew Jasper was up on stage since his band would be playing and Rosalie singing. Other than that though, he had no idea who anybody was. To search for them would be a lost cause. Instead of wasting his time the bronze haired ballet dancer decided to go over to the refreshments table.

After pouring himself some punch did he finally realize he wasn't alone. Next to him was an unknown female. She was absolutely beautiful with her low cut red dress. Her heels drew attention to her long legs. The long legs of a dancer no doubt. Her face covered by a gold mask with silver vines all over it. He could tell that her eyes were green with a touch of brown. Deep penetrating eyes that could see right through you if they so desired.

Long wavy hair piled on her head and held in place with a gold crown adorned with rubies. The skin of her shoulders and neck exposed and it told him she was of native American descent. Not that it surprised him to realize it. A lot of the students here came from the La Push and Makah reservations. Her skin tone did not really tell him who the mystery girl was. The only thing it told him for sure was that it wasn't Bella nor was it Alice.

After a moment of analyzing her, he decided to ask her to dance. This whole thing was to get to know new people right? What better way to do that than to get down on the dance floor. "Would you like to dance?"

Leah almost dropped her drink when she heard a voice in her ear. She hadn't even known anyone to be next to her. Turning her whole body she took the chance to eye the guy who felt the need to invade her personal space. The only thing she could really make out were his eyes. The most brilliant shade of green she'd ever seen.

Setting her drink on the table, she then placed her hands on her hips. "I don't dance with strangers."

"Maybe you should." The ballet dancer told her in response. The whole attitude thing she had was quite attractive.

A snort escaped her lips. Why couldn't she reign in her attitude for one night? Why must she come up with some snarky response to his comments? "Why is that? So I can be kidnapped and tortured by some creep."

The La Push street dancer watched public television. She knew the weird shit that happened. Some guy talks to innocent girl in a bar and the next thing you know she wakes up dead. Well technically you can't wake up dead. That would be physically impossible, but you know what she meant. She wasn't going to be next victim for the five o' clock news. Even if this wasn't a bar, Leah was sure there were still plenty of weirdo's to go around. This is high school after all.

Edward could not hold in his laughter and nearly spit his drink out. Kidnapped and tortured? Really? Did he give off that kind of vibe? He paused before responding to look down at himself almost as if he was trying to see if he could see the words creeper written on his chest. "Of course not. maybe you should because it could surprise you."

"You think you're going to surprise me?" Did he not know who she was? Well actually no he didn't because of the dark lights and her mask. He had no idea he was talking to Leah Clearwater.

"I think I could if you give me a chance." Offering his hand he motioned to the dance floor with his head. He wanted to see if she was as good at dancing as she was at snipping.

He grinned behind the mask when she allowed him to pull her on to the polished floor which had been decorated on the outside edges with white and yellow twinkle lights. The band started playing a tango and he placed on hand on her hip and the other in her hand. Her other hand had come to rest on his shoulder.

They moved in time with the music. Both following the counts in their heads. Edward didn't know why he bothered keeping count since he knew this dance like the back of his hand. He was pleasantly surprised to see his unknown dance partner did as well. She seemed to flow with the music without even trying.

Locking her leg around Edward's behind his knee, the Quilette female raised her other leg up over his head and hers as well. The bronzed haired boy smirked at the move and removed his hand from her waist to run it up her thigh. As she lowered her leg, he spun her around once before dipping as the song ended.

They did not have to wait long for the next song to start. No words were spoken when the song please don't stop the music by Rihanna came on. No words were needed at this point. Their dancing said everything. People had stopped to watch them. Her hands over her head as he twisted down low in front of her and pressing his cheek to her stomach before he twisted back up.

Leah grabbed the ends of her skirt and swung them around as she and her dance partner circled eachother. "You look like the mad hatter you know. Couldn't find a bigger top hat?"

He shook his head and took his hand in hers as they twirled around the room. Both of them ignoring what was going on around them. "They were all out of the one with feathers."

"What a shame." She snarked back in his direction.

When his hands came to rest on her hip and he pulled her against him, she felt her breath catch. Oh there was definitely an attraction between the two of them. She could feel it simmering between them and he wasn't helping with the close dancing and physical touching. It felt like an electric shock had started between them and was only getting stronger in intensity. When his lips grazed the shell of ear, she felt her stomach twist and turn as it did a one hundred and eighty degree flip inside of her.

Edward pulled back slightly and his gaze dropped to her lips. Her full and begging to be kissed lips. He felt his head lower half and inch and wouldn't it be his luck that his fathers voice came over the speakers. "it's nearing that time everyone! The clock strikes midnight in only a few minutes. You all know you have to remove your mask when the clock strikes twelve!"

"Come with me." Leah's still unknown dance partner dragged her away from the party and down and empty hall. The street dancer for La Push wondered if he was going to kill her. She knew she'd been right all along. "I thought we could take our masks off together. I really want to see you."

My god how could he make that sentence drip with sex? Every word had Leah wanting to rip his mask off along with his other clothes. She tried to remain indifferent. "Why? So you can see if I am some Frankenstein monster?"

His lips upturned in a half smile. "So I can kiss you without your mask in the way."

She punched him in the arm playfully. "Who says you get to kiss me?"

"You did with the way you were dancing with me. Didn't you feel it to?" One of his hands traveled to her waist as the bell started to chime. Nervously, he reached up to unclasp her mask from her hair. He felt her doing the same to his. "On three?"

She nodded and silently counted to three, but by the time she had gotten to two, his lips had been on hers. Her eyes closed and she felt the mask which she had managed to get off without a problem, fall to the floor with a small crash. A moment later her mask followed his. She didn't bother to open her eyes yet as they continued to kiss. His tongue pushing her lips apart and his hand squeezing her hip tightly as he held her in to his body.

When she did open her eyes, Leah felt her whole world crash around her. Instantly she put her hands on his chest to push him away and he let her. Both wore expressions of shock and disgust as they stood frozen for a moment. Not three seconds after they were both gagging and wiping their mouth's with the back of their hands, but not before spitting on the ground.

"Ew! I kissed Cullen! Oh god! I think I may be dying!" She hollered and forced herself to heave some more. Ew, ew, ew! She had kissed Eddie the weirdo. She had made out with ballet boy! Gross, gross, gross! "Ballet dancer germs! Help! Help! I need a rabies shot immediately!"

"Oh my god I kissed a street dancer!" Edward put his hands on his knees as he continued to choke and gag at the thought of kissing Leah Clearwater. He raised his eyes to meet hers and hissed at her. "Don't you dare tell anybody about this!"

"Me?" Leah growled back and straightened up. She wiped her mouth on her hand one last time for good measure. "Why would I tell anyone I kissed you? Maybe the person on the other end of the suicide hot line, but I can assure that would be the only person! You sick creep! I knew you wanted to kiss me! You have the stare of creeper. Well keep your pansy ass lips away from mine!"

Both dancers stormed off in opposite directions. They were both extremely angry and confused. They obviously hated the other and yet when they had not known the truth, the connection had been almost so strong you could taste it. What did that mean?

TBC...

AN: So this is the masquerade! What did you all think about it? I absolutely loved writing this chapter! I thought the chemistry between them was great and the ending had me laughing while writing it. My mother even cracked up when I read it to her. She loved the reactions they had. Tell me what you thought of this chapter!

Please R&R like always!

Preview for the next chapter:

"Leah Clearwater and Edward Cullen, you both need to go and speak with Mr. Cullen."

"I didn't do it!" "Carlisle I swear whatever they said I did, that I did not do it."

"You're not in trouble Miss Clearwater."

"I'm not?" "Yeah that's right, I'm not because I did nothing wrong."

"Except be born."

"Shove it ballet boy."

"Bite me you Michael Jackson wannabe."

"Enough!" "This is exactly why I called you both here. This feuding has to end and I think I have the perfect solution."

AND

"We will not be doing the last dance of the season to some weirdo emo type crap."

"Well we won't be doing it to your gibberish garbage you call music either."

"It's called hip hop you annoying, slimy, rich off your ass, mama's boy."

"I don't care what it is called. It won't be playing at the final dance. Not in my school."

"It's my school to ass face!"