I do not own! All belongs to Stephanie Meyer

This chapter took a lot longer than I expected lol. I'm on spring break right now so I plan having a new chapter up NO LATER THAN SATURDAY ;). I know I told you guys I would update nearly 2 or 3 weeks ago but then my after school schedule got really busy :P. Thanks for being so patient with me!

Here's Chapter 39!

Love,

~Dazzler916~

Chapter 39

The Day That Determines Our Future

(Ella's P.O.V.)

Today is the BIG DAY! The big Port Angeles Dance Company Showcase is what I've been working for since senior year started and I didn't think this day would come any sooner.

I have dance companies and colleges coming to watch me and the rest of my friends who are seniors. Everything has to be perfect or I might just loose my chance of getting into a school that's in New York.

Seth's already got the "golden ticket" back to New York so now its all up to me. It would really suck if I didn't offers from any schools in New York. Even if everyone says I'm gonna get into Julliard, there is a very good chance that I won't.

I mean I'm only one of a million dancers out there and you never know what scouts and agents could be looking for.

Lucky for me and everyone else who's performing in the showcase tonight we all don't have to go to school today thanks to Madame who told all of our parents to write us to note to get us out of school so we can spend the day relaxing and preparing for tonight.

I won't see Seth till tonight because he has to school today and then he has baseball practice till 5. But i'm pretty sure we'll be texting all day.

I slept in till about 10am and I was the last one to leave the house. My parents were already at work, Meg was at school and I had the whole house to myself.

Sasha and I haven't seen each other since I left for New York so it's nice to catch up with my sister. She always knows how to calm my nerves.

I don't have to be at the auditorium till 5 so I have nothing to do till then...I think.

I have a feeling that I'm forgetting something I'm supposed to go do today. Oh well, not gonna worry about it was sitting out on the steps when I pulled up to the front of the Cullen's house.

"Somebody seems a little nervous today." Jasper said to me.

"You have know idea," I said closing the car door and then taking a giant step back to open the back door and let Charlotte out.

"I'm sure you'll do great." He assured me.

"Thanks," I sighed in relief suddenly feeling very calm. He was using his gift on me.

"Ella!" Alice came out of nowhere and ended up standing right in front of me.

"Good to see you to Alice." I said.

"I can't wait to come see your performance tonight! You're going to be perfect—"

"No don't tell me what you saw just to get my hopes up!" I covered my ears with my hands. "That may be what you see now but for all we know I could screw up and fall flat on my face."

"Alice, don't make my sister anymore nervous than she already is." I heard Sasha say. I looked up to see her standing on the steps right next to Jasper.

Charlotte sat patiently at my feet and barked. For a moment it was as if I read her mind when she turned her head towards the house and then back at me.

"I'm not stopping you. Go inside and find her." I said.

Charlotte ran off before I could even get the chance to pat her on the head. I have a feeling Nessie's high pitched wail of excitement is gonna echo throughout the house in about a minute or two.

"Looks like I won't be seeing my dog for a few hours." I shrugged.

"Maybe you can leave Lotty here when you leave for college." Alice suggested.

"Don't worry I'm already one step ahead of you on that one—just don't tell her anything cause I want it to be a surprise." I said.

"I won't...but Alice might." Jasper muttered.

"I promise I won't tell her anything." She assured me.

"Okay good. Now lets go." Sasha was eager to drag me into the house and out on the back porch.

I have a feeling that I'm about to get some serious pep talk.

"Oh trust me you are." My sister assured me.

I miss the good old days where she couldn't even read everything that was going through my mind. Goodness gracious it's like I can never keep secrets from her anymore.

"Sooo," She sat down next to me. "How you feelin?"

"Good I guess. I'm just so overwhelmed." I sighed.

"Don't worry. I know you'll be great."

She's not the first to tell me that. All week it's been the same response of "Oh Ella you're gonna be amazing" and "Don't worry we all know you're gonna get in."

I mean my mind's been going around in circles and I feel as if my head is about to explode. In the end no matter what everyone says it all come down to me and how well I dance.

I need to dance a PERFECT PROGRAM! Never in my life have a been this nervous about it.

"Quit fussing and relax! Just tune everyone out of your head and focus on you."

"Why do you always know what to say in a situation like this?" I asked her.

"One, I'm your sister and I know you. Two, I've went through the exact same thing you did and it's not a walk in the ball park. When you think you've danced a clean program then you'll know. Trust me." She put her hand on my back.

Sasha and I talked about the most random stuff for a good hour just to help me calm my nerves. It was mostly old childhood memories—well the ones that Sasha still remembers. It makes me wonder what my sister's life would have been like if she never became a vampire. Perhaps she would've been married to Elijah by now.

Then I decided change the subject..

"So...you still thinking about going to see Elijah?" I've been wanting to talk to her about this since I got back from New York. She got this look on her face when I said his name.

"I've made my decision." She looked down at the ground. "I know he's in town to see your big performance and then visit a few cousins who live in Port Angeles."

I totally forgot he was gonna be there tonight...with his wife and kids. Why do I suddenly feel like if Sasha decides to do this...then Lord knows what's gonna happen.

"You're gonna do it tonight." I assumed.

"Tomorrow." She corrected me.

"But—"

"I want you to come with me." Sasha cut me off before I could even finish.

"Wait what?" My eyebrows scrunched together.

"Please sis, I need you with me. You can help me explain this to him. Come one do it for me. He still hasn't let this all go and I know he hasn't...I'm not just doing this for me I'm doing this for him. I want him to see me once last time." She explained.

"Sasha..." I thought about it for a moment. I'm still having really bad vibes about this and I don't know if I should tell her my honest opinion.

"You're my sister and I need you to be honest with me." Jeez she can never stay out of my head anymore.

"Sorry." She mumbled.

"No it's okay." I assured her. "But...are you really sure this is what you wanna do? I mean you and I have no idea how he might take this. It's almost been eight year since you've gone missing and I'm worried that Elijah might be—"

"A little freaked out?" Sasha took the words right out of my mouth.

"Yea." I shrugged.

"You're right." She seemed a little defeated.

"Don't lose hope just yet. Yea you still physically look like you're eighteen though technically you'll be twenty-six in May—but that's not the point—I'm willing to set this whole thing up where we can meet somewhere privately and then you can just get it over with and say your goodbyes."

"Actually, I have an idea." She pulled something out of her coat pocket. "When you see him tonight after the recital, give this to him."

Sasha handed me a closed envelope. I assume there's a letter inside. "When you give it to him tell him not to read it until he has a moment alone to do so. It's for him and only him. Don't even let his wife catch you giving this to him."

At least her directions were somewhat easy.

"So what did you write?" I asked her.

"You'll find out,"

"I'm confused." I said.

"The only person who knows what I said in that letter is me, and when Elijah finally reads it then you'll just know. I just want it all to work out this way." She explained.

"O...kay." I nodded.

Before Sasha could say another word my phone started ringing.
It was Belinda.

"Hey Lindy what's up?" I said into the phone.

"It's 2:15 and you're still not here yet." She said.

"Oh shit!" I totally forgot about meeting up with all the other seniors in the dance company for lunch today.

THAT'S WHAT I FORGOT ABOUT.

"Hurry up and get here!" I heard Xander yell. I must be on speaker.

"I'll be there soon!" I said.

"Alright, see ya when you get here! Love ya!" Belinda hang up.

"You better get going," Sasha told me.

"I'm so sorry I have to leave right in the middle of our conversation." I said to her. "My friends and I planned this a few days ago."

"Don't worry it's fine, we can talk later. Break a leg tonight! You're gonna kick ass."

"Thanks Sis," I gave her hug.

Sasha didn't walk back to the house with me, she wanted to be left alone for a while. I found Nessie sitting at the piano next to Edward and Charlotte was on the floor right by Nessie.

"Ella!" Nessie hopped off the bench was eager to hug me.

"Hey girly whatcha been up to?" I asked her.

"I'm helping Daddy write a new song!" She said.

"Sounds like fun." I smiled.

"Aunt Alice and Aunt Rose are taking me with them to come to your dance recital tonight!" She squeeled.

"She's been talking about it ever since she woke up this morning." Edward said.

"Aunt Alice said you're going to be amazing." Nessie told me.

"Oh really? Well let's hope so cause I have a lot of important people coming to watch me dance tonight." I said.

"Renesmee, Ella has to go. Don't worry you'll see her tonight." Edward said to his daughter.

"Okay," Renesmee huffed. She looked like she could be no more than about 8 or 9 years old, yet she's so smart and so aware of everything that goes on around her.

"Hey," I squat down on my knees so I was at her level. "You and I have some catching up to do."

"You still haven't told me about New York!"

"I tell you what—next weekend we can go get some ice cream and I'll tell you all about it." I suggested.

"It's a deal." She held out her left pinky and we pinky squared on it.

"Don't tell her everything." I heard Edward say. My face grew red when I heard him say that. I knew exactly what he was talking about.

"I don't plan on telling her anything about...that." And by that I meant that one night where Seth and I had sex. Now that I look back on that it really was a great night.

"Get outta here Ella!" I turned around to see Emmett standing right behind me.

"You know what? Go back to playing to your video games." I teased gesturing towards the x-box remote controller in his hand.

I left Charlotte over at the Cullen's so Nessie could play with her for a little while longer. Luckily the roads were clear so I went a little bit over the speed limit just so I could make it to Pizza Schmizza in 20 minutes.

Right when I walked into the pizza place I heard someone yell, "It's about time!"

I looked to my right and found everyone squished around one long table. Usually when all of us senior dancers get together and go out to eat, I'm the first one to arrive and this would probably be the first time I've come late.

"Hey everyone," I waved before sitting down in the empty seat next to Chloe. "Sorry I'm late."

"Oh please I got here five minutes before you did. I forgot about it too." Chloe told me.

"Anyway not sure if you all heard about this but apparently a representative from Alley made a last minute trip here to come watch the show tonight." Corrine said to all of us.

"What?" Lauren choked.

"Great, that makes me even more nervous. Thanks Corrine." Marina said.

"Uh-oh someone's gonna start breaking out in hives." Carl mumbled.

"Shut up! That only happens when I get super nervous." She rolled her eyes.

"Relax everyone. We're gonna kick ass tonight and I know." I assured them.

"And what makes you so sure about that Elle?" Belinda asked me.

"Eh, I just know it." I shrugged.

"Of course you're not nervous. We all know you're gonna perfect." Mason said.

"I never said I wasn't nervous. Please, for all we know I could fall flat on my ass. Don't jinx me." I told him.

All of us continued talking and brought up some funny memories of senior so far as we all ate our pizza.

"I feel little guilty for eating all these carbs, grease and fat before we dance tonight." Lauren hesitated to take another slice of pepperoni.

"Lauren we do this all the time, just eat it. It doesn't matter. What is that your fourth piece now?" Mason said to her.

"Third actually," She corrected him.

"Well whatever happens tonight..." Belinda stood up with her soda can in hand preparing to propose a toast. "Just thought I let you all know that I love you. We've come a long way to make it up to this point and we've worked our asses off.. The beginning of the year was pretty rough with the death of Randy,"

Everyone at the table got very quiet and took a moment to themselves before Belinda continued. "He was a good friend to all of us and I know he'll be watching us from there tonight. Just remember why we put our blood, sweat and tears into what we love to do...because it's worth it."

"Well said Lindy." Chloe nodded.

"Here's to dancing." I raised up my can of Cherry Pepsi.

"To dancing." Everyone else's raised up their cans of soda.

We all went our separate ways about twenty minutes later and I headed back home to gather all of the things I needed. Then I ended running some hot water for a bath and blasted my music. It was nice to take the time and mentally prepare myself for tonight. Now I was beginning to feel confident about this.

The showcase was taking place at Harrison Center.

Some old rich man had it built in the 80's and it's been here ever since. It's probably one of the nicest places in the area and it has a really nice stage. Madame always books it for our performances.

I'm so glad it's not raining so I didn't have to run and inside and try not to get my hair wet. I got out of my car and grabbed my duffle bag out the back seat and noticed something on the floor.

It's a present...the tag had my name on it but it didn't say who it was from. It was wrapped in white paper with a black ribbon tied around it.

I didn't even notice it sitting in the back seat.

It's probably some last minute gift from my parents. So I put the duffle bag on my shoulder and carried the box inside. When I got backstage it was pretty hectic.

I walked into the older girls dressing room and everyone was moving around all over the place. Some where at the mirrors putting on their make up and fixing their hair and others were taking costumes of the racks and putting them on.

"Hi everyone!" I yelled.

"Hey Ella!" All the girls replied before going back to their business.

I found my friends in the very back hogging the biggest mirror with the lights around it.

"Okay," I placed my duffle bag on the bench. "I'm guessing Belinda was the first person to get here and reserve the big mirror?"

"Peutrova said first come first serve to all the mirrors and I got here early to make sure we got this one. This is our night and we need to look good. And the biggest mirror has the best lighting to do my make up." Belinda explained.

"Did any of you see the costumes Madame Peutrova got for our routines? We always get really good costumes and everything but the ones that sitting on the rack over there with our names on them...I mean, she really hit the jackpot this time." Ainsley said as she continued to put on mascara.

"Speaking of which you never showed us the costumes for you solos." Lauren reminded me.

"I already showed you guys one them last week during rehearsal. Remember the white leotard with the lace sleeves and tutu?" I told her.

"Yea yea that one's really pretty but you never showed us the other one that you're wearing for the other solo." Corrine said.

"Funny story, I have no idea where it is at the moment and I might just start freaking out..." I started pulling things out of my duffle bag in a panic.

"This isn't happening!" I gasped.

"Relax girl, you probably left it in your car." Chloe suggested.

"I know for sure it's not in my car. You know how clean my car is and I know where everything is. The only thing I had in the backseat of my car was my duffle bag, my purse and then there was this gift sitting on the floor in the backseat and I have no idea how it got in my car or who—" I stopped in the middle of my sentence.

I thought about it for a moment...

"Who gave this to you?" Belinda picked up off the bench.

Then it hit me.

"No idea, but I need to open it." I held out my hand and Belinda handed it to me.

"You're gonna open a present that you randomly found in your car and you have no idea who it's from? Very smart idea Ella," Ainsley muttered sarcastically as I untied the ribbon and took it off the box.

"Relax, it's not like it's gonna explode." I started to rip off the paper. "Besides I think I'm getting somewhere."

I pulled off the lid of the box and there it was.

My costume...and it didn't look like the one I ordered...at all. Okay so basically it was the exact dress that went down to my knees, but it was a completely different color.

The dress I ordered was light blue, now it's RED.

"This isn't my dress." I shook my head.

"If you don't wanna wear it...then let me know." Marina gave me a wink.

"Haha you're funny." I rolled my eyes.

"I like the color. Red always looks good on you so there's nothing to worry about." Chloe assured me.

"Madame approved the light blue dress that looked exactly like this...but now it's red. She's going to be furious!" Now I'm starting to freak out.

"Chica did you notice the note at the bottom of the box?" Chloe held up a folded piece of paper.

"No..." I said slowly.

Chloe handed me the piece of paper and I opened to see what it said,

~Ella,
I couldn't help it...
even your sister agreed that the color was all wrong.
Red is definitely one of your colors. Trust me on this one.
Break a leg tonight!

Alice~

"Dang it Alice!" I threw the card down the floor.

Five seconds later I received a text message and sure enough it was from Alice and all it said was,

~You're welcome~

Alice know's I have good fashion sense but at the same time she always has dazzle things up even more whenever she gets the chance.

She probably switched them while I was talking with Sasha. I wasn't gonna fuss over this anymore. I had to get ready for the first number go check on my class in the dressing room down the hall to make sure they're ready and then I had to go warm up.

Chloe, Belinda and I hurried into the other dressing room across the hall where our class was.

As soon as the door opened and the girls saw us standing in the doorway they crowded around us.

"Hi girls," We said as they gave us all hugs.

"Ms. Ella, are you, Ms. Chloe and Ms. Belinda gonna be able to see us dance tonight?" One of my students asked.

"Of course we are Summer, but we'll be watching in the wings because we're dancing tonight." I told her.

"They're all warmed up and ready to go," One of the moms' sitting on chair by the mirror said.

"Oh good, alright girls huddle up for a second!" Chloe shouted. The girls took a seat on the floor around our feet and were waiting for us to say something.

"You girls ready?" Belinda asked them.

"Yeaaaaa," They all nodded.

"Well tonight is going to be a lot of fun. You girls have worked really hard to get where you are now and we are so proud of all of you. Go out there and do your best, don't forget to smile and just have fun!" Chloe told them.

"Oh and Moms we'll come back in about thirty minutes and bring back stage in the wings." I said.

"We have to go warm up, so be sure to use the bathroom and take care of anything else you need to take care of before we come back." I reminded them.

I love these girls, they've been such good students and on top of that they're so sweet. I'm gonna miss teaching them next year. For all I know Madame might have one of the other girls in her advanced group take over teaching the younger classes.

"Alright one more group hug before we go!" Belinda said.

Chloe, Belinda and I ran to on to the stage in time to warm up with everyone else in our group. It's nice that we get to warm up on stage just we can get some final time preparing ourselves before the entire audience is filled with people who will be watching our every move.

I did a few reps on the barre and then started stretching out. Xander caught my and made his way over to me.

"You ready?" He asked as he sat down close to me, giving me space to continue stretching.

"Mmmhmm," I nodded.

"Well," He placed his hand on my leg. "You're gonna be great."

"Thanks." I smiled.

"Y'know my mom always talks about you." Xander told me.

"So I've heard."

"No really...I overheard her on the phone yesterday with someone—I assume it was a very important friend of hers—and she said that you were one of the best students she's ever had." He said.

"Oh stop," I hit him on the arm. "You're just messing with me."

"Watch, I bet you five bucks that by the end of the night she's gonna come up to you and say it to your face."

"Deal," I held out my hand and we shook on it.

"Alright! Alright! Everyone front and center!" Madame Peutrova clapped her hands to together to everyone's attention. We all stopped what we were doing and looked at her.

"So," She paused for a moment. "Here we are. House opens in ten minutes and pretty soon about three-hundred people are going to be out in that audience...watching all of you. This is the night we've all been waiting for. You all the most talented group of dancers that I've had in my thirty years of teaching. Now as you all know, there are going to be some very important people in the audience—seniors listen to me when I say this—those people could determine your future. For all you know they might not like what they see and they might love what they see...but as far as I'm concerned I want you all to do nothing but your best and make me proud like you always do."

I looked at the people around me and every single person had a smile on their face.

"Alright I'm done with my little speech." Madame put her hands up in the air. "Everyone talk a deep breath through your nose...and then exhale through your mouth."

You could hear one big exhale echo through the auditorium. Now it was time for me to go into the bubble and really focus.

"House opens in five!" One of the stage hands yelled from the wings.

We all ran back to the dressing rooms and took care of some finishing touches. My hearts pounding my ears right now and the show hasn't even started.

Before I knew it, we were all back stage in our places and the show was about to start. We all stood quietly in place behind the curtain as Madame walked out and said a few words.

"Good evening. You're all in for a real treat. I'd like to say a few words about this first group that will be performing for you all tonight. Never in my thirty years of teaching dance have I had the opportunity to work with such passionate and talented...young artists. This group is made up of my best dancers in the academy—eleven of which are seniors. This elite group of twent-four...well they're my all-stars...they're all very close...I guess you consider them a family."

The lights were dim behind the curtain as Madame Peutrova continued speaking Dim enough for everyone to see my hand up in the air making the sign language sign for "I love you." Everyone smiled at me and signed back.

We weren't nervous anymore. We were just ready to go out there and kill it.

"I hope you all enjoy watching these wonderful young men and women showcase their talent. Ladies and Gentlemen...I give you The Port Angeles Dance Company!"

A roar of applause echoed through the auditorium.

We were frozen in place, the curtain slowly began to rise up...

And then the music started.

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! The next chapter is going to start right where this one left off. Thanks for reading!

Love,

~Dazzler 916~