AN: Here's another chapter, my guilt is usually rewarding for you all. P.S. I do read your reviews they help me out SO much. Please continue supporting me and our favorite girlie girl
Disclaimer: Katy Perry and Stephanie Meyer are like those hott chicks that the bouncer automatically lets into the club, while I'm the girl still waiting in line. So ask yourself...does she own anything except the dialogue?
Outside was actually set up pretty nice. Their deck had been cleared of their usual table, lounge chairs, and top of the line Barbecue. In their place two long tables were set up at opposite ends. One to the far left was loaded down with refreshments, the one to the right had the DJ working with some very expensive looking equipment.
Jeeze! All this for a niece? I shook my head in disbelief seeing all the random people our age milling around, a few were familiar. Stepping out onto the deck Jacob and Jasper, who had been chatting by the punch bowl, started toward us.
"Jazz, who are all these people?" I hissed to him once they got into ear shot.
"Kids of people at my father's firm," He rolled his eyes putting his arm around Alice, "Mother thought the 6 of us wasn't adequate enough for a proper going away party."
I scoffed. Mrs. Hale was house wife-lush who had nothing else to spend her time with. She needed a hobby, badly.
"Of course. Em! Rosalie!" I saw the pair of them dancing—the only two dancing. They looked up with a smile and made their ways over. I caught a flash of bronze and saw Edward heading to the food table with his strawberry-blonde stalker right behind him.
"Hey Bells...looking nice!" I looked up into Emmett's grinning face.
"Thanks," I smirked and looked at Rosalie who was appraising me with a raised eyebrow.
"You are, how are you Bella?" Her suspicious blue gaze trailed over to Jake, "Who is this?"
"We should have gotten you a name tag," I muttered to Jake causing him to snicker, "I'm good Rose. This is my friend Jacob Black. He's visiting from California."
Gesturing to the now stunned couple I turned to Jake, "This is my other best friend Emmett and Rosalie-Jasper's sister."
Jake grinned at them saying hello before turning towards the DJ. Familiar beat of Alkaline Trio's Mercy Me was starting.
"Yes! Enough introductions! Come Bella, let us dance--" Before I could utter more than a strangled yelp Jacob half dragged half carried my reluctant body to the dance floor.
"Jake!" I hissed mortified as more faces I recognized from school stared at me curiously, "You know I can't dance."
Jacob rolled his eyes grabbing my hands, "Oh you can...or you will at least trip to the beat."
"But-"
Jacob however wasn't listening to me. Instead he swung my arms around erratically and then once the chorus started he began to spin me. Soon I forgot everyone else and allowed myself to go dizzy. I giggled fiercely as he jumped around like an idiot. I was so distracted that I didn't notice more people joining us.
As the song ended Jacob twirled me and dropped me into a dip. I couldn't help the squeal of surprise that erupted from me. Jacob laughed down at me and leaned in kissing the top of my nose. Bringing me back to my feet I thought his face would split from the grin he had.
He leaned in again but this time his mouth was at my ear.
"You're welcome." He whispered into it before pulling back. I looked at him confused. His only response was to tilt his head to the side. Glancing off in that direction my eyes settled on Edward still be the food—but angry. Angrier than I've ever seen him. His head was practically spinning. Tanya had her arms crossed and a pout firmly in place.
My heart flipped-flopped in my chest. Could he not be so much angry but incredibly—jealous? No way.....yet he looked ready to beat on Jake. And why else would he feel the need except jealousy? I turned my head back to Jake stunned. He simply poked my nose before turning me into the beat of a new song.
About 7 songs and the electric slide later, I was standing against the railing taking a break. I watched Jacob jumping to Journey's Don't Stop Believing with my best friends—except Edward. He had disappeared after the 4th song leaving Tanya behind. She was before a little upset, but now at how she's bouncing around you wouldn't be able to tell something was amiss. I watched them all hop around and I couldn't help smiling in response. Even though things have been getting confusing- it was nice to see everyone letting go. I sighed looking down at my hands, almost everyone anyway.
"Want to dance?"
I jumped a hand flying to my neck in surprise. My heart hammering I looked up into the determined eyes of Edward. I glanced briefly over his shoulder to Jacob, who surveyed what was happening before making a b-line for Tanya.
As the melancholy notes started to drift over the dance floor I felt a tug on my chin. Looking back at Edward he dropped his hand.
"And don't say you can't. You've danced non stop since you got here. You even danced with Emmett!" He smiled crookedly at me causing me to blush. What has he been spying on me from the bushes or something?!
Edward held out a hand to me. I looked down at it and back up to his face. I could see behind the confidence: there laid hope and fear. Looking into his eyes I knew there was no way I could say no, I knew that if he kept looking at me like that I would probably follow him off a bridge. So I did the only thing I could, I nodded sliding my hand into his. Maybe I am girlier than I originally thought.
Immediately I felt a spark—a tingling all the way to my toes and back. I looked at Edward in surprise, but if he felt it too I have no idea.
He just spun me around and stepped up in front of me. He slid an arm across my shoulder blades pulling me closer. As the haunting voice of Amy Lee started I let go. My hands naturally fell into place: one to his shoulder the other cradled in his hand.
I allowed Good Enough's lyrics wrap around us letting the world fade away. I stared up into his green eyes and he gazed back into my brown. Edward spun me around slowly stepping toward me, so to catch me as I came around. Feeling slightly overwhelmed by it all I let my eyes drift down.
Now I can't let go of this dream.
I can't breathe but I feel...
I felt Edward release my hand and cup my cheek.
Good Enough
I feel good enough for you
My heart stuttered in my chest and my eyes were stinging. Was he trying to tell me something? We were still moving, but sort of revolving on the spot. Amazingly not stumbling, just looking at each other with him cradling my cheek.
And I've completely lost myself, and I don't mind.
I can't say no to you.
He started to gently drag his thumb across my cheek. I couldn't help myself. I leaned into his caress reaching up with my free hand to hold onto his wrist.
Now I can't let go of this dream.
I felt a tear start to slide down my cheek but Edward's thumb caught it. He smiled crookedly down at me and I knew he wasn't mocking my traitorous tears. He was telling me in his own way that it was alright. I smiled back and released his wrist. Instead I carefully cupped the side of his face. I thought I was going to start hyperventilating as I felt him lean into my hand closing his eyes.
It's been such a long time coming, but I feel good.
My head was spinning. Could this be happening? Finally? The next lyrics seemed to sing out my insecurities.
And I'm still waiting on the rain to fall.
Pour real life down on me.
I let my hand leave his face and fall limply to his shoulder. He opened his eyes questioningly but I just stared at him willing him to understand.
'Cause I can't hold on to anything this good enough.
Am I good enough for you to love me too?
Edward experienced a whole rainbow of emotion that if it wasn't hurting me so, I would be laughing. Confusion-guilt-uncertainly...
So take care of what you ask of me,
'cause I can't say no.
I gently pushed back on his chest taking a step back. I felt the tears streaming down my cheeks, but I didn't reach for them. I just shook my head—he wasn't ready. If he was ever going to be ready it wasn't now.
He reached out for me but I just took another step back. This was enough, enough for now. I wiped my cheeks and turned away. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jacob starting after me. Heading for the exit I couldn't help wondering if I will ever be good enough for him to love me back.
I have no real right but if you can find it in your amazing hearts to forgive me and send me a little review...I'll be eternally grateful.