This is dedicated to Wolfgirl91, Sisterly Duo and every single one of my amazing reviewers. You all make my heart sing.

Flashback...

You're threatening me?" Billy asked weakly. It wasn't an accusation, it was an honest to God question.

Malia's father's reply was soulless. "I'm not threatening you with anything. I'm not telling you to make sure Jacob behaves himself like a gentlemen at the dance, and I can't force you to ensure he's thoroughly attentive to my daughter's every need. To take away your house on the grounds of Malia's satisfaction with Jacobs' performance at the dance would be purely unethical, and against my integrity. Know that if my angel comes home with even one miniscule complaint, I will act accordingly. This has nothing to do with the eviction notice I may or may not send the morning after, but I can promise you this, if I'm in a good mood come Sunday morning, I will not only withhold from stripping you of your house, but I will also guarantee you residential safety for the next ten years."

Chapter 14

The Ball. Part 1

"This shit is sweet! Man, these seats, the lights, the miniature TV's…I'm in fucking heaven!" Jared babbled nonstop as he marveled at the excessive interior of the very limousine we had all been conned into—er, I mean graciously blessed with for the night. The expression on his face and his worshipful behavior mirrored one of a five year old entering the world's hugest candy store for the first time—he was wide eyed, fidgety and salivating at the mouth. "Mall, you musta laid down so serious G's to get this ride to come on such short notice. 'Can't believe our luck."

Malia, who unfortunately, was seated directly across from me in the limo, nonchalantly flipped her long skinny hand in the air as if to wave off Jared's comment. "Oh it was nothing, really. The least I could do." I couldn't fight it any longer, I rolled my eyes. Jacob, who was sitting next to Malia, caught my agitated action and threw me a pleading glance. I crossed my arms and looked away from him. There he went, defending Malia again. What was wrong with him?

Malia continued to fish for compliments. "So, just to make sure, you all are happy with it right? Like, you still want to take this thing?" Mostly everyone made cheerful noises of approval while I sat stonily in my overly cushioned seat with my arms still defiantly across my chest. Malia had the audacity to look my way pityingly before opening that wide trap of hers again. "I know it's not what you wanted, but I think we made the right decision, wouldn't you agree Gabby?" Huh? Gabby? Who the fuck was Gabby? I threw her a questioning glare. Malia stared back at me unflinchingly, indicating she was in fact talking to me.

"What did you just call me?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Gaaa-Bee?" she replied deliberately. "That is your name isn't it?" Her green eyes danced upon my face, clearly amused by her own antics, but she constructed her expression in such a way that other's wouldn't be able to see what I saw. Two faced bitch.

I restrained from clinching my fists. She was she really going to play this game with me again? "No actually, not even remotely close."

Her eyes widened dramatically and she slapped her hand to her chest. "Oh how embarrassing! I could have sworn it was Gabby. That's right," she said, tapping her chin in a ponderous manner. "It's Kelly right? Or Michelle?" Her friend Tami started to giggle. "Ashley?"

"Try Bella," I cut in, unable to keep the venom from seeping into my voice. "That's the second time you've seemed to have forgotten who I was today." I motioned to her two friends and lightened my tone. "Lane and Tami remember me just fine, so it's obviously just you. Maybe you should get that checked," I offered with as much innocence as I could muster. Two could play this game.

"C'mon, you can't tell me you actually forgot her name already," Jacob added, turning to his date. I couldn't tell if he was on my side, or if he was completely eating up her ridiculously childish act.

Malia feigned realization. "Oh Gosh, Bella! Bella, Bella, Bella," my name dripped off her tongue like a load of horse shit. She glared up at me, and again, only I could see the scorn ablaze in her demonic eyes. "How could I forget?" she chuckled snidely. "Bella, that's a great name for a bitch."

— Thefuck? What the hell did she just say?

"Excuse me?" I cried, ready jump up and slap the shit out of that dirty tramp. Did she just call me what I think she just called me? And in front of everyone?

Malia continued on as if she said nothing wrong. "Yeah," she replied. "I had an old bitch named Bella." Her green eyes glowed. "Whenever I hear the name it reminds me of her."

"Wait, are you talking about a…dog? Jake hedged, obviously taken aback by her comment as well. An ill concealed vain sprang up tellingly in his neck. He was just as tense at the rest of us were, but he was holding back. Why on earth was he holding back?

"Why, of course," she nodded. "A bitch is a female dog." She shifted her attention to me again, eyes widening. "Oh, did you not know that?" A wide bemused grin stretched across her face and she began snickering behind her thin tan fingers. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't mean to laugh at you Bella but," she continued to giggle. "You should really see your face. No, no, a bitch is another name for a female dog," she repeated, as if I didn't know that.

"I'm well aware," I somehow managed to choke out evenly. The amount of strained tension that had built up in my body was causing my head to pound. Sensing my internal struggle, Embry silently slipped an arm around my waist, squeezing my side gently to let me know he was there for me. The gesture was enough to calm my nerves just a little.

"But I thought you hated animals Mall?" Lane asked. For a split second, Malia's smile wavered.

"What are you talking about?" she snapped. "I love animals. But, not Bella of course," she turned her head and addressed this to the group.

Surprising myself, I spoke up. "And why is that?"

"Because," she began, speaking to no one else but me. "Bella was a dreadfully dumb animal. Obnoxious and hideous too." Heat boiled up in my face as I struggled to keep my cool. We were obviously not talking about any damned four-legged canines at the moment.

"Why would you ever buy a pet that you think is so ugly?" Embry cut in. "Don't you think that just sets you up to not love the animal?" Embry gave me a reassuring squeeze on the side as he confronted the brat head on. I leaned closer to him and refused to meet Jacob's burning and obvious stares.

Malia paused for a beat, her mouth twitching slightly. "Well," she droned, formulating a lie. "I felt bad for the little thing of course. Thought I'd give it a home and a place to live, but like I said, it was an idiot of an animal. By the second week it had ran straight into the street and sat there, right in the middle of the road until a tow truck came smothered it to pieces." Everyone in the car flinched except for me and Embry.

"That's horrible!" Tami cried, covering her mouth. "That poor thing!"

Malia shook her head, enjoying all of the attention. "I know. I cried for days. I couldn't believe Bella could be such a fool." She directed her last words to me. "Bella saw the truck coming and she had plenty of time to move out of the way—and to be fair you can't blame the truck driver, she had the right of way. Bella was just a stubborn little bitch. She simply refused to realize when it was her time to back up and walk away." She sighed and leaned her head against Jacob's shoulder, but never removed her gaze away from me. "Some people have to learn their lessons the hard way."

"You mean animals," Embry clarified, "You said people."

"Oh silly me," she giggled. "You're right, I meant bitches."

The NERVE of this whore!

"Wow," I spat, grating my teeth. I was positively boiling inside. Challenge fucking accepted, tramp. "Really fascinating story Malia. Thanks for that."

The demon didn't even bother cracking a fake smile as she glared holes into my skull. "Anytime, Bella."

"You know…" I added, ponderously. "It's actually quite interesting that you told that story—you see— I love those kinds of things. The different connections people have to names, I mean."

She pretended to stifle a bored yawn before responding. "Is that so?"

"Oh yeah definitely. I'm intrigued by everything that has to do with names, from the memories associated with them to their meanings and origins."

Jacob finally spoke up. "Really Bells? Since when?" Ugh. Of the course the one time he decides to cut into our conversation, he chooses to question the validity of my statements. What happened when Malia was spewing all of her bullshit?

"Yes really," I stated determinedly. I motioned to Kieran, who had been an extremely quiet bystander during this whole ordeal. "Kieran, you know how much things like that interest me, right? In fact, we were talking about it at length when we were getting ready for the dance, weren't we Kier?"

Kieran peeked up at me shyly, and for a split second, I was terrified that she'd deny even knowing me at this point. Fortunately, Kieran found her voice. She sat up with some confidence and nodded her head. "We sure did. Had a great time doing it too."

I threw her an appreciatory smile before turning back to the group. "See? And now that I've heard what you think about my name, I think I can finally tell you what came to my mind the minute you told me what your name was, Mah-lee-ah." With a suppressed smirk, I mimicked the patronizing way she pronounced her name back when I first met her at the bonfire. Who knew first impressions were so telling?

"Well then, why don't you enlighten us?" Malia challenged.

I awarded her with an answering smile. "I suppose I just found it interesting that you're name is Malia…considering what it means."

As soon as the words left my lips, a cold realization quickly registered on Malia's face and to my supreme satisfaction, the smug look that had settled comfortably on her features vanished in a heartbeat.

"What does her name mean?" Jared inquired, finally tearing his eyes way from the tiny TV screens that were imbedded in the seats.

"Well," I edged. "This is what I find so intriguing…tracing the name back to its fundamental origins, the name means… a sea of wretched or sinful bitterness." I chuckled delight. "Ominous no?"

Malia's hands briefly clench into fists as I recited the fun fact I had more or less memorized from earlier in the day. Positively steaming in her plush leather seat, she instantly threw a death glare over at Kieran, obviously identifying the true culprit here. Impressively, Kieran didn't back down under Malia's intense glare, instead she mocked it by smiling amusedly back at her. Paul, Jared, Brady and Quil didn't help matters for Malia when they all started cracking up, wailing things like, "Are you forreal Bella?" and "Oh that shit's fucked up!" Holding back a wide grin, I nodded my head in confirmation, all the while basking in Malia's clear and utter mortification. Jacob stared back at me beside her with an amused expression—and if I wasn't mistaken, it almost appeared as if he was proud of me.

Look who's laughing now bitch?

"Wait, what? That's not true! That's not true at all!" she half shrieked. She whipped her head to face me. "You're lying," she hissed with astounding hatred. Her beautiful face contorted into an ugly sneer. Behind the gorgeous façade, she truly was a disgusting human being.

Why couldn't Jake see that?

"Actually, she's not," Embry answered suddenly, and we all directed our attention to him. After glancing at his phone with a smile spread across his face, Embry shot his hand out and displayed the cell screen out to the rest of the group. "I just looked it up. According to BabyNames. com, Malia really does just mean a sea of bitterness. Go figure, Izzy really knows her stuff."

He grinned down at me, and I swear I could have married him right then and there. Ha! Suck on that you stupid brat! Before the bumbling bitch could defend herself, Embry spoke up again. "Hey Izzy, did you know your name means beautiful in Italian?"

I looked up at Embry and blushed, thanking him with my eyes. "Yeah, I think I remember my grandma telling me that a while ago or something."

"Hmmm, Bella…Beautiful. It definitely suits you," he mused. I knew he was just saying that in front of Malia to further piss her off—and I absolutely loved him for that—but I also couldn't help but feel flattered by his compliment.

"Yo! Let me take a look at that website! I wanna see the definition of Mall's name myself," Jared called out. As soon as Embry happily tossed him the phone, he and Paul crowded over the screen and started cracking up again. "'So fucked up," they kept snorting. Even Lane and Tami seemed thoroughly entertained by the revelation.

Malia, on the other hand, looked like human version of the Hulk right before the monster was about to explode. Her thin lips were pulled back into a nonexistent line and veins on her neck protruded out unattractively. "Enjoying the Wifi on your phone Embry? Yeah, that comes free with the limo. You haven't forgotten you're in a limousine have you? You're welcome." She sneered.

"Thank you oh so much for the transportation," I quipped quickly. "Interesting how you just knew to call them before the shuttles 'canceled' on us isn't it?" Malia audibly gasped at my audacity—or rather, the fact that I had called her out so blatantly. "How did you know the shuttles would bail on us? You have ESP? Or maybe just the cancelation numb—"

"We're here!" Malia cried uproariously. She frantically pointed to the window behind me in an effort to distract everyone from the truth. "Oh thank goodness, we're here. Everyone ready to go? Jake?" She turned to him and battered her eyelashes. His face, which had been unreadable before, softened into a reluctant smile as he stared down at her and nodded his head.

"Yeah, definitely." I felt my heart squeeze in jealousy. Why didn't he realize what she was doing? Why would he look at her like that, after the way she treated me the entire drive here? Why'd I bother coming to this stupid, stupid dance in the first place? Why couldn't my eyes be the same color green as hers, instead of this stupid brown? Why was life so fucking unfair?

The limousine pulled up to the front of the school and we all filed out of the stretch vehicle. Collective groans could be heard from my group as soon as their eyes settled on the huge line that was flowing out of the gym where the dance was held. I, for one, gazed out into the parking lot and stared enviously at what must have been about twenty to thirty white shuttles parked or pulling into the crowded parking lot of La Push High school. The kids filing out of the car looked so happy - so care free - in their modest means of transportation, while I felt like some pretentious Paris Hilton wanna-be flying in from my personal helicopter and waving at all the little people like the freaking princess of England.

Stupid freaking Malia and her stupid freaking limo.

Malia's voice interrupted my dark thoughts. "Oh stop groaning you guys. Do you really think I'm going make us wait in that huge line like the rest of the school? Hah! You all should know me better than that." Embry, who had silently come up to stand beside, offered me an exasperated eye roll. I shook my head in utter disgust, but followed our crowd when we began moving to the head of the line.

Malia smiled belittlingly at all of the dressed up students as we ceremoniously passed them. She sang a number of fake, "Hey Lisa/Jordan/Jesse/Aaron/Stephanie!" 's out to the waiting line of kids and all of her so called friends smiled back at her just as fakely, but rolled their eyes and feigned gagging after they were out of her line of sight.

I snickered silently to myself as I watched more and more disgusted faces materialize as we rudely cut to the front of the line. When we reached the front doors of the gym, Malia exchanged a few words to the lady collecting tickets and lady swiftly ushered us in without taking a look at our IDs. No matter how entertaining it was to watch the student body of La Push gag in the presence to Malia, cutting in line still made me feel guilty and embarrassed. I had a permanent apologetic grimace etched in my face as we made our way through the door.

"Wow, is this seriously our gym?" Paul asked, in awe of the impressively decorated gym-turned-dance floor. The theme of the ball was "A Night on the Nile," so there were a plethora of Egyptian themed decorations all around the spacious room. Large models of pyramids were placed at every corner and a gigantic statue of a sphinx loomed over the stage where the DJ would most likely take his place. The walls and ceilings were covered in sparkly gold and purple streamers with festive table decorations to match. The room where the Ball took place was an absolute vision to look at, and I couldn't imagine the space being anything other than an Egyptian wonderland.

"Yep," Kieran replied to Paul's comment proudly. "Please take a moment to fully appreciate your surroundings folks. It sure was a bitch to set up."

"You did this?" Embry asked, impressed.

"Didn't you know? You're looking at the president and head of the Dance Committee," she answered with a smile. "As I said, organizing this dance was a pain in the ass, so I'm going to make this night fun whether or not you all are going to join me."

"Please, I'm the master of fun," Paul crackled, pulling Kieran into his side. "You're the president of the Dance Committee? Then call me the first lady babe, cause I'm right at your side."

Kieran and I sputtered with laughter as we followed our group to a free table on the other side of the room.

"This place is seriously beautiful though Kier," I complemented earnestly. "You're really talented. Ever think about being an interior designer?"

"I have," she said with an appreciative smile. "But after putting together this dance, I don't think I want to see another floral, fabric or arts and crafts shop ever again."

We gathered around the table and began seating ourselves. As soon as we were all comfortable though, Malia opened her godforsaken trap again.

"Ugh, I'm thirsty," she whined, emphasizing her point by coughing delicately into her hand. "Jake, do you think you could be a doll and get me something to drink?"

Jake nodded and backed out of his chair to appease the wrench. "Yeah, of course. Bella, do you want anything?"

I shook my head and began to decline his offer, but Embry interrupted me by springing up from his seat and interjecting, "Don't worry, I've got it."

I looked up in surprise at my date. "Oh, it's fine, really. If I get thirsty or anything, I can just get it myself."After all, that's what big girls do in the 21st century. Mal-a-bitch obviously never got the memo.

"No, I insist," Embry pressed. Soon after, all of the guys were getting up taking orders from their dates. I shrugged and relented, allowing Embry to get me some water.

As soon as they scurried off to the buffet table, Malia turned her wicked attention back on the girls; me and Kieran specifically.

Her lips were pressed together in a tight smirk and tilt her head slightly to the side as glared at us unabashedly from across the table. Possibly sensing the rising tension, Tami, Lane and Kim quickly excused themselves and ran off the restroom. Then it was just the three of us.

"So, Bella," Malia started. Her pitch was high falsely conversational. "I see you let Kieran here use your face to play with her make up." Kieran visibly stiffened beside me and released a low shaky breath from her lips. "It looks…quaint. You should be proud of yourself Kay. Maybe you can further humiliate your parents by running away to 'beauty school' and learning how to make minimum wage with a group of dumbass girls and hand full of queers just like your sister did."

Stunned, I sat in complete shock and silence. I was barely able to register the hatred that just spewed from this child's mouth.

Malia's whole demeanor was completely altered in absence of the guys. Her expression dripped with sarcastic distain and she no longer exhibited the innocence she feigned earlier in the limo and at Jacob's.

Needless to say, I was no longer dealing with rude, annoying Malia anymore. I was now dealing with the Spawn of Satan.

"Excuse you?" I finally snapped. Kieran was clutching onto my hand under the table so hard that she was piecing her fingernails into my skin. "Just who in the hell do you think you are?" I seethed, leaning forward to get in her face.

"Was I talking to you?" She responded haughtily. Although she didn't appear threatened by me, she subtly moved back an inch. "No, I wasn't. And don't think you can get in my face just because you got Kieran to wipe your ass instead of mine," she chuckled darkly.

Kieran recoiled, as if stung by the words. "I'm not wiping anyone's ass."

"Please," the witch scoffed. "You're a good for nothing shadow, Kieran. Can't you see that all you've done is found another person to cower behind? It's amusing more than it is embarrassing really."

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Kieran half pleaded. I wanted so badly to put in my sixteen thousand cents in, but I had to refrain. This was between Kieran and Malia.

For now.

Malia glared at Kieran like there was no tomorrow. Though her dislike for me was as clear as the day, Kieran's betrayal obviously shocked Malia to a whole new level. Malia tried to look unflustered, but her vindictive words betrayed her cool. Kieran had done the unthinkable, and Malia was going to give her a piece of her mind. "Don't worry your mousey little head; you're no longer any of my concern. You think getting ready with her for this shit dance you scraped together is going to make you any less of a waste of space? You're pathetic, and you've always been pathetic. But now that you've officially turned you back on me, you're going to be a pathetic louse without any protection."

"I didn't need your shit then, and I don't need your shit now!" Kieran bellowed. Her frustration was getting the best of her. I squeezed her hand supportively.

Malia, on the other hand, forced a calm, albeit spiteful, composure. "Once you stop being so jealous of me, you'll see how incredibly petty you're being. You think she's going to save you?" Her attention snapped to me. "She may not have what it takes to keep what was hers, but she's not all that innocent either. Are you Bella?"

"Don't pretend that you know me," I hissed venomously. Finally. It was my turn to speak. "And don't act like I don't know what you're trying to do with my boyfriend either. I know what little game you're playing Malia, and if you posed even a smidgen of a threat to me and my relationship with my man, I'd have half a mind to put you in your place right here and right now."

"Oooh, is that a threat Mrs. Swan?" She mused in fiendish delight. "Threats are the first sign of insecurity you know."

"Really? Then the whole slew of insults and threats you just spat at Kieran must show you're real secure yourself."

Malia snarled in contempt. "You're getting a little bit too comfortable here don't you think? Let me put things in perspective for you: you're on my land, you're at my school, you're surrounded by my people and yet, you still think you can go head to head against me? Even more than that—" her voice dripped in devilish humor, "you practically throw your boyfriend in my arms while you snuggle up to his best friend for the entire night? Just admit it, and this can all end easily. You don't want Jacob. No girl in their right minds would let him go like this without a fight. I know I wouldn't."

I scoffed loudly. "Comparing my values to yours is one of the weakest arguments you could have made. In case you haven't noticed, I'm nothing like you and I will never be anything like you. I trust Jake and I'm not going to ruin his night by throwing an unnecessary fit. But be rest assured that after tonight, he will never see the likes of you ever again." I've always told myself that I wouldn't be that girlfriend. The one who was controlling and jealous and naggy, but I would become that girlfriend in a heartbeat after tonight if it meant Jacob never interacted with the demon child ever again.

Malia's lips coiled into a smug smile. "You're not as bright as you make yourself out to be. You're an ignorant fool if you think you can trust anyone in this world, especially the boy who holds your heart. Tonight will be fun, I can tell you that much." She then shifted her gaze to her ex best friend. "And as for you Kieran," her voice became harsher as she leveled her with a glare. "I might consider taking you back when you beg for forgiveness as you eventually will. I'll just use this little lapse in your judgment as a lesson a cunt like you needs to learn every once and a while."

Kieran snapped back and gasped. I didn't have time to retort, much to my annoyance, because the guys returned with food and drinks, and Malia's fake façade fell on her face in an instant.

"Oh, you guys didn't have to bring us food too!" she cooed, batting her eyelashes up at Jake who had just placed a plate in front of her. It was honestly terrifying how fast she whipped on her second face.

The Tami, Lane and Kim conveniently waltzed back in their chairs as soon as they guys brought the food and drinks, but I barely registered any of the commotion.

"Here you go Bella." A plate of food was placed before me and Embry settled in his seat to my left.

"Thank you," I mumbled, distracted.

"Are you alright?" He asked. When I didn't respond, a soft hand was placed on my chin and gently turned my head to the left where my eyes met with Embry's ones. "Is something wrong?" He inquired again softly.

I sighed and bit my lip. "I don't know what to do." And I really didn't. Everything Kieran told me about Malia was painfully true. She was an evil psycho bitch that was planning to steal my boyfriend right from under my nose! How could I just stand there and allow her to flirt with him right in front of me? I felt my face instantly redden as a surge of anger built up inside of me. I looked like a fool, and I was foolishly doing nothing about it. I couldn't believe I let this charade last as long as it had. I would tell Jacob everything that just went down and let him leave the bitch flat on her ass for the rest of the night. And he would do it too, because he loved me. I've suffered enough tonight and I think it's about time that he proved his loyalty to me.

So I was done playing sensitive, understanding girlfriend. It was time to claim what was mine.

Embry understood what I meant immediately and gave me a sympathetic nod. "Did something happen while we were gone?"

I couldn't help the bitter snicker laugh that escaped my lips. "You could say that, yeah. But you know what? I'm glad it happened, because now I have no doubt in my mind of what I need to do."

Embry continued to study me as I came to terms with my resolve. He inconspicuously reached down under the table to squeeze my hand. "Know I'm here for you okay?" He said, lowering his voice into my ear. "I would never hit a girl in my life, but I'll put a bitch in place the second you ask me to," he stated with a touch of humor in his softened voice.

I turned to him, surprised both to find his face so close to mine, and smiled involuntarily. "You'd but a bitch in place for me?" I giggled. I could barely visualize Embry telling off anyone, much less a girl. He was such sweetheart—such a gentlemen—that his words meant all the more to me. "I would never ask you to do such a thing, even if you were capable of it. But thank you."

Embry met my grin and winked at me. "Oh ye of little faith," he chuckled. "Any time Izzy."

The next twenty or so minutes were better, they were spent talking, laughing and eating as the gym gradually filled up with more party goers. Ignoring Malia became progressively easier as dinner wore on, and I found myself mentally rejecting her existence as I listened to Paul tell a hilarious story involving Jake, Kieran and Embry chasing around a frog that Quil had "accidentally" freed from its tank during their Bio class last year.

Embry was actually a huge reason why it became so much easier for me to relax. I began to notice that whenever Malia started yapping about something or another, Embry always managed to gracefully steer the conversation away from her. Anytime she'd try to bring something up, Embry would break in saying something like "Oh! Speaking of that…" or "That totally reminds me of the time Jared…" His tact and smooth transitions amazed me to no end, and had I not been keeping one eye on Malia the entire time, I surely wouldn't have noticed him doing it. No one else did. Besides me and a very huffy Malia of course.

So all in all, dinner went well. About ten minutes after we had cleared our plates, the DJ spoke into the mike and grasped our attention.

"Hey, hey! I hope everyone here is having an awesome night tonight. I'm the one and only DJ Demetrius and I'm here to get this party started!" Cheers erupted from the student body, and of course, the boys made sure our table was the loudest. "So please, finish up your food ladies and gents, because the first song of the night will be coming your way." More cheers sounded from the crowd. "Boys, take the hand that very special girl and lead her to the dance floor as soon as possible, because the first song is always the sweetest."

Everyone at the table looked at each other with nervous excitement as we slowly backed out of our chairs.

"Come on Jake, let's find a good spot to dance," Malia said, grabbing on to his arm tightly. My throat immediately constricted and I gulped hard. I felt a squeeze at my elbow and turned to see Embry giving me an understanding look.

"Go," was all he said. I nodded once and squeezed his hand in return. Thank You.

Without further hesitation, I click clicked my high heels up to Jake and Malia and placed an endearing smile on my face.

"Actually, I was thinking Jake and I would share the first dance together. Jake?" Malia's face immediately contorted to a scowl, but my attention was focused on Jacob.

A small smile quirked his lips, making him look almost—relieved? –by my intrusion. I smiled back at him and tilted my head questioningly.

We stood staring into each other's eyes for an extended moment before Jacob snapped out of it and blinked a couple of times. He turned to Malia. "Hey, yeah. I'm going to dance with Bella for this one, okay?"

I watched triumphantly as Malia struggled to swallow her ugly pout. "Uh. Sure. I guess its better just to get this out of the way." With a tight lipped grimace she turned and stalked away.

Jacob's hands were on my hips in the next second and his body was pressed up against my back as he quickly propelled me to the dance floor along with the rest of our paired off friends.

Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis blared through the speakers as couples poured in onto the floor, clutching their dates close and swaying back and forth to the music. Without warning, Jacob twirled me around in his arms and held me close. A huge smile split my lips when he ducked his head into my neck and began whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Jacob's embrace was positively shouldering, yet his hot breath on my neck sent chilly shivers up and down my spine. His hands rubbed achingly slow circles on my lower back and his lips began placing small, worshipful kisses on my neck and jaw, turning me into putty in his arms.

Jacob brought his breathtaking face up to mine and gazed lovingly into my eyes. He ran his hands up my hips, traced my waist, the sides of my breasts, up my neck and finally, he cupped my face.

"I love you so much," he whispered over the music. I closed my eyes and tightened my arms around his neck.

"It feels really good to hear you say that," I breathed truthfully. I opened my eyes to see pain in his expression.

"Oh God Bella," he groaned, face crestfallen. "You know I love you with all of my heart right? I love you so much I can't handle it. Oh Jesus Bella, you have to believe me." He ducked down and captured my lips in his. It wasn't a peck. It was fierce and passionate, but also…it also felt…

Desperate.

I tried kissing him back, but his urgency was starting to scare me a little. I pulled away and stared at him with wide eyes. "Jake? Jacob what's going on? Is something wrong?"

Jacob looked down at me solemnly before kissing my forehead. "No. Everything is fine. You're in my arms. Everything is fine."

I sighed and pushed him away so that I could see his face. "Jake, I feel like I need to tell you something."

"Now?"

"I don't think it can wait. I-I don't think this night is going to work out like we'd hoped—"

"Please, just—let's not talk Bella," he interrupted.

"No, I need to tell you," I insisted. "It's about Malia—"

"Can we not do this now?" he cut me off for the second time. He gazed down at me pleadingly; his eyes were begging me to drop it. The more desperate he got to shut me up, the more agitated I became.

"Yes, we need to do this now. Jacob, I don't want you with her." My words surprised even me, but I was happy to be so point blank about it. It wouldn't be right for me to stay quiet about this. I was calm at the dinner table, but I hadn't forgotten our enlightening conversation beforehand. I wanted the bitch out of the picture for good.

Jake clenched his eyes shut and let out an exhausted breath. "You know I can't do that…"

"And why not? I know I said it was okay, but while you were gone—you should have heard the things she said to Kieran! Do you know what she called her?"

"Bella don't do this to me. Just let us have this moment together, will you? Please?" He was forcefully gripping onto my waist now, urging me to just shut up and comply.

"But Jake—"

"Please?" His voice cracked, and my heart broke a little. What was going on with him? I tried to scavenge for answers in his conflicted eyes, but I only found more questions. Finally, Deflating in his arms, I gave up and allowed him to envelop me in his embrace.

His lips brushed up against the shell of my ear as he breathed his sorry words into my consciousness. I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you. I love you. It'll be better soon, I promise. Just trust me. Trust me.

The song was barely halfway through before I felt an insistent tapping on my shoulder. Jacob separated from me and faced Malia, the cause of the interruption.

"Ready?" she said. It wasn't a question. Jacob looked at me, then her, and back to me again.

"We haven't finished dancing yet. The song isn't even over," Jacob asked her. It was a question. A fierce pain pierced my stomach, but I remained standing frozen with my hands across my chest, waiting for Jacob to finally choose me.

"I think you two have danced enough for tonight," Malia retorted briskly. "This is my ball after all. And I want to dance now."

I took a step forward; ready take a swing at the fucking bitch—I mean how dare she! Instead I brought my hand up and grasped onto Jacob's arm, pulling him closer to me and leveling Malia with a challenging glare.

Jacob turned his head to her to her nervously. "Please. Just let us finish this song okay?" And as quick as a blink I wanted nothing to do with him. If he was going to ask for her damn permission for anything, there was no point in me being there to watch him grovel.

I loosened my grip on him, beginning to feel sick to my stomach.

Malia stuck her noise up in the air and sniffed. "Fine. You two can finish your little dance and I'll fill up the time by making a nice, long phone call to daddy. I'm sure he misses me." Her eyes, trained solely on Jacob, glistened mysteriously in the dim gym. Jacob immediately froze in my arms, and I glanced up at him imploringly. His eyes were completely locked on Malia's when he said, "Don't do that."

Her eyebrow rose and a smirk formed on her lips. I felt like I wasn't even there. "Oh? Suddenly ready to dance, big boy?"

Jacob looked back at me with worn, apologetic eyes, but I simply dropped his arm and took a step back. I was fighting tears. I could tell by the look on his face that he was leaving me. I held back a violent sob. Well fuck him. Fuck him!

"I love you," he croaked, before Malia sank her fingers into the crook of his arm, and lead him away— but not before she twirled around and waved her skinny little fingers at me. "Tootles Beth! " she crooned with a haunting laugh. She and Jacob disappeared behind a wall of happy, dancing people.

And although I was surrounded at all sides by hot, moving students…

And even though I knew that my other friends were just a stone's throw away…

I had never, not in my entire life, felt so bitterly cold and alone.

A/N*Hides behind computer desk*

If it makes you feel better, you haven't even seen the drama that's lurking in the shadows of this wondrous ball… mwuahhahahhaha! Is this story categorized under angst? It should be.

Please let me know what you thought! Malia wants some love;)

You guys make me adore writing fan fiction.

XOXO

LCricket