Thanks everyone for reading! I guess that means this is not a complete disaster! ;)

Looking forward to reading your thoughts,

love, w.

Your heart, I'll carry it with me …

Bella Swan moves to Forks where she meets Edward Cullen. But this is not your typical Bella and this is not the story you know.

Twilight fanfiction; I own nothing.

CHAPTER THREE

The long blue dress still fitted me perfectly. I wasn't so sure about the shoes, though. Apparently the humidity in the air made them shrink; I was quite convinced they would give me blisters before the dance would end. So I threw some plasters into the first-aid kit my purse had turned into, for just in case.

I ran downstairs when I saw Mike's car stopping in front of the house. Charlie appeared from the living room, with gloomy expression. He looked at me from head to toe, probably wondering where his shotgun was. I decided to understand his wish to shoot off my suitors as a compliment for my cooking.

"Have fun, Bella," he said, sounding like he would much rather lock me in my room and never let me out.

"I won't be late, dad," I smiled and kissed him on the cheek. Then I ran towards the door, opening them before Mike could knock.

From the expression that appeared on his face, I doubted he was in a state to drive anywhere. His eyes widened and threatened to pop out.

"Hello, Mike," I greeted him.

"Hi … Bella … you look … nice," he managed.

"Thanks!"

I thought about returning the compliment but didn't want to cause any more pressure in his head.

I am not really gifted when it comes to sports but when I'm in my happy state and bubbly, I am capable of remarkably fast moving. I reached the car way before Mike so I waited for him to catch up and open my door.

We didn't talk much during the drive to school; he was trying to focus and not crash into anything. Maybe I'm mean but I did find it charming.

He was right about the decorations – they were crappy, but the music was quite nice. Some local band was playing. And whoever took care of the catering did the phenomenal job. If the dress wasn't so tight, I would probably spend the whole evening by the tables with trays on.

Mike too finally got over me wearing a dress and was back to his usual self. We danced, we laughed, we talked and the evening was going exceptionally well until …

I saw glasses falling to the floor, breaking and juice splashing everywhere. I heard people – ok, girls, mostly, taking a deep breath. Couples on the dance floor forgot the steps. Mike suddenly became all pale. Heck, even the main singer, a pretty brunette, looked like she was about to pass out!

I looked over my shoulder and saw the Cullens walking in. Girls, Alice and Rosalie, looked fabulous in their dresses and despite having a normal self-esteem, I felt like the ugliest girl in the world. Emmett and Jasper too looked like they jumped out of a fashion magazine.

Edward was … Edward. I guess it didn't matter what he was wearing, he would be divine in everything. Every girl in the room had her eyes glued in him while I tried to pretend I didn't exist. Sadly, he apparently had eyes of a hawk – like a born predator he saw me and stared. And stared.

"What is he doing here?!" whined Mike.

It was driving me insane. It looked like I was the only girl he saw and it was so embarrassing as if I was completely nude.

His brothers and sisters started dancing (and, clearly, overshadowed everyone else) while his eyes didn't move off me. My evening was ruined.

"Just a sec," I smiled at Mike, trying sound stoically, but irritation was obvious. I don't know what kind of complexes men can have, but from his expression in that moment it looked like he had every single one imaginable.

Edward sat down by one of the tables, as if he was that black sheep, the geeky classmate no one ever wanted to dance with. It was insulting from his part; I knew about 99% of girls would chop their legs off to dance with him.

I walked up to him with determined steps and didn't care how angry I looked.

His playful, lively eyes smiled when I stopped in front of him. Although the light was dim, his eyes were shinning.

"Hello, Bella," he said.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to a dance."

"You never go to dances, remember?"

"I felt like dancing this time," he shrugged and got up. If he was an apple and I was Eve, I too would be on the next train to hell. "You look beautiful tonight, Bella. Would you like to dance with me?"

He most certainly had a nerve, I had to admit.

"Are you amnestic? You were there when I agreed to go with Mike."

"So that's a no?"

"You are absurd," I crossed arms on my chest.

"You are going to just walk away, leaving me lonely?"

"Look around. Girls are lining up. I'm sure you will not be lonely tonight."

And I walked away. I knew the girls were astounded – Edward Cullen, the most yummy, the most angelic, the most handsome, the most to die for guy in the Forks and I turned him down. But I doubt I was the crazy chick in their minds for long though – the 'Dance with Edward Cullen' mission should have started weeks ago already.

Mike looked like he was about to pass out as I took his hand and smiled.

"Cullen asked you for a dance?" he said in a suspiciously high voice.

"Yes, he did. And I said no."

"Ok."

Truth was, I been there, done that, danced with the most popular boy in school. It ended in heart break and I was still not sure whether all stitches were in their right place already. It hurt like hell and of course and wanted to be the girl Edward was dancing with!

But once you slip on ice, you'll walk more carefully when winter comes. If you buy bad yoghurt, you'll choose it more carefully the next time. If you happen to beat the statistics and end up on a doomed plane and barely survive, you will most likely choose train.

It's self-preservation. It's not only the cherry that's delicious when it comes to cakes. Sometimes average is better. Mike was not super pretty yet he was special. In the long run I wanted to be happy. I didn't give up on fairy-tale – I rewrote it.

"You chose me over Cullen?"

Apparently I had future as a psychologist. His complexes disappeared into thin air.

I do wish I was as successful when it came to Edward. I admired the courage of those few girls who walked to him and asked him to dance. I doubt any of them got to finish the question – he dismissed them all. He just stared, stared at me.

I heard of this Chinese torture technique where they slowly pour water onto your forehead, a drop after drop. It is said to be an excellent way of making someone a fruitcake. Well, as long as Edward Cullen does it, staring is just as effective.

Mike didn't deserve it. He was the one who had the courage to ask me to come yet my mind, my attention and my focus belonged to Edward. I tried to hide my irritation but unfortunately it hit Mike. It made me feel even worse.

So I did what every girl does from time to time - cramps are nothing but a pain, however, on those few occasions they do prove to be quite useful. I excused myself and went to the ladies' room to cool off.

Of course, when rain comes to Forks, it usually stays for a painfully king time.

Rosalie and Alice were putting on makeup (not that they needed it). As they looked at me, they were like Jing and Jang, bad cop good cop. Rosalie smiled at me sympathetically while Alice just stared blankly. I wished they were expressing their opinion of my fashion choice but I knew better. I guess Females United only applies when none of the girls is related to a guy.

What was with this family and their love for staring? It was freaking me out! My hands were shaking and I would most likely look like an alien if I touched mascara and lipstick, so I just left them in my purse. I smiled at the sisters and ran out.

I staggered back to our table; Jessica was talking about a great movie that was showing in cinemas. There were still hours left till our curfew and I could not bear another minute in the room with Edward. Luckily nobody opposed when I suggested we went see it.

Still, I came home remarkably early. Charlie was in the living room, watching repeat of some old baseball game. He was shocked when I walked in – I don't think it was because the guy on screen missed the ball.

"I didn't expect you to be back already."

"I have a test next week," I shrugged.

"Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah, it was nice."

As I undressed, I threw the dress on the bottom of the closet – I wore it twice and it brought bad luck both times. I decided to donate it to charity – if Forks had one, of course.

Indeed I got blisters and when I showered, it felt like I was on fire. When I went to bed that night, my feet were killing me. Yet the evening wasn't disastrous enough – that night I dreamt of Edward Cullen for the first time.

To Be Continued.

Broughttoyouby:::winter.