So, I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated. I know I promised this a long time ago, but things have been pretty crazy around here. My great-grandmother has been on hospice since Spring Break and was dying from lung cancer after smoking from the time she was seventeen until she was ninety five. I'm sad to say she passed away at 2:05 this morning from the horrible disease. Please keep my family in your prayers, it's much appreciated.
On another note, you guys are going to kill me for this chapter. It's so fluffy. But it sets up nicely for the next chapter, which I'm happy about.
Again, the link for the photobucket album for this story is on my profile. Or you can search my username which is WithMyHeadInTheClouds
and click on my Full Moon album. All the jewelry and dresses and hairstyles and what not are there.
Please review. It would really make me smile if you did. Thanks.
I was lying on the floor of Jacob's garage by the space heater with my school books laid out around me. I had a huge trig test on Friday that I was definitely not looking forward to. I heard the sounds of Jacob working on my truck a few feet away and I took a moment to breathe in the familiar scent of grease, dirt and pine trees. It was the smell of home and comfort; it was easy. I had somehow managed to screw up the transmission and the truck would be out of use for a few days until Jake could replace it or whatever you do when that happens. I was reviewing inverse functions when Jake rolled out from under the truck.
"Hey, Bells, when is your prom again?" he asked, turning his head to look at me.
I lifted my gaze from my book. "Not this Saturday, but next," I answered easily, "Why?"
"Damn, that's when mine got rescheduled for," he groaned, getting to his feet and picking up the rag that he used to wipe grease off his hands. I pushed up off my stomach to sit on my knees.
"So, we'll go to yours. At least then I won't have to go to two," I said decidedly, feeling slightly relieved. I'd much rather go to La Push's Prom than Forks'. "Oh, also our presence has been demanded at the junior class after party at some club in Port Angeles. Quil and Embry are invited too, if they want to come."
"Sweet," Jacob cheered, picking up his soda off the worktable.
"Will you hand me mine?" I asked, holding out my hand so he'd put my soda in it.
"Sure, but there's a toll fee," he grinned, picking it up and holding it above his head.
"Jaaake," I whined, not wanting to get up.
"Belllaaa," he mocked back, still smiling. I glared at him as I got to my feet and reached for it, only to have him hold it even higher. Even if I jumped I couldn't get it, and if I could I'd probably just spill it on the both of us. "I said there was a toll," he pointed out, tilting his head towards mine and puckering his lips dramatically.
I raised an eyebrow and he rolled his eyes before wrapping his free arm around my waist and pressing his lips to mine. All coherent thought vanished from my mind and the only thing I could think of was his mouth on mine. My fingers tangled in his hair, tugging at the strands to hold him closer to my body. I guess he set my drink down because his other hand gripped my hip firmly and I felt him lift me from the ground to set me on the workbench. I pulled my knees apart so he could stand between my thighs while his firm grip on my hips was sure to leave marks. His tongue traced along my bottom lip and I was about to open my mouth when the sound of a clearing throat startled us. I pulled away immediately to see Billy sitting in his wheel chair in the doorway trying to look anywhere but at us.
"Uh, sorry, I called from the house…" he said awkwardly as Jake turned his head slightly to look at his father in his peripheral.
"What's up?" Jake asked, his fingers tightening on my hips and his voice slightly tight with annoyance at our disruption.
"Charlie called and said it's time for Bella to be getting home," Billy's gaze finally turned to us and I could see the ghost of a smirk on his face. Charlie was sure to be hearing about this. I held back a groan and tilted my head to the side nonchalantly.
"Why didn't he call my cell phone?" I asked simply, as if this whole ordeal was an everyday occurrence; which it most definitely was not.
"He did," Billy deadpanned. The blush in my cheeks that had first appeared when Jacob kissed me deepened significantly.
"Oh," I mumbled, pushing at Jacob's shoulder so I could hop down from the workbench.
"Well, drive safe," Billy stated, already wheeling back towards the house.
"Come on, then," Jacob offered, taking my backpack from me and shoving all my belongings in before we went out to the Rabbit for the short drive home.
~J&B~J&B~J&B~J&B~J&B~J&B~J&B~J&B~J&B~J&B~
"So, Bella, which dress is it going to be?" Rosalie asked, adjusting the snap on the back of my strapless black lace bra.
"Please pick the black one!" Alice pleaded from her seat at the small vanity in my room with its chipped white paint that used to belong to my grandma Swan.
I stared at the two dresses and the choice was an easy one. Sure, Jacob would drool over the black strapless dress with its dropped waist, rhinestone covered bodice, sheer chiffon skirt, and the slit that went almost all the way up my thigh to my hip. But I knew that I would never be comfortable in it; a dress like that belonged on a runway not Forks. I rolled my eyes in Alice's direction as I pointed to the other one. "The blue one," I stated decidedly and Alice stuck her tongue out at me.
Rosalie floated over to the closet door where the two dresses were hanging and slipped the deep blue garment off the satin hanger. She unzipped the back and helped guide it gently over my head, careful not to disturb my hair and makeup that she and Alice had spent the entire afternoon fixing up. They'd literally spent the last several hours ridding me of any ghost of makeup, dirt and oil, and then completely remaking me. They erased my face with sheer ivory powder and then redrew my features out, highlighting my cheekbones and framing my eyes in long thick lashes. Thankfully Rosalie was more respectful of my hatred for over the top makeup and managed to rein Alice in. The only argument she hadn't won was the bright blood-red lipstick that now stained my lips and the clear gloss that went over it to make it shine. The chiffon of the blue dress was light and comfortable as it slid down my body and was zipped up my back. It had a simple sweetheart neckline with simple quarter length sleeves that hit just above my elbows. The bodice was tight to the bottom of my ribcage before falling simply to the ground, hiding my feet and undulating in little waves with every insignificant movement I made. The chiffon made an intricate sunburst pattern on the bodice, meeting together in a small knot just under the neckline. Altogether it was simple and me. There were no ostentatious rhinestones or gaudy bows.
"This dress was made for you," Rose grinned as she stepped in front of me to wind a piece of hair back into place that had fallen from the simple wavy twist just behind and under my left ear.
"It does look fabulous on you, even if it is rather plain;" Alice agreed grudgingly, "The color is magnificent with your skin tone, though."
"Thanks," I said, holding onto the bedpost to keep my balance as Rose helped me slip into a pair of satin blood red heels that were way too high with small little red and silver rhinestones along my toes and ball of my foot. I tried not to protest when she picked up the little bag with my jewelry selections that were really Alice's selections. She clasped the diamond cuff bracelet on my wrist as Alice came over to hook the floral patterned diamond necklace around my neck that had a simple drop diamond dangling from the middle. I was allowed to place the simple heart shaped ruby studs in my ears and then was guided to the full length mirror.
"So?" Alice prompted.
"What do you think?" Rosalie asked, almost as excited as Alice.
I cocked my head, trying to keep my expression neutral as I looked at the goddess in the mirror. Certainly the dark haired beauty in the mirror couldn't be me. This girl's hair had been curled and then weaved together into an intricate and elegant twist just behind her left ear. Her eyes were big and bright and lined in thick black mile long lashes with just the barest hint of gold shimmery eye shadow. Her lips were full and shaped like Cupid's bow, perfectly colored in with blood red lipstick. Her skin held the lingering tan that was acquired from long lazy days spent on the beach and her body held curves that no one could've known she'd possessed. I blinked and reached up to touch the elegant necklace on my neck, watching as the girl in the mirror did the same.
"You guys are miracle workers. I'm not sure Jacob will recognize me," I managed to say finally and they both laughed.
"You look stunning, Bella," Rosalie reassured me.
"Don't worry; I'm sure he won't be able to keep his hands off you. I don't think he ever can, actually. I saw those little bruises on your hips that were in the distinct pattern of rather large hands," Alice smirked and a blush crept into my cheeks as I looked down, smoothing my hands over the skirt of the dress, not denying it. "Now try not to mess yourself up while we finish getting ready."
I took slow deliberate steps to the small bench at the vanity and sat down. Watching them was slightly disorienting as they flitted about the room making final touches to their already flawless made-up features; twisting back unnoticeable strands of hair that had somehow come out of their perfect styles; and finally slipping their dresses out of garment bags and pulling them over their perfect bodies. Rosalie had chosen a jaw-dropping black velvet number with one sleeve that covered her left arm to her wrist. It hugged every one of her perfect hourglass curves and a long slit that traveled almost to the top of her thigh showcased a perfect snow white leg and her satin gladiator style heels embellished with square-cut silver rhinestones. More silver rhinestones were clustered over her left shoulder and right hip and seemed to explode softly over the dress, drifting away from the clusters like feathers. Alice for her part was wearing a breathtaking baby pink satin and chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline. Like Rosalie's it was a one shouldered dress but the long sleeve covered her right arm and was sheer, with just a pattern of iridescent silver crystals that ran up her arm and across the bodice of her dress to her left hip. Her tiny figure was elongated by the slit in the left side of the dress that exposed a toned leg and the silver and pink strappy rhinestone heels that graced her feet. Rosalie's hair was pushed over her bare shoulder, curling and waving down to her waist and held in place in the back with an intricate silver comb. Alice's usual spiky updo was replaced with elegant pin curls that framed her pixy face beautifully. Any girl attending Forks High School Prom tonight would be taking huge hits to their self esteem when these two walked into the gym.
"You two look amazing," I breathed as they came to stand in front of me.
"Thank you," they said together. I ran my fingers over the smooth red polish of my fingernails until a white garment bag was placed in my lap.
"Your party dress," Alice announced with a smug grin and I groaned.
"Do I have to? This dress has no place in Washington state," I whined, not daring to pull down the zipper to reveal the dress Alice had made me get in Seattle when she learned of the after-prom party at the club.
"Yes," she said firmly, folding her arms over her chest, "You can't wear that dress to the club." She motioned to the one I was wearing and rolled her eyes as if I should have known already.
I groaned but stood up to place the garment bag on the bed beside my overnight bag. Somehow Jacob and I had talked Billy and Charlie into letting me stay over at Jacob's tonight. We'd pointed out how late we'd be coming in from Port Angeles and that we wouldn't want to wake anyone up getting home, which is also how we came to the arrangement that Billy would come over when Jake picked me up and stay the night here in the guest room. Which meant that Jacob and I would have the house and night to ourselves. We wouldn't expect Billy until Jacob took me back home tomorrow evening to watch the game and eat pizza. The thought made the butterflies in my stomach multiply to impossible numbers and flip my insides around and around nervously. Alice had stuffed my overnight bag with embarrassing lingerie and less embarrassing night gowns that had no place in my wardrobe. The entire thing had me in a panic and I struggled again to slow my heart rate.
"Jazz and Emmett are here!" Alice trilled happily, grabbing her small white pearl encrusted clutch. Not five seconds later the sound of gravel crunching under tires in the driveway met my ears and I followed my two vampire best friends out of my bedroom as the doorbell rang. Charlie called down for us just as Alice's foot hit the first stair and we descended in a line to the foyer. The boys gave appropriately quick inhales of breath and I went to stand by Charlie's side as Jasper and Emmett placed corsages on their wrists and kisses on their cheeks. The four of them were off to Seattle for a fancy five star dinner before prom, and since Jacob and I would just be grabbing a simple meal at the diner per my request, I would be picked up in forty five minutes.
"Make sure she has a garment bag when she leaves," Alice told Charlie as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Garment bag, check," he repeated with a crinkly eyed smile, "Have fun!" Rosalie took her turn to kiss his cheek before they left. We walked out onto the porch to wave goodbye as they drove down the street and disappeared around the corner before going back inside. "I like them," he grinned, going into the living room to sit down.
I walked into the kitchen to make sure the food I'd prepared for Charlie was where I left it before going to stand in the doorway to the living room. "I left a steak for you in the fridge, right on top, with some twice baked potatoes. Put the potatoes in the oven for thirteen minutes at three seventy five, okay? And the steaks go in the broiler for seven. It's simple, dad, even you can't mess that up," I instruct, arms folded over my chest.
"Sure thing, Bells, I did take care of myself for sixteen years before you came to live with me, ya know," he points out, looking up at me.
"And I don't know how you survived that whole time," I muttered to myself.
"Did I tell you how stunning you look?" he asked, a bit embarrassedly, "Because you really do."
A blush crept up my neck and settled in my cheeks, not for the first time tonight, and I bent to kiss his forehead, leaving a bright red lip stick stain. "Thanks, Dad," I replied, smiling at the outline of my lips on his head before turning for the stairs, "Call me when Jake gets here."
I go upstairs and remove all the lacy lingerie from my bag before going to shove it in the back of my wardrobe where hopefully it could be ignored for the next thirty years. I decide to leave the simple black satin night gown in case I'm feeling brave later on, and throw in a pair of dark skinny jeans and brown pullover sweater for tomorrow. My fold-over leather boots go in after that and I zip up the bag to take downstairs. I set it on the couch with the white garment bag that held my party dress and I'm just pushing the door to my room open again when there's a knock on the door.
My heart rate increases dramatically and I fly through my room, somehow managing not to trip on my heels as I put my cell phone, chapstick, lip gloss and lipstick in my red satin clutch. I check my reflection in the full length mirror once more when Charlie calls for me up the stairs. I take a few calming breaths in a futile attempt to slow my racing heart before I go to the door. I can hear the three of them talking as I take my first steps down the stairs but they fall silent as I come into sight and I hear Jacob's quick inhale that sends my heart thrumming against my ribcage like the beat of a mockingbird's wings. I don't look away from my feet, afraid I'll trip, until I'm firmly on solid ground and I find Jacob's gaze. He's in a stunning midnight black tuxedo with a black satin bowtie and crisp white shirt with black pearl buttons. His smile lights up the whole room and I'm nearly blinded by its radiance.
"Bells, you look…I mean, damn," he breathed and I laughed at his words.
"That's all you can come up with?" I teased lightly as he reached for my hand.
"No, but all the words in my head sound too corny," he replied seriously, making me laugh again.
"Well you look very…dashing," I returned, struggling for the right word as he kissed my cheek.
"You look perfect," he whispered in my ear for just me to hear, then raised his voice as he pulled away, "Thank you, this is for you." He held up a little plastic box with a shimmery gossamer ribbon tied around it. Inside was a beautiful yet simple wrist corsage with three baby rosebuds and a sprig of baby's breath.
"It's beautiful," I breathed as he took it out and slid it onto my bare right wrist. Charlie nudged me and pushed a similar plastic box in my hands. I saw Billy smile widely at me from the corner of my eye as I turned back to Jacob, "And for you." I pulled the simple boutonniere with just a single red dendrobium orchid and somehow managed to pin it on his lapel over his heart without pricking myself more than a few times.
"Thanks," he whispered in my ear. I smiled up at him as I turned to greet my other guest.
"Hey, Billy," I grinned, bending to kiss his cheek lightly enough that I didn't leave behind any lipstick residue. Unlike the bright red outline that was still on an unknowing Charlie's forehead.
"Bella," he replied in his majestic gravelly voice, "You look stunning, as always." I laughed lightly as he squeezed my hand firmly in his wide grasp.
"Thank you," I said, returning to Jacob's side and unable to keep from glancing him over every few seconds.
"Okay, let me get a couple pictures and then you two can leave," Charlie announced, pulling out a disposable camera from the only Walgreen's in town.
"Oh, me too," Billy added, pulling out his own.
Jacob and I shared an amused glance before being shuffled off into the living room in front of the fireplace. We stood slightly facing each other, my hand behind his back and his around my waist. I placed my right hand on Jacob's chest, showcasing my corsage, per Billy's expert instruction. They snapped away on their little disposable cameras, taking several candid shots of us laughing that I hoped would come out nicely. I was actually eager to see these pictures of myself because firstly Jacob was also in them, and secondly, I had a good chance of actually looking decent. Finally after they wasted the twenty seven shots on each of their cameras Jacob grabbed my things from the couch, raising his eyebrows at the garment bag. I shook my head minutely, silently saying not to ask, before I kissed both Charlie and Billy's cheeks and headed out the door.
"So what's in the white bag?" Jacob asked after he opened the passenger's door for me and ran around to the other side.
"My after party dress," I got out through gritted teeth, and then added by way of explanation, "Alice."
He nodded knowingly and turned on the radio as we made the short drive to the diner in town. Dinner was nice and we both felt decidedly over dressed, but no one gave us weird looks because in a town this small everyone knew it was prom night. There was only one other couple dressed similarly and I recognized the small redhead from school. I thought she was a senior, but didn't pay much attention. I ordered half a roast turkey BLT and cup of chicken tortilla soup and the waitress' eyebrows got lost in her hair as she wrote down Jacob's order of two cheeseburgers and a steak salad with a side of French fries and onion rings. As long as he was paying I didn't care what he ordered.
"Are you gonna finish that?" he asked, eyeing my half eaten sandwich. I rolled my eyes and pushed the plate towards him.
"Thanks," he grinned, shoving the entire thing in his mouth and barely chewing before he swallowed.
"You're disgusting," I stated, frowning as he downed the last of his soda.
"But you love me," he pointed out. I rolled my eyes again but said nothing more.
Jacob paid the bill before escorting me graciously back to the car. I pulled my red pea coat tighter around my shoulders as the cold seeped into my skin and Jake wrapped a hot arm around me as we started on the short drive to his prom. We were just taking a curve in the winding road that led from Forks to La Push when Jacob growled and let out a string of expletives. I immediately placed the reason of his agitation at the presence of a shiny silver Volvo where I suspected the border was. Jacob slowed down but drove past him, continuing several yards before pulling over and cutting the engine. Jacob was gripping the steering wheel with such strength I wondered how it didn't break, hearing the sounds of protest from the groaning wheel. He squeezed his eyes shut and took several deep breaths before I laid my hand on his arm.
"It's okay, Jake. Do you want me to talk to him?" I asked quietly but he shook his head.
"No, I'm going. Stay in the car," he ordered, letting go of the steering wheel and unbuckling his seat belt.
"As if," I snorted, unbuckling my own while I glanced at the indentations of his giant hands in the steering wheel. I followed him out of the car and gripped his hand, avoiding Edward's gaze and standing slightly behind Jacob.
"Jacob," Edward greeted coolly, giving a curt nod, then added with a touch more warmth, "You look stunning, Bella, as always."
"What do you want, leech?" Jacob growled, tugging at my hand to hide me behind his back. He was starting to shake again and I laid my free hand on his back, rubbing soothing circles there that instantly stopped the tremors.
"I'm not allowed to call him a dog, but he's allowed to call me a leech?" Edward asked me, raising his eyebrows at me.
I poked my head out from behind Jacob to glare at him a moment but turned to Jacob. "Don't call him a leech," I ordered without conviction and Jacob snorted while Edward rolled his eyes which were the color of melted butterscotch.
"Anyway, I just came to give you a warning to carry to your…brothers," Edward continued, and I could see the coldness in his eyes that he reserved only for Jacob and only when he was in pain.
"Spit it out," Jacob demanded, "We've got somewhere to be."
"You would do well to remember that you wolves are not allowed to phase anywhere but on the Quileute reservation. You came very close to the line several times. One hair out of line," Edward threatened darkly and I glared at him again.
"One hair out of line and what?" I demanded, "What will you do? Because anything you do to them would hurt me."
Edward glanced at me and his expression altered as he realized his threat was empty. Then his eyes hardened again as he looked at Jacob. "Just don't phase off your lands," he demanded and turned for his car.
Jacob and I stood there and watched as Edward started the car and drove away. I tugged on Jacob's hand eventually and pulled him back to the car. By the time we arrived we'd shaken off the last remnant negativity from the conversation and were back in good spirits. La Push High School was even smaller than Forks High with just one simple brick building. Jacob led me up the steps to the bright red double doors and we walked close together, following other couples through the hallways to the small gym. Everyone greeted Jacob happily and I was struck at the realization that I was surely not the only one to recognize his happiness and easily likeable character.
"You're poplar," I teased, smiling up at him as I nudged him gently with my shoulder, simultaneously tucking myself closer into his side.
Jacob just shrugged. "I guess. People know me," he smiled as he handed the teacher at the door our tickets and we were immediately greeted by Quil and Embry.
"Bella!" Quil yelled over the music, pulling me from Jacob to give me a tight hug, "You look amazing!"
"Thanks, it's couture," I yelled back with a roll of my eyes.
"Uh, okay." He looked at me with confusion and I realized he had no idea what that meant. Come to think of it, neither did I really. In my vocabulary it was just a word that meant over the top excessively expensive.
Embry hugged me too and introduced me to his date Amanda who had envious curves and perfect raven hair. He told me how excited they were to hit the club afterwards and I laughed, shoving his shoulder lightly before the two of them made their way to the dance floor.
"Who'd you come with, Quil?" I yelled, clutching Jacob's hand tightly as I leaned toward his best friend. Jacob snickered and Quil looked slightly embarrassed.
"I didn't ask anyone," he answered with a shrug.
"That's alright, you're way too good for all of them, anyways," I allowed kindly and he gave me a grateful grin.
"Thanks, Bella," he said happily, kissing my cheek before dancing out of the way of the smack Jacob sent his way.
We greeted Jared and Kim, and Paul who decided to fly solo and pick up girls. The night went well and I had no problems dancing as long as I was dancing with Jake. His days of awkward gangly movements were well behind him and he moved with such a fluid gracefulness it was unfair. I was glued to his side the whole night, blushing at every compliment I received from his friends and letting the daggers being glared at me from every girl in the room boost my confidence.
"Alright, ladies and gents, this is the last song for the night, so I'm gonna go ahead and slow it down. This one is for all you love birds out there," the DJ announced, before putting on a smooth jazz number. I recognized the song as Corrine Bailey Rae's voice drifted out of the speakers.
"This song is perfect for us," I snickered as Jacob pulled me in a wide circle. I'd more or less been standing on his feet the entire night as he spun us around.
"How so?" he asked, cradling my right hand against his heart and his right arm tight around my waist.
"Listen to the words," I instructed, and then sung them softly as I leaned my cheek against his chest. "Still I wonder why it is, I don't argue like this, with anyone but you, we do it all the time, blowing out my mind, you've got this look I can't describe, you make me feel like I'm alive, when everything else is au fait, without a doubt you're on my side, heaven has been away too long, can't find the words to write this song, of your love."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," he admitted against my hair. We made another few spins before he pulled away slightly. I looked up at him as he bent his head to mine. I got on my tip toes eagerly to press my lips to his. It was so easy for the world around us to melt away when we're together like that. My heart sped up again and I clutched him tighter against me, still not close enough. He finally pulled away when the need for air became greater than our need to stay locked together. I smirked up at him and reached to wipe away the red lipstick that had transferred to his lips.
"Red's not really your color," I laughed, and he groaned, letting go of my waist to scrub at his lips.
"You should really not wear lipstick anymore," he muttered, "Is it gone?"
I pressed my lips together firmly and tried not to laugh. "Mhmm," I nodded unconvincingly before I burst out laughing. "No," I admitted, licking my thumb and reaching to wipe the rest away, "There."
"No more lipstick," he insisted, resting his forehead on mine as the song drifted to an end, "You don't need it."
"Please, if it were up to me I'd be wearing my ratty old sweatshirt with my hair in a messy pony tail and no makeup," I returned, "And you know it. Alice got a hold of me."
"I know. That's what I love about you," he said cheesily, staring at me with overly exaggerated love and a hint of sarcasm in his eyes.
"Hey, guys, time to head out!" Embry yelled excitedly, jumping in between us and putting an arm over each of us, "I'm ready to hit the clubs!"
"Where's Amanda?" I asked as he nearly crushed me beneath the weight of his heavy arm. It was ridiculous how huge these wolves grew and totally unfair.
"Oh, she's going out with some of her friends. She's just a girl I hang out with on occasion. Nothing serious," he shrugged off easily and I nodded like I understood.
The car ride was crazy with Quil and Embry singing along to every song at the top of their lungs. I had scooted all the way over on the seat so I was tucked into Jacob's side because the boys insisted it was hot in their 'penguin suits' and put all the windows down. But with Jacob's arm around me and pressed against him the cold air actually felt good on my skin.
"Where is this place again?" Jake asked as we drove into Port Angeles right past the welcome sign.
"Uhm, hold on," I reached into my backpack to pull out the paper with the address and directions, "Take the next right; it's on Main Street."
We turned into the parking lot of the club which was just starting to fill up. People were being turned away who were obviously not juniors or seniors in highschool and I shook my head at their inobservance of the ginormous sign at the drive in entrance that clearly read "Closed for Forks High School Junior & Senior Prom Night." We pulled into a parking space a little ways from the front doors and as Quil and Embry hopped out I went to the trunk and took a long stare at the white garment bag with my after party dress. I didn't feel like changing and I glanced down at the dress I was already wearing. I figured it was good enough and I was just about to close it when a voice in my ear made me let out a small scream.
"Don't even think about not changing, Isabella Swan," Alice whispered chillingly in my ear.
I rubbed at the side of my head and turned to look at her. "Jeez, Alice," I complained, "Could you give me a little warning next time, sheesh." A shiver went down my spine at the shock and I glared at her.
She reached right past me for the garment bag. "Come on," she ordered, ignoring me, "Emmett brought the Jeep and there's plenty of room in the back for you to change."
"Jake," I called as I was tugged away and Jacob turned to look at me, "Wait for me, I'm going to change." He nodded in acknowledgement and I saw the tremor he tried to suppress as it went against every single one of his instincts to let me be dragged off by his only natural enemy.
Emmett and Jasper were waiting by the hood of their car with their arms folded over their chests and looking every bit like the body guards they would act as. Rosalie took my free hand with a smile and I was put in the back of the Jeep where the back seats had been folded down and put up to give me plenty of room to change. Alice and Rosalie helped me get out of my dress and put it in the garment bag while I was simultaneously dressed in the shorter dress that had been deemed more club-appropriate. Rosalie's hands went into my hair once the strapless dress had been zipped up and pulled the pins from the twist, letting it fall loose down my back in Taylor Swift-like curls. I was allowed to keep the same shoes and Alice adjusted my makeup, swapping the light shimmery gold eye shadow with a more dramatic shade of dark shimmery grey and reapplying the blood red lipstick. Finally I was allowed out of the back and Rosalie adjusted my dress until it fell just right. It was a slightly darker shade of navy blue with a sweetheart neckline while the bodice was rouched, tight down to the bottom of my ribs. There were pretty silver and black beads around the waistline about the size of sand dollars, but shaped like different kinds of flowers. The skirt was soft sheer tulle and floated a few inches above my knees, completely covered in shiny blue sequins, shimmering with every move I made. My earrings were replaced with larger teardrop shaped ones that hung heavily from my ears with thin pewter chains hanging from the ends that tickled the tops of my shoulders.
"There, you look perfect;" Alice decided happily, "Go on, then." She gave me a sly grin and nodded in the direction where I could just see the top of Jacob's head over all the cars. I rolled my eyes but made my way to where Jacob was waiting. His back was to me as he talked to Quil and Embry, who caught sight of me with wide eyes and turned Jacob to see me. His eyes widened too and he closed half the distance between us, meeting me in the middle.
"This dress is…wow," he breathed, grinning widely while he skimmed his fingers over the exposed skin of my shoulders and left a searing trail of goose flesh behind. He leaned down to kiss my lips and I realized Alice must have traded my previous lipstick for one that wouldn't transfer. His lips ghosted along my jaw to my ear and then down my neck as his hands gripped my waist and my hands were in his hair, "Remind me to thank the pixie for this."
"Thank me yourself," Alice suggested, startling the two of us. Jacob pulled away quickly and turned to her and I wondered how he didn't sense her approach.
"Thanks for this," he replied, more at ease around her than he had been around Edward. But that was to be expected.
"No problem," she grinned, "Let's party!" My four vampires, three werewolves and I made our way into the club, showing our Forks' High student IDs to get in. As we walked into the small building with pulsing music, flashing lights, and disco balls a weird chill went up my spine as my intuition kicked in, telling me something bad was going to happen. Simultaneously Alice stopped immediately and I saw the far away glazed over look in her eyes. She was getting a vision, and by her expression it definitely wasn't good.
Sorry for the cliffie, but it was getting really long and it had to be done. I hope you can forgive me. I'll try to have the next chapter up as soon as I possibly can, okay? In the mean time - REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
-Sarah Elizabeth
