A/N: Something you need to know about this chapter is that it is now 2 weeks l8r and the day of the ball. This chapter is about the preparations for the ball and some of it is in Prince Jake's POV. So...yeah. Go ahead and read.
Princess Isabella's POV
I could not believe it had already been 2 weeks! Time sure goes fast when you're in love. And I really wasn't in the mood for Prince Jake's 16th ball. I mean, despite even though I loved him like a brother, he seemed to love me...not like a sister, but as an unoffical girlfriend. Sometimes it was cute or flattering, but other times, it was just annoying. The last time I had seen Jake was before I had met Edward, so I didn't mind putting up with it. But now that I was in love, I felt bad when he was having all of these feelings for me and had hopes for my feelings for him, when my feelings were for another. And it was really terrible because I couldn't tell him about Edward and I Edward couldn't go with me.
"Bella! Are you ready?" Alice came running into the my room. She had been so excited this morning it ws unbareable! But I guess if I had a date, I'd be happy too.
"Yeah, almost." I answered. I hoped she wouldn't realize how down I sounded. Because then I'd have to explain everything to her. And with only one hour to the ball, we didn't have time.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Damn Alice and her concern. But then again, it would be nice to tell someone and talk to someone.
"Well, it's the ball. I mean, you're going with Jasper, and that's great. But...-" I paused to sigh. "it makes me want to really come up with an excuse to take Edward. But..that's-"
"So come up with an excuse! Say you'd like a dance partner or...an escort!" Alice said while posing in my mirror. She really loved that gown.
"But... I'm too much of a scardy cat to tell my parents I need an escort. And then it might turn into this whole discussion..." I said thinking about the talk and questions...
"Or it might not. Look," she walked over to me now. "You made me ask Jasper and look what happened! Now, I wouldn't be good friend if I didn't make you go to your parents and ask to take a knight fot your escort." I hated to admit it, but she was right. I mean, why not take the chance?
"Fine. But..you have to go with me." I told her shyly. That would be less toture...maybe.
"Okay. But, for all you now..." she got up and strolled casually around the room. "I may have already asked your parents for you and for all you know, he could be waiting outside with Jasper as we speak." she faced me to watch my expression, which was full of shock and happiness and looks that said 'what did you do?' but mainly I was surprised
"But how did you- and did Edward?" I could say anything, really. That's why Alice was my best friend and that's why we were so close. We always did things for each other and we were like sisters.
"Well, I just told your parents that you needed an escort, and only a knight would do. And what better knight than the brave and noble and just Sir Edward?" she was grinning now as she read my face. This moment called for a hug!
"Come here!" I said walking toward her and hugging her. "You are the best friend a girl could have!" and I meant it. Because of this, the ball wouldn't be so bad and annoying and...suckish.
"You too." she said. "Now, we have to go!" and we ran outside toward the carriage behind my parents' carriage. I sighed as I stepped inside, knowing who I would see once I was in.
And there, smiling at me and like my personal miracle, was my Sir Edward.
Prince Jake's POV
Tonight would be perfect! My 16th birthday-ball had been planned for months and the guest lists made longer than that. But really, I knew why I was really excited and dad knew. It was because Bella would be there. I hadn't seen her in a while and I had missed her. The last time we had met though, had been disappointing for me. She told me that she didn't love me like marry-me love, but like-a-brother love. I was very embaressed after that and I thought maybe she felt uncomfortable. I thougt I shouldn't have told her about my feelings for her...until now!
Now, I was 16! And now I was not a child, so maybe she would see me more like a man and less of a little brother. Maybe, she could love me after all...
I had high hopes for tonight and plans to spend most of it with Isabella, which was why I got so mad when I the guests started arriving, and I saw her with a guy...
Princess Isabella's POV
Now that Edward was with me (how Alice did it, I did not know) I had high hopes for this ball. Now I was actually looking foward to seeing Jake and having a good time. I thought Jake would be happy to see me too, which is why I was so surprised when I was walking down the stairs and into the ballroom, my arm in Edward's arm. I found Jake's face quickly, being there weren't a lot of people and he was smiling. I smiled back, but when he saw me, his face fell. What was wrong wiht him?
Edward brought me out of my thoughts by tapping on the shoulder. Apparently, I had a blank star of confusion on my face. I apologized and he smiled. God how I loved his smile! I was distracted for a few seconds, but then remembered Jake. I took Edward with me as I made my way over to him, our arms still intertwined.
"Hey Jake. Happy Birthday!" I said brightly. But Jake's eyes didn't seem to stray from whatever he was looking at. But what was he looking at? I followed his stare. Uh oh. He was staring, not glaring- at Edward. Damn it! I didn't think it would offend him! Now the ball would be akward between me and Jake and because of that tension, I would feel guilty being with Edward and having a good time with him. See, this is why I hate parties! "Jake?" I said calling his attention. He flicked his attention to me, attempting (and failing at) a weak smile. Here we go!
"Hey Bella." he said using my nickname. Really, only Edward, Jake and sometimes Alice called me that. "How have you been?" Jake said flatly. This was not the Jake I had missed. This Jake was boring and unhappy. Where was my 'hello-hug'? Where was the happy?! "Who is this?" he said not waiting for an answer.
"Oh. This is Sir Edward. A knight in my father's court and my escort.Edward, this is Prince Jake" I said cautiously choosing my words.
"Hmm" was all Jake said.
"Hello. Nice to meet you." Edward could feel the tension and didn't even bother to try to shake his hand.
There was an silence for a while, finally broken by Edward.
"Bella, I'll be back. I have to go...some place else." Edward was the smart one. He got out of the tension zone. Damn. Why couldn't I get out of the tension zone?
"'Bella'? He calls you 'Bella'?" Jake said stiffly and clearly disapprovingly. "That's not your name."
"Yeah, but you call me Bella." I reminded him. I knew what he would be doing: trying to pickand judge on every little thing Edward did, to make him look bad and make himself look good. So far, it wasn't working.
"That's not the point." he said walking toward me. "He works for your father. He should address you properly."
"I told him he could call me 'Bella'." I said defensively. Who was he to judge Edward so quickly.
"I'm sure." he paused, thinking. "So, you've met before? You seem confortable together. Almost like your...together. I don't care or anything, but I don't think he's right for you."
"And who do you think is? You?" It came out much harsher than I meant it to. But he was being a jerk. He doesn't even know for a fact that we're even dating and he tells me that he isn't right for me?
"That's not what I said!" he raised his voice.
"But it's what you meant!" I stopped, lowering my voice as people began to stare. "Come with me," I motioned for him to follow me into a a closed room. He followed reluctantly.
"What?" he whispered. "Why are you snapping at me?"
"Why the hell are you judging me? You don't even know if we are together or not! And yet you lecture me on how he's not good for me! For all you know, we could have just met an hour ago! I was lying of course, but for all he knew I was telling the truth. "And Jake," I said calmer, "It's not like I don't know why you're acting strange. And Jake," I said pulling him back in as he tried to leave "I think that the crush-thing is cute, but I think of you as a brother, and a friend. And I don't want your feelings for me and my feelings for you get in the way of that." I was proud of myself for the confrontation I just completed without freaking put like normal. But it broke my heart to see Jake so sad. I wanted to give him a hug but, before I got the chance he stormed out and slammed the door.
A/N: Review and I will update 2nite! If not, 2morrow nite! If I get 10 reviews by 8, I will update after avatar!
