"Quit squirming."
"You're gonna poke my eye out."
"I will if you keep moving like that. Now, keep still."
Bella pouted. Jessica was currently lording over her with mascara in hand, practically straddling her. They were all gathered inside Esme and Carlisle's master bathroom. Bella knew Alice had just as big of a bathroom for them all to fit in, but they had all gathered here instead for a more humble, human appearance. Stupid rich vampires. Bella thought sullenly as Jessica continued her assault. Alice was fiddling with Angela's hair next to her. She held the curling iron so close to Angela's face that it caused Bella's anxiety to spike. She was suddenly highly grateful to only be sporting a simple half-up hairdo. Bella had no doubt she would have been burnt in the process if it was anything more intricate.
Lauren stood in front of the giant mirror doing her own makeup. Bella accidentally made eye contact with her in the mirror. Lauren rolled her eyes at Jessica's fussing before focusing on herself. Bella frowned and pulled away from her friend.
"I think my eyes are good."
"You just need some lip gloss, and you'll be perfect!" She gushed.
Bella softened at Jessica's excitement. "You think so?"
"Of course. Alice and I make a great team."
The tiny vampire popped up by Jessica's side, grinning broadly. "I told you that there was nothing to worry about. No one dressed by me ever looks like an idiot."
Jessica elbowed her. "Dressed by us."
A bright, bell-like laugh fell from Alice's lips. "Dressed by us," she agreed.
Rosalie sighed loudly from the corner of the bathroom. She had been so quiet throughout the whole process, Bella had forgotten she was in the room with them. Rosalie was finishing up her hair as well. It was pulled into a messy bun with curling strands of gold framing her flawless face. Rosalie wore a deep red dress that had a slit up her right leg. She was stunning without even trying. It made Bella suddenly feel extremely self-conscious.
Rosalie turned and met Alice's gaze. "They'll be expecting us down soon."
Alice nodded and clapped. "I think we're all finished ladies!"
They all cheered, barring Rosalie, who stood with her arms crossed and leaning against the counter. Bella hoped she would have more fun at prom than she did getting ready with them all. Although, she wasn't sure if that was possible with Rosalie's sour attitude towards any and all human interaction she experienced.
Alice led the girls out of the bathroom and to the top of the staircase. Adrenaline flooded Bella's system, and she felt wobbly on her feet as if she was on a cruise ship. She didn't know if she was going to run or faint. Bella could already hear the click of cameras. A soft hand enveloped her own as Angela turned to face her. Her brown eyes were warm, but her lips twitched with nervous energy.
"Hey," she whispered softly, "We got this."
Bella nodded. "Right."
Angela squeezed her hand tighter. "No, repeat after me. We got this."
"We got this." There was no passion behind the words.
"We got this," Angela repeated, stressing each individual word.
Bella smiled and said much more confidently, "We got this."
Angela smiled and gave one last squeeze before turning to face the stairwell. We got this. Bella repeated in her head. Over and over until she felt her shoulders straightening out. She could hear voices carrying up from the living room. Alice clapped her hands to bring attention to all the girls. She cleared her throat dramatically, causing laughter and eye rolls from all present.
"May I present to you the best dressed and styled ladies of Forks High 2006 Prom!"
Cheering came from below. Emmett was by far the loudest with his hollering and whistling. Bella felt herself flushing as they all walked down the staircase. The flashing lights from the cameras made her feel woozy. Her father wore a proud smile as he held up a red camera Renee had sent for him to take plenty of pictures. Bella tried to smile back.
Alice all but leaped into Jasper's arms. Angela shyly greeted Eric and took the arm he offered her. She could make a break for it now if she wanted. Bella could see the front door now. Before she could, warm, golden eyes filled her vision. Edward stood looking very handsome in a simple tux at the bottom of the staircase.
"Bella, " he said softly. His words were filled with admiration and awe for her.
With that single utterance, they were the only two left in the room. Bella felt the air in her lungs rush out as he offered her his arm. At least she knew for sure now that no one would be looking at her with him by her side.
"Hey! That's my date you got your hands all over," Jessica protested in good humor, her hands on her hips. This caused everyone in the room to start laughing. Bella, however, was sporting a bright red blush.
Bella shyly glanced up at Edward, who was grinning broadly. They both nodded and turned to face Jessica. Bella felt herself smiling at the slightly bewildered look on her friend's face as Edward offered his other free arm to her.
"What's this?" Jessica asked. Despite the suspicious tone in her voice, she slipped her hand into the crook of Edward's arm.
He smiled widely at Jessica, dazzling her. Bella felt some pity as she knew Jessica stood no chance of refusing that smile.
"Well, I know you two planned to go to prom together. I thought I could be a gentleman and escort two beautiful ladies in myself. If you were okay with that, of course."
Bella and others couldn't help but laugh at how Jessica sputtered and struggled to find the right words to respond.
"Of course!" She exclaimed a little too loudly. "Oh my god, I'm going to prom with Edward freaking Cullen!"
Bella didn't need to be a mind reader to know her friend was thinking how this would be the ultimate 'fuck you' to Mike. The three turned towards the onslaught of flashes and clicks as their picture was taken. Unfortunately, it wasn't over yet. Everyone wanted pictures with their parents and with each other. It felt like it would never end. Finally. Finally, it did. Jessica walked ahead to talk with her parents. Besides those of the Cullen clan, the other couples had already left with their parents or in separate cars. Bella's ear perked up when she heard her father talking to Carlisle and Esme.
"Are you two also going to be chaperoning tonight? I know with Bella's two left feet we might need you, doc."
Bella whipped around, completely mortified. Her face was bright red as she sputtered incoherently. Both Jessica and Edward squeezed her arms, offering little comfort as they laughed at his comment. Traitor, she thought.
"Oh no," Esme said, wrapping her left arm around Carlisle's waist. "We're having a quiet night in."
Carlisle chuckled and kissed her temple. "Tonight's date night. It's not often we have the house all to ourselves."
Emmett cried out in pain as Rosalie hit him once again in the back of the head. Bella knew she was stopping whatever inappropriate he was going to make about their night together. A wave of sadness suddenly rolled over her as Bella saw the soft look in Carlisle's eye as he and Esme looked at one another. She wished they could get a real, relaxing night together. Not the council meeting Bella knew was ahead of them.
"You okay?" Edward whispered into her ear.
Bella smiled without any warmth. "I thought you couldn't read my mind."
He grinned boyishly. "I just know you. You pout when you think too hard."
"I do not!" She exclaimed.
"You do, but it's cute." He said before leaning down and kissing the furrow in between her brows. "Don't worry about them tonight. It'll work out."
Bella snorted. "That's rich coming from you."
"Tonight is supposed to be about having fun. Besides, how many times do you get to go to prom?"
She shook her head, failing at hiding a smile at his bad joke. Bella squeezed his hand and said,
"I love you."
"I love you too."
They leaned closer. Bella tilted her head up to meet Edward's lips when a commanding cough demanded their attention. Jessica stood with her arms crossed, dramatically tapping her foot.
"We get it. You're in love. Now let's go! It's prom night. I wanna dance. Have fun! I can't do that watching you too making cow eyes at each other all night."
Bella rolled her eyes but laughed along with Edward. "Okay, okay. We're coming."
Let the fun begin.