Dedication- For Chaz and Andrew whose names I used in this chapter. Chaz was my homecoming date. Andrew is one of my best friends who lives too far away so i only talk to him through email.

"Bella!" Charlie called, interrupting my thoughts. "Your ride is here."

Homecoming Pictures

I took a look at myself in the mirror and groaned. Could I get out of this humiliation? I coughed experimentally. It was not at all convincing. I was still a horrible liar.

Grabbing my purse and jacket, since it was a little chilly (Duh, forks!), I headed down stairs to where Mike, Jessica, Andrew, Angela, and Chaz were waiting.

Mikes face lit up when he saw me. "Wow, Bella." He said in awe. I did not appreciate this but Angela gave me an encouraging smile and I refrained from punching Mike.

I greeted the other boys with the appropriate amount of enthusiasm and told Jessica that she looked 'so cute' in her ultra short, lime green dress.

"So do you." She said stiffly.

"Um, Bella." I turned unwillingly to find him holding out a beautiful bouquet of all white flowers.

"Oh!" I said surprised. "Thank you Mike! They are so pretty."

I was touched that he would get them for me but what was I to do with them now?
"Picture time!" Charlie, armed with a camera, burst into the hall.

Six hands raised in unison to cover their faces as flashes erupted from the small machine.

"Bye dad!" I yelled as we ran out the door. I could have sworn I heard him laughing.

The ride to the school was quiet and cramped. I was thoroughly relieved when we reached the gym.

Mike looped his arm around mine like all the other couples. I almost gagged. Why must we always be touching?

On the way to the doors Jessica tripped in her hard to walk in shoes (I know it sounds like me) and Andrew caught her before she hit the ground. I guess it was a kind of 'my hero' thing because two seconds later they were making out. This made me hurry into the gym more quickly than I normally would have.

I entered the gym with Mike at my side and after that all I can say is – paparazzi. About 11 people with cameras jumped me as I entered. They took pictures of Mike and me together and then pressed their own faces to mine and held the camera at arms length to get a picture of us together. The thing was, I did not personally know any of these people.

Angela's entrance was slightly less hectic. Many of the paparazzi people got tired and moved back out onto the packed dance floor.

After that everything was a blur. Angela grabbed my hand and dragged me through the sea of people until my friends surrounded me. They were all dancing, so I danced also, not caring if I made a full of myself. This time I did not trip and fall.

The pounding base vibrated the floorboards. The lights bounced off the walls creating eerie colors on the dancers skin and rippling shadows on the walls. I was out of the gym. Out of Forks. I was in a magical place consisting only of color and sound. Taken away to a place where faeries in brightly colored dresses frolicked on the dance floor and vampires were allowed to exist in my mind without my heart paining. This place made nothing feel real. All my problems melted away and I was allowed to feel numb.

I was brought back when I saw Jessica and Andrew entered. Jessica's curly hair glistened strangely under the red and blue pulsing lights. I found myself mesmerized by it.

That song melted into a new song, slower, and our group moved more tightly together.

A muttering carried over the music. Something was disturbing the people closest to the door. They were pulling cameras out. A new couple was arriving. A ripple of excitement went through the school. The beautiful couple had arrived.

OHHHH! A CLIFFHANGER!!! what are you going to do sue me?...speaking of sueing...

Disclaimer- I do not own Twilight. I never said I did. SO QUIT ACCUSEING ME OF IT!

oh ok. A few notes. Edward is gone because he left Bella. This is the 2nd book. He is in South America (right?). He's in South America...not hiding around the corner. And no he will not be coming back in the next chapter. Sorry. It's Mackenzie's turn to play. ok the second matter of business is TOM!!! (see bio). He was not chosen for the part of Edward in the film (sadness). Stupid Cedric. I LOVE TOM!