Chapter 21 – The Dance

Saturday, September 26, 1987

The dance. What can I say? The Homecoming dance was like any other typical high school dance. Girls spent hours at the salon getting their hair and makeup done and wore pretty dresses made of shiny material. The boys spent a total of thirty minutes shaving, showering, and dressing. Many of them had mismatched socks and most of them looked silly in borrowed suits and ties that were too big for them. Ben, of course, was the exception. He filled his suit out a little too nicely! I cringed every time a girl looked his way. I could see the desire in their eyes. I hated that I was jealous, but I couldn't help it.

"They did a nice job decorating this year," Ben said as he walked me over to the snack table that was covered in white linen cloth. His hand grazed my bare shoulder and I was now so happy that I'd chosen a strapless dress. The touch of his skin on mine was delicious. I couldn't think of anything other than him, but then he added. "So what do you think?"

I gazed head back over my shoulder to see what he'd meant. I'd been spending too much time noticing the other girls notice Ben that I hadn't paid attention to the gym.

The gym's ceiling was covered with red, white, and blue streamers and I wondered how people got up that high. Christmas lights were tapped to the wall in a crooked pattern. Cutouts of famous Parisian landmark's lurked in the corners.

"Mmmm," I replied.

"But of course nothing looks as nice as you," he swept me into his arms and bent my head back. His hand caressed the nape of my neck and I could feel the world spinning. If it weren't for his arms, I would have crashed to the floor. His head lowered towards mine. I waited for what seemed like an eternity to be kissed. One Mississippi. His hot breath washed past my ear. Two Mississippi. His other hand cupped the side of my face. Three Mississippi. The hand on my neck slid to the other side of my face. Four Mississippi. Our lips met. I stepped towards him in an effort to greet him. Five Mississippi. Our lips pressed together like grapes into wine. Six Mississippi. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled myself closer. I lost all sense of time now as I melted into him.

I felt a brief jolt and then our lips parted. I was swooning now as our lips parted, but I leaned into his body and relied on his strength to keep me from falling. His lips tasted salty like pretzels, but were warm and soft like freshly baked cookies.

For a moment I was confused, but then I noticed Robert. He was standing beside us with almost as a baffled expression as my own.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to bump into you," Robert said, but he looked more disappointed than sad. He then pointed towards a group of Ben's other friends. "They pushed me."

Some of the boys covered their mouths with their hands, but two of them were laughing out right as they doubled over in their mirthful fit. The loudest boy had a laugh that sounded more like the honk of a goose than it did a human laugh. It was a strange sound coming out of a teenage boy and it just made the other boys laugh even harder.

Ben didn't reply, but took me by the hand and led me to some seats in the corner and as far away from the dance floor and action as possible. A few wallflower types lingered in our area, but as we approached, they scattered like petals to another corner.

Ben offered me a seat and I took it. The metal folding chair squeaked under my weight and I wondered just how old the chair was. It was rusted out on one side and the other barely had any paint left. As Ben took the seat next to me, I forgot all about my chair and was once again studying the ebony hue to his long, full hair.

"Sorry. High school dances are juvenile, but they can be fun."

I screwed up my face.

He laughed and then swept a hand through the air, "No, really. Look."

I scanned the crowd. Most of the girls were clustered in groups dancing while the boys were in circles rough housing. I wondered if and when boys and girls really did mix.

"Sure fun!" Then I looked at Ben. His smoldering eyes regarded me with open fondness. Beaming at him, I replied, "I take it all back. Any place is fine as long as we are together."

His smile was reward enough, but he took my hand and gave it squeeze. "I have your birthday present."

I dissolved at his touch and stammered, "Ben I told you-"

"That is wasn't a big deal?"

"No, I was going to say that you didn't have to get me anything."

"And I told you I was," he replied. He slipped a hand into his jacket's pocket and pulled out a card and a small box.

"It isn't much, but I hope you like it," he wore a sheepish smile as he handed me the card first.

Gosh, dang, he looked so cute! I wanted another kiss so bad! I couldn't help it. I was just drawn to the boy – the way Juliet was to Romeo.

He looked at me with encouraging eyes as he waited for me to accept his offerings.

I took the card first. I unfolded the tucked in edge of the envelope. Slipping the card out of the envelope, I sneaked a peek at him. His broad smile held and expectant look. Curiously, I opened the card and then gasped.

"What?! Did I get something wrong?" Ben leaned forward.

I shook my head and tried to find the right words, "The poem."

Ben tilted his head in question. "What about it?"

"She walks in Beauty like the Night."

"By Lord Bryon."

I nodded then laughed. "I thought of this poem the first time I saw you."

Ben laughed and clasped a hand on my knee. "So, we don't have a song, but we have a poem."

I laughed and fanned myself with the card. "Do you I get the present now?" I pointed at the small box resting in his hand.

"Sure," he handed it over and watched my face as I unwrapped it.

"It's from Tiffany's," I stammered fondling the blue box, "Ben, you shouldn't have. That's too expensive."

He looked at me as if he knew I was going to make a big deal out of it. "Just open it."

I opened the box and inside I found a charm bracelet with three charms. A book. A swan. And a monkey. "Ben," I smirked.

He laughed. "Sorry, I couldn't help it."

I shoved him with my shoulder, but he didn't budge.

"Let me put it on," he took the bracelet from me and slipped it around my wrist. His hands were smooth, but yet strong. Goosebumps popped over my skin like a rash and I ached with an inner longing. Taking the card from me, he slipped it back into his pocket, "I'll hold on to this for you."

I balled up the wrapping paper and Ben took that from me and stuffed it inside the box. He then shoved the box into his pocket as well.

The music blared now. It was loud. The whoosh, whoosh, whoosh beat from the DJ's speakers thumped my chest or maybe that was heart. With Ben so close, I couldn't really tell what was real or what was fantasy.

The crowd inside the gym had doubled. Half the school was in the center of the gym now dancing to You Spin Me Right Round by Dead or Alive. I thought about asking Ben to dance, but I didn't have to. As soon as a slow song came on, Ben took my hand and led me to the dance floor.

The DJ was playing Foreigner's hit song Faithfully and as my hand was locked into Ben's hand, I thought Yup. I'm hopelessly and forever faithfully his.

"You look beautiful," he whispered into my ear as he slipped his arms around my waist.

"Thank you," I replied. I draped my arms around his neck and fingered his long hair, "And you look handsome."

His chin nuzzled my cheek, "And you smell nice. What is it?"

I shrugged, "Dunno. Channel? Shampoo? Toothpaste?"

"Mmm. All sounds nice," he groaned deep in his throat. His fingers ran the length of my spine and then he dipped me.

For a moment all the blood rushed to my head, but his smile edged closer as he straightened me up right and back into his chest. We were so close now that I could feel his sweet breath on my cheeks. The warmth between us grew with each beat of my heart. My blood was going wild as it raced through my body like a cheetah on the hunt. He was so close to me that I could smell the hint of his Old Spice aftershave. I pressed myself against his powerful chest. His hands grasped my back and drew me even closer. His body, so entwined with mine, swayed to the soft flow of the music. Our feet were in perfect sync now as we floated across the dance floor.

"See, Bella, dances aren't so bad," Ben whispered into my ear. His lips grazed my lip and I shivered under his touch.

"You were-"

He never found out what I had planned to say for his mouth was around mine capturing me in a kiss. His tender lips pressed gently at first and then his mouth roamed at will as his lips pressed hard onto my own. He then pulled away, but brought his fingers up to trace a feathered line across my lower lip. "Ah, Bella. It is so hard not to kiss you. But I suppose I should be more discreet."

I couldn't speak; his finger still lingered on my lips.

"I wish you could realize just how beautiful you are," his fingers and thumb slipped down to my chin. "And desirable."

I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks. I let go of his neck and pushed his chest with both hands. "You are embarrassing me."

"Sorry," His hand found my waist again and he spun in circle. His warm arms kept a constant hold on me and I was never once in jeopardy of falling. Well . . . physically falling. I was after all falling deeper in love with Ben.

The song came to an end and was replaced by something with more tempo. Safety Dance by Men Without Hats.

A group of girls beside me gave out a high pitched squeal and shouted. "OMG. I totally LOVE this song. Haven't heard it in ages."

He looked at me. "Still up for dancing?"

I nodded. "Just stay close in case I fall."

He laughed. "I would never let you fall."

I looked into his warm, dark eyes. He was such an angel. I knew exactly what he meant. He wasn't talking about the dance anymore. I wanted to correct him. To tell him not to worry about not being able to protect me. But I couldn't find the words. Secrets were unraveling faster than a kitten with a ball of yarn, and we were somehow the ones being tangled up in centuries of deceit. All Ben and I could do was tread water and wait for the sharks to make their moves.

"What are you thinking about, Bella?"

"Nothing," I lied. "But I am glad that I decided to do this homecoming thing after all. It has been a fun week."

I just hoped that we hadn't made a mistake. I thought to myself.

The night speed by faster than an electrical guitar solo. Couple after couple left the dance until only a handful remained.

Gary and Sparks kept close tabs on me and Ben. And if they weren't around then Eric and Angela were. So much for any more alone time. But it didn't matter much. I found that I enjoyed myself more than I thought I would.

As the dance finally came to an end, Ben drove me home. He walked me to the door with his arms around me. The porch light was on, and I stood on my tiptoes as I listened at the door to see if Chuck was there. Ben touched the side of my face and I turned to face him. I waited for Chuck to open the door on us, but he didn't. Ben seemed to be waiting too. He then leaned in and pecked me on the check.

"Good night, Bella," his voice was low and primal.

I checked my watch. It was nearly eleven o'clock. "Ben," I leaned in close and kissed him on the cheek. "Drive home carefully."

He nodded and then we both looked expectantly at the door. Still no signs of Chuck.

He then leaned in one last time and kissed me quickly on the lips. "Bye," he said and then bolted for his car.

I watched him go for a moment and then turned to face the door. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. It was only after I closed the door and turned off the porch light that I realized just how tired I was. It had been a long week.

I padded across the tile floor in the dark and threw my purse onto the closest sofa. Still no Chuck. I frowned. That seemed out of character. I walked over to the wall and fumbled my hand over the wood paneling looking for the light switch.

The moment my fingers flipped the switch, a female voice called my name from the kitchen.

I screamed, jumped, and turned in one fluid motion. Sitting at my kitchen table were Alice, Jacob, and Edward.

"You scared the crap out of me! What is going on?" I asked as I approached them. "Is my dad here?"

The boys turned to look at Alice, so I did too. She stood up and then quick as blink she was at my side. She took me in her arms and led me to a couch. From deep within her pockets, she pulled out a note and handed it to me.

I took the note from her and read it. It said: In order to ensure your loyalty and secrecy, we have taken your father.

That was it. Nothing else.

My knees buckled and I must have swooned, for the next thing I knew, Edward was holding me. But then came the blackness.