A/N: Okay, so… here's the deal. I have to go back to school tomorrow –sobs- so I probably won't be able to give daily updates like I have this weekend. If there are days after school when I can update, then of course I will, but be warned that most of my updates will happen mainly on Friday and the weekend.
That having been said, how many times do I have to urge you people for REVIEWS!!! I don't care if you like my story or not (well, I care a bit) I just want reviews! They help me improve my story and motivate me to write faster! So those of you who have alerted or favourited my story WITHOUT dropping in a review better start reviewing NOW!!! If you think my story is good enough to alert of favourite, then I think it should be worth your time to spend 5 seconds on a simple review. Thanks.
So, one last announcement: a very big and special shout out to everyone reading this story ACROSS THE WORLD!!! Seriously, you guys are da bomb! I have readers from Singapore, Peru, Slovakia, and even… even… Honduras! I don't even know where Honduras is! So a big, big thank you to all my international readers, whether you're from North America, Europe, Asia, South America, the Middle East, or wherever, I love you all!
On with Chapter SEVEN!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Boohoohoohoohoo… hoo.
"It's okay now. Just please don't bring it up again. If I want to talk to you guys about anything, I will approach you. If I don't seek you out first, it means I don't want to talk, okay?"
They both nodded, relieved that I wasn't going to give them a hard time about it. And I guess I was relieved too. I didn't like avoiding them. Hopefully now, everything can go back to normal.
Of course, 'normal' had its own plans, and they didn't involve coming back.
Chapter 7: Just Dance
The next couple of weeks had gone by quickly. Everything had gone back to… normal, if that's what you can even call it. We haven't had any movie nights since the fateful one, and Tanya was now more clingy than ever to Edward. Although I know I shouldn't had been enjoying it, but it would be a lie to say I wasn't secretly happy to see the annoyed looked on Edward's face every time Tanya grabbed on to him like a life line.
So here we were, the Friday before leaving Seattle on Sunday to go home to Forks for Christmas. A part of me was relieved to finally be going home for the holidays and away from this madness that we call school. But another part was not looking forward on returning to Forks.
Why? Because there would be no school and hundreds of other students to distract the Cullens from spending time with me. It would be harder to avoid them with them probably begging me to come over to their house everyday. In fact, it will probably bring us closer, which was the opposite of what I wanted.
Rose lived in Port Angeles. I know, what a coincidence that it was so close to Forks. Jasper, however, lived down south, so he wouldn't be so close by. Of course, this had Alice slightly down the past couple of weeks, but she was still happy and bubbly.
We were sitting at out usual table for lunch in the dining hall on this particular Friday. I was reading Wuthering Heights for the bazillion-ith time while munching on my fries before a tiny, white hand suddenly ripped the book from my hand.
"Hey!" I said, glaring at the culprit. "Give that back, Alice!"
"Puh-leeze, this is far more important than a book you've read more times than you can count. And don't deny it!" I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at Alice. She was my friend, but sometimes she was so damn annoying.
Alice put the book away, in her bag, then turned back to me, and started bouncing on the spot. A sure sign she was excited.
"So, Bella! Are you going to the Christmas Party tomorrow night?" she asked me, still bouncing.
"Huh?"
"Le gasp, Bella! What do you mean by 'Huh'?"
"I mean, 'Huh, what Christmas party?'" I said, rolling my eyes.
"You HAVEN'T heard of the Crowley Christmas party?!"
"Uh, no…?"
Alice got up and started bouncing while standing, looking twice as excited as before. This earned her a chuckle from her brothers and a loving look from Jasper. I just looked at her anxiously. Something told me, I wouldn't like this…
"Tyler Crowley, the uber rich guy on campus, throws a Christmas party every year for everyone else on campus to attend! It's tomorrow night Bella! And it's really fancy! Tyler rents out a big reception hall for it. Formal dress only!"
"And if it's tomorrow night, why are you only just telling me now?"
"So you can't put up as much of a fight, duh."
I shook my head. "No way, Alice. You can't just expect me to agree with this the night before. Besides, you know I don't like parties or dressing up. I'm going to sit this one out."
"But, Bella!"
"No, Ali. And that's final."
Alice bit her lip, and then looked at me with a mischievous look in her eyes. That couldn't be good.
"Would you change your mind if I said I already bought your dress…?'
"What?!" I stood up as the others laughed. They probably already knew Alice's scheme. Oh, that Alice was a clever one. She knew I hated it when people spent money on me. "Are you serious?!"
"Of course I'm serious Bella. Come on, you know that if I didn't, you would have stayed in your dorm and that's no fun. You need to get out with us more… I miss you." She then unleashed the full force of her puppy dog pout on me, and I knew I was doomed.
In one last attempt, I sighed, "How much did the dress cost?" Maybe I could pay her back…
"Um, would you hate me if I said $275.00?" Alice said, looking away.
Okay, forget about paying her back then.
Standing up, I was about to throw a fit and give Alice a lecture about spending money people without them knowing or wanting you to, but then realized either way, I was going to this stupid party. Alice knew I wouldn't let someone's money go to waste, and she took advantage of it. Scheming pixie…
"Fine." I said, slumping back down in my seat.
"Yay!" Alice squealed, "Be at my dorm by four tomorrow. And stop sulking. My dress cost almost $350.00"
"The party starts that early?"
"No, silly. We're going to need hours to get ready! In all the time we've known each other, have I taught you nothing?" Alice dramatically put her hands on her hips and rolled her eyes.
The others laughed and Edward turned to me, saying, "I've never seen you give up a fight so easily before, Bella." He smirked and I scowled at him.
I turned back to Alice. "Do I have to go? Can't you just return the dress?"
"Well, yeah, I could return the dress, I just don't want to. And yes, you have to go. You might meet a cute guy there, Bella. You never know."
"Whatever." I said, getting up, taking my book from Alice's bag, and leaving the dining hall… but not before I saw a flash of anger cross over Edward's face. I wondered what that was all about?
* * *
The next day, at 4:02 PM, I knocked on Alice's dorm room door, just wishing to get this night over with. The door was thrown open and before I could blink, Alice pulled, no, yanked me in.
"Jeez, Alice. I love how you're being so gentle." I said sarcastically.
"Oh, ha ha. You're two minutes late, Bella!" Alice said, sticking her little face into mine.
"Two minutes. Whoop dee doo, Basil." I replied my eyes turned to the ceiling. I heard Rosalie laugh and looked towards the sound to see her sounded by a bunch of beauty products and packages.
"Whatever. Come on! It's Bella Barbie time!" Alice squealed, pulling my arm towards the bathroom. Alice lived in a singles dorm, so there was no roommate to kick out.
"Is Tanya coming over?" I asked. I suspected the two had to include Tanya in a lot of their girly activities since she was Edward's girlfriend.
"No, thank god." Rosalie replied. "She prefers to get herself ready since she doesn't like Alice's and my style sense. Of course her sense of style includes stuffed bras and pounds of glitter on your face and hair."
I would have laughed, but Alice pushed me down onto a chair in front of the bathroom sink and mirror.
"Did you take a shower before coming here, like I told you to?" Alice asked the question as if she were asking me if I cleaned my room.
"Yes, Miss Cullen."
"I'll forgive you for that cheekiness this time Bella, since I happen to be in a good mood."
"Whatever."
Without further comment, Alice set to work on my hair, Rosalie joining us after a few seconds. I noticed that they already had their hair done. Alice's was no longer spiky, but smooth and wispy. Rosalie's hair was put up like a crown on her head, a few golden locks were loose around her face and ears.
They both looked even more beautiful than normal, which made me feel ten times uglier.
"Um, why is it that you two are already done with your hair and make up?"
Alice looked at me as if I were an alien. "Because we're going to need all the time we can get to work on you!" She shook her head at my stupidity.
"Gee, thanks. Should I be flattered?"
"Of course."
They put some weird, icky yellow stuff on my hair while they put it up in hot rollers. While they were waiting, they worked on my make up. Normally, I would have protested against make up, but I had known Alice long enough to know that it would do know good.
They didn't apply any blush since I "wouldn't need it, I already blush so much" (To prove their point, I actually blushed at that). They then put on basically everything else; eye liner, mascara, some subtle natural eye shadow, and a layer of shiny lip gloss on my lips.
Alice then took out the rollers in my hair, letting the dark brown ringlets fall. She then pinned a small bunch of pretty white flowers in my hair.
"Freesias." She said shortly.
"Okay, Bella. You ready to put on your $275.00 dress?" Rose asked me, leading me out of the bathroom.
"Do I have a choice?" I sighed.
"Nope" Alice replied, looking smug.
I sat down on Alice's bed as she opened up a white box and took out a dress that was buried under mounds of tissue paper.
It was a short cocktail dress, royal blue, strapless, with a bubble hem (pic of dress of my profile). I had to admit, I liked it. A lot. I involuntarily smiled and Alice did a little victory bounce.
"I knew you'd like it! Now stand up so I can put it on you!"
The dress fit me perfectly and looked quite good. Alice and Rosalie put on both their dresses right after. Alice's was a white and black strapless cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline. Rosalie's was a longer, low backed, red gown. (Both dresses on profile).
"Okay, Bella… now, for SHOES!" Alice said, whipping out a shoe box.
"Please tell me those are flats!"
"No can do, Bells. You are going to this party in heels whether you like it or not."
"Good friends don't force each other to do things they really don't want to."
"Then it's a good thing I'm not a good friend then, right? I'm a great friend. Now shut up and put on the damn shoes!." Alice thrust the box in my face, shaking it about.
After fifteen minutes of struggle, I finally put on the shoes, and although they looked great, they were clearly death traps on my feet. They were the same royal blue as my dress, with a nice high heel and ribbons that criss-crossed up my calves.
Finally, the torture that was Bella Barbie time was over. Rose and Alice put on their own shoes just as there was a knock on the door.
"That would be the guys!" Alice said happily as she flung the door open.
There stood the three most handsome guys on the planet (plus a very sour looking Tanya). Seriously though, Apart from prom one year, I had never seen Edward and Emmett wear suits. Jasper too. And let me say, they look good.
I found I couldn't take my eyes off of Edward and his incredibly gorgeous body incased in a black tux. It was a classic tux, nothing special, but of course, Edward could make everything a hundred times more beautiful if he wore it.
Tanya was hanging off of Edward's arm as usual, looking very… sparkly in a magenta strapless mini dress covered in sequins (pic on profile). She had glitter eye liner, glitter eye shadow, glitter in her hair, and I could have sworn I saw a bit on glitter on her cheeks. Thank god it was night time, for I think I would have been blinded if she stepped into the sun.
When I met Edward's eyes, I realized he was staring right back at me. Well, not into my eyes, but at the rest of me. His eyes did a once over and looked shocked, I guess at my change in appearance. I blushed and quickly looked away. I still saw the scowl Tanya sent my way however. I guess she saw where "Eddie" was looking, too.
Putting on our coats we left for the party. Of course Jasper and Emmett complimented their girlfriends on how great they looked. Edward couldn't say a word to me since Tanya was being all attention hungry as usual.
The party was in full swing when we arrived. A couple men at the door took our coats as soon as we entered. The hall looked great. There were tons of Christmas decorations and a big, gorgeous Christmas tree in the corner of the hall. I thought it would be in the middle, but I guess they needed room for dancing.
Instead of Christmas songs being played, regular songs were. I guess Christmas songs just weren't right for upbeat dancing. The current song on right then was "Just Dance" by Lady GaGa featuring Colby O'Donis and Akon.
Rose took my hand and dragged me to the dance floor a long with the others. This wasn't good. I couldn't dance. I'd end up knocking not only myself down, but everyone else on the dance floor.
Slipping away from her grasp, I scurried off the dance floor and away to the side. I watched as the others danced, Alice bouncing quite comically. I purposely avoided looking at Tanya and Edward dance since the first time I let my eyes drift there way. Tanya was trying some very inappropriate moves on a very reluctant and uncomfortable looking Edward.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Mike Newton behind me, a very sleazy grin on his face. I internally shuddered.
"Hey Bella! You look HOT!" Eww I thought. I hated it when guys called girls' hot. I'd much rather be called beautiful.
"Hi Mike."
"So, you want to dance?" he asked eagerly. He reminded me of a puppy, a golden retriever.
"Um… I can't dance." I said, hoping he would back off.
"It's okay! Just hold on to me and you'll be fine…" Okay, double eww.
"I… uh, I…"
"Come on, Bella!" he started reaching for my hand.
Another hand then came down on Mike's shoulder as a very tall boy who looked about my age stepped to my side. He was pretty handsome, but couldn't hold a candle to Edward. He had tan, russet skin, and long black hair tied back into a ponytail. He looked like an Aboriginal.
"I'm back sweetheart." He said, throwing his arm casually over my shoulder. Sweetheart? Who does this guy think he is – Oh. Ohhhhh.
"Sure, hon." I said, playing along. I reached up on my tip toes and lightly placed a quick kiss on his cheek.
I turned back to Mike to see him a little pink in the face and obviously surprised.
"I, um, I'll see you later then, Bella." Mike said, a little flustered, before scampering off to wherever.
I turned to my savior who then retracted his arm from my shoulders.
"Thanks for saving me." I said, smiling.
"No problem. You looked as if you needed a hand." He replied, smiling too. His voice was deep and husky.
I was about to walk away before he took my hand pulling me back.
"Do you mind if you dance with me?' he asked.
"I wasn't lying before. I can't dance."
"Don't worry, listen, a slow song is on right now." He started gently tugging my arm towards the dance floor and this time I let him. He wasn't such a bad guy and he did save me, so I must have owed him something.
Picking up my right hand in his left and wrapping his other arm around my waist, he pulled me close, but not too close, as we gently swayed to the music. The song was "Have yourself a Merry little Christmas" by Frank Sinatra. I'll admit, it was relaxing and I didn't feel too uncomfortable in this guy's arms. I felt no romantic spark towards him, a more friend-brother one, so it was a nice friendly dance.
"By the way, I'm Jacob. Jacob Black." He whispered in my ear.
"Bella Swan." I replied.
When the song ended and we broke apart, I felt another tap on my shoulder. But this time it wasn't Mike, it was Edward.
Edward looked… annoyed. What was up with him?
"Hey Edward," I said. "This is Jacob Black. Jacob, this is my friend, Edward Cullen."
"Hey," Jacob said, sticking out his hand for Edward to shake.
Edward rudely ignored the hand, narrowing his eyes at Jacob, he turned to me and said, "Bella, have you seen Tanya? I can't find her. She disappeared after the last dance."
I shook my head, "Sorry, no. Do you need a hand finding her?"
"Sure, thanks." He looked towards Jacob, nodding, "Jacob." And started walking away.
"Sorry Jacob, he's not normally so cold" I said to Jacob, apologizing. "I'll see you later then. Bye."
"Bye, Bella. It was nice meeting you." He replied.
I quickly caught up to Edward, tripping at the last step and frantically grabbing onto his sleeve for support.
"Sorry." I said sheepishly, letting go of his sleeve.
We kept walking, keeping on the look out for Tanya, a comfortable silence over us. We stopped after a few minutes, as I peered into another room down a hallway.
"Have I told you how nice you look tonight?" Edward asked suddenly.
"Um, no?" I said, looking back at him curiously.
"Oh, well, you look beautiful." He said, looking me straight in the eyes. I blushed and looked away. I looked anywhere but his face. When my eyes met the ceiling I nearly froze in place.
Mistletoe.
Hearing my breath hitch, Edward looked up to see what I was staring at, and his own eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
"Mistletoe…" he whispered before looking back at me.
We stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Time had stopped and the only thing that seemed to exist was Edward and Bella. We both knew the tradition of a couple standing under the mistletoe, but would he go through with it? I dreamed about something like this happening back when I was still in love with Edward. I was pretty sure I didn't love him anymore, so surely if our lips did connect, it would mean nothing… right?
He slowly started leaning into me, and I found myself leaning forward too. I was getting lost in his eyes, the emerald pools held some kind of emotion that I couldn't quite place.
Suddenly, a movement behind Edward caught me eye.
As much as I didn't want this moment to end (wait, I didn't want it to end?) I knew it had to, with what I was seeing behind Edward, Edward needed to see too.
"Edward?" I whispered.
"Yes?" he breathed, his lips only two inches from mine.
"I think I found Tanya."
He pulled back slowly, looking confused and… disappointed? I motioned behind him and he turned around to see what I was talking about.
Behind him, Tanya was furiously making out with… Mike Newton?!
Okay, everyone repeat after me, "EWWWWWWW".
They were literally glued to each other in the corner of the hallway, eating each other's faces. One of her legs was hitched up onto Mike's hip as his hands were placed quite disgustingly on her ass.
Edward was frozen in place. His mouth hanging open at the scene. I instantly felt bad for him. He didn't deserve this. Tanya didn't deserve Edward. I wondered how long this thing with Mike Newton had been going on.
"Tanya?" Edward said, still with shock prominent on his beautiful features.
The two immediately broke apart and turned around to see Edward. Tanya looked like someone was pointing a gun to her head and Mike, well Mike just looked smug. I never felt like punching someone's face as much before as I did then. And I wasn't normally a violent person.
"Eddie… this-this isn't w-what it looks like!" Tanya stuttered. She disentangled herself from Mike and started running towards Edward. Her hair was messed and her lip stick smeared. As soon as she got to Edward, placing her hands on his chest, he pushed her away and took a step back.
"Eddie…"
"My name is not Eddie" Edward said, all traces of shock were gone and were replaced by anger.
"Edward, just let me explain!" Tanya said desperately.
"There's nothing to explain Tanya. I know what I saw."
"But…"
"I trusted you, Tanya. But frankly, I'm not surprised. I guess I always knew there was something off about you. No more, Tanya. We're over."
"You're… you're breaking up with me?" Tanya whispered.
Edward glared down at her and took another step back. "Yes, Tanya. I am."
Tanya looked stricken. If it was anybody else, I would have felt sorry for her, but since it was Tanya, I could make an exception.
Tanya looked around, as if begging someone to help her, then her eyes met mine. Her eyes went from pleading to fiery hatred in a millisecond. I could literally see the steam coming from her ears.
"YOU! This is all your fault! You ruined EVERYTHING!!!" she screeched. She then tried to come at me, I took a step back bumping into the wall behind me.
Edward stepped in between Tanya and I, blocking her path of destruction. He took her shoulders and pushed her back.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't attack my friends. This had nothing at all to do with Bella, so leave her alone." He said, his voice was evident with anger. I could tell he was trying very hard to control his temper at the moment.
He then turned his back on Tanya, put his hand on the small of my back, and swiftly led me away from the scene. Leaving Tanya and their mess of a relationship behind.
A/N: Hit or Miss?
So once again I remind you that I probably won't be able to update every single day. Most of my updates will happen over Friday and the weekend.
Also, I've been thinking about doing an EPOV but wasn't really sure. But thanks to a reviewer, mcfeather, who made the suggestion, I am confirming that CHAPTER 10 will be a special EPOV chapter. Just something to look forward to :D
So, other than that, the only thing left I have to say is REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!