Guys, guys, I am so sorry. I just discovered a mistake in my writing. Jacob initially asked for a date on Monday in chapter 19, but I forgot and scheduled it for Sunday. I am so sorry. I can't correct the mistake, because I already deleted the document, so imagine the date originally set for Sunday in chapter 19.

Edward…

The party was incredible. Alice had joined in cahoots with Mike Newton to plan the party extravaganza of the year, if not century. Marie had seemed honestly worried about the party; I guess she was the complete opposite of Alice and Rosalie, who both seemed to thrive on attention. Rosalie, especially. Admiration was her air.

I waited for Marie at the hall, where she would pass no matter where she went out of the bathroom. (He fell for it.) I didn't want her to think I was a tyrant; it was just that I could see the look in both Jacob and Newton's eyes. I was naturally very sensitive-Alice called me paranoid-and I could see the desperation in them when Marie joked with them casually. I could tell they were friends to her, and nothing more. Of course, they both thought that she had a preference to me. I didn't feel any need to correct them.

I started tapping my foot. "Where is she?" I mumbled absently.

Then I caught sight of black silk swirling. A flash of khaki pants. More black silk. More khaki. Some brown hair, a bit of black hair. Why was Marie dancing with Jacob when she said she was going to the bathroom?

I slumped against the wall, blinking harshly. Face it, Edward, I thought bitterly. She's not interested. Why should she be? You're not good for her. I bit my lip hard, the fragile skin threatening to break. I watched them twirl effortlessly. The music changed. The floor cleared; everyone was watching the perfect couple salsa.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. It hurt my throat, leaving the raw skin rough. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Marie and Jacob dancing. Marie was laughing, her brown eyes glinting in the neon lights.

I sensed someone coming to stand next to me, but I didn't bother to turn and look. It was like watching a car wreck. I couldn't stop looking even though I knew it probably was going to be painful.

"You know, you have to fight for her," Alice murmured.

"How? I'm not Jacob. If she wants him, then…" I shrugged, hiding behind nonchalance. I'd been hiding long enough that I had perfected the art. Absently I wondered if the recovery time for this blow was going to be as long as the time I took to heal from the incident with Bella…the sound of her name started up the lump again. Now I couldn't speak or think right.

Alice sighed, frustrated. "She doesn't want him, Edward. She doesn't feel that way towards him."

"How do you know?"

"Trust me, I know. Female's intuition. That, and…she told me, anyway." Alice grimaced sheepishly. I tore my eyes away from the couple to stare at her.

"She told you?"

"Like I said. We're friends, sort of. Don't think you can keep her to yourself, Eddie boy," Alice warned, wagging her finger playfully. I managed a chuckle. "So go for it. Ask her out. Gauge her reaction." Alice made a face.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"Nothing," she muttered. She was grimacing. I shrugged it off.

"So…ask her out?" I asked tentatively. Alice nodded eagerly. I pursed my lips, considering it. Alice had a point, and a strong one at that. It wasn't like Marie was Jacob's soul mate or anything. Jacob wasn't that lucky. People generally played the field a little to find the perfect person. Marie should be open to new things.

"You're right," I decided, confidence suddenly springing up. "Tomorrow, at five. We'll go out for dinner or something. There's this really nice restaurant at Port Angeles…" I trailed off, losing steam as I immersed myself in plans.

"Er, Edward, that might not be the best idea."

"Why?" I demanded. "You just said to fight a little."

"Because…Marie isn't available tomorrow. Jacob already booked her." Alice looked shamefaced. "But that's no reason to give up!" she continued on hurriedly. "Ask her out for Monday, or another day, for that matter."

I fiddled nervously with the hem of my shirt. "Okay," I mumbled. "I'll ask."

The competition was on.

Okay, sorry for the excruciatingly short chapter, but I'm working on not one, but two other stories at the same time! So forgive me for…hasty chapters.