Part II-Chapter 7: Save The Last Dance For Embry

Disclaimer. I own none of the original Twilight characters. Ownership belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

Raining Men-Rihanna ft. Nicki Minaj

Heartbreak Warfare-John Meyer

Dreaming of You-Selena

When 6pm rolled around I was anything but ready and excited to go to this bonfire tonight. My nerves were electric and I was so anxious about meeting new people. I had successfully evaded the attention of these teenagers at school today but now I was being thrown to the wolves. My mother was only too happy for me to go out tonight and make new friends. Especially after hearing that I was going with a boy, a senior boy at that.

I didn't tell anyone else I was going out tonight. I would see how this went before telling Leah about it. I sighed as I looked in the mirror of my bathroom. My eyes were lifeless today and I tried getting excited about going out. I had never really been to a party before and I wasn't too sure what it was going to be like. I ran a brush through my ringlets and watched as the curls turned into loose waves that framed my chest. I swiped on a little mascara and eyeliner on to look a little livelier and exited the bathroom.

I changed into dark wash jeans and long sleeved white shirt. I put on some white sandals and took a black pea coat just in case I would end up getting cold. It was only 6:15pm so I decided to paint my nails black and it took just a half hour. At 6:45pm I went outside to the balcony and sat there looking at the early sun set. It was really beautiful here. The way the sun shined over the water and the glistening over it. Breathtaking.

I spotted a white Mercedes SUV driving up the steep hill to my house and I noticed James in the passenger side with the whole car filled except for the front seat which I'm guessing is reserved for me. I walked into the house and let my parents know I was leaving before grabbing my bag and coat. My mom insisted he come upstairs to meet her and dad. I sighed heavily but complied.

"Hey," I greeted him as he stepped out of the car.

"Do you mind coming upstairs to say hello to my mother?" I asked, nibbling on my bottom lip. His eyes flickered at the motion and stayed there a moment before nodding.

"Sure, no problem."

"And one last thing. I'm so sorry," I apologized in advance.

"For what?" he asked, confused.

"You'll see." I lead him up the stairs to the living room and saw my mother and father sitting at the dining table. We walked to where they were and I introduced James to them.

"James, this is my mother Linda and my father John."

"Nice to meet you, sir." James shook his hand and greeted my mother as well. "I can definitely see who Vanessa takes her looks after, miss."

I turned to him in surprise at calling my mother miss because she certainly wasn't that young. My mother smiled at him and assessed us before going over her rules. "I want her home by 1 considering it's a school night."

"That won't be a problem."

"If anything happens to her, James, except some very angry Native American's coming to your door," my dad warned him.

James looked utterly confused and I laughed nervously. "Don't worry about that," I assured him.

I made sure to get us both out of there soon after that and hopped into his car.

"Jeez, take long enough?" An icy cold voice shouted from the very back.

I looked back, startled, and saw the same girl from earlier today that glared at me.

"Shut up, we're on our way now," James shouted back. I heard her huff and stayed silent.

I was anxious the entire way to the beach and even his friends with their laughter and smiles couldn't ease my nerves. There were 6 people in the back total and 4 were boys. I liked listening to some of the boys banter though and I was proud of myself when I successfully learned their names.

There was Nate who had black shaven hair and was very tall and thin; sitting beside him was his twin sister Natasha who had long shiny black hair, big light brown eyes, and a very petite figure. Next to her sat her boyfriend Alejandro whom they called AJ and his Spanish features were eye catching. He had dark brown hair that went down the nape of his neck and into his dark green eyes and a lean, muscular build.

Then there was the next row of people in the car. A very stocky boy named Adam was grinning and laughing the whole time and he reminded me exactly of Quil. He was completely different looking apart from his enormous size but he had light blonde hair and blue eyes. Then there was Milo who was the most attractive of them all but also the quietest.

He reminded me of Embry, quiet and brooding, but when Adam would crack some joke he would send out a hearty laugh and smile. I don't know why but suddenly that gave me butterflies. He was handsome with his sharp features and hazel eyes. His dark brown hair curled into his left eye and he constantly was pushing it back with his strong hands. He looked tall and muscular but not overly so like Adam. His perfect white smile contrasted against his tan skin and looked stark sitting against Adam's pale arm.

At the very end there was the girl who didn't like me, Kelsey. She was really very pretty. She had long strawberry blonde hair and light blue eyes. There was a splattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks and her nose was dainty and upturned. She was slender and I noticed earlier today she was tall, at least 5'9. I had seen many pretty girls in photo shoots daily and her attitude reminded me of theirs. She knew she was beautiful.

And finally there was James sitting in the driver seat next to me. James is the typical popular boy. Amazing good looks what with his light brown hair sticking up sporadically at all ends and his baby blue eyes and devilish smile. He was hot. I blushed just thinking that. It definitely wasn't like me to classify guy's looks but I was in a car full of very handsome men. None of them compared to Embry though. Embry's russet looks beat out everyone else.

We arrived at the beach very quickly considering my house was right down the street from it. It wasn't crowded at all considering it was a Monday but there seemed to be a huge group a few hundred feet away from where we parked. We gathered up everything including all the blankets and chairs. Adam and Milo grabbed a huge cooler from the truck and James and AJ grabbed a smaller one after them.

I could make out a huge bonfire further down the sand and shivered as the wind lifted my hair and sent a cold chill throughout my body. I frowned at the sudden drop in temperature and my inability to conform to it. I threw on my pea coat which helped the chill on the back of my neck. Someone jostled my right arm and I looked up into James' smiling face.

"Ever been to a bonfire?" He asked, his feet kicking up sand as he walked.

I nodded. "Back in Washington it's really cold so we always had bonfire's going on."

I didn't mention the fact that it was on the reservation or that we all listened to the tribal stories when we were little kids.

"Where in Washington?" he asked casually, seeming interested in what I have to say.

I bit my lip, contemplating if I should mention I lived on the res. People didn't generally know how to act when you told them you're Native American. They always think the generic things.

I looked down at my feet and sighed. "La Push. It's an Indian Reservation along the coast; almost at the tip of the state by the Canadian Border." Better he knew the truth.

His smile seemed genuine. "That's cool." I nodded and flicked a piece of hair from my face. "I don't know much about Reservations. Maybe later you could tell me more?"

At least then he wouldn't make the wrong assumptions on what it's like. "Yea," I agreed.

It wasn't too much longer when we reached the other kids. There had to be at least 100 of them. We were way far from the rest of the population and I think it had something to do with the fact that there was underage drinking. Every girl there was wearing the tiniest outfits possible without breaking any laws. It made me shiver just thinking of being that exposed.

"You cold?" a voice to my left asked. I looked up, startled to see Milo walking next to me.

"Oh, no I'm fine." I waved away his concern. "I just don't understand how those girls can't be freezing." I looked toward the ones in their bikini's making their way over to the ocean.

Milo shakes his head in what looks to be disgust. "They all dress ridiculous." He looks down at me. "It's nice to see at least one person around here has morals." He cocks a lopsided grin and I smile back.

I open my mouth to start a conversation with him but the ringing in my pocket stops me. I pull out my phone and see Embry's picture of us pop up on the screen. My mood picks up even more and I excuse myself from Milo to walk away from the music that is blasting in front of us.

"Hello?" I answer, grinning ear to ear.

"Nessa! I didn't think you would answer." He sighed. "I've been worried about you," he tells me. I can hear it in his voice actually.

"Don't be, Emb. I'm doing really well," I raise my voice over the music so he can hear me.

"Where are you?"

I walk further away and find a perfect spot to sit on some abandon piece of wood. "I'm at a back to school thing at the beach."

"Oh." It was awkwardly silent on his end. "Well I was just calling to say I missed you. I'm trying to get a job so I can buy a plane ticket there. I was thinking if I save all my money I can buy a ticket by spring break."

My heart warmed at the words. "Oh, Embry! That's so sweet. You don't have to do all that for me though." I desperately wanted him to come though.

"I'd do anything for you." His voice was serious. I could almost hear his grim expression.

"I know you would." I saw a figure walking up to me and I knew I'd have to come socialize soon. "I have to go, Emb, but I promise I'll call you tomorrow night and I'll tell you all about how it's like here."

He sighed heavily. I knew he was hurting. "Ok. I love you, Ness."

James waved shyly at me and scratched the back of his head.

"I love you too. Tell the boys the same."

"Ya know, I don't think I will." He snickered. "They've been a pain in my ass."

"When aren't they?" I laughed. "Try and cheer up. I'll see you Thanksgiving and we can go light fire the pale faces trash cans again." I couldn't help laughing when the memory of the boys, Leah and I dropping firebombs in the garbage cans of the Forks towns people on Thanksgiving. Some feelings don't die.

"We better. Miss you, Ness."

"Miss you more, Emb."

I heard the click on the phone and knew our call ended. Embry didn't like saying goodbye and neither did I.

"Was that you're boyfriend?" James asked curiously, drawing a figure 8 with his foot.

I was confused. "Embry? No, he's my best friend back home." I only wished Embry was my boyfriend.

He nodded. "Wanna go get a drink?" I knew he meant alcohol and I had never really had any.

I was always overly curious about it. I stole quick sips here and there on New Years and family dinners but was always turned down when I asked for more.

I decided I really wanted to try it.

"Yes, I would like that." I took the hand James offered and got to my feet.

We walked over to his cooler he brought and he reached in and grabbed a rounded bottle with pink fluid inside of it. He handed it to me and I inspected it carefully. I knew the risks of drinking and I knew I wasn't going to drink that much of it but I couldn't help but feel excited. I was being the average teenager! I was going to a party and drinking alcohol and even out with a very cute boy.

I opened the bottle and took a tiny sip of it. It tasted sweet and fuzzy on my tongue. I sipped a little more and it tasted so good. Like bubbly fruit with something else. This time I took an even larger sip and grinned.

"Slow down, girl." Adam bumped my arm. "Don't want you passing out on us."

I blushed at my behavior and carefully sipped from the bottle. He was right, no more big swallows or else I would be stumbling around like the rest of the girls.

"I've never really drank this stuff before," I told them, hiding my burning cheeks behind my hair.

"Everyone has their first time." Milo shrugged, grabbing a beer and taking a long swallow.

I watched as Natalie and Kelsey each took a pink drink from the cooler and I didn't feel as bad. I looked around at all the people and was surprised to see the girl from my mechanics class there.

"God, you think she'd disappear already," Kelsey's voice drifted from behind me and I turned to see her looking at the same girl.

"Chill, Kels." Adam flung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. "Forget her."

Natashasighed. "Please don't tell me you're talking about Danika again." She looked over at the Danika and shook her head and leaned closer to AJ.

"I have a class with her." I spoke up. "She doesn't really seem friendly."

Adam snorted and James rolled his eyes. "She's definitely not friendly," James said.

Milo looked like he was going to say something but kept quiet instead.

"She's a bitch," Kelsey sneered.

I was slightly shocked to hear her speak that way toward someone. So much hate radiated from her.

"Shut up, Kelsey."

I looked at Milo and saw him glaring at her. Kelsey closed her mouth but kept her glare on. I was utterly confused as to what Danika did that made them hate her so much but I doubt I was going to find out tonight. Milo took off after that and I saw him find company with a couple guys lighting fireworks.

"Don't worry about him," Adam told me. I was worried, though. He seemed so upset. "He and Danika use to date last year. They had a pretty bad falling out."

I was slightly surprised at the news. I hadn't really thought that was the case. "What happened?" The words escaped my mouth before I could help it and I felt bad. I wasn't one to pry.

Adam shrugged. "I don't really know. Milo is my best friend and he won't say anything other than they broke up. She was a really nice girl" He sighed and motioned for me to sit beside him on the beach towel. I complied and he continued.

"He was completely in love with her, ya know? It wasn't some puppy dog love either. He would do anything for her. And then spring break came and we all planned a trip to San Diego but Dana couldn't come. She had to stay here and work at the mechanics place her dad owns. They aren't really well off and she couldn't leave them for a whole week. Milo really wanted to stay here with her but she told him to go and eventually she wore him out and he went."

Adam looked distraught and I wanted to comfort him but I didn't know how.

"When we got back she turned her back on everyone. She was completely different. I mean, she's never been the usual girl. She's pierced everywhere the school will allow and even has a couple tattoos but she's never wore makeup. She started dressing down from her usual nice jeans and tops and wears all that black shit on her eyes. But I think the worse was her attitude. She was always the sweetest girl you could meet. She wasn't a push over but she was just nice to everyone. She's always been that way. Hell, she was the only one who could really stand Kelsey."

"Wait, they were friends?" My mouth was open a little and I'm sure I looked shocked.

"Best friends. That's how Milo and Danika met, through Kels. They never spent a moment apart since they were 3. Then when we got back she didn't speak to her at all. Completely cut off all ties with all of us but Milo. But even that didn't last very long. She had started accusing him of cheating and lying and she would scream at everything. Everything pissed her off. I have never seen her like that." He shook his head. "It destroyed Milo, I know he knew something was going on. Then a couple weeks later she called it quits right out of the blue."

I took in everything he said and breathed out, "Wow." I would have never guessed that they were all connected like that.

"I wouldn't say anything to Milo. He's never been the same since then." His blue eyes saddened and I bumped into him jokingly. "He's getting better, though. He laughs more now but he's still sad and silent a lot." Adam grinned. "You would be head over heels for him if you saw him last year. He was the life of the party. He could make anyone smile and he could stay happy for days on end. His smile was infectious"

I got a taste of that when he laughed earlier and it had made me smile. "He seems like a really good guy. He reminds me of my best friend Embry." Thinking of Embry made me smile. I missed him so much.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Adam winked, returning to his old self.

I rolled my eyes and took another swig of my drink. "No."

"But you want him to be?" He's intuitive I'll give him that much.

"Maybe." I grinned. Adam smiled and watched with interest at the girls clad in bikinis.

"I'd be careful. Embry has some competition," Adam warned me with a glint in his eye. "And that competition is fast approaching." He nodded his chin toward the water and I saw James approaching me again.

"What do you mean?" My eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh, nothing," he singed. Adam lifted himself off the towel and brushed off the sand from his shorts. With a wink, he walked away to talk to a very endowed brunette.

I couldn't not think of his word and as James took a sit next to me, scooting incredibly close, I realized what he meant. James liked me?

"Hey, was Adam over here filling your head with lies about me?" he joked.

"Oh, yes. He was just saying that you are actually a woman," I said very seriously, trying hard to contain my laughter.

His face was priceless and I couldn't hold in my laughter anymore.

"Ha ha," he mocked me. "I'm glad you like my friends," he said somberly.

"They're nice," I agreed. I didn't really talk much to most of them but the seemed nice.

"Yea," he said awkwardly. "So why move here?"

I took another drink and thought about it. "My sister was having a hard time adjusting at school." I sighed. I still couldn't help being mad. "My dad wanted to come live here to make it easier on her."

He nodded and continued asking me questions. He asked me all the basic get to know you questions and I answered them all. It wasn't until he asked my birthday that I struggled a little bit. I really didn't want anyone to know I skipped a grade and that I just turned 14.

"Um June 27th." I shifted, uncomfortable, and downed the rest of my drink. I was even so bold as to grab another one from the ice chest beside me.

"So how old are you?" he asked, way more curious than before.

I opened my drink and took another long swallow to keep from answering. I could lie; I'm really good at lying. I always feel horrible though.

"Um, guess?" That would buy me some time. Maybe I could find an escape by then.

He looked thoughtful. "14."

I stared at him. "Wha-?" I was flabbergasted. How could he possibly figure it out?

"It was pretty easy to figure out." He chuckled. "You've never had alcohol or been to a party like this. I mean you are a sophomore so I at least figured 15."

"How old are you?"

"Turning 17 in November."

"You're young for a senior," I noted.

"Late birthday." He shrugged.

A slow song came on the speakers blasting from a few meters away and James stood up and pulled me to my feet.

"What are you doing?" I laughed as he spun me around toward the fire.

The sun was setting all the way over the ocean and the smell of sea brine was enticing and magical.

"I'm dancing with you." He grinned.

The song was familiar and I felt myself remembering how Embry and I once danced to this song on the beach just as I was doing now. I tried not to cry but I knew I was going to let out some tears. I made a bold move and laid my head down against James' chest to keep him from seeing my watery eyes. All through that dance I thought of Embry and I couldn't help but feel an ache that James wasn't him.

Late at night when all the world is sleeping. I stay up and think of you.~