A/N: So, sadly, there are probably five, max, chapters left in this story. Whether I write a sequel or not (I have an idea, already... sort of) depends on the number of reviews I get these last few chapters. =)

Sooo.

Yeah.

ENJOY!!!!

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. Today was the day. Today was the day my dreams came true. Today was the day that I won the bet over Rosalie Bitch Hale and today was the day that she found out she would have to run around the school in a chicken suit. Today was the day I, for once, took notice about what I looked like, from the knee-length midnight blue dress Alice picked out, from the sparkly white eye shadow Jessica picked out, to the way my hair was going to be curly at the ends and half-up to create a dramatic look, according to Alice. And finally, today was the day I placed Edward's sparkly white mask on my eyes.

Today was the day. Today, more importantly, was my day.

When Edward picked me up, Charlie insisted on taking a few pictures of us. Edward, I must say, was looking pretty damn hot in his tuxedo, and as soon as I got home the picture Charlie took was going up as my profile picture on Facebook.

"Sorry," I whispered to Edward, about the picture, as we walked outside to the limo he had rented. Alice and Jasper and Jessica and her date were all waiting in there.

"Don't worry about it," he replied, opening the door for me. "You look beautiful, by the way." My heart fluttered a little in my chest like in those cheesy old romance novels. He called me beautiful. Me. Bella Swan. Not some cake face, like Rosalie Hale. Just me. An ordinary, clumsy, nothing-special-about-her girl.

God, I needed to get over myself.

"BELLA!" Mike, Jessica's date, exclaimed as I slid into the limo. I had to pull my dress down because it kept riding up. "HEY, GIRL!"

"Um," I said awkwardly, tugging my dress harder, trying to get it past my knees. Dammit, Alice, you suck. "Hey."

Alice was wearing a red dress that poofed out drastically before her knees, but fit her upper body like a glove. Unlike Jessica, she hadn't overdone the eyeliner and mascara, and was only wearing thin coats of each. Jessica, on the other hand, was wearing a dress that only covered what it needed to, barely, had a plunging neckline, and was such a hot shade of pink I had to avoid looking in her direction the entire ride. Looking at that dress was like looking directly at the sun.

When we stopped the driver opened the door for us, and Edward slipped a tip into his hand. I kind of tripped on my three-inch high heels when getting out of the limo, but Edward caught me before I could hit the pavement, laughing. I guess he found it funny that I had almost broken my face.

At the entrance to the school, outside the gym, there was a photography booth set up, with a white background behind it. Alice, being Alice, stopped us all and said, "Everyone, don't try to protest, yes, Bella, I mean you, because it won't work. We're getting our pictures taken."

I glared, but, as she said, it didn't work. Alice turned around and said something to the photographer, before he began taking photos. First, Alice and Jasper went, in various poses—one included Alice on Jasper's back. Next Jessica and Mike went. The most creative pose the photographer set them up with was the two of them, legs-crossed, facing each other. And they kind of looked funny, because it looked like they were doing yoga and Jessica's dress wouldn't cover what it needed to when she sat like that, causing the photographer dude to keep having to yell at Mike that the camera was, "Not down there."

So I was standing there, laughing, when the photographer turned to me, surprising me, saying, "SHHH!"

I was so surprised, in fact, my heel caught in one of the many wires scattered over the ground, and I flew forward into the photographer, who then flew into a big umbrella thingie over the white background, which then caused the white background to roll up and snap and fall on the ground with a big thud.

I managed to squeeze out a nervous chuckle as the music in the gym stopped, and all heads pointed in my direction. "At least we don't have to get our pictures taken, hey Edward?"

He was the only one to laugh.

***

After sorting out technicalities with the photographer we all entered the gymnasium. Part of me was curious about whom Rosalie had come with, and the other part of me really didn't give a crap, because tonight was my night. Not Rosalie Hale's night. Mine.

And after everything I went through just to get to this one night, I think I deserved it.

The gym was themed as Night in the Sky, and everything was dark besides a few lights reflecting on the walls in little circles. There was a big full moon painted on the far wall where the punch and food was, and a song called

"I'll get us punch," Edward said, just like all the guys do in all those movies and TV shows. "Can you find us a table without tripping over your heels?"

"You're a jokester tonight, aren't you?" I limped away—these things actually really were hurting my feet—before he could reply, off to find us a table or any sort of chair so I could sit.

I walked right into Rosalie.

Her eyes travelled up from my heels to the top of my curly hair. I did the same, only because I didn't want to seem like a total loser. She had really caked on the makeup, more so than Jessica, and was wearing an aqua blue halter dress that may as well have been a second skin.

I spoke first, because I suddenly had the power to. "Who are you hear with?"

"Emmett," she told me, rolling her shoulders back, making herself look taller.

I did the same, something changing inside of me. "Tell him I said hi."

And I walked away with more confidence I had ever had.

***

As soon as I sat down Edward showed up with the punch. He gave me the cup with a whole strawberry in it, and, ignoring the fact that I wasn't exactly really fond of strawberries, gulped it down in two slugs. Tonight was my night. Nobody, not even strawberry punch, was going to take that from me.

Alice rushed over, a few inches shorter than she had been a few minutes ago. Sure enough, when I glanced down at her feet, they were bare, and when I looked behind her, Jasper was running to catch up, the high heels dangling from his hands.

"Can we sit with you guys?" she asked. "We looked all over the place—well, Jasper did—and could not find a single table."

"Sure." Edward scooched over for Jasper, who was out of breath, to sit down, and I moved over for Alice. Soon the four of us were immersed in a debate about whose version of Always Be My Baby was better—David Cook or Mariah Carey. Alice and Edward said Mariah, me and Jasper said David.

When it was decided that Jasper and I had won, Edward stood up without a word and walked towards the stage. And when he was his way back just a few seconds later, the circle-shaped lights dancing all over his tuxedo, David Cook's version was playing. He smiled. "Are you coordinated enough to dance, Bella?"

***

It was hard to imagine things ever being different. It was hard to imagine not standing here, in Edward's arms, peaceful, while we swayed to the music. It was hard to imagine that a week ago, if someone had told me where I would be right now, I would have laughed, considered it impossible.

But here I was.

And it was corny and cheesy for me to think those things. Normally it would probably want to make me puke up my breakfast. But it was right. And it was perfect. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

"I like your dress," he told me quietly, as the song played on.

"Thanks." I looked down because my cheeks were heating up out of control. Before heading to the dance floor, I had kicked off the damn high heels, and when we started dancing, and it was clear that I wasn't actually coordinated enough, Edward had offered me to stand on his feet. Now, I wiggled my toes, smiling.

As soon as the song ended Rosalie's voice was reverberating off the walls of the gymnasium. Everybody turned to look. "Hello, students of Forks High. I'm up here as the former reigning queen to announce your Masquerade Ball King and Queen."

Applause echoed through the gym. I had never been to the former MB's, so I wasn't sure what the big deal was.

"Your King is..." Rosalie tore open an envelope in her hands. "No surprise, Edward Cullen!"

More applause, and Edward whispered, "I'll be right back," before heading up to the stage. A bunch of guys clapped his back on his way up there, and the moment he got on the stage, Rosalie gave him a hug and placed a dollar-store crown on his head. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked around me. All couples. Hurry up, Edward.

"And your Queen is..." She looked down at the same piece of paper. "No surprise here either, me, Rosalie Hale." She giggled and gave another crown to Edward, who was confused for a second, but then placed it on top of her head.

The music started up again, but Rosalie glared at the DJ, who then shut it off. "We're not done," she said into the microphone. "I don't think this is fair, considering Edward did come here with someone else. Bella Swan, won't you please join us up here?"

I wanted to yell back, "It's okay, I'm fine down here," but didn't want to leave a bad impression on the school population, so, arms still across my chest, began to walk across the dance floor. People parted out of my way like the Red Sea, and I know I hadn't been to any other MBs, but I was pretty sure the Queen never actually invited the King's date up to join them.

Rosalie smiled at me a little, but it wasn't a nice smile. I tried to ignore it as I stepped onto the stage in front of the school population, feeling a little nauseous.

"Bella hasn't won the Queen award tonight," Rosalie said, sounding triumphant, like she beat me at something. "But... she has won something else."