A/N: Hey guys! Happy New Year. This is the next chapter and I'm really excited to say that I've connected most of the dots in this story, which means I can update more often :). I hope that you enjoy this and please review :).


CHAPTER 11:

As Seth guided me through yet another set of steps, I felt a twinge of disappointment that Edward wasn't watching. He needs to be out here. I need someone to practice with.

My foot caught on Seth's causing us to pause in the middle of the piece.

"Everything good Bella?"

Before I could tell myself not to, my eyes flickered to Edward's bedroom door. "I'm doing alright."

He nodded with a smile and then started repeating the steps. My body refused to cooperate with the movements, and I began to get the steps out of order. Seth left into the kitchen to get a glass of water while I attempted to figure it out myself.

A moment later, Edward stood in front of me with wide innocent eyes as he began to apologize, "Sorry. I should have been out here with you. Can you catch me up?"

"Yeah," I strained to look at him, but thankfully Seth grabbed my arm and pulled me away.


I'd learned all the steps in one day because all the contestants had the same amount of time as we did, which meant I had to stay up extra late to perfect this.

Back, front, turn. Turn the other way. Look. Smile. I grew an immense appreciation for dancers. My mind functioned at a high speed, but not fast enough to remember all of my corrections while completing the moves.

"Edward, take my place."

His hand grasped mine before we went over the steps quickly. Instantly, he began to recreate the movements that Seth had taught earlier.

As his hand turned my body towards his, ease washed over me. I didn't have to think a lot about the dance. He moved and I responded almost automatically.

"You guys did amazing. Lunch?"

"Of course."

Seth's bumbling story filled the usual quiet, but my aching legs were the main focus of my concentration. I had learned very quickly that stairs were not my friend, and going down them was worse than going up, considering my legs were jello.

My body urged me to sprint down the stairs, I watched as Seth's body bounced up and down from running down the stairs. As my gaze focused on the steps below me, a loud thud caused me to look up.

I ran down the steps almost missing a step myself, "Seth, are you okay?"

" Mierda." I didn't quite know what that word meant, but from his tone, it wasn't anything good. After a deep breath, he continued, "My ankle doesn't feel great." He laid on the ground near the stairwell.

"Here," Edward picked up the pace and put Seth's arm around his shoulder lifting him off the floor.

"Bella, I don't think I can walk. I can't put weight on it. I think I sprained it."

"Do we need two go to the hospital?" Pulling my car key out of my pocket, I looked at Edward.

"No, no we don't need to do that. I just need ice and I need to wrap it."

"Do you want to stay at our place?" I offered.

"No, I just need to get to my apartment."

Edward carried the majority of Seth's weight as we headed to the car. Driving a little too fast for my liking, Edward focused on the road. We made it in less than five minutes.


"Seth, I know this isn't really the best time, but what do we do about the show?"

"Edward will take my place." Glancing at Edward, both of our eyes widened. The show was in two days and it was already late today.

"Are you sure you don't have a different friend that could pitch in? Not that I have any problem with Edward, but this really isn't our thing."

"Sorry, no one that lives nearby." My eyes traveled down to look at his swollen ankle. As my eyes drifted away, Seth winked at Edward. There's something I'm not getting here.

"Do you need us to get you something?" Feeling horrible about his injury, I sat down on his couch. I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. I sank into the material.

"No, I need you two to go to the apartment and practice." His hands gestured to the door.

"Okay, get well soon." I kissed him on the check. "Bye Seth."

"Bye Bella." He looked at Edward and gave him a nod.

As the door clicked into place, I leaned against the wall and waited for Edward to hurry up. Walking down the street, I eyed his car about a block away.

"I'm a little nervous about that."

"It'll be fine." That wasn't very reassuring.

The car ride was just as quiet as the rest of the day had been. His bitterer attitude had improved slightly because of Seth, but after we left it returned to the same state as this morning.

I wanted to get out of this weird funk our friendship was in and the only possible way I could think of was dancing. It required no conversation and wasn't awkward considering it was in our job description at the moment.

"Do you want to dance?"

"I mean I don't really have a choice either way."

"No you don't," which is why this is perfect.

Moving towards me, he pressed the stereo and then began the combination just as Seth had shown us earlier.

After we had done the dance a few times, confidence surged through me and I could start looking up more often. His hand was lightly placed on my back as I dipped and swung around. "Edward are you on drugs?"

"No why?" He looked at me with a crease above his eyebrows.

"Your pupils are dilated." He froze. Usually, I wasn't close enough to tell, but now I was holding onto him for the dip, our faces only inches apart. It bothered me, I loved seeing how green his eyes were but it was covered up now.

Seconds ticked by and I was starting to worry about the drug thing. Maybe it's something else, I smirked.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked knowing that being in love can cause your pupils to dilate when thinking about them.

"Nothing."

"You can't be thinking about nothing. It's impossible." Rolling his eyes, he lifted me from out of the dip and backed away.

"Edward, do you have a secret girlfriend?" My mouth hung open, teasing him.

"No, but I scratched my eyes this morning and put some eyedrops in." It was a carefully constructed lie.

"I still think you have a secret girlfriend." With a wink, I turned around to quiet the music.

"Sure, whatever you say."

"I'd love to meet her."

"Bella, there is no girlfriend." His tone was almost scary as if I had poked at him for something sensitive. But that was absurd, any girl that he wanted he could have. I mean he was sweet, thoughtful, and a true gentleman.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just remembered that I called Alice earlier and told her I was coming over." Well that was sudden.

"Right now?" A little bummed about cutting the session short, I walked over to the kitchen.

"Yeah," he grabbed his coat off of one of the bar stools, "I promised her I would take her out to eat soon and she's been bugging me a lot." "Time must have gotten away from me."

"Have fun."

"Bye Bella," the serious note in his voice terrified me; it sounded like he was saying "goodbye for good."


EPOV

I couldn't understand why she thought I had a "secret girlfriend" and I also couldn't understand why that thought hurt me so much. I had to leave, I just had to. Her gaping mouth replayed in my head. Of course she's confused, so am I.

My knuckles hit the door; the sound echoing off the gray-colored walls. Tapping against the carpet coloring, my foot beat the rhythm of my heart.

The door cracked open to show my wide eyed little sister. Her short hair was completely straight, laying flat unlike her usual spiky hair. Observing her clothes, she was wearing a black dress. Crap. She's probably going out with Jasper.

"Edward," her smile was infectious even though I was getting in the way of her plans.

"Sorry, I was just leaving," my feet pivoted before her hand grabbed the edge of my shirt.

"No you're not. You have a problem."

"No, I don't," my eyebrows pinched together as I got defensive.

"I can feel it. You're all out of whack." A small smile took over my stern expression. "Sibling intuition, ya know." Reaching for my hand, she pulled me onto her couch.

Staring at the massive television plastered on her dark navy wall, I began to regret my decision to come here. She was Bella's friend. I shouldn't have been there at all. But I had to get it off my chest.

"You're annoying me." Her chipper voice turned sour.

"How so? I haven't even said anything yet."

"Exactly," she sighed, "stop moping."

"I'm not moping."

She over exaggerated a sigh, "well if you have nothing to say, I'm going to leave." Her arm moved to get off the couch.

"No, I'll start talking." Her smile reappeared. "I just don't think you're the right person to tell."

"Why?" Her voice was flat, void of emotion. Crap. She thinks I don't like her. As a child, I had to be very careful how I worded things. She took everything very personally.

"Alice, it's not that I don't trust you."

"Then why?"

"It's more about a conflict of interest and I don't know if you can keep cool after I say this," my gaze traveled to the view from her penthouse. "Actually, I don't know how you're going to respond."

"Just tell me. It's making it worse by waiting."

I took a deep breath looking for courage I knew I didn't have. "I love Bella. And I can't seem to stop loving Bella. She's all I think about, all I dream about. It's like suddenly the world started to revolve around her instead of the sun." Stopping my mini-rant, I awaited a response. Silence suffocated me.

I waited another couple seconds before I heard her exhale. "Edward, that's amazing. I want you to be happy." I had never seen her like this, so serious; it was strange. "I can't wait to plan the wedding!" And… she was back.

"Alice that's not going to happen."

"Why?" She pouted.

"Bella's never seen me in that way. And she has Jacob Black. It's just not going to work." Images of her in his arms flooded my mind along with despair.

"Well you have to do something about that." Her back straightened as if we were about to go on some adventure.

"What can I do? I don't like him, but she's happy and it would kill me to make her sad. Even if she is with Jacob, I'm not going to screw it up."

"You have to. You're meant to be."

"Alice, this isn't a fairytale. Sometimes, you just have to move on. It's not pretty but it's life. Maybe one day it'll happen, but I doubt that. She's pretty serious about him." It hit me harder than before, I'm never going to be able to hold her in my arms like he does.

"It'll work out. I'll make it happen," a spark went through her expression.

"No, you're going to leave it." My expression hardened as I looked into her eyes. Putting my head in my hands, I spoke softly, "We have to leave her alone, she's happy."

"But you're not."

"I'm the happiest I'm ever going to be." Seeing her joy was enough to live on.

"You're miserable."

"Don't you see. This is the part in every idiotic romcom where the guy figures out that he'll let her go if it makes her happy. I just never had her."

"Oh Edward," her small arms enclosed around me.

"Just don't tell her please."

"On one condition."

"What? Alice, what could you—"

Cutting me off she spoke with sincerity that I hadn't seen in a long time, "You have to tell her—"

"No. I can't."

"Let me finish," she recomposed herself, "You have to tell her one day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not a year from now, but someday. Okay?"

I couldn't have her tell Bella for me so I had no choice but to agree, "Sure. But don't expect anything to happen."

"I won't but I'm not going to let her die one day without her knowing that you love her."

"I promise…one day."

Her small body practically leaped off the couch, "So since you're done sulking, I have a date. You can stay in the apartment if you want, but I'm going to be late if I don't leave now."

"Thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?"

"Because you give me hope." She did a little bounce and then waved as she left.

Getting up, the effects of Alice were wearing off. Her optimism wasn't as easy to see when she wasn't here. I couldn't really describe it but when someone talked to her, every word she said became a prophecy.

My feet scraped against the hard wood as I left to go in the elevator. I went through the lobby not noticing anything; the world just seemed to pass me by. As I took a step outside the awning, raindrops fell on my face.

I looked up and let them soak me.


BPOV

The numbers on the clock continued to move as I paced around the living room. He wasn't leaving, right? He can't leave, we have a performance to do and no one else knows that step.

My wide eyes looked up at the kitchen fridge covered with magnets. There was a note stuck onto one of them carefully folded to not show any of its contents.

"Isabella," it wrote in the familiar cursive font of my mother. The writing was enough to make my heart drop. I should have seen it coming—the withdrawal from us.

Opening it up, the only words scribed on the page were "I love you." My legs rushed towards the garage, just to find one of the cars missing.

My breathing hitched when I realized that he could easily hire a professional who could learn it within an hour. He had to come back. Maybe I'm overthinking this.

A minute later I found my phone in my hand dialing Jake's number.

"Hey Jake. This isn't urgent or anything. I just wanted to talk to someone."

"What's wrong baby?"

"Edward is scaring me."

"What's this idiot doing now?"

"Jake," I sighed, "Don't talk about him like that."

"Okay, okay. What's happening?"

"We were practicing, because of Seth's ankle you remember, and then he suddenly made an excuse to leave and I have no clue why. We usually practice for 2 hours but we were only 30 minutes in."

"Bella, Bella, calm down honey. I'm sure he actually had to go somewhere."

"I really don't think he's going to Alice's. I thought she mentioned a date with Jasper today." I made sure that I called Alice at least once a week and I would have bet on my life that she told me she had a date.

"You probably got the date wrong."

"But what if I'm right?"

"Do you need me to come over there?"

"Yeah," I spoke softly. I'm pathetic. I'm calling my boyfriend to calm me down because I read into Edward's tone? Yup, I've definitely lost it.

"I'll be there in ten."

A few minutes later, I heard steps near the door. Without letting him knock, I opened the door to find his smiling face.

"Why are you so stressed babe?" He walked toward me and his arms clutched me to his chest. Breathing in his woodsy scent, I felt more relaxed.

"He's been off lately and I don't know why. He seems like one of those people that holds everything in. I'm worried one day he's going to snap. I think that was today."

"Did he yell or anything?"

"Of course not. When I say snap I mean he would just leave for good, not get mad or anything."

"He's going to come back. You overthink everything. Here let's cook something."

He pulled out eggs, olive oil, and flour to make pasta. Within minutes, I forgot about all my worries. Jake's wonderful laughter filled the apartment.


A small beeping noise captured my attention. Pulling out his cell-phone, Jake backed into a different part of the apartment as I continued to dinner into containers. His frantic mumbling raised my heart-rate.

"Bells, I've got to go. We have some emergency that I need to take care of at work."

"Okay."

"I promise to call you later babe." His hand gripped the door already, "I've really got to go."

"Bye," I said but before he could hear the door was shut. And I was alone again, pacing back and forth in front of the couch.

A slow ache burned in all my muscles, so I gave up on pacing. The plush cushions of the couch pulled me into a soft lull and eventual sleep.

"Bella?" A quiet voice whispered. Turning to the other side of the couch, I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my shoulder. I sunk back into the couch before my mind woke up enough to realize the voice that I heard.

"Edward!" My feet moved to get up and the blanket twisted. And like usual, I fell. I got up as fast as possible and ran to him.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips before he continued to ask, "Are you okay?"

My eyes appraised him. He was soaking wet. My ears focused on the drops that landed on the windows. He walked in the rain?

"I should be asking the same question," I crossed my arms against my chest, but I was grateful that he was here.

"I went out with Alice and got soaked on my way back to the car."

"Okay," I said finally relieved.

"Bella, are you okay? You seem a little anxious."

"I just wasn't expecting for you to walk out of a practice. That's all."

"I'm sorry. I should have mentioned it earlier."

"No, you're fine. I'm not your mother. I did stress make you pasta if you want some."

His eyes blazed into mine with confusion. Averting my eyes, I moved to get the container out of the fridge.

"Bella, why exactly did you stress making pasta?"

"I got a little stressed when you left."

"I know you better than that. Pasta is what you make when you're practically hyperventilating." You'd think for having a job where I professionally lie and act, I would be better at keeping things from him. Maybe subconsciously, I didn't want to keep anything from him.

"You've been acting strange and you stopped in the middle of our lesson and went out to god knows where. It couldn't have been Alice because I'm 90 percent sure she had a date tonight. And then on top of that when I started to cook, I found your phone on the table. So yeah I guess I was a little worried." The words came out faster and more raw than I anticipated. Of course all this anxiety was my fault, but something was up with him and he wasn't talking to me about it.

"Bella," his voice slowed, "I'm so sorry. I did go to Alice's house, for a few minutes. She had plans that overlapped so I went on a walk instead." It wasn't right. None of it was. When did he ever like to walk in the rain?

"I should be the one apologizing. I overreacted and now I'm practically interrogating you."

"Bella, I'm not going to leave you." Oh but I have a sneaking suspicion you will.

Walking forward, his arms wrapped around me. Even in his embrace, something was off.

Bursting out the door the next morning, I stopped in my tracks when I ran into the person I was looking for.

"Excited to dance?" He backed up.

"Yes," that's exactly why I was running, not to make sure you were still here.

"After you get changed we need to get started. We have a lot to perfect. Oh and Seth should be over here in about an hour."

Nodding, I pivoted back towards my bedroom. Throwing on the closest shirt and leggings, I checked the mirror with hope that I didn't look as frantic as I felt. Besides the lack of a light expression, I looked decent.

"Bella, if we don't start now Seth will tell us we're behind."

Scrambling to grab my shoes, I didn't bother to put bandages on. "I'm coming. I promise."

The second I stepped out of my room, the music started and his hand grasped mine. He guided me to the other side where we proceeded to start the combination.

We were trapped in an infinite cycle of dance until Seth's head popped around the door.

"I'm glad you guys already worked up a sweat. You're going to need as much practice as possible."

Seth hobbled over to where we were standing and instantly started correcting our posture.

"Head up Bella," he lifted my chin.

When our beginning position earned his approval, he limped to the stereo.

The familiar music filled the room as we began to move.


Fitted in yet another dress that Seth picked out, I stared at the artificial blush that covered my cheeks. Backstage was filled with the same ecstatic energy as last time.

"Edward, do you think we can actually do this?" The show was targeted for semi professionals and although we had an actual professional (Seth) help us all the way there, I still felt iffy on our skills.

"I think we're good enough to get into the second round. Only one person gets eliminated and there are 6 couples left. And like Seth said earlier, it's not just the dancing—it's the costumes and choreography. I trust him."

"You're right." But ever since Seth had left the apartment, the possibility of failure worked its way into my mind.

We stepped out onto the stage. The black floor beneath us extended all the way to the judges' table. Surrounded by camera men and bright lights, the judges continued writing their thoughts on the previous opponents. I watched patiently as the pen circled criteria harshly.

The female judge gave us her attention; a smile appearing on her face. Glancing down at what I'm assuming was our rubric, she looked over the names. She was expecting Seth, but she didn't seem disappointed at my new partner.

Peering at Edward, he seemed at ease. The upper buttons of his shirt undone to show off his muscular skin. The stage lights changed the pigment slightly.

"It looks like we have some new contestants." A male judge said. He was new like us (Edward had the previous one cut off the show for his actions toward me). This new addition had a bright expression as he observed us.

"Yes, I'm Kate and this is Andrew. Seth broke his ankle two days ago."

"Well I wish you two luck." I partially hoped that the questions would have prolonged. I knew that the music would start soon, and like the last performance, my heart battered in my chest.

Looking into Edward's emerald green eyes, I clenched my jaw. The technicians waited for us to hit our beginning pose.

Being only 5'4, his head was way above mine. This didn't look natural at all. I wrapped my thigh around his torso, leaning into him. My hand gently laid on the back of his head. Staring up, his bronze hair turned an odd shade of brown in the lighting. While he held my back, his eyes dropped to meet mine. They were full of passion, which led me to assume this dance would be phenomenal.

"You look exquisite." He whispered a second before the music filled the room.

For a flash, I panicked, standing completely still. He moved which pushed me to begin. Once I had a lock on his face, the nausea from nerves died down and all I could focus on was the moment.

His hand gripped my leg as he turned me in a circle. Moving away from him, I raised one arm. He grabbed my other hand and pulled me fiercely to him, my chest on his torso. My leg slid up the side of his. Taking my hand, in a typical tango manner, we moved in a circle. He brought me into another turn. I stopped when I saw his eyes. Making intense eye contact, we traveled backward. I kicked my leg up 90 degrees and bent it at the knee. He turned me in the position.

I could feel the audience's gaze, but I was more focused on our bodies and the movements. The music shook the ground. I pivoted into him and he grabbed me and spun. It was almost time for the lift. The anxiety that had left my body reappeared. Although I trusted Edward with my life, I wasn't confident in this lift. He hoisted me over his right shoulder; his arm clasping my waist. My back arched as much as possible, my other hand intertwined with his left hand. I felt as if I was flying, yet I was completely certain in my trust with Edward. He swung me down, hitting the final pose. He leaned back and I moved into a lunge with my right leg in between his legs. The music cut off and the crowd erupted.

Our fingers intertwined as we walked to the center of the stage to await our feedback. He slowed down his pace to match mine.

We reached the center, the crowd still clapping. The judges looked almost shocked. I knew the dance was decent, but was it really that good. We're two amateurs. We did have a professional teacher and non stop rehearsal, but still.

The woman spoke, "That was more wonderful than last week, Kate you really upped your game. And as for you Andrew, I look forward to seeing more from you soon." Edward squeezed my hand and I squeezed back.

"Absolutely fantastic you guys."

The third judge just gave a nod. We moved offstage as the next couple appeared. My heart beat erratically in my chest. It was over, but I wanted to go back out there.

"You were astonishing," he hugged me.

"I don't know what you're talking about, you were the amazing one."


A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Please review :)