Sunset Chapter 5: (Invitations) To dance or not to dance?

While Bella would spend the next few weeks dreaming of Edward, my dreams tended to be darker in nature. While my nightmares of the accident were starting to fade, they continued to still rattle me from time to time. I briefly wondered at one point if Edward could hear my restlessness from where he (very creepily) watched my sister at night. Thankfully, for both of our sakes, I would never have to ask. I was mostly thankful for the distractions of day, even if it included unwanted attention.

For the next of the week, to Bella's uttermost horror, we became the center of attention. Tyler Crowley was an even bigger pain than I had originally thought him to be, if that was even possible. He followed us to and from classes and kept bringing up how all he wanted was to make amends. I eventually told him, in the most civil way I could, that I would rather him leave me alone.

When that failed to work, I told him in less civilized terms to fuck off.

Shortly after that he turned his attention towards my sister. Though he would still bother me to an extent it became more manageable. His instant manner made me glad that Mike and Eric hadn't decided to turn their attentions towards me as well. As it was, they were both fighting over Bella, even if she refused to see it.

Bella and I stuck to our story that Edward was right besides us and nothing abnormal happened at all, no way, Jose. Even with Bella's bad and my almost passable lying skills no one seemed to question us. Or really care at all, in fact. Mostly people just commented how they hadn't seen him at all. No one mentioned Alice. I made sure to keep it that way.

The Cullens started to avoid me after that or at least they didn't talk to me. Alice moved desks all together and I started to sit with some other kid I didn't really talk to. Emmett became quieter and only spoke to me when he had to. Rosalie was the only one who didn't really change much since we never really spoke. It was actually a relief that one thing hadn't changed. Edward was the only one that I didn't have a class with so I could only assume that he was ignoring Bella as well.

I'd later be proven correct when I would become her improve therapist about everything to do with the Cullens and Edward. But mostly Edward.

When I got to History that first day, the trend continued. Jasper hadn't moved desks at least. When class ended, he almost ran in an attempt to get out of the room. Sighing, I made to pack back up only to see a piece of paper on my notebook.

Sorry. – J

I huffed and angrily stuffed my papers in my bag. Sorry? Like geez, you could at least give me something Jasper. I debated on whether or not to throw it away before placing it into one of the lesser used pockets. It was partly an apology. I'd force the rest out of him and the others (and an explanation!) when everything died down. From what I could guess, it probably boiled down to keeping their secret and something to do with Edward. Because of-freaking-course it would.

After lunch was even less fun. Because of my shoulder injury I was restricted to light stretching and beginner moves. I was annoyed since I knew that I could do more but relented. They could have banned me from participating at all. Even better, I had hurt my nondominated arm so I could still write notes and do assignments in Dance and Gym when they would do things that I was banned from. Which included the entirety of Gym.

My arm seemed to be healing at a faster rate than I thought it would. It probably had something to do with the physics in this world. Healing faster, allowing the Cullens to go unnoticed like they had, the weird passage of time while traveling, odd physics that would sometimes not work in the way the world dictated it should, it was all to do with the weird way the world functioned, amongst other things. Maybe it had to do with the fact that there were supernatural elements that affected everything? All I know is that it was helping to heal my arm faster, for which I was glad.

After a while of taking it easy, I was to where I was before and was able to be actively involved in everything again. Unfortunately, the Cullens were still avoiding me. It was starting to wear on me, actually. Even Bella had noticed but was quickly reassured. I mean, there was nothing wrong with me. I was fine. Just a little lonely, but it was nothing to be worried about. I had Dad and Bella and the other kids at school. Soon I would get to hang out with the La Plush kids too since the snow had passed. I'd be fine.

It was Jessica that alerted Bella and I to the girls' choice dance that was coming up in two weeks. I hadn't yet decided if I wanted to go. Bella would obviously be against it but I was up for a party every once in a while. The only person I would think of asking was actively avoiding me. The other one I didn't want to think of and pushed the thought away.

Over the next few days I did my best to avoid the boys at the school who seemed to think that crowding around me was the best way to get a date to the dance. Once word got around that the Swan twins didn't have dates, we became even more scrutinized. Bella and I would work together to keep each other safe from their clutches and for once I was glad that we could have something to bring us together.

The day that Mike was meant to agree to go to the dance with Jessica seemed to be the turning point. I had two boys hint at me that they wanted me to ask them before second period. A third seemed to want to ask in Chemistry but as he walked towards me, his face went pale and he sat back down.

Turning around I saw Emmett looking a little too innocent. Emmett and Jasper had been slowly opening back up to me the more it seemed like I wasn't going to demand answers or do anything crazy. Rosalie was the same, like always. Alice, sadly, was still keeping her distance.

"What?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Did you just scare off that poor boy?"

"Who, me? Never," Emmett replied, fake batting his eyes, "But if I somehow did have something to do with him then I would think a thank you would be in order."

I put on a fake pout. "But what if I wanted to go to the dance with him?"

Emmett looked taken back. Clearly, he hadn't thought of that.

"Ah, well… I – ugh –"

"It's okay Emmett, I didn't want to go with him. Actually, I'm not sure I want to go at all at this rate." I grimaced while imagining all of the people pushing past one another in an attempt to ask me to dance. "Thank you for that by the way."

"It's no problem. I was under the impression the dance was girl's choice."

"Me too," I sighed.

The rest of the day was spent in an attempt to dodge other requests. I barely managed to find Bella after school and we both compared days. I guess Mike and Eric along with Tyler had been keeping the other kids away from her because her day was pretty bland other than the Mike-Jessica ordeal. Her face turned sympathetic as I told her about the five different boys that came up to me, not leaving out the rest that I could see watching me but not having the courage to ask.

When we finally started making our way back to the truck, I wasn't surprised to find Eric waiting around the corner.

"Hey, Eric," I called.

"Hi, Emma, Bella."

"What's up?" Bella said as she unlocked the door.

"Uh, I was just wondering, Bella... if you would go to the spring dance with me?" His voice broke on the last word. I turned away a bit to give them some privacy.

"I thought it was girls' choice," she said.

"Well, yeah," he admitted.

"Thank you for asking me, but I'm going to be in Seattle that day."

"Oh," he said. "Well, what about you Emma? Do you need someone to go with?"

I turned back towards Eric. Was he for real?

"Thanks, but no thanks, Eric," I said trying to be firm but calm. He was still sort of a friend, no need to be super mean. "I don't know if I'm going at all yet. If I do, I'm probably going by myself or with friends."

"Alright then, maybe next time."

"Sure," Bella agreed as I got into the car.

Bella yanked the door open and jumped inside, slamming it loudly behind her. Mad about Edward, I guessed, having heard his chuckle when I got in.

She revved the engine deafeningly and reversed out into the aisle. Edward was in his car already, sliding out smoothly in front and cutting us off. He stopped there – to wait for his family and annoy Bella more. Directly behind us, Tyler Crowley getting out of his car, ready to come over and ask my already pissed sister out.

I heard a knock on the passenger side window and rolled it down to show Tyler.

"I'm sorry, Tyler, I'm stuck behind Cullen." Bella bit out.

"Oh, I know – I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here." He grinned.

I forced myself not to laugh and attempted to keep a straight face as best as I could.

"Will you ask me to the spring dance?" he continued.

"I'm not going to be in town, Tyler." Bella snapped, her voice sharp.

"Yeah, Mike said that," he admitted.

"Then why –"

He shrugged. "I was hoping you were just letting him down easy."

"Sorry, Tyler," She said, not hiding her irritation. "I really am going out of town."

"That's cool. We still have prom."

His eyes darted over to me. I was going to throw a fit if he asked me out right here. I was not going to be able to deal with paying second fiddle to my sister in less than ten minutes to a dance that I was meant to ask a date to in the first place. Tyler seemed to understand that somewhat as he took one look at my face and bolted. Smart.

I looked forward to see Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper all sliding into the Volvo. In his rearview mirror, Edward's eyes were on us. He was shaking with laughter and I might have to if I was feeling up to it. Right now, I was just done with dealing with people.

When we got home, Bella decided to make chicken enchiladas for dinner. I ignored the phone, happy to let Bella get it and play matchmaker with Jessica. I decided to play some Teen Titians. No romance, only some bad guys and butt kicking. Just what I needed.

It was during dinner that Bella decided to let Dad in on her weekend plans.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, Bella?"

"Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Seattle for the day a week from Saturday... if that's okay?"

"Why?" He sounded surprised, and I would be too if I didn't know the reason for the trip.

"Well, I wanted to get few books – the library here is pretty limited – and maybe look at some clothes."

"That truck probably doesn't get very good gas mileage," he said.

"I know, I'll stop in Montesano and Olympia – and Tacoma if I have to."

"Is Emma going with you?" he asked.

"No, just Bella," I said. I didn't really need or even want to go. I already know that the trip would be changed, so it would be better not to impose myself anyway.

"Seattle is a big city – you could get lost," he fretted.

"Dad, Phoenix is five times the size of Seattle – and I can read a map, don't worry about it."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

I could tell Bella was horrified, even as she hid it from Dad.

"That's all right, Dad, I'll probably just be in dressing rooms all day – very boring."

"Oh, okay." The thought of sitting in women's clothing stores for any period of time immediately put him off. I didn't blame him, I knew what shopping with Mom was like.

"Thanks." She smiled at him.

"Will you be back in time for the dance?"

"No – I don't dance, Dad."

"Oh, that's right," he realized. "Emma, are you going?"

I disguised my thinking by chewing a bit. "I don't know yet, I haven't decided." It was true enough. I had no clue if I wanted to or if I would have other plans yet.

I might go if I can find a dress when we go out with the other girls, I thought as I finished my food.