The whole drive to school, I try to stay present as my friends laugh and joke in the limousine. Tyler has been nothing but sweet, looking handsome in his dark blue suit.

I feel ashamed of myself for wishing he was someone else.

Their voices blend into a background blur, their happy expressions and excited motions offering me the very backdrop I used to thrive on.

And all I can think about is the boy who continuously breaks my heart and then asks me to dance in the snow.

The boy who hides his heartwarming smiles behind carefully crafted walls he's determined to maintain. The boy who's known more heartache and pain in his short life than most people witness in a lifetime.

The boy who's openly showing me who he really is; actively trying to be better … for me.

I smile, trying to remain present, but wondering what Edward is doing.

Rose dances in her seat, flailing limbs and exaggerated movements in time to the song that plays loudly from her phone.

They're so happy. At their very core, they're carefree and it shows.

The limousine rolls to a stop outside the school; bright lights and a bustling atmosphere greet us, the snow lying, a light blanket of white in the darkness. Merry voices and a sea of formal wear.

Tyler takes my arm, looping it with his. Smiling up at him, I match his stride, holding my head high, swallowing the ache of longing.

I'm doing this for me.


A/N

Hmm, what do we think she's going to do?
Was that dance a turning point? Is she realising something now?

Thank you for reading!