Inside the living room was Jane and I jumped over to her, suddenly in a good mood. I tried to take my mind of Louis, my and Phil and whatever was going on next door. Thankfully she didn't ask about what had happened and it was nice to take things of my mind. We settled on watching a movie and Felix joined in. I sat next Alec on a blanket on the floor. It was cosy. We settled on some stupid action flick, which Alec and Felix loved. Jane and Felix sat on the couch behind us and they were cuddled up. I think they are a little more than co-workers. Alec glanced back as well and smirked. He knew what was going on. I knew that Alec and Jane were very close and were practically siblings. They also worked well together. In the dark of the room, I found myself scooting closer and closer to Alec. When I was close enough he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and left it there.

I excused myself to go to bed and walked (as best as I could with the cast) to my bedroom. I changed into a nightgown and went to sleep. I had no dreams that night. The ball was five days away now. My leg was still troubling me a bit and I was determined to learn how to dance so I wouldn't make a fool of myself at the ball. Maybe I should ask Alec to teach me, I mean we did dance a little at our first shopping spree. I went to the kitchen to make some breakfast and then I would go find Alec and ask him. After I had eaten I walked down to the courtyard.

"Alec?" I called.

"Yes, Bella?" I heard his voice say immediately. I walked over to him.

"Could you teach me how to dance?" I asked and he smirked. "I mean, so I don't make a fool at myself at the ball"

He smirked again and stepped closer. His one hand ventured to my waist and pulled me against while the other gently took my hand.

"Of course I will" he said and we started swaying back and forth

"Let me go and get some music" he said and disappeared in a blur only to return seconds later with a ghetto blaster. He pressed the play button and returned to me. He placed his hands right were they had been.

It was a soft classical piece and we moved to the rhythm. After a while just swaying we began to really dance. I kept my eyes at my feet so I could see what I was doing. His fingers sent warmth into my whole body and ignited my heart. We danced awkwardly due to my leg but I soon got the hang of it and it didn't look so bad.

"Eyes up, Bella" he said and I forced my eyes away from our feet. I looked up and locked eyes with him. His eyes only had a tiny bit of red in them now otherwise they were fully topaz. But when I looked into his eyes I saw much more than colour. It was like I saw his souls and its scars. All the things he had been through – good and bad – reflected in his eyes. He was also staring into my eyes and I felt like he saw right through me. He saw all my flaws and everything about me. It was like he knew what had happened to me, even though I knew he didn't. We stopped moving. Both of my hands now rested on his broad shoulders and his hands were on my hips. We inched closer and closer. He pulled me closer by my waist and I closed my eyes. I inhaled his rich scent and we inched closer. I peeked and saw that his eyes were also closed and that our lips were not far apart; an inch maybe. I closed my eyes again and we drew closer again.

Then I felt his cold lips gently press against mine. I gasped at the sensation and so did he. His lips were soft but still firm. They were cold but they ignited a warm feeling within me. We kissed again. My hands went to his hair and it was the first I felt the softness of it. His hands went around my waist; keeping me here. A spark flowed from his lips and coursed through my whole body and ended in my heart. It was almost like he restarted it. I listened to the music; it was a piece Renée had liked when I was a little girl. A river flows in you by Yurima; our song.

"Oh God" he breathed when I took a moment to catch my breath before we carried on. We kissed again and we both tightened our hold on the other. The kiss kept getting better. The warm feeling inside grew and my hearts beating increased and I was sure he could hear it.

Then suddenly, Alec pulled away. He groaned. "I'm sorry, baby. Aro needs me." he said on a rush and swiftly kissed me and ran from the courtyard.

I had forgotten all about time and place. I stood frozen in the courtyard and fingered my lips gingerly. I could still feel his lips on mine. I could still smell his scent. It was like he was still here with me. I was in a total daze.

I had just kissed the most amazing, beautiful, hot and… all the positive words in the English language. There were no words for him.

I was a little pissed that Aro had interrupted our kiss. I stood in the courtyard and waited for Alec to come back. I sat down on the grass and listened to the soft music that was still filling the air.

I kissed Alec!

After about ten minutes alone my phone went off.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hello, Bella. It's Alec. I'm sorry that I left but..." he seemed to think of the right thing to say.

"It's okay" I said even though it wasn't. I wanted him here with me so we could talk about what happened. Did the kiss mean that he liked me or did he just need an outlet? I hoped he wanted more. What if he didn't like me? Then the ball would be awkward since he had to be with me at all times. Doubt started to fill my mind. I didn't want to think 'what if's'.

"Is it?" he asked to be sure. I liked that.

"Yeah. Where are you?"

"Aro needed for a mission. I have Demetri with me and we have to go to Norway to bring back a vampire who broke the law. I promise, we'll be back in time for the ball." He sounded sad.

"Okay" I said weakly. I couldn't help feeling a bit rejected.

"I have to go now. Keep your phone with you, I'll call" he said. "Bye"

"Bye" I said meekly and we hung up. I walked lazily back to my room and got my swimsuit out and put it on quickly. I pulled my dress back and walked back to the courtyard and pool. But before I could get there I was stopped by devil itself, Renate.

"Hi" I said as politely as I could. She ignored my greeting just stopped in front of me. She gave me a once over smirked.

"Like you have a chance" she said and walked on. I really hate her. I pushed her out of my mind and went to swim a few laps.

The sun was at its highest and after my swim I lay down on my towel on the grass and let the sun dry me. The CD was on repeat and I just listened to it. I wondered, if it was his own mixed CD.

The next few days until the ball were horrible. Alec didn't call but texted a few times. I hung out with Aro a lot and we really got along. That Alec wasn't here was almost unbearable. I wanted to talk about the kiss, but the more time that passed the more insecure I became. I kept the kiss to myself. I didn't know what they would think of either me or Alec. I knew it was ridiculous but that's the way I am. I spent everyday thinking about the kiss. I couldn't help but compare it to Edwards. Edward was always treating me as something breakable, fragile, whereas Alec wasn't afraid to grab a tight hold of me.

Aro helped with me with the finishing touches on my dancing abilities. When I was dancing with Aro it felt natural.

"When is Alec coming back?" I asked. We were all sitting in living room except Caius and his wife. They were off doing the naughty business, I think. We were watching Italy Got Talent and were laughing our asses off with nearly every act.

"I don't know that, Isabella. When he and Demetri have caught the vampire in question, they will return. But they will be back for the ball tomorrow." He told me. I had a feeling he wouldn't come.

"Jane, would you help me get ready tomorrow? I am useless with make-up" I asked.

She squealed. "Of course. The ball starts at 8'clock so I will be in your room at 5 to get you ready…" she rambled off and reminded me off Alice. "… Go lots of sleep so that you'll last longer. Oh, by the way, what are you wearing?"

She knew that I only had two formal dresses and I really wanted to wear the purple one but because of the high slit it would look ridiculous with my cast. I unsuccessfully tried to suppress my yawn. I excused myself to go to sleep. Since Alec had left I had slept like a rock but with no dreams, which annoyed me. I like dreaming, they kept me sane when Edward left me after my dreaded birthday party. This night was no different. I felt asleep instantly. I woke up at 4 o'clock so I had time to shower before Jane got here.

I slumped out of bed and into the shower and let it wake me up. I stood under the hot shower for about 10 minutes before I started washing up. I washed my hair, rinsed took a break, put the conditioner in my hair, washed my body, rinsed and got out. The shower took about half an hour and was the longest shower of my life. But it did wake me up. I brushed my teeth and put my robe on. By the way, showering with a cast is not easy.

I sat on the chaise long and read a book until Jane showed.

There was a sot knock on the door.

"Come in" I yelled. Jane opened the door and was followed by Sulpicia, Athenadora, and Heidi, Chelsea and, to my dismay, Renate.

"Good afternoon, Bella" they all greeted except Renate. "We all usually get ready together, I forgot to tell you, hope you don't mind." Jane said and sat down on my bed. They all carried big black bags with their dresses in and Sulpicia had a table more make-up than I have ever seen.

Over the next 3 hours we chatted and had fun. We had a blast. We listened to music and danced. We somehow managed to get ready as well. I stayed away from Renate because I didn't want to ruin this day. Athenadora did my hair and it looked amazing. We put on our dresses and they all left to their room so that their date could 'pick them up'. All of our dresses were different colours. Sulpicia waited with me since Aro was introducing me and she was his wife. Sulpicia was wearing a dark green floor length dress and Aro's tie was the same colour with his necklace on top of it with the Volturi emblem attached. Felix had asked Jane and she was very excited about going with him, as a date. The others were going with their partners because Aro demanded that no woman should be alone.

Then I remembered that the Cullens were there. I was fine with it because there was no way that Carlisle could forgive Edward for what he had done. Because of that, I wasn't worried about seeing them since I knew that Edward wouldn't be with them. I still wondered if Alice and Jasper would be. They had kind of gone their own way and wasn't a real part of that coven anymore. I hadn't heard from them since they left so suddenly.

Another thing I was scared of. I knew my blood called to Edward and that it was a strong scent to every vampire. How could I be at a vampire ball and still survive. I knew that the guard would protect me and all that, but still. What if the ball is going to be a repeat of my birthday part?

Alec still hadn't returned but I hoped he was just toying with me. Aro, Sulpicia and I was walking down the hallways and I clung to Aro's arm, suddenly, generally nervous. We were making a late entry.

I got a text. I will be there – Alec.

A/N: What did you think of the kiss? Will Alec go back to being formal and distant again? Does Alec even want her? Will Edward be at the ball? Think of more questions yourself and review so you get the next chapter faster.