A/N: You guys are seriously the most amazing people in the UNIVERSE!!! I have officially reached over 100 reviews! Not only that, I got 18 reviews last chapter! I am in shock! So, amazing people, enjoy chapter 11! AND THANK YOU TIMES INFINITY!!!

Chapter 11: Dance

When we entered the cafeteria where the dance was held, our ears were immediately assaulted with pounding rap music. The bass rumbled under our feet and strobe lights above the DJ booth nearly blinded us. I tapped my foot, enjoying the beat, but definitely not the words. A large group was already forming in front of the DJ, packed so tightly together that there was no space in between. They were all dancing in a way that made me extremely uncomfortable, and I hoped Seth wouldn't expect me to do the same.

Levi gently pulled Aimee into a dancing embrace, his arms around her, her hands on his shoulders. They swayed to the beat, awkwardly at first, but soon adjusted to the music as naturally as breathing. They twirled away from us, eyes locked on each other, and melded into the group near the DJ.

"That was surprising. Aimee promised to never join that group." I mused. "I guess there's more to that group than blatant hormones."

Seth studied me curiously. Then, he grabbed my hand. I was briefly dizzy, thinking he was going to spin me into the mob like Levi had. Instead, he led me to a smaller group of people, who I instantly recognized as his old friends.

"I want you to meet my friends. See how you like them. Their shift just ended." His voice was guarded, as if he was unsure how I would react.

"Ok." I whispered.

He cleared his throat. "Hey guys. This is Kayla."

I got a few greetings, but mostly people were surveying me with keen interest.

"Uh, Kayla, this is Jared and Kim, Quil, Embry, Jacob, Brady, and Collin. I've grown up with all of them." He said fondly. All were the epitome of a Quileute. Hair as black as night, smooth skin in varying tones of russet and copper, with friendly features and warm brown eyes. All gorgeous in a natural way. The only obvious couple was Kim and Jared. The other boys had dates besides Quil and Jacob, but the dates seemed oddly out of place. However, I didn't feel the least bit weird anymore.

Jacob was the one eying me with the most curiosity. The way he looked at the two of us led me to believe he was like an older brother or an uncle to Seth. He was offset from the others almost unnoticeably, but he had a protective stance over all of him. There were people from all of the grades involved in the group, something I was surprised to note. I was even more surprised at Brady and Collin. They were obviously freshman, but they were giant like Seth. All in the group excluding Kim and the other girls could pass for adults easily. It was a bit unsettling, but I dismissed it, blaming it on genes or something, wondering if they were at all related to each other. Their facial features were decidedly similar, and yet completely their own. I noticed that the air was much warmer where we were, even though we were near a door, and I felt the heat radiating off one of the boys near me.

"I could grow to like them." I whispered in Seth's ear with a big grin.

His smile grew to titanic proportions, as did many of the guys. Slowly, my muscles were starting to relax as I adjusted to the atmosphere of the dance and the new people. It felt like my heart was beating to the bass, my breathing even with the rhythm. In a bold move, Seth grabbed my free hand and placed both of my hands on his shoulders, and his arms around my waist. It felt like I had passed some invisible test as we began dancing.

I decided I loved dancing more than I could have imagined. Seth took the lead and twirled me randomly around. His shoulders directed much of what was happening, because of my hands resting there. After nearly a half an hour of continuous dancing, he lightly placed me in a chair near his friends and walked swiftly towards the nearest vending machine to get some water. As I fanned my face, someone walked up.

"Hi Kayla." A nasal voice said just above me. I looked up to see Adam, a nerdy cousin of Aimee's.

"Oh, hey Adam. Having a nice time?" I asked politely.

He made a noncommittal noise. "It's been ok. So, why aren't you dancing? A pretty girl like you shouldn't be sitting alone."

"Oh, I'm dancing." I twirled my fingers in the air.

"Would you dance with me?" He asked, seeming desperate.

"I'm sorry Adam, I really can't," I said, trying to let him down gently.

"Please?" He begged.

"No Adam, really. Go ask someone else. I'm sorry." I briefly made eye contact and wished I hadn't. He was giving me a puppy dog face.

"That's not fair! Please stop it, I don't want to dance!" Suddenly, seven or so dark figures surrounded us.

"Is this guy giving you trouble Kayla?" Seth said, pushing through the circle I now recognized to be his friends. He dropped to one knee next to me, protectively placing an arm around my shoulder. I quickly whispered my predicament to him.

"Dude, not cool." Seth informed Adam, firmly, but not unkind. "If a girl says no the first time you walk away and puppy dog faces are so fifth grade!" He said, a humorous tone entering his voice. Adam flushed bright red.

"S-sorry K-Kayla!" He stammered, whirling around to leave. When he saw the guys around him, his shoulders tightened. They stood their ground for a moment; letting him sweat a little, then let him through. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Thank you guys! You saved me!" I said, gratitude flooding my tone.

"No problem." Jacob said. "You can count on us. Let us know if he gives you anymore problems."

I nodded, and they dispersed, back to their dates. I turned to Seth, who was shaking slightly.

"What kind of guy does that to a girl?" He said frustrated. "He practically had you cornered!"

"I could've handled it myself." I murmured. "But thank you for coming. You were like a night in shining armor! And you let him off gentler than I would have, which is important because he's Aimee's cousin." He gave me a one armed hug.

"I told you I'd be here for you. I'm just sorry I didn't get here sooner. Here's your water by the way." He handed me a bottled water.

"Thanks." I said warmly, taking a swig. "You know what really surprised me? Your friends came to help me too. They just met me."

"They have a protection instinct." He said simply.

"Good thing they're like all aspiring to be police workers."

Seth nodded absentmindedly. Then a slow dance song came over the DJ booth.

"Time to slow it down a little for the lovers." The DJ announced, putting on black lights instead of the strobe lights. I sat quietly in inner turmoil. Would Seth want to dance the slow song with me?

"Kayla, do you want to dance?" Seth asked quietly, as if he was still waiting for rebuttal.

"I would love to." I said breathlessly. He stood up and offered his hand, helping me up from my chair. We resumed our old position, my hands on his shoulders, and his arms around my waist.

"Ok, I need you to trust me." He said softly. I nodded. He lifted me tenderly and placed my large feet on his huge feet. I gasped, surprised he could lift me. Then, we were spinning in a complicated dance that had many girls staring jealously after us. Somehow, goofy Seth knew how to slow dance, for real. A circle formed around us, couples in each other's arms. I saw Keely and several other mean girls looking grief stricken at us, their dates looking embarrassedly at the ground. Aimee and Levi were looking gloriously happy together and at us. Then Seth caught my eyes and I couldn't look away.

There was such warmth and caring in his gaze that my heart fluttered. He pulled me close enough that I could feel his heart beating, strong and steady. Our dancing had slowed its tempo, as the song turned achingly sweet.

"Seth, where'd you learn to dance like this?" I asked.

"A friend." He said mysteriously. Then he continued onto a different topic. "At the football game, I asked your dad a very important question." He started, his voice low and urgent. "I asked for his permission to date you." He said softly. My head spun. That's what they were talking about when I couldn't hear them! "He said yes, if you were willing. Kayla, will you be my girlfriend?"

A/N: I'm dying to know what you guys think of this! Please, let me know your thoughts! And Happy Holidays to all, in case I'm too busy to update in the next week or so. :-) OH BONUS!!! If you can guess who Seth's "friend" is who taught him to dance, you get a VIRTUAL WEREWOLF OF YOUR CHOSING! So, in a review, make your guess and let me know your dream wolf!