11. IT'S JUST A DANCE, DON'T TAKE EVERYTHING SO SERIOUSLY

When we got into my car and took off I couldn't help myself anymore. I rolled with laughter in the driver's seat.

"Bella" Alice groaned in the backseat "do you know how much crap we're going to get from Edward for this?"

"Yeah, but Alice, c'mon – that was one of the funniest things I have ever seen." Emmett boomed out with laughter. Rose and Jasper were giggling in the backseat.

"He isn't going to forget about this Bella." Alice predicted.

"Hey Alice, just an FYI…I don't give a damn. He made his bed. He can sleep with anyone he chooses in it. Just remember, his choice was to leave. Stupid man." The light mood left me abruptly.

"Just talk to him Bells" Emmett said "isn't it fair to hear his side of the story as well?"

"C'mon guys. This is between Edward and me. We'll work it out." At least I thought so.

"Before or after they kill each other?" Alice murmured.

When we pulled up to the next club, we waited for Edward and the rest of the gang to join us in front. When they came walking up, I could practically see the steam coming out of Edwards ears. We walked in and got a table in a corner of the room. The music had already started and the dance floor was filling up. "Edward, do you want to dance?" Aubrey asked.

"No thank you" Edward replied. I was amazed that anything came out with his jaw clenched as tight as it was.

"Hey ladies" I heard someone say from behind me. I turned in time to see Matthew walk towards us. He always danced with us and stayed near us when we were at the same clubs. He was harmless. A couple of times he tried to ask me out on a date, but I firmly told him that I wasn't ready for dating yet.

"Bella, you want to dance?" he asked.

"Sure Matt!" I turned around to throw my clutch at someone at the table and saw all 5 Cullen jaws drop. "Be right back!"

The song has just started and I started moving my body. The dance floor was packed by now and so Matthew and I stood on the outer edge and danced. Normally I didn't mind, but when I knew I had an audience, I started feeling a little awkward. I shook my head again. They were friends. Just like Aubrey, Candy and Jennifer. I shouldn't be ashamed. I started to relax and have some fun. Aubrey always laughed when I danced with Matthew. Just to make him blush, I would do things that would make him stutter while he was dancing. I bent down and touched my toes before flipping my hair back and standing back up. Sure enough, Matt stopped for a split second and stumbled before picking up the beat again. I could hear Aubrey laughing from the table.

By the time the song had finished and I was done with my dance, Matthew was beet red and looked like he needed to step outside for a minute. I laughed and walked back to our table.

"Wow Bella, that was interesting" Alice giggled. She stole a glance at Edward. It looked like someone was about to throw a fit.

This situation might not have been the best after being reunited with Edward and the rest of his family just this morning.

I pulled out my phone from my clutch and groaned "Sorry to cut it short guys, but my Mom just sent an urgent text. I have to get back home." I lied.

"We just got here!" Jennifer whined.

"C'mon Bella, just a little while longer please?" Alice complained.

"Sorry Alice, but I'll catch up with you guys later. Aubs, Jen, Candy…call a cab okay. Just make sure you all get home safely. Call me when we're on again." I waved goodbye and started making my way out.

When I got to my car, Edward was already leaning against the door. "That was quite interesting" he said. I saw him pinching the bridge of his nose. "What happened to you Bella?"

"Edward, 90 years changes a person. I'm not the same girl anymore. I went through a hell of a lot after you left me. Look, this isn't the time or the place to have this conversation. I'll see you later."

"This isn't over Bella, I will see you later."

"Whatever, Edward." I moved towards the door as he moved over. I got in and drove home.

I got home and took a long hot shower. When I got out, I pulled on my favorite sweats and T-shirt. I walked into my room, turned off the lights and lay down. I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind of all the confusing thoughts I had. I could hear John and Claire as well as Lucas and Nadia in their rooms. This was not the best night to be home with my super hearing. I stood up and walked to my window. I jumped out and started walking at a human pace into the forest. I got far enough that I couldn't hear anyone in my house and sat down. I closed my eyes again and tried to clear my head.

I stayed there for about an hour before I could hear someone approaching. The wind blew from the opposite direction so I couldn't smell who it was. I should have known though. "It's later Bella. Now tell me what the hell is going on."

"Edward, nothing is going on."

"Then what the hell was that back at the club? Do you know how you looked in that dress? Do you know what every male in that club was thinking? And that dance? You'd have never known that you never liked to dance before."

"Edward, do you always have to be so damn serious? Just have some fun. No one got hurt tonight. Dancing is a form of expression. I like that dress. It's not up to you to be so worried about me anymore. You chose this, remember?"

"Bella, please talk to me. I don't want to fight with you. I just want to talk."

"I know Edward, but this is happening a little too fast. I asked you for some time, but you keep insisting on confronting me. I'm going back to Forks in a few of days. I'll see you guys there okay? Just give me some space."

He walked over to me and it looked like he was going to hold me. I took a step back. Edward reached out and touched a lock of hair that came loose. He tucked it behind my ear and touched my cheek. I closed my eyes and sighed. I felt a slight breeze and opened my eyes. He was gone.

By the time morning came around I decided to just keep on doing what I had been planning all along. Living my life and doing what I needed to do to be a whole and complete person. I wouldn't let anyone else make me feel self conscious with the choices I was making. I wasn't planning on partying like this in Forks, but it felt good to celebrate for a little bit before I went back to school. I got dressed in a jeans and plain T-shirt. When I walked downstairs I could see Lucas and John eyeing each other as I stepped into the living room. "Spit it out, what's up?" I asked looking at them suspiciously.

"They're trying to figure out how you know the Cullen's since you've never mentioned them to anyone. Plus Lucas and Nadia said that there was only a short period after you were changed that they hadn't met you yet, so they're really confused." Claire informed me as she walked in from the back door with Nadia on her heels.

"So what's the story Bells?" John asked "I could tell that you know these guys pretty well when we met them yesterday." Claire had sat next to John and Nadia had taken a seat next to Lucas. I sat in the remaining seat and took a look at my family.

"I have spoken about them to you guys. They're the family that I knew when I was human. Edward was the guy who left me." I guess I could have softened the blow a bit, but that's pretty much exactly what happened – in a nutshell.

"WHAT?" Lucas yelled as he shot up from the chair.

"Lucas, sit down and listen first. I, for one, would like to hear the entire story before I make any conclusions. Bella, you've told us about your relationship with Edward, but how do you feel towards the rest of his family?" Nadia asked.

"I feel fine. I think it's good for me to see them again. I've never had a problem with anyone in their family and since I've come to grips with what I want to do and be, I shouldn't have to hide from Edward, should I?" I exclaimed.

"Bella, are you sure? If you're not comfortable, we can go somewhere else. You've already taken a big risk in moving back to Forks, will you be okay to handle seeing them again as well?" John asked. I could see his forehead wrinkle in concern.

"John, weren't you the one to give me that talk on moving ahead and confronting my fears? I'll be fine. I have to stop hiding from the world."

"But don't we have to keep hiding so no one finds out about us?" Claire questioned. She could be so obtuse.

I rolled my eyes "Don't worry, I'm okay. I've got a lot of things to set up before I get back to Forks, so I better get moving today. Bye." I went out and drove off. Time to get things rolling.

I went and set up me fake transcripts. I took Alice's advice and would be posing as a junior. I could still stay for 3-4 years. I would just be spending 2 years instead of 1 in High School. I called Jake and told him I was coming down by the next weekend. I figured I had better get down there and let him and the Pack know about the Cullen's return in person. Even though they had a treaty I know Jake was still upset at them for leaving me behind. I finished some last minute shopping and got a new ID appropriate for the age I was posing at. I called Aubrey, Jennifer and Candy to make sure they did get home okay. Aubrey was starting to give me the Spanish inquisition regarding my good looking friends that was never mentioned before, but I cut her off telling her my phone was dying. I'd have to dodge that bullet for another week.

Everything ended up working out better than I could have planned. Jennifer's parents had made a mistake on her College arrangements so she had to leave in a couple of days and since Aubrey and Candy were going to be enrolled in the same college, they piled into the car they would be sharing and took off. I went over to see them off before they left. They were so excited to be going that no one mentioned my gorgeous friends again. I was a little envious at how these girls were going off and could live a carefree and simple life. They would never have any of the problems I had as an immortal. I went home after seeing them off and finished packing up my things. I might as well get going to Forks.

I said my goodbyes to everyone at home and climbed in my car. I should probably stay at Jakes while I tell them about the Cullen's before I went back to Forks. Maybe I could stay for a couple of days. I thought about what kind of reaction I might get when I went back. I didn't get a good feeling. I don't think they would be happy at all.