Having kept my distance from Edward all day, after I realised his distance was due to the upcoming ball, and probably self-preservation, I stand in front of my mirror, having got myself ready.

The original plan was for all of us to get ready here, but timings couldn't be worked out. Rose had hair, makeup and nail appointments, Alice had the same, and Ben is taking Angela to dinner beforehand.

It's easier this way.

The dress is just as beautiful now as it was when I first laid eyes on it.

Alice, Rose, Jasper, Angela, Ben, Sam and Tyler will be here in half an hour. I don't know how to pass the time.

Smiling, I think back to when Sam and Ben asked Rose and Angela to the Ball -together. Both of them, large hulking football players, all flustered and anxious, asking two girls to the dance. It was perfect —exactly what every girl wishes for.

My eyes look sultry tonight; dark, natural shades with a smokey flair. Bright and alive as they stare back at me in the mirror. I've pinned my hair back, low on my neck, after spending almost an hour curling it.

As I walk through the house, the light catches the sparkle of my dress, glimmering.

I feel beautiful. Classy.

Butterflies in my stomach.

Pouring myself a glass of wine, from the bottle I managed to buy with my fake ID, I savour the taste, feeling unsettled, though I can't place why.

It's just a dance, right? I don't know why I feel so sick at the prospect.

In the silence, lost in my own mind, a tap on the sliding doors that lead to the back garden makes me jump, my wine almost spilling over me.

"Fuck." Clutching my chest, I spot Edward in the garden, and quickly open the door.

He steps back as I step out; hands in his pockets, hood pulled over his head, shoulders slumped.

His eyes trail my body, from top to bottom, a deep breath and he pushes his hood down.

I can't look anywhere but his tortured face.

"You look … absolutely beautiful." His voice is low, sincere, agonised.

"Thank you," I whisper, looking down, my cheeks burning.

The air is cold and dry, making me shiver. There's no light in the garden, only the glow from the kitchen.

Edward takes a step closer, his proximity urging me to meet his eyes.

I bite my lip, my head tilted back to look at him. The air around us heavy, crackling. How I wish he was taking me to the dance; the thought is painful.

Warm palms against my bare upper arms, he looks down at me, struggling with his words for a moment.

"I'm so sorry I was such a dick today." I think about telling him that it's okay, but it's not. When he pushes me away like he did today, it overrides the massive strides forward we've recently taken. It makes me question 'us', it makes me insecure. "I didn't know how to deal … I still struggle with that, I probably always will." He takes a deep breath. "But more than that, I'm so sorry I can't be the one taking you to that damn dance."

I nod, biting my lip, nervous, unsure of what I can say. Absolutely devastated that this feels as though we're sneaking around, it feels as though we need to. "They'll be here soon and I—"

"I know," he interjects softly. "I just wanted to see you and … no. I needed to see you."

"I'm glad you came," I tell him quietly, not trusting my own voice or the emotions that are currently ripping through my body. It's the truth too, I can't express to him how happy I am that he realised what he did today and chose to find me and apologise, rather than run and deal with it how he always has.

For us, that's massive.

"Can I ask you something?" He sounds nervous. I tilt my head and smile up at him timidly. "Can I …" running a hand through his hair, he huffs. "Can I have this dance?"

I'm pretty sure my eyes bug out of my head. In the low light, I swear I can see him blushing. "Really?" I ask, flabbergasted. He nods, his eyes pleading. "But there's no music …" I look around, as though a solution will materialise out of thin air.

"We don't need music."

I smile, taking a step forward, holding my hand out towards him, asking for his. It's a bit backwards, but nothing about us fits the norm.

We're unconventional to our core.

Warm hand in mine, he gently pulls me closer, tucking me snug against his body.

A deep, settling breath and his chin comes to rest on my head, his free hand on my waist. It's a taste of what we could have if circumstances were different. It's almost cruel.

We sway gently, body to body, nothing but the cold breeze through the trees, a natural song in the darkness.

I allow myself to get lost in the moment, he does too. We don't speak, I don't think we're breathing. Body to body, silently appreciated the small moment we have. Everything else fades away. Here, I'm complete, I'm happy, I'm whole. In his arms, I feel like no mountain is too tall; swaying together, I feel like maybe, just maybe, we were meant to find each other; that though we cause each other immeasurable pain, we also have the power to heal one another.

We're two parts of the same puzzle.

A cold drop on my cheek and I look upwards. Edward looks up too.

It's snowing.

Matching smiles as our eyes lock. A deep chuckle in his throat as he pulls me close once more, my body melting against his, just like the tiny white flakes that land upon us.

I'm no longer cold, not tucked so tightly against his body.

Reaching up, I wrap my arms around his neck, hands finding the hair at the nape of his neck.

Perfect.

Our dance is silent, weighted.

We don't speak for a long moment. Content in the presence of the other. Enjoying this moment for what it is —bittersweet. Bodies moving fluidly, as one.

Car doors slam, bringing us back to reality way too quickly.

My friends are here.

Edward pulls away, looking to his feet.

"Thank you." It's all I can say, feeling the overwhelming need to cry. To stay. With him.

But this dance is important. For me.

He nods. "Thank you," he croaks, taking another step back.

The front door slams.

"Have a good night," he tells me, quick steps forward and his lips are against my forehead. "You're the most beautiful thing I've seen. You're perfect … Crowley is a lucky guy."

And then he's gone, swallowed by the shadows of the house as my friends spill into the kitchen looking for me.

I stand in the falling snow until my friends find me, confused that I'm out here, seemingly alone.

—-

A/N

Aww, Edward!

Thanks, as always, to Jemster23 for pre-reading and the girls on Facebook for keeping me on schedule LOL.

And thank YOU for reading!