A/N:

Wow, a lot of things happened yesterday that has caused the delay of this chapter! One of the reasons was because there was a lightning storm that caused our power to go out, and I couldn't upload anything with my phone :-/

And the reason why I didn't sneak a little chapter in on Sunday was because I realized that I am actually already more than kind to you with 3x chapters a week plus teasers to those of you who want them, so I'm expecting a bit more payback before I give sneak chapters!

Haha, no I'm kidding! I love all the reviews, favorites, and alerts that I get. You, my friends, are amazing, but I have to admit that I forgot my "promise" on Sunday since I'm so set on my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule...

Despite my lateness, I will still update this story tomorrow as well, so don't be worried about that

Title: The Perfect Partner Program

Author: MarieCarro

Beta: EdwardsFirstKiss

Pre-reader: brwneyedgrl01

Genre: Angst/Hurt&Comfort/Romance

Rating: NC-17

Summary: The summer of 2005 was the summer that changed Bella Swan's life forever. Sent to Ohio by her mother to attend a school for debutante girls not quite up to par, she meets Edward Masen, an apprentice. But is that really all he is? AH

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Word Count: 3, 123

CHAPTER 7 DANCING WITH HIM

"The waltz is a dance that has its roots in 16th century Europe. It was a dance reserved for couples because of the necessary close proximity the partners. A beautiful form of art when done to perfection one can't see where the man begins and the woman ends," the dance instructor droned on, and it was painfully obvious how very passionate he was about the subject.

However, even though I wasn't particularly interested in the history of the waltz, I wasn't too eager to have the lecture end either because I knew the moment it did, we would have to dance. My reluctance wasn't because I despised the waltz, though. It was because I knew how very close Edward and I would have to be to each other.

We would have to remain close enough for our chests to nearly touch, his hand would be on my exposed skin since I only had a spaghetti strap top on, and I would be able to feel his breath on my face.

I knew this because I'd danced waltz many times before. With George at a charity ball his mom had arranged, with Dad at my sweet sixteen, and of course the dance classes Renée had forced me to endure sporadically throughout my life. I wasn't a stranger to the waltz, but I was a stranger to dancing closely with a guy I was so fiercely attracted to.

"How many of you are familiar with the waltz?" the instructor asked, and I halfway raised my hand, but it was enough to gain his attention. "Ah, the fifteenth girl! What was your name again?"

"Bella Swan."

He pursed his lips and made a small sound in the back of his throat that sounded like he was savoring the sound of my name. "Your name sounds graceful, but are you?" He held out his hand in an offer for me to take it, and I understood he was challenging me to prove my knowledge of the dance.

I let out a small sigh before I accepted his hand, and he immediately pulled me close to his body and placed his hand on my back. I had no issues with it because he was just another dance partner, and he was old enough to be my dad.

A gesture of his hand, and then music started playing. The song was unfamiliar, but I only needed to listen to the beat and feel the instructor's cues on where he wanted me to go. I wasn't the best dancer by far, but I knew how to keep my feet to myself and how to follow a partner who knew how to lead. Each step, spin, and dip we did had never been easier to perform.

The dance finished, and the instructor gave me a nod of approval. "A few things could be improved, but I have to say you've impressed me, Miss Swan," he said and then he led me back to Edward. "Let's hope your partner will do your dancing justice."

A slight blush colored Edward's cheeks, and it was the most adorable thing I'd ever seen, and I thought maybe he was just as nervous about this as I was. But then again, it could be the dancing in itself that he was scared of and not dancing with me per se.

The clearing of the instructor's throat regained my attention. "My students already know this, but I will repeat it, nonetheless. The most important part of any ballroom dance is the silent language between partners. A good lead is soft but not subtle; clearly stating his intentions by moving himself, inviting his partner to follow along. He is alert, eyes scanning the floor ahead of him, watching traffic, but is constantly aware of what is happening right in his arms. He treats his follow with respect, never forcing movement from her, but following her through her every movement. If he leads a step or a pattern and she interprets the movement differently than he had intended, he adapts to her rather than forcing a change. The follow should have a sense of security and safety, knowing she can fully depend on the lead." His eyes were locked on Edward as he explained since he was the only lead in the room that wasn't a student of his.

Edward reacted by straightening his posture and gave a small subtle nod to show that he had understood.

The instructor turned away from him and gestured to all the girls. "An ideal follow puts her mass into her movement, allowing her lead to feel exactly where she is and what she is doing. She adapts quickly to changes in direction, allowing her lead to take command, and trusting him explicitly with her safety and well-being on the dance floor. She savors the movements, taking the time to complete each one before moving on to the next. She can embellish her steps, with a wave of an arm or a toss of the head, but does not interfere with her partner's leading. She can also make things difficult if the lead is not treating her well. She demands respect."

"Now," he continued. "I will not ask you to perform a difficult program for I don't know how much experience each one of you has. I will put on the music, and I want you to start to familiarize yourself with your partners. Speak with them without talking and allow the music to fill your bodies and express yourselves with movement."

The music once again started up, and each couple walked out on the floor to find their own patch to dance on. Edward and I opted for the corner so that we could be away from the center of attention. It was better if the Dance Centre students took those spots.

You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together and when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive

Edward leaned forward. "I won't be as graceful as the instructor, just so you know," he whispered in my ear, and the feel of his breath on my neck caused me to shiver.

"It's fine," I whispered back. "We'll just do our best."

He nodded and leaned away again only to lock his eyes with mine, and I felt my heart beating faster. He gently placed his hand on my back; the feeling of his fingers against my bare skin was close to an electric shock. I put my hand on his shoulder, and then our free hands finally met.

Together, we took a small step with the music, and our feet were somehow in perfect sync. Our eyes remained locked together. Like a spell that prevented us from breaking contact. We took another step with more confidence and then continued straight into the next.

We were dancing, and while we weren't performing any advanced movements or graceful waves with arms and arcs of backs, it was everything. As the song progressed, I felt relaxed and allowed a small smile to form on my lips.

He was perfect. He was wearing the same jeans as yesterday and a plain black t-shirt which didn't match the clothes of the guys dancing with the other girls. His eyes, green as grass, were deep and irresistible.

One thing was for sure, the Dance Centre's mistake of bringing one dancer less was my luck.

So close to reaching
That famous happy end
Almost believing
This one's not pretend
And now you're beside me
And look how far we've come
So far we are, so close

He turned in a surprisingly elegant move, his body in complete tune with the slow music. Yet, there was a harshness to him that I couldn't properly determine. I didn't quite care, though, but whether it was because I was falling for a guy I hardly knew or not, I couldn't tell.

I had denied it to Leah, but I could no longer deny it to myself.

The warmth between us grew more powerful by the second. My heartbeat was growing steadily along with it. Our dance was perfect in its imperfection because we didn't extend our legs fully or take wide enough steps, but we stayed in sync through it all. If by the end of the dance I was breathless, I would know the exact reason why.

That was when I decided to let go. Let my worries, my pain, and sorrow go. Right then and there, I was living. Nothing else seemed to matter anymore; I allowed him to take me anywhere he pleased on the dance floor. He went right, I went right. He sped up, I sped up. We became one with the song, with the dance and with each other. We continued like that until we had to separate, though I was sad to be away from his warmth. When the song ended, we stood frozen in our spots. I couldn't help but smile at him.

Edward raised his hand to cup my cheek and then the spell from before compelled us both to lean forward and close the distance between our mouths, but just before our lips touched, a loud clap had us both flinching and jumping away from each other.

"Beautiful!" the instructor exclaimed. "I believe we should take a small break and then move on to the foxtrot."

The spell was broken, but our breathing remained harsh, not from exertion but anticipation. I blinked several times in an attempt to clear my head, and when that didn't work, I made a move to walk over to the water station to get a drink, but Edward caught my wrist before I was able to move too far.

"Bella, wait," he said and pulled me back to him.

My eyes widened because the lack of music suddenly made all of my nerves from before surface, and my cheeks burned brightly. "What?" I asked weakly and then swallowed in hopes of gaining some volume back into it.

"I..." he started but appeared to be unable to continue. I didn't push, and he inhaled and tried again. "I was wondering if, maybe, after all your lessons today, you would, um, like to..." He trailed off again, and his nerves made my heart melt.

I had already understood he was trying to ask me out, and it was the sweetest thing ever to see a guy at his age almost stutter as he tried to get the words out. I had always thought college-age guys were overly self-confident and cocky, but not Edward. He was so very different, and it was no wonder I was already falling hard after having known him for barely three days.

I gently took his hand in mine and he looked down at it first and then back at me. I gave him another smile. "I'd love to go out with you later," I said, and the smile that lit up his face was radiant.

"Great," he got out and then breathed a quiet chuckle in pure relief.

A double clap once again disrupted us, and I felt the urge to glare at the instructor.

"Break's over! Now, on to the Foxtrot; a dance very similar to the waltz, yet not as historic as its cousin. It was first developed in the 1910's but didn't gain popularity until..."

{=A=}

Apparently, it was mandatory to sign my name in the ledger when I wanted to leave the school grounds. I found that out when I told Chef McCarty he didn't have to cook dinner for a fifteenth person, and he had given me a look that said he knew exactly what I'd be doing instead, and for some reason, it made me feel guilty.

"Alright, but don't forget to sign the ledger when you leave unless you want Mrs. Cullen on your heels. Bring your ID, or you won't be let back inside, and we can't have any kids spending the night outside the gates. Strictly against the rules."

I had blinked in shock and then mutely nodded at him that I understood.

When it was time for me to meet up with Edward outside as we had decided, I made my way to the entrance hall, but I was stopped at the bottom of the stairs by none other than Bree. I wanted to roll my eyes at her so badly when she stepped in my path, but I refrained. I was going to be the bigger person.

"What do you want, Bree?" I asked irritated.

She huffed. "You actually don't look half-bad for once. Going somewhere?" she replied with her own question and narrowed eyes.

"As a matter of fact, I am, and you are making me late, so if you'll excuse me..." I tried to bypass her, but she just stepped in front of me again. The urge to push her away was so strong, I had to clench my hands into fists to gain some control back.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business. Let me pass." I was running out of patience fast, but I had dealt with brats like Bree my entire life. They came with the social circles my family moved around in. I knew her game. I knew she wanted to rile me up and give her the chance to tell on me, no matter if I'd done anything bad or not.

"And if I don't?" she asked with a sugar-sweet voice and gleeful smile.

"Then you're going to have to explain to me why you're keeping my date hostage."

Bree jumped in shock and turned around to where Edward stood with his hands in his pockets and a questioning expression. As always, he was dressed in jeans, but he was wearing a leather jacket over his usual t-shirt and it made him look even more attractive than before. I didn't think an article of clothing had that kind of power over a person's appearance.

In her gaping surprise, Bree didn't try to stop me a third time when I went around her and up to Edward, who immediately shifted his attention and smiled at me. When I was close enough, he casually placed his arm around my shoulders and walked us both through the door. The feeling of his touch made me almost forget about the ledger, and I had to run back inside.

Edward leaned against the body of his car, I believe it was a red Toyota, while he waited for me, and then held the door of the passenger side open while I climbed in. It was very nice of him, but I had a feeling he only did it because this was our first date and he wanted to impress me.

As soon as we'd left through the gates, he turned to me with a smile. "I have to tell you, Bella, you look really nice in that dress."

"Thank you," I said sincerely and fingered the hem of the skirt as a reaction to the blush his compliment evoked. It was a simple sundress, not the fanciest one I owned by far, but it was one of the few of the Renée-approved dresses that I actually liked. "So where are we going?" I asked to change the subject from my appearance to a safer topic.

"You have no idea how much I wish I was more creative than I am when it comes to dates," he said and looked somewhat embarrassed. "There's a restaurant in the city called The Pearl. Their food is supposed to be very good, but after that, the sky's the limit, I guess." He cast a glance toward the clock on the dashboard. "Until eleven pm, that is, when I have to get you back."

I didn't want him to feel like he had planned a bad date, so I instantly reassured him with a smile. "Sounds great. It will be nice to see the city and not just the grounds around the school." A small laugh escaped me. "Maybe you could even help me forget about it for a few hours. That would be nice."

It surprised me when I suddenly felt Edward take a hold of my hand, and I looked down to where he had wrapped his fingers around mine.

"Look, I know you really don't want to be at the Academy. I also know that you are here for a reason I won't ever force you to tell me about, but I still want you to know that I am glad you're here," he said, and I frowned in confusion because I didn't understand what he was saying.

"You're glad I won't tell you the reason or you're glad I ended up here?"

He looked over at me, and those green eyes of his sparkled with amusement, which caused my heart to stutter. "The latter," he replied.

"Why?"

"And here I thought I'd been overly obvious and made a fool of myself." He chuckled with a shake of his head.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, half-amused, half-annoyed at myself for not getting the point.

With a deep inhale and a squeeze of my hand that he was still holding, he finally told me what I was missing. "I like you, Bella. I like you a lot, and whatever caused you to come here, it was the reason we met, and that's something I could never regret."

His words made me wonder if I was in over my head with him. He seemed to know exactly what to say to a girl to make her melt, and I was terrified of what that could mean. No guy could naturally know that kind of stuff without loads of experience, and I suddenly felt every bit the sixteen-year-old girl I was.

I heard a buzz and Edward reached into his pocket for his phone. He looked at the screen for only a few seconds before putting it back, but his expression changed radically after reading what I assumed was a text. The previous open and amused expression was replaced with an indifferent and controlled look. His body stiffened and his hands tightened on the wheel.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, worried he'd gotten bad news, and it was already on my tongue to say that we could go out another night, but Edward had once again relaxed.

"Nothing important enough to ruin our date," he assured.

"Okay," I said, but I was suddenly very unsure of this date being a good idea.

A/N:

A lot of you suspected Bree to be the one who hid her shoes, but remember this, she was still at breakfast when Bella went to her room, and then she was already in the dance studio when Bella arrived, PLUS what would she gain on having Bella late and therefore being paired up with Edward?

Hmm... a few of you also suspect Mrs. Cullen.

What do you think now?

They're going on a date. Are you feeling uncertain about it the way Bella does? Are your spidey-senses tingling?

I'll see you tomorrow guys!

Stay Awesome