Chapter 13

When they were sixteen, Bella didn't have a date for prom. She didn't really mind, but Alice and Rosalie were pressuring her to go. And besides, who wants to be a fifth (sixth?) wheel?

And it wasn't that the boys at Forks High weren't interested din her. Oh no, they definitely were interested. She had had six guys ask her to prom. Six. And she had said no to all of them. She said no because she was waiting for him to ask her.

Edward however, had fewer pursuers. Three girls had asked him, but he wasn't interested in any of them, so he politely declined. There were more who dreamed of being his date, but were too intimidated to ask him.

To be totally honest, there was only one girl he was interested in taking to prom. One girl, who was rather shy, brown-haired, brown-eyed…

He had never asked her out before, fearing that if they dated and it didn't work out, that it would ruin the great friendship they had.

And if he was honest with himself, he would know that that thought made him want to cry.

So, since neither of them had a date, he decided to ask her to the dance. As purely platonic friends, of course.

He decided to ask her when he met her afterschool at her locker, like he did everyday.

"Hey Eddie-ward!" Bella said, coming up to her locker. He hated that nickname. He despised that nickname. Emmett said that Edward had a "soft spot" for Bella and that's the reason he let her get away with calling him it.

"Hey Bella." He said as he watched her put in her lock combination. "So, um, I know it's kind of late to ask you this… I was, uh, wondering if you wanted to go to the dance with me?" He didn't know why he was so nervous. "You know, as, uh, friends?"

She froze, staring at her open locker. Quietly, she said, "As friends? Sure."

He smiled at her widely and unexpectedly swept her up in a big hug. She was surprised but returned the hug. Once he pulled away, he said "I'll pick you up at six tonight?" She nodded, her cheeks flushing.

She wished he hadn't added that second part to his request. "As friends."

When he saw her come down the stairs of Charlie's house in her floor length, deep purple dress, he was speechless.

Bella, the girl he had known all his life, was standing just a few feet from him looking stunningly beautiful.

She had her brown hair curled in ringlets that fell around her shoulders in waves, light make up dusted around her eyes and across her feature. The beautiful strapless dress accentuated her curves and Edward had to suck in a breath when he saw her.

Her ever-present blush deepened when she met his eyes.

"You look…wow. Beautiful, amazing, gorgeous." He said, his eyes glued to her.

"Thank you. You look pretty "wow" yourself." She said, laughing quietly.

He looked down at the simple black suit, white dress shirt, and black tie and dress shows he was wearing and shrugged. Then as if remembering what was in his hands, he opened the container and lifted out a beautiful white rose wristband. She held out her hand and he slid in onto her wrist.

"Thank you." She said quietly.

"My pleasure."

"Well we should probably get going…" He stuck out his arm and she gladly took it.

They entered the prom arm in arm and by God, they were a stunning couple. Couple of friends of course.

That night, they danced, laughed, and acted like a couple. But when Alice asked if they had gotten together without telling the rest of them, they profusely denied.

And once again, the secret bubbled to her lips, but she clamped her mouth shut.

Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice were sitting together just watching their two friends.

"God they are so blind." Emmett muttered.

"That's for sure." Jasper added.

"They're gonna get married one day. I'm sure of it. And then we'll all be in the wedding party." Alice said wistfully, watching as her twin brother twirled her best friend on the dance floor.

Rosalie laughed. "Of course we are. I just wonder how long it will take for them to realize they're totally in love with each other."

I think this chapter is super cute. (: It just captures the personalities well, I think.

Still no beta answers :( Because of this, I will ask you guys: Do you think I even need a beta? I'm a beta for someone else, so I was wondering if I even needed one. Is my punctuation and grammar off a lot? Please answer, it would really help a lot. :D

PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 14:

When they were seventeen, Bella was left lonely.

I haven't been getting nearly the reviews I've been asking for, so I'll settle with this. Give me five nice reviews and I'll post the next chapter :)

You're all wonderful, I love that you love my stories :))

Xoxo, Emmyscool10 :)))))))