The anticipation of Friday finally came to a head as the Homecoming game was finally there. It had felt like the longest month for everyone. Tragedy after another rocking their little sleepy town awake to awful truths and this game felt like a nice little escape from reality. Angela had never cared for any sport let alone football but she came to every game to support the team and because Mike was the quarterback.

It was freezing as she and her friends huddled together for warmth in their thick coats. She brought a thermos of steaming hot coffee that they sipped on throughout the game. Eric dutifully took photos with his camera while Tyler raised the banner he made that said 'GO SPARTANS, GO!'. They all cheered every time their team scored.

Even with losing their original coach and the missed practices, the team did well and won the game. They all screamed their hearts out as Mike smiled widely as his team raised him up and congratulated him for the winning touchdown. Angela was happy for him as she always was and remembered that little boy in little league games and how far Mike had come. He put himself into things he cared about and did well and a part of her could understand why he wanted bigger things for himself.

They'd agreed beforehand to meet up at Sully's for a post-game dinner and they all ate burgers and milkshakes and recounted the highlights of the game. Eric turned on his camera and pointed it to Mike.

"So, Varsity Blues, how does your win feel?" Eric asked. "Was it as easy as you thought it would be?'

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without my team and we all worked hard and brought our A-Game," Mike replied then grinned cheekily. "The other team could've done better. Maybe they needed to practice more…"

"Stop bragging, Newton," Lauren chided, flicking a French fry at him. Mike had caught the fry in his mouth and gave her that same smarmy grin. "This is why we broke up."

"You can't handle this much man," Mike returned. "Many women can't."

Lauren rolled her eyes. "More like you're too immature."

"There's also the fact that you're as cuddly as a polar bear," He remarked. "You would've eaten me for the winter if I didn't get out of that doomed relationship in time."

Jessica had become quiet and seemed more interested in stirring the straw around her milkshake then in the conversation. Angela made an excuse about needing to go to the restroom and asked Jessica to come with her. The restroom at Sully's was thankfully empty as they made their way inside. Angela took Jessica's hand and asked her if she was okay.

"I'm totally fine," Jessica tried to play it off. "Mike still likes Lauren, whatever."

"Mike doesn't like Lauren that way anymore," Angela tried to reassure him. "I don't think he ever really did. He probably didn't want to date someone he's known since kindergarten and Lauren was the closest thing to new."

"Yeah, but that just confirms he will never like me the way I like him," Jessica replied. "He thinks Forks and all the girls here are boring and he can't wait to graduate and go find some cool, sexy, tall girl in California and he'll forget all about me."

"Jess…"

"You're his best friend. You know him better than all of us," Jessica held her hand tightly in desperation. "Tell me, Angie. Does he like me even a little?"

Angela felt bereft, knowing the truth and how it would hurt Jessica but also knowing lying would hurt her friend in the long run. She was right about Mike and how he would hate to stay in Forks and settle down with a girl he's known since childhood. He wanted a new start with a new girl somewhere far away. And Jessica was the opposite of everything he wanted in life even though she was pretty, funny, and smarter than everyone in school.

"Jess…" Angela didn't know what else to say especially as Jessica's ears began tearing up. "I'm so sorry."

Tears were falling from Jessica's blue eyes and she wiped at them angrily. "Shit."

"He likes you," She tried to give some comfort to her friend. "But not in that way."

"He likes me a friend," Jessica sniffed. "And only as a friend."

"Maybe it's for the best," Angela tried to soothe her, rubbing her back. "You'll end up at different colleges and long distance rarely works. You'll probably find some nice, sweet guy at Stanford and have a million cute little babies with him."

"And Mike Newton will just be a memory of my past," Jessica sighed and turned on the tap to wash her face. Angela handed her a paper towel to dry her face. "Well, the dance is tomorrow and I still have to go with him."

"You can back out," She offered. "Mike will understand."

"No freaking way," Jessica scoffed. "Mike Newton may not be my forever but he is good enough for a stupid dance and somebody needs to drool over me in my dress."

Angela laughed and then they were both laughing. Jessica gave her a hug and thanked her for comforting her and they went back to their table. Eric had turned off the camera and they spent the rest of their time at the diner laughing at old memories. If Angela had a way of capturing good moments in her life, this moment here would be one of them.


Jacob was pensive as they lied down to go to sleep. Sensing that he didn't want to be pushed, she didn't remark on it. Instead she told him about her day especially the Homecoming game. He smiled at her softly and she asked him why he was smiling. He shrugged and let her continue telling the story of Mike's touchdown.

"What color is your dress?" He asked. "So I know how to match you."

"Red."

"I don't think I've ever seen you in red," He glanced down at her kitten pajamas. "Though I confess I regularly see you wearing baby animal prints."

"You have something against my pajamas?" She countered. "Cause you can leave if that's the case."

"No, no," He pulled her closer and rested his head on top of hers. "I like them just fine."

"Are you going to wear a red tie or something?"

"I don't think I have one actually."

"I know Mike has one. I can borrow it for you," She shrugged. "Or you can just not wear a tie. I'm sure you'll look good either way."

He chuckled. "Is that you saying I'm so hot it doesn't matter what I wear?"

She nearly rolled her eyes at how ridiculous he could be. He wasn't wrong but he didn't need to know that. His head would get so big he wouldn't be able to fit into rooms. He already was too tall for door frames.

"I would take offense if you come to the dance naked," She replied. "I'd have to run away to Europe and you'd never see me again. You can imprint on someone else."

He laughed and even as he jostled her as his deep laugh filling up the room she didn't mind. She liked his laugh too much. "Okay. I will arrive clothed."

"Promise?" She gave him a suspicious look. "I don't trust you not to just arrive in your wolf form then shift in the bushes."

"I promise," He kissed the top of her head. "Like I could resist you, Angie."


They had booked an appointment at Ashley's Hair and Nails to get their hair and make-up done. The cost was going to dig into her babysitting savings but Angela justified it to herself as she owed it to herself to look nice for one night. The employees at the salon were more than accommodating and when she explained she wanted something simple they easily complied. Her long brown hair that was normally straight was styled into loose waves and her make-up was light except for a red lipstick the make-up artist talked her into. It matched her dress.

Lauren dropped her off at her house and she got dressed in her room. Angela didn't even bother with getting high heels as she didn't want to hover over people more than she already did. She wanted to be comfortable so the ballet flats were enough. She got into her dress and looked at herself in the mirror.

Angela went out of her way to be unnoticed. Her height had been a sore point and insecurity with her shyness crippled her from wanting to ever be the center of attention. Wearing red was a statement, it was a cry to be seen and for once she didn't mind. She wanted to be the pretty girl just for one night, for a Jacob a little, but mostly for herself. She wore the golden bracelet her parents gave her for birthday, the wolf necklace Jacob made her, and she was ready.

Her mind had smiled widely at the sight of her and took a million pictures with her camera as her friends came to pick her up. Lauren looked like a pageant queen. Jessica looked stunning in her bright dress. Mike looked especially handsome in his suit. They all piled into his car and made their way to the dance.

"Where's Jacob?" Jessica asked as they arrived at the school parking lot. "Is he not coming?"

"He has something he couldn't get out of so he'll be a little late," She answered. "He'll catch up."

"Well, in that case," Mike offered his arm to her. "I'll be your date for now."

Jessica cleared her throat. "You'll be our date, Ang."

Angela laughed. "Sure sure."

Mike grinned as Jessica took his other arm and they made their way to the school entrance. Tyler had met up with them and was escorting Lauren in line to get inside. The entrance to the dance had a red carpet with little arches. They'd gone all out for this. She wondered what they would do for prom.

Their school principal, Mr. Weathers, stopped at the sight of Mike. "Mr. Newton, you have two dates?"

Mike gave him his smuggest smile. "When you're good, you're good."

Tyler and Eric laughed behind them. Jessica smacked him in the arm. It didn't wipe of the smile on Mike's face and Angela rolled her eyes at him. Some things stayed the same no matter what.

They finally got inside the gym that had been transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Angela had danced with Mike, Tyler, and even Eric who stopped his photographer duties for it. She danced with Lauren and Jessica to upbeat pop songs and tried not to keep looking at the door. Jacob still hadn't shown up even after a few hours.

She was a little bit frustrated and mostly worried as she couldn't even text him to check where he was. She couldn't call his house as she knew he wouldn't be there. She ended up sitting at a table, trying her best to be patient and just felt lost. Her friends were on the dance floor slow dancing to the newest Gwen Stefani song.

"Memories seem like so long ago," The song played. "Time always kills the pain…"

It made Angela wonder about the past few weeks and all the changes that had overcome her. She still remembered being in Edward's house and dancing with him to Mr. Blue Sky and feeling the lightest she had ever been. She thought she'd brought out humanity in this boy who had given up on happiness. It turned out to not be enough and a part of her still wondered what she could've done to change that.

"Look how all the kids have grown, oh," The speakers crooned. "We have changed but we're still the same…"

Tyler said something to Lauren to make her roll her eyes. Mike and Jessica were staring into each other's eyes and there was something wistful about it. Maybe they were thinking about what they could've been if they hadn't wanted different things in life. She didn't want to feel that deliberating pain of not being enough for someone anymore. She wanted to be content with her life because she deserved some happiness. Didn't she?

And where was Jacob? She got up needing some air and made her way outside the gym to the parking lot. It was dark outside and it was freezing. She cursed inwardly for not having a jacket with her. She could've maybe borrowed Eric's as he wasn't using it…

A cold hand closed over her mouth silencing her from screaming for help.

He was a vampire. She could've gauged it from the freezing temperature of his skin and the inhuman strength. He effortlessly grabbed her and brought them to the woods at the back of the school with a speed that made her dizzy from motion sickness. She would've fallen to her knees if he hadn't kept her up with one hand on her waist.

"Careful, now," He chuckled. "No need to swoon over me."

She glanced up and even in the darkness could see the blood red of his irises. She had never met a vampire with eyes like that. The Cullens had their golden eyes but she admittedly didn't know everything about vampires. Edward didn't tell her all the facts about what he is, probably in an attempt to distance himself from his nature.

"Who are you?" She questioned. "Why did you take me?"

"Normally, I would've made a snack of you," He explained. "But my love would take issue with that."

"James…"

They both turned at the sound of the feminine voice and Angela saw a beautiful woman with dark hair and olive skin. Her eyes were also that chilling blood red. She tried not to panic as she realized she was now in the presence of two vampires she didn't know. Vampires that didn't feed on animals like the Cullens did.

James snarled and pushed her away. "The fear on this one is delicious. Maria, can I-"

"No," The woman cut him off. "I told you we're not going to feed on her. She has a purpose."

Angela began to shake as real fear overcame her. She was in the woods and the school was far away enough they wouldn't hear her scream. Even if they could hear her, the vampires could kill her before they could do anything to save her. She was in life-threatening danger and she looked around her desperately for an escape.

The woman moved and was suddenly in front of her. She tried to take a step back. Her fight or flight instincts kicking at her to move. She was frozen like a deer in headlights, paralyzed in fear. The woman smiled and pushed the hair covering Angela's face away, inspecting the freckles on her cheek.

"You're very pretty," She said. "I can see why Edward is so smitten."

"Y…You know Edward?"

"Yes. A very grumpy man," She laughed and the sound was pleasant but it just made Angela's heart beat faster. "And I thought Jasper was moody."

She wanted to ask what the other woman wanted but couldn't get her mouth to form the words. She was lightheaded with fear and adrenaline.

"But where are my manners? I'm Maria," The woman murmured. "And you're Angela, am I correct?"

She could only nod, swallowing as her breaths were coming faster. She tried to will her feet to move.

"Do you ever play chess, Angela?" Maria asked. "It's a good example for war. Wars can't just be pawns. I can make as many newborns as I like but I need bigger, more important pieces too, you know?"

James had moved behind her blocking her escape.

"The Cullens are important pieces. Carlisle, in particular, has many friends I need to win this war," The woman continued. "It is hard to topple an empire without a powerful army."

Angela closed her eyes as Maria moved closer, her cold hand tracing the length of the wolf necklace. The wood made a small creaking sound as it split in two in her powerful hands. Angela wanted to cry and scream. She wanted Jacob.

She wanted anyone to help her. And a more daunting fear overcame her as she realized all the people that were in the school gym at the moment and how these two could kill all of them easily. She didn't want to die. She didn't want anybody to die that night.

The woman chuckled. "You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"

"A…Are you going to…to kill me?" She finally asked. "Because if you are, please leave the other people alone."

"So brave," The woman hummed. "You would've made a good soldier but alas, I'm not going to kill you."

Angela felt a rush of relief that was short-lived.

"I'm going to turn you," She explained with a smile that was sweet and chilling. "As a gesture of good will for the Cullens, an incentive."

"But I don't want to be-"

"It doesn't matter," Maria's hand on her throat was a vice as she pulled her closer, to be able to bite her neck better. "You'll be such a beautiful gift."

"Please," Hot tears escaped her as she begged. "I never wanted this. I don't want to become a vampire."

"My darling, let me let you in on a secret," Maria whispered into her ear. "No one does. But you'll learn to like it. I did."


Sorry to leave you on a cliffhanger but I had to. This is what I call the Schrodinger's Cat moment. From here, we get two different endings. One is where Angela ends up with Edward and one where she ends up with Jacob. I will be posting both endings here but starting with the Edward ending first. It really doesn't matter what team you're on, we're getting both endings (haha).

1. Where's Victoria? Quite frankly I always thought Victoria and her whole story line was a waste of time in the books especially when you had Maria who was a more interesting version in this universe. Bringing her back was a way to tie in Jasper's past and Alice's past as well with James. Maria was a loose end in the books that was a wasted opportunity. And it wasn't such a big stretch for this ambitious woman to go from fighting wars for territory to wanting to overtake the Volturi and become the Vampire Queen.

2. 'Varsity Blues' is a 1999 football comedy-drama film.

3. The song playing was 'Cool' by Gwen Stefani that came out the same year as the story.

4. Angela saying "sure sure" was a reference to Bella and Jacob saying it a lot to each other in New Moon.

5. Chapter title is from a Billie Eilish song.