A/N: This is rushed, there's barely (if any) Spanish. Ma chère is French for my dear. Um…go ahead and read. I'm long overdue and a little rusty.

Chapter 36: Checklists

BELLA

~Saturday, 1 week, 1 day until the Competition~

Dance moves. Check.

Dance Costume. Check.

Privacy…

"Are you ready yet?!"

I sighed.

Against my will all week, I had to force myself to be ready for everything and anything.

And that sucked.

I had to get my school work done. I had to complete my tasks for Ana. I had to work with Oliver, so he didn't accidentally vilify me in his article. I had to practice with Edward.

However, there was one more thing on my schedule that I had to do; I just wasn't ready to complete it yet.

I wished I could be riding Marco's horse Esperanza. How I would love to be relaxing by the pool with Tanya, chatting about our superiority over the men we love. I wished to be able to walk out the estancia with a careless bun.

However, the life of the limelight—more like just Alice—didn't allow that.

Two interviews, including one on T.V., I was now in a dressing room, trying on a competition costume. My first fitting and I wasn't at all prepared for it.

I wasn't prepared for this life.

If someone told me I would have this life, a year ago, I would have laughed and inform he was mistaken. I was destined for ordinary life, not this…

"Bella, hurry it up already!" my impatient friend yelled again.

I looked at myself in the room mirror, seeing how the midnight fabric played on my light skin. Sequins gather at the waist, branching up in patterned sparkle. Striking and beautiful. Though my back was exposed almost to the shelf of my butt, I was concerned about it as much as I was concerned about the designer of this costume. I fondled with Esme's sapphire amulet, hoping Alice wouldn't be so Alice today.

"That's it, I'm coming in!" she announced.

"I'm coming!" I called to her, hurrying to the door. Upon opening it, Alice burst into my room, awing over her creation. "Seriously, you've been for less than twelve hours and, already, you're making my life a living hell," I muttered to her.

She arched her brow. "You know, a simple 'thank you' would suffice sometimes, Bella."

"So would a simple garment," I countered, smoothing out the sides of the blue dress.

"Even the simplest things take meticulous planning," she replied as she wrestled with the left cup of the gown. Alice has no personal boundaries when it comes to our friendship. In essence, she treated my body as if it was her own.

I groaned, closing my eyes again. "I feel like Barbie."

"You're not de plástico are you?" Alice questioned.

"You've been using a dictionary…"

"Are you?" she pressed.

"Let me tell you, being made of plastic is fantastic," I replied sarcastically.

"You're nervous." Her tone was confident.

I sighed, feeling her adjusting the waist. "His parents are coming," I answered.

"You're fine."

"And so is Charlie…"

"You're screwed."

"Thanks a lot," I grumbled, opening my eyes to see Alice was standing a few feet away, reassessing.

Apologetically, she whispered, "I'm just going based off what I know. Charlie isn't TEAM BOYFRIEND. Remember him—"

"Kyle," I interrupted, firm in my tone.

Alice look amazed that I said his name. After all, it took the Edward and Marco feud to force me to move along.

She went on—"Charlie called his cards, but…"

"I told Charlie otherwise." Simply, my father and I had a teen vs. parent moment—I won the argument. My prize: relationship full of mistakes.

I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling as if my fairytale was about to end. The magic pixie dust was losing steam. Great, just another thing to rain on my parade.

"Charlie seems genuinely happy to meet him," I offered Alice, trying to convince myself mostly. "And his mom is really sweet." I touched the amulet again. "But what if they don't…click?" I was more worried about the parent I didn't mention.

Alice came and stood beside me. Our height difference was apparent. She smiled, wrapping her right arm around my waist. "You're going to fine, ma chère! Charlie is going to like Edward because Edward is totally different from…Kyle. And Edward's parents already love you. You got Edward, so just deal with it." She nudged her hip into me, causing a giggle to erupt.

Just like high school.

"I really like the dress; it's perfect in every way," I complimented. "Just wait until I show Edward—"

Alice cut in, reprimanding me. "Nah ah ah, missy. This dress is for our eyes only. No one sees until the competition, including Edward."

"Alice, we're not getting married. I mean, we don't have to follow some crazy tradition."

She shook her head. "No deal. No one. Sees. The. Dress. Besides this is practice to see if you can keep a secret from Edward." I wanted to comment, but Alice continued, "And I worked hard to keep Jacob from blabbing."

Curious, I turned to her. "Why does Jacob know?"

"He sewed on the sequins," she came back with.

My mouth fell opened as I looked back at the dress, trying to imagine Jake's outsized fingers being delicate with a leaf of shimmer, small enough to get lost on his fingernail.

Jake was…amazing. There was nothing else to say. He stood by Alice even when she threatened to puncture him to death with a sewing machine. He helped make my competition costume. I owe him.

"I have to tell Jake thank you, but you know what will make this better?" I smiled.

Alice almost had a heart attack. Her eyes popped wide as her mouth flew to ask "What?"

I laughed and said, "Fishnet stockings as I went over to the closet, looking for the stash. I don't why I hid the garments that Liz and I bought in the first place, but I did. Now, I searched for them in the never-ending walk-in closet, supplied by hand-picked outfits. She followed behind me as I looked through bags of…stuff.

"So, you bought fishnets?"

I pushed side two sundresses, finding a shoe box at the bottom. "Are you shocked?" Nothing except shoes.

"Well…yeah. You never buy anything like that when I'm around." Her voice saddened, as if she was upset I never shopped like diva with her.

"Aww, Alice, don't be like that. You and Liz talked me into buy the fishnets." I outlined my "vision" of dancing in fishnets and heels with Edward while I still searched for the purchase. I was rewarded with Alice clapping ebulliently.

There was another shoe box and a bag in the farthest corner. I opened the bag first. A couple of belts.

Alice squealed. "Oh my, Bella! You're going to blow Edward's mind."

I opened the shoe box to discover panties galore. I tossed those over my shoulder until I came to my treasure. "Ah ha!" I exclaimed pulling out the fishnets, still packaged.

I turned back to look at Alice, who was eyeing Liz's selection. "That girl has taste," she approved. Her eyes enlarged before she swooped down, picking up an item. She waved around something lacey and red. "Oh my god, she's got you in thongs, Bella!"

Frantic, I snatched the garment from her hands. I forgot about those. "Don't make a big deal, Alice," I sighed, trying to figure out somewhere to put them. In the blink of an eye, Alice snatched back and had the infamous red thong in her hands.

She held them up as if they were the golden ticket. "Don't make a big deal? Bella, it took me forever to get you in a department store for intimates, and then, you still wanted to cover up. The closest we got to this"—she indicated the thong—"degree was nude. Nothing striking like red. This…"she looked back at it. "This is giant leap for womankind. I have to shop with Liz before I leave. Has Edward…seen you…in any?"

I blushed, swiping the panties back, stuffing them in the shoe box. "First, Liz didn't pick those out; I did. And yes, Edward has." I walked out of the closet, already unzipping the dress.

I heard Alice hustle behind me. "Just when I thought you were going to be difficult you surprise me." She giggled, thinking she was about to receive more information.

I was mute. "Come on, Bella," Alice griped. "We're best friends. We tell each other everything." She pouted, causing me to lose my ground as I slide out of the dress.

As I wiggled back in my comfortable jeans and fitting shirt, hiding the sexy set I wore underneath, I quietly disclosed, "I got three words for you: green cheetah print."

Alice was ecstatic. "I got three words back: how was it?"

"Alice," I frowned, hanging up the dress, then, heading back to the closet.

"Couldn't keep his paws off you?" she joked nudging me as I placed the midnight dress in a solid black garment bag.

"Something like that" I admitted, feeling my cheeks heat again. I hung the dress towards the back, then, strolled towards my bed. "But enough about me. What about you and Mr. Blondie?" I asked as I brought my feet up from the floor.

Alice, smiling, sat next to me, folding her legs under her. After a moment, her smile faded as she struggled to get her words right. "Mr. Blondie is…Jasper is…how do I describe him in full appreciation?"

"You, mi querida, have just been rendered speechless," I pointed out, touching the tip of her nose. She laughed, leaning on my shoulder.

"Ah," Alice sighed. "Jasper, seriously, is the best guy I dated by far. You know, I dated the 'jocks,' the 'geeks,' the 'bad boys.' None was perfect. That was until Jasper came along. He's the jock, geek, bad boy, pretty boy, mama's boy, best friend, guy next door, cool dude—he's everything I would want in a perfect balance. I am to every woman as he is to every man." Alice giggled, starting to sing. "I'm every woman, it's all in me…" She quieted, resting her head on my shoulder. So soft, she whispered, "I love him, Bella. I really love Jasper."

Quietly, we let the declaration sink in.

"When I have my first runway show—which will happen, you know—I want Jasper to be in the front row. When my name is mentioned, I want him to be the significant other. I want him in so many ways, but I don't know if he wants me in the same ways I want him."

I rubbed her outer shoulder soothingly, comprehending exactly where she was coming from. "You know I was like that, too. I didn't know where Edward and I were going. Actually, I still don't." I chuckled once. "But as long as you hold on to each other…there's nothing greater."

She peeked up at me, a slight grateful grin appearing on the corners of her lips. "Thanks for putting up with me for all these years."

"That's because no one else would take you," I teased.

She pushed me over, causing me to land on my stomach. She held my shoulders down, so I couldn't move.

I screamed excitedly and yelled, "I love you, Alice!"

"I love you, Bella!"

She pinned under weight, laughing the whole time.

"Is this what friends do?" I asked her through bursts of laughter.

"No, just me," she smiled, still keeping me down. After the fun cooled to relaxation, Alice got off my back and relaxed next to my side. She placed her hands under head and stared up at the ceiling. "So…are you excited about the competition?"

I relaxed my hands over my stomach. "More ready to get it over with. It seems like everything is slowly down as my anticipation builds."

She looked over at me and asked, "What place do you think you'll get?"

I snorted. "No place—I'm not that good."

"Whether you want to admit it or not, you're a fabulous performer. Acting with lines may not be you're thing, but dancing with attitude, now, there's a winner! In the fashion business, I, along with my boss, see a lot of models. All of them can handle the technical things. You know, don't hunch your shoulders. Or watch for the swinging arms! But just once in a while, you will see a girl with natural talent, and natural attitude. You know that modeling is her thing."

"But you and I both know dancing is not my thing," I pointed out.

"You just needed the right instructor to bring out that side of you. You're scared, I know. I'm scared for you, but I'm also excited. This is your first competition, and you will be in the finals."

"Alice," I sighed, smiling. "Sometimes, you scare me."

"It's my awesomeness that scares you; it scares a lot of people," she replied smugly. I nudged her. Alice nudged me back.

I laughed again. "We are the epitome of maturity," I mentioned mockingly.

Alice sat up looking over at me. "We should do something tonight." She beamed, grabbing my hands. "It will be fun. Just like double dating, but only better. I never had a chance to visit the Argentine nightlife. I hear it's better than ours."

It was.

I made a face, imagining what the media will get out of that. 'Argentina's It Girl found getting her party on in local clubs. Parents are reconsidering her as a role model.'

Who am I kidding? I was never a role model since the first magazine issue.

Hours and a makeover later…

Music blasting. Party hopping. People dancing. And then there was me, clutching Edward next to my side as if I was afraid of the dark. How pathetic.

We all came to enjoy ourselves, to have a good time. I could dig that. I even let Liz and Alice have their makeover fun, dolling me up. I'm even wearing the red thong. Still, I wasn't in the mood to do anything but hold Edward tight.

He, in a white dress shirt and tan suede jacket, chuckled, and said into my ear, "Are you nervous, love?"

I nodded feverishly, readjusting the bottom my strapless red dress.

Edward put his hand on my thigh to keep me still. It just made me more jumpy. "There's nothing to be nervous about. Just pretend you're in Seattle again."

See, that was the problem. Sitting in our half-concealed color-changing booth, I knew that this club wasn't like Seattle. This was Argentina where I had fun before…just with another guy. Lucky for me, Marco opted to stay with Tanya who was still immobile. Jake came, scouting the place for women, while Alice and Jasper got lost on the first song. I was the one reluctant to let Edward see me wild public. It was different what I did with Edward; it was sacred, private. And then, he saw how I acted with alcohol: reckless. I didn't know how he would take me dry.

When I didn't reply to him, Edward backed away from me, thinking. He held up his finger, signaling to me that he would be right back. I reached out for him to stay, but still he disappeared, leaving me in the blue booth.

I sighed, running my hands through my teased hair, and sat there like a duck. I nodded my head to the reggaeton song in process when a guy came by, paused, and turned to me.

"Hey, you're that girl from T.V.," he recognized. "I saw you on Thalia!"

I smiled uneasily, answering "Yes. Yes, I am."

He clapped his hands together once as he laughed out his satisfaction. "Hey, so what are you doing here, by yourself?"

"I enjoy being alone," I replied dryly.

He missed his exit cue. He sat down next to me, saying "No chica as beautiful as you should be in a club by herself."

The booth changed to purple. When he wasn't watching me, I rolled my eyes. He slung his arm around the back of the booth bench, while I casually scooted away from him.

"So…where's that one boyfriend of yours that you talked about?" he asked me.

"Uh…" I looked around, trying my hardest to spot someone I knew. No one danced this way. I craned my neck in one last attempt. Nothing. I was utterly alone. This is why I don't go to the club with Alice. "He's here, somewhere."

The guy grinned. "Sure."

I smiled politely back. "I'm serious. Edward is here right now."

The guy eyed me curiously. "So, he's not here now."

"In other words, he's about to come over here and hit you for flirting with his girl."

I looked up to see, dressed in green, a blonde, now looking fiery like Tanya's with red-colored booth, standing over us. Her hands were on her hip, set in a way that challenged the man to make one false move.

He sighed, and said, "Well, I'll see you later, Bella." He got up and left, looking down on the way. I felt bad for him, but not bad enough to ask him to return.

"Thanks," I said to the woman as I held out my hand. "Bella."

"I know," she smirked, taking my gesture. "I'm Samantha. Visiting out of country. That's a pretty dress you have on," she commented.

I looked down as if I didn't remember what I was wearing. "Oh, thank you. My best friend picked it out for me. She's like my personal designer. I don't know where I would be without her." I laughed, letting Samantha join. "You can sit if you want," I offered, patting next to me.

She sat down, sliding on the opposite side. "Do you want a drink?"

I declined. "I don't drink unless I have to."

"Oh, you're a good girl," she smirked, as if she was analyzing me. "So…you're from Washington," she started. "So am I."

"Really? Where from?" I asked her, amazed to meet a person from the state as me.

"Seattle," Samantha answered.

I placed my hand on my chest in shock. "No way? Me, too. I'm surprised I haven't met you sooner, here, in Argentina."

She sighed. "Well, I'm here on leisure. Just visiting the city and enjoying it while I can. What are you here for?"

"School," I answered. "I'm studying journalism and Spanish Literature. Are you in school?"

She shook her head. "But I might go, after I'm done traveling. I just never saw myself as the studious type. I like to be carefree, never tied down." She looked out of the booth, now yellow, as if she was looking for someone.

"Oh."

She turned to me. "You're dating Edward, right?"

"Yeah," I blushed, averting my eyes to see if anybody was watching.

She nodded. "Nice guy. I think I went to high school with him, though. What's his last name?" She pointed for the answer.

"It's Cullen," I gave her.

She smiled. "Oh, that's right. Edward Cullen. He dated a girl name…Clara…Katie…?"

"Cindy," I completed, smiling. "But they broke up."

Samantha leaned in. "Have you ever met her?"

I shook my head. "No. Edward doesn't talk about her either. I don't even know what she looks like, but I know she's pretty."

Samantha stared, disbelieving. "I think you're too nice. What if she's the ugliest thing you ever met, the worse women in the world?"

I shrugged. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'm sure she pretty."

"True, true," Samantha smiled. "What about Edward, though? Does he do anything interesting for you?"

"He's my boyfriend, point blank." I arched my brow. This Samantha was worse than Alice on a good day. She wanted a lot of information on nothing.

She pursed her lips. "No, I mean like what kind of man is he? In high school he was gentle and not very popular. Some people thought he was weak until he had Cindy. All he did was dance. Now, he's man. So, has he changed? Is he still a gentle man?" she suggested leaning closer.

"Actually, Edward and I have a mutual relationship; we balance each other," I replied, feeling my patience wearing. I looked out, trying to find someone I knew again.

Samantha sensed it. "Well, I just want to say that from meeting you, you're better than Cindy. She wasn't right for Edward, but I guess he knows that now. And you're much prettier. She's cute, but you're gorgeous. Anyway, I will be watching the competition, rooting for you." She got up to go, pulling down her the length of her dress. She flicked her hand and grinned. "It's been nice meeting you for the first and probably last time."

I waved my hand dismissively. "Don't say that. We live in Seattle. I'm sure we'll see each other in Starbuck's."

She chuckled, backing away. "Just one more thing. Edward is a great kisser. I think you helped with that." She laughed, slowing fading her figure into the crowd.

Just then, Jacob appeared with a drink in his head. His eyes popped out of their sockets. "Is it just the alcohol or is that the ex?"

I whipped to him. "You met her?! That's Cindy!" I pointed to the spot where she once stood.

I just met Edward's ex in a nightclub, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This world was ridiculously small. I just met Cindy, the girl who damaged Edward's heart, leaving it for dance to mend.

I moved the crowd, trying to find that girl again. I had no idea where she disappeared to, but I knew she was still in the building. I approached the side where I thought she went. In the corner of my eye, there was a flash of green. I saw her and followed, weaving myself through the crowd. Why I was pursuing her, I didn't know.

People in the crowd spotted me, identifying who I was. They cheered and waved. I waved back, still chasing after Cindy/Samantha.

Over the speakers, a voice came over. "This is DJ E.Z. Y'all having a good time?"

The crowd yelled all around me. I, however, didn't participate as I still looked out for the green dress. I looked quickly at the DJ booth, but saw a very familiar character up there. He had the fly-away bronze hair that I love so much, along with the same clothes of my date.

I chuckled as I realized Edward was working the music while I ran after his ex. I was closing in on Cindy when I called her name—her real name. She didn't turn around, instead, she moved faster.

"Cindy!" I called again, though my voice barely traveled over the music. I picked up my pace when I noticed she was bringing me closer to the DJ booth. I didn't want go closer to Edward, though.

Too late. The spotlight overheard trapped me before I caught up to my target. I should've just given up, but I was too stubborn for that. Edward looked and smiled until he saw my frustration.

He mouthed, WHAT'S WRONG?

I crossed my arms and looked towards the encompassing crowd. I pointed in the last direction of Cindy, knowing she was gone. Edward brought his attention that way, but saw nothing.

He was never to know. This was a secret for Cindy and me to keep.

Edward shrugged and ushered me to join him.

I sighed, casting away the unusual occurrence to enjoy the benefits of being with my man.

When Edward saw me, he glowed as he spoke excitedly. "Surprise! Now, you finally get to see me in action. You seemed a little nervous earlier, so I decided that I should cheer you up, playing a familiar song." Just then, "Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake played through the speakers. Except, this was different because it was being remixed by Edward. He grooved to the song, singing the lyrics as he slid up various controls, making elements of the song stronger or weaker.

Before I knew it, my body was grooving to the song while I watched Edward and his passion, music. He sped it up, mixing it with another song to make it sound like it had Latino origins. That was keep the crowd moving. From up on the DJ booth, I could see Alice and Jasper snuggling up on the left side of the dance floor. He stood behind her, holding her hips as they rocked together. Jacob was at the bar, chatting it up with an attractive girl. I'm glad he got over the Cindy fiasco as well. I giggled, feeling a little voyeuristic.

"Are you having fun?" Edward asked, holding on to my left hand. He squeezed it as he stared into my eyes.

Here in the club, Edward seemed so loose, less rigid, less old.

I smiled, "just being with you." I kissed him, which was meant to be quick, but Edward held on, cradling my face in his hands. Totally consumed, I brought my arms around Edward's neck, wanting him to kiss me forever.

He did release me, though. In my ear, he whispered, "Just let me rock you 'til the break of day."

I laughed and lip-synched, "Talk to me, boy," ending with by licking my lips.

"No disrespect. I don't mean no harm."

"Talk to me, boy."

"I can't wait to have you in my arms."

"Talk to me, boy."

"Hurry up, 'cause you're taking too long."

"Talk to me boy."

Edward pulled me closer when he sung, "Better have you naked by the end of this song."

Usually, I would smack him jokingly if he said something like that. This time, I whispered back, "Is that a promise?" The song flipped over to Katy Perry. I smirked, shaking my head. "Guess not."

He kissed me once more before turning back to his duties. "I used to spin tracks for small clubs in high school. My parents didn't really like it, but…" he shrugged. "I love doing it, though. It's the total opposite of dancing. In dance, I have to interpret the song. But being the DJ, I create the song for people to dance to. I set the mood." He smiled. "Do you want to try?"

"Me?" I pointed to myself, stunned he was asking.

"Come on, it's easy," he extended, reaching for my hand. He showed me the controls, and I learned which sliders operated what level of frequencies. "You got it?"

"I think so," I replied, reaching for the first sliders. I placed my finger and moved it, hearing the music change. Edward's pleased grin encouraged me to move another. This one I slid down. The slider caused the voice to sound like it was in a tunnel. I pushed back into place. I stopped my experimentations, giggling foolishly. "I think that's enough for one night," I said to him.

"Aww," he groaned, wrapping his around me. "Not even a rendition of 'Sexyback' for old times sake?"

I shook my head. "I don't even want to think about that night at the club. And why were you there, again?" It's not like he answered the first time. Or maybe he did and I was too drunk to notice then.

"To save you." The same smooth line.

"Stalker," I teased.

He let that go when he said, "I worked that night."

"At the dance studio," I presumed, crossing my arms.

"No, at the club. I was the DJ that worked that night, Bella. I saw you with Camden. I saw the creep talk to you, dance with you. I saw everything. Eventually, I was going to but up the courage to ask you to dance, but he kissed you. I turned to walk away, but then I heard your protests. I couldn't leave you that night, knowing that every guy was going to be giving you the same lecherous expression. You were looked at like meat, not a respectable young woman. I would've hated myself if I left you."

I froze in my thoughts. Edward had seen everything. "That explains so many things," I whispered to myself. "You're my savior, the all-seeing eye. Without you, I could never be the Bella you see. I love you so much." Without reservations, I seized the sides of Edward's dress shirt and brought my mouth to his.

Whether we were ready or not for the dance floor, I was ready for this to be forever (can't use the 'm' word).

Jacob probably approved. Alice and Jasper were mostly too caught up in their own moment to notice. Cindy was nowhere to be found. People in the club cheered us on. I giggled in between the lip-lock. Cameras almost certainly flashed. I knew this would end up somewhere online.

Perfect guy. Check.

Perfect music. Check.

In love. Check.

Wanting this moment to end…never.

A/N: Sorry, this took so long. I mean, I feel a little out of practice with this story. I'm desperately trying to speed it up. As you can see, we're down to less than a week before competition. I did have other stuff, but I cut it to move the story along. So, what do you think? On the award, I didn't win because I wasn't a senior. Next year, I will though. All the judges said I am a great speaker, and the guy in journalism said I'm also a great writer. What else?...I should be able to write easier from now because this was more of a filler drama because I decided that I didn't like the media drama as much because it slowed down the story. Against our wishes, this has to end people. :) This chapter probably seems like blah, but the next one--I got you. Just review. Holla!