Chapter two:

We make it to the dance a little after they open it for the night. Eric is waiting outside with Alcide, when we walk up to the door. For some reason, Eric's face lights up when we walk toward them. 'There's my girl. She is even more beautiful than she was this afternoon.' I look behind me, there are a few more people coming behind me, but no one that I have seen around him.

"Trying to get some air from those swarming fans, Eric?" Pam asks snidely. 'I'm not letting you jerks hurt her anymore. She deserves someone that will treat her right.'

"No, waiting for my date." He replies, smiling at me. I wait until we get inside before letting my face fall.

"Don't let'm get you down, honey. I know you liked him and thought that he was different, we just need to wait and see." We dance with our friends for a couple songs and I start to feel better. Pam leads me to the side and sits with me until JB comes and asks her to dance. She looks back at me to make sure I am ok. I push her away. She seems to be having a good time with him. I can see Sam on the other side of the room, glaring at JB.

Someone falls into her chair a few minutes later. When I glance over, it's Eric. He looks at me dejectedly. "Your date didn't show?" I ask him.

"Oh she did, she just walked by with her friend. Why did you do that?" He actually sounds sad.

I am so astonished that I glance away. He must be kidding! I look again and he still has the sad puppy dog face. "I didn't know we had one. Sam kind of pissed me off. Is that what he was going to ask? "

"I usually ask someone myself, but Alcide convinced me to have Sam ask you. That's the last time; I listen to my idiot twin. Do you want to dance?" He mutters, as he stands up and holds out his hand.

I nod and join him on the dance floor. They start to play Kenny Chesney's "You had Me from Hello". His hands land on my hips; I circle my arms around his neck.

"What are you doing the rest of the summer?" I try making chitchat, while we dance.

"Alcide and I are moving to a little town out-side of Memphis. We will start our senior year out there. You?"

"I am going to stay at my dad's and watch my brother and sister while he works." I tell him.

He pulls me closer and wraps his arms around my waist. When I lay my head on his collarbone, he presses a kiss to my head. I look up at him again and smile. 'I can't believe that she is in my arms. I hope she says yes to being with me. I know that the distance is a challenge, but I have the money to fly up and see her occasionally.'

The song ends and is replaced by an annoying rap song about being a "ball'er" or something.

"Hey, why don't we go outside and find a patch of sand to talk?" He suggests and holds out his hand to me.

We walk along the beach until we can't hear the music anymore. "OK, you've got me out here, what's up?"

"I just wanted to spend some time with you, alone. What do you think about being together?" He asks sheepishly, rubbing his hand along his neck. He's cute when he's nervous. 'Please say yes. I will do anything to be with you. Please!'

"I think it's doable, if you are sure. Even without you moving, it's a distance." I agreed. It's not like I have any other prospects. Well if I showed a little interest in Hoyt, he might come around, but I don't want to put up with Jason.

I start looking for the cameras or the group to laugh at me, before Eric scoops me into his arms. "I've never been more sure about something in my life!" He spins me around and plants one on me. "I'm so happy, baby. It feels good to say that, I've been thinking it all week long." 'She's mine! I can't believe it. If I thought she would be receptive, I would marry her right now.'

Okay, where did that one come from?

We walk back to the dance hand in hand. Pam walks up to me and gapes. "Well, now I know where you went." She takes a deep breath.

We share another slow dance, and walk back to the barn. Us girls pack and get ready for bed. Everyone is getting up early for breakfast and a group picture, before we all go home. Eric lures me off to say goodbye properly. I trade addresses and cell numbers with him and Pam.

On the way home, Pastor teases me a little about Eric.