Next chapter…finally. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, k?

BPOV:

"Ow!" I protested as Alice tugged and twisted my hair. "What are you doing? Ripping the hair from my scalp?"

"Don't be a baby, Bells. It hurts to look good." She stated. "But it's so worth it."

I highly disagree to that.

Rose nodded in agreement to Alice's statement, and walked over with a few make-up supplies. I groaned out loud, crossing my arms over my chest.

"What? Bells, I'm planning on making you look so stunning, Edward won't be able to look away." Rose explained along with a sigh at my lack of enthusiasm. She reached into her bag and dug around in there before holding up a few brushes to inspect them. Deciding on one of them, she threw the others back into the bag before working her magic.

After being poked and prodded for a good twenty minutes, they were finally finished. Alice guided me to the mirror and awaited my reaction with an excited smile. I turned my head to the mirror and was shocked at what I saw reflecting back at me.

That's not me…right?

My hair cascaded down my back in perfect spirally curls, and my make-up looked beautiful. Rose went for a Smokey-eyed look, keeping the rest of my make –up natural. I looked…pretty.

The outfit they had given to wear was reasonable enough. It was a knee length blue dress, the material clung to me, showing what little amount of curves I had. Thankfully, Alice had agreed to let me wear a pair of ballet flats with the dress…otherwise, I'd be spending the night in the emergency room.

I thanked them both before they pulled me out of the room. We walked down the stairs and into the kitchen where Emmett and Edward sat sifting through some CD's Alice had left on the Breakfast bar. I couldn't help but glance over Edward's attire, he looked all sorts of hot. He was wearing a green button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a pair of black jeans. Could he get any more mouth-watering? I think not.

Stop it Bella! Best friend, remember?

"Rosalie…you are lookin' fine!" Emmett hollered at Rose who scowled at him in return.

"I know," she replied simply, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder. This caused Alice, Edward and I to laugh loudly. Rose was definitely aware of her good looks and her effect on men.

I looked back to Edward who was now staring at me intently. His eyes were trailing down my body, and a blush immediately filled my cheeks at his attention.

"Are you guys helping out or what?" Alice suddenly asked. "We need to hide Mom and Dad's expensive stuff. Just to be safe."

Two hours later and the Cullen house was filled with a huge amount of people – some of them none of us had ever seen before.

"Who the hell is he?" Edward asked as he walked over to me and Alice. Both of us shrugged at his question.

"I think he lives on the reservation," Alice replied thoughtfully. She looked through the crowd as Edward and I talked quietly.

"You look amazing, B." Edward said suddenly, looking shocked at his own statement. My heart fluttered at his words…did he feel as attracted to me as I was to him? I tried to shake that idea out of my head. Even if he did, nothing could ever happen between us, we were strictly friends.

I stared up at him, not knowing what to say.

"You don't look too bad yourself, E." I finally replied. He shot me my favourite crooked smile, and I swear my knees almost gave in.

Alice suddenly grabbed my arm tightly and I turned my gaze to her. She was standing on her tip-toes, looking through the crowds of people.

"I see him!" she shrieked over the loud music.

"Who?"

"Jasper!"

"Well…go talk to him." I said, nudging her forward. Her mouth open and closed a few times before she nodded her head. She smoothed out her dress and looked to me for approval.

"You look gorgeous," I assured her. She smiled, skipped off and disappeared into the crowd without another word. I looked back at Edward who looked genuinely confused at the interaction.

"What is going on?"

"Jasper is here, Alice has her eyes on him," I laughed. Edward rolled his eyes before chuckling. A sound I loved hearing.

"Want some punch?" he asked, gesturing towards the table holding the punch bowl.

As we made our way over to the table, I noticed Emmett and Rosalie in the corner. She was straddling him on one of the sofas, both of her hands held his face as they kissed.

"Seriously?" I gawked at them. Edward's beautiful laugh filled my ears as he looked in their direction.

"It looks like they're finally getting along with each other."

Well, that's one way of putting it.

As we were getting our punch, Mike approached us. He smiled at me, completely ignoring Edward at my side.

"Bella, hey!"

"Mike," I greeted before turning back to the bowl, taking some into a ladle and pouring it into a cup.

"The dance floor isn't too full, want to dance?" he asked, nodding his head to the area where couples were dancing. I was preparing to turn him down as nicely as I could, but Edward cut in before I had the chance.

"Sorry Mike, she's my dance partner for tonight," Edward said to him with a shrug, placing a hand on my back protectively. I swear I felt tingles.

Mike subtly glared at Edward before turning to smile at me. "Another time, then."

"He is beyond annoying," Edward muttered to me as we watched Mike saunter towards Jessica.

"You're telling me. I'm the one he constantly badgers. Thankfully you're always there to save me," I laughed, bringing the cup to my lips before taking a sip. Edward sat his cup down and stood in front of me, holding his hand out. I stared at it before glancing up at him questioningly.

"Dance with me?"

"You know I can't dance, E." I scoffed, taking another sip of my drink.

"I won't let anything happen to you," he replied, dazzling me with his smile yet again. "I promise."

A smile slowly spread across my face. My dancing skills were useless, but how could I say no to that face? I placed my cup beside Edward's on the table before I nodded at him, placing my hand in his. The spark I felt as our skin touched did nothing for my already fluttering heart.

He led me to the dance floor, both of us pulling stupid moves as a lively song came through the speakers. Edward and I were probably making fools of ourselves, with our odd dancing and the strange faces we were making at one another, but we didn't care. It was Edward's birthday, and we were going to enjoy it.

Once that song had finished, a slow song started. Noticing that as a signal for me to finish, I stopped my stupid dance moves and turned to leave the dance floor, until I felt Edward's hand pull me back to him. His hands slowly moved to my waist and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck in return. Who knows when I'd get the chance to do this again without it being considered inappropriate?

Edward's touch heated my skin as we swayed slowly to the music, our eyes staying connected the entire time. I suddenly felt vulnerable under his gaze, as if I was standing naked in front of him. I felt my cheeks heat up as I averted my eyes away from him. His cool finger lifted my chin up and my eyes met his emerald ones. I was stuck again, unable to tear my eyes away from him. My breathing became shaky under his intense gaze. How could one person have such an effect on me?

Subconsciously, our heads began moving closer…

Our moment was interrupted when the slow song ended abruptly and a loud techno one began.

Edward and I quickly moved apart, still staring at each other. My mind was reeling after what could have happened. Were we about to kiss? I had to be reasonable. No matter how much I wanted to kiss him, it would only increase my want for him…and I couldn't have him, so why put myself through the heartache?

Edward shook his head, as if he was clearing his mind, before glancing around. He pointed at someone and I followed his gaze, spotting Alice waving her hand frantically.

"I guess we should see what the pixie wants," he laughed, walking in her direction.

And just like that, everything between us was back to normal.

Your thoughts please?

Last night I finally watched 'Black Swan' with my friend…and I can honestly say that it is the weirdest movie I've ever seen in my life. It's so weird, I'm still trying to decide whether I liked it or not. What did you think of it?

Review? Please?

XXxxXX ~ Niamh.