Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or Thoroughly Modern Millie. I can wish, though.

A/N: Winter storm headed my way, so if the power's out, don't tell me I didn't warn you. Anyway, writers' block is setting in right now and I can't think of a way to make this a longer chapter... well, here it goes.

I took my jacket off once I got outside because it was too hot to keep it on, even in this late in the afternoon. I rushed down the street, my heels uncharacteristically clicking. People were looking at me, but I had no idea why. I just had to focus on not falling on my face and working on getting Jacob out of my head before I met Edward. It wouldn't be fair to him if I was thinking of some other guy-

Wait a minute, just a minute... was I actually considering Edward's feelings in all of this? I knew I wasn't one to just be uncaring about someone elses feelings and all, but I was actually going to treat Edward like... like he was more than a friend? No. No. No. No. I couldn't do that. I really couldn't let him come in and do this. I reached the coffee shop and sat down, looking at my hands. I had nothing better to do and I didn't want anything to drink. I was over an hour early, but I didn't care. I could handle being here alone. I would need it if I was going to be around people all night. I wasn't good with crowds or people. No matter how much I told myself that no one's opinion mattered than my own, I couldn't forget that other people were judging me.

"Hey, there," a velvety voice said as a shadow blocked the light I was getting from the window. I looked up into Edward's emerald eyes, feeling so safe and sure about the night to come that I couldn't worry about anything, even if I tried. He held out his hand to help me up. To my embarrassment, as he pulled me up, I tripped over my heels and fell into him as he steadied me. "Whoa, walk much?" he said jokingly. I blushed as he took my hand and pulled me out of the coffee shop.

"So, where exactly are you taking me?" I asked as the sun was setting over the city. The streetlamps were coming on around us and the streets were getting more crowded, surprisingly. It was a Friday night, so everyone was coming out. It was so much different here than it was in Forks, truly. No one went out on Friday nights in Forks, unless you count the ten people (maybe) that went up to Port Angeles.

"It's just ... it's the house of someone close to me," he said, looking a little confused and frustrated, though I didn't know why. I just shrugged it off and went walking along with him. We had slowed now to a slower pace, but still fairly fast. We turned a corner and I noticed we were headed to the good part of town, where rich people lived. Edward must have hung out with better people than I had originally thought. We reached a big, fancy building that was nicer than anything I'd ever seen before. Edward led me in the door and we were greeted by hordes of people that I didn't know or had no idea who they were. But that was to be expected. I didn't know anyone in New York, really, apart from Alice and my co-workers and Edward and Tanya. All I heard were things like, "Oh, Edward, who is this?" and "Edward, you look so nice." I really hadn't taken the time to notice how nice he looked tonight. He was wearing a nice white shirt, covered by a dressy black jacket and black dress pants, much different than his usual jeans and tee-shirt.

Every time some random person, Edward would introduce me as "Bella, my friend." I stayed by his side most of the evening, too scared to go out and mingle.

"Edward, I'm sorry I'm sort of glued to your side right now, but I'm really really nervous for no reason at all."

"Bella, it's completely all right. I can understand if you're a little overwhelmed. Hey, there's someone really special I want you to meet," he said, linking my arm with his and taking me around the room. I was hungry and there was a table of refreshments, but I didn't bother eating anything. I was too nervous and didn't want to puke all over someone. Edward led me up to a woman who looked like she was in her mid-thirties. She had soft, light brown hair that was very wavy and long. She looked so completely familiar. Just like Tanya had looked familiar to me the other night at the club. Of course, Tanya was the girl Edward had been dancing with before we met! I fought the urge to gasp at my epiphany when Edward spoke.

"Bella this is my... this is Esme, and Esme, this is my friend, Bella." I did gasp this time. I knew exactly who this was. The woman who had been on the back cover of one of my favorite books.

"Oh, my gosh. Esme Cullen?" I said, shocked as she nodded. "No way! Like a Moonless Night is probably my favorite book of all time!" I said, still starstruck. She laughed as I blushed and took a step back.

"It's fine, dear. I'm glad to meet a fan. I love what I do and I do it for the fans. I'm truly glad to see Edward has made a friend and I'm glad to meet you, Bella," she said, extending it towards me as I took it loosely. I couldn't believe that I was touching my favorite author of modern fiction. She smiled warmly before pulling her hand away. "Now, I'd better go off and see about a few things," she said, scurrying off back towards the back hallway.

"You never told me you knew Esme Cullen!" I said, whacking Edward playfully on the arm.

"You never asked," he said, smiling widely now. The rest of the evening was uneventful and soon, it was late and Edward suggested he should walk me home. We walked arm in arm back to the apartment, talking about what had happened over the night. I had so many questions: if he didn't have a job and since he seemed like a pretty normal guy, what was he doing around people like that? I didn't want to be rude, but I was curious. It didn't make any sense at all. I didn't ask him, though. We reached the door to my apartment and I had a funny feeling inside me. I didn't want to say goodnight, not yet. I'd had too much fun, and being with Edward was amazing. I felt such chemistry, such a connection with him that I didn't have with Jacob. Jacob was a nice, friendly type of guy, but Edward... he might be the real deal.

"Did I mention how beautiful you looked tonight?" he said, leaning towards me a little farther. I should have felt like he was coming onto me or trying to do something, but I didn't. I couldn't breathe and I couldn't speak while his face was so close to mine. I did something completely and totally unlike me. I leaned my face closer and closer to his until we were kissing. I felt his hands press into my back, and could feel his fingertips on my bare back. I ran my fingers up and down his arms, over his shoulders, around his neck, and through his already messy hair. It felt unreal. Unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. I broke away from him, turning towards the door, smiling.

"I don't think you did, actually."

"You are. I don't think anything has ever been so true in the history of mankind." He leaned over and wrapped his arms around my waist once more, only hugging me this time. He smelled so good and I wasn't ready for him to go.

"Edward, you don't have to go," I said, pleading almost.

"No, I'd love to stay with you for a while, but I probably should get back to the party and help Esme clean up. She's probably a nervous wreck right now," he said, smiling at his thoughts, I guessed. He leaned over to kiss my cheek before I unlocked my door and let myself in. Alice wasn't home... still out with Jasper, I guessed. That only made me feel worse because of what I'd just done.

I leaned back against my door, slowly sinking to the floor. Tears filled my eyes and sobs escaped my lips before I could stop them and force them back. No matter what would happen, someone would end up hurt. If I went with Edward, I'd be hurting myself and my chances at a life of luxury and wealth. But if I did what my heart wanted (at least, that's what I thought it wanted), then Edward would be crushed (wishful thinking told me so), and I couldn't live with him hurt. So it was all up to me now. And the game of my life had just gotten so much more exciting.

A/N: A few Millie song references right there... guess 'em! Oh, and a Twilight one too!