Moonlight in Forks
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Dancing Queen
Before Bella could respond a Suburban load of her friend arrived. They had all come together, either too nervous or intimidated to arrive on their own. Jessica was the first one in the door, with Mike right behind her. Tyler, Connor, Austin, Lee, Samantha…. even Bella's arch enemy Lauren had deigned to ride with them. The bitchy blonde was already casting a critical eye over everything. And when that critical eye landed on Bella, she sneered.
"What's her problem?" Jacob asked as he came up to stand by Bella's side. He was annoyed at the evil eye that Lauren was casting her way.
"Oh, ignore her." Bella said dismissively. "She just loves attention. So don't give her any."
Jacob's face broke out into one of his sunny grins. "That's very mature of you, honey."
"Maybe I'm finally growing up at last." Bella teased, her eyes sparkling. She was just so glad he was here. She slipped her arm through his and led him further into the house.
Bella's other friends were roaming around, looking overwhelmed at the opulence on display. They took in the huge room decked out like a chic rave. The room wasn't empty, all the Cullens had taken their places, ready to put on their usual perfect human charade. Except for Edward, who stood apart from his family, brooding as he looked at Bella holding tightly onto Jacob.
Tonight, Bella knew she had to put on act of her own if she was going to survive. She pulled Jacob along with her, going over to greet Jessica and Mike, acting as if she and Jacob were the hosts instead of the Cullens.
After a short chat-where Jessica's eyes nearly bugged out of head, as she stared wide eyed at Jacob, especially his abs, with Mike looking on disconsolately-the doorbell rang again. Bella left to answer it, letting Angela and Ben in, leaving the door wide because Eric and Katie were just reaching the steps.
"They've all come to gawp." Jacob chuckled in a low voice. He was finding the whole thing amusing. "Shouldn't Cullen be the one greeting the guests and not you."
Bella glanced over in Edward's direction. He was still standing alone, moping by himself, clearly upset that she was practically ignoring him. Bella supposed she should feel guilty, but couldn't summon up the energy to pretend something she didn't feel anymore. Her emotions had taken on a numbing quality as far as he was concerned, proving to her once and for all, that she had moved past her fascination with him. Their relationship was over, pure and simple, and if he still couldn't see that right now, then she felt rather sorry for him.
Jacob stayed on his best behavior, working overtime to keep his thoughts trained on the present only. He didn't want Edward poking around inside his head and finding out something he shouldn't. He kept a close eye on his friends too, just to see how they were holding up being inside the Cullens crypt. Quil was mingling with the guests, being his usual chaotic self. He had zeroed in on Jessica Stanley and was trying to impress her with some flirty one-liners. Embry stood next to Quil, quiet, his expression serious, totally contained.
Though the party had been billed as a joint event for Alice, Edward, and Bella, there was no denying that Bella was the most popular target for the congratulations and thanks. Knowing that she wasn't usually a social butterfly, Jacob was impressed with the way she was handling things. She had taken on the role of host, introducing him to everyone, as if he were her boyfriend and not Edward Cullen. She made him feel the center of her world, telling everybody who listened that it had been his support and influence that had gotten her through the difficult times.
The Cullens hung back, watchful, unsure. Their attempts to appear human seemed to be failing. Maybe because they looked slightly wrong under Alice's party lights. Maybe because the room was too dim and mysterious. Not an atmosphere to make the average human relaxed, Jacob thought. He observed Emmet Cullen grinning over at Mike Newton at the food table. Newton choked on his mouthful of cake, taking an automatic step back, as if worried that Emmet was going to eat him. Jacob laughed to himself-Newton was such a tool.
The party was clearly a success, despite the instinctive edginess caused by the Cullens presence-or maybe that added to the thrill to the atmosphere. The music was infectious, the lights almost hypnotic. The food was disappearing fast, so was the drink. The room was crowded, the entire senior class of Forks High seemed to be there, along with most of the juniors. Bodies swayed to the beat that rumbled under the soles of their feet, the party constantly breaking into a dance.
That's when Bella felt Jacob take her by the elbow and lead her toward the center of the dancefloor. "What are you doing?" She whisper-yelled to make herself heard above the resounding beat.
"I think its time we had a dance." Jacob smiled at Bella's horrified expression. "Come on, Bells. Relax. It's time for some fun. You've done the whole hosting thing."
"I can't dance!" Bella grumbled. "You know that."
"Well, you can't be worse than Quil." Jacob pointed over his shoulder at his friend.
Bella looked in Quil's direction and burst out into fit of giggles. Quil had dragged Jessica onto the dance floor and was boogying around her, swinging his hips, pointing his fingers, swaying from side to side, completely out of synch with the beat of the music, looking like some kind of demented John Travolta. Jessica was just staring up at him, speechless for once.
Jacob felt his heart miss a beat at the sound of Bella's laughter, it sounded so free and pure, so childish despite her adult years. Encouraged by her obvious amusement at Quil's expense, he caught hold of her hand, spinning her around.
"Jake!" Bella cried in surprise. "I can't do this!"
"Just go with it, honey." Jacob pleaded. "I've always dreamed of dancing with you. And now that dream is coming true."
Jacob sounded so vulnerable in that moment, that Bella couldn't deny him. Only the brave become vulnerable emotionally, for trust takes strength, and Jacob had plenty of that. Lowering his shield was brave, it was a lesson that often came when a person learns that to survive and be strong, you had to allow yourself to be vulnerable too. It was a lesson Bella was beginning to learn, it was something Edward had never learned, in all his hundred plus years of existence, he would forever be stuck in the mentality of his seventeen-year-old self. Bella saw that now.
"Just relax, Bells." Jacob told her. "Listen to the music. Feel the vibes."
With his gentle coaxing egging her on, Bella did as he said, allowing herself to relax, to really hear the music. All at once it was like liquid adrenaline being injected right into her blood stream - not so strong as to freak her out, but just enough to make her tingle and start to move her body.
Jacob smiled encouragingly as Bella began to groove. Jacob had never had a dance class, but he and his mates had jived to music since their early teens, competing in the friendly way boys do to up one another. Now, since turning wolf, he was a well-oiled machine on the dance floor. He didn't dance to show off, to make the girls watch - but they did anyway. Anyone that could move like their limbs were half liquid in perfect rhythm and still look strong were interesting to say the least.
Jacob's hands spanned Bella's waist, pulling her closer, joy burgeoning in his heart. He hadn't lied when he'd said dancing with her was a dream come true-it was one of many dreams he had about her.
"Are you feeling it now, honey?" He asked.
"Yes!" Bella's enthused.
Her hands rested on his shoulders, as she allowed him to set the rhythm. When she had danced with Edward at the prom, she had felt self-conscious, afraid that her clumsiness would offset his grace for all eyes to see. But here, with Jacob, she didn't feel awkward at all. She was totally at ease, in mind, body and soul.
Jacob leaned down and whispered something in her ear, setting off a torrent of giggles from Bella. He loved her laugh so much, but of everything they ever did, it was looking in her eyes that he loved the most. That's all they ever needed to connect, just eyes, no words. If they were mute the love would be just the same.
No one watching them together could be in any doubt that Edward Cullen had been supplanted by Jacob Black in Bella's heart.
Even Edward himself, standing in the shadows, watching the two of them dance so naturally together, was beginning to see that he was losing the love of his life to the wolf. He had refrained from interrupting, afraid to, fearful of Bella's open rejection for all eyes to see. She had ignored him all night. Had not once left the wolf boy's side, instead parading Black around on her arm, as if he were the one who held the key to her heart.
Suddenly his eyes lifted, passing over the gyrating crowd, in Alice's direction. He saw Alice's face turn blank-the kind of expression that you see on someone who had just witnessed a horrible accident. One of her hands was gripping the doorframe, like she needed support. The plan was in motion. Now he could get Bella away from Black.
Edward immediately left his post and moved gracefully through the crowd without seeming to touch any of the close-packed bodies. This was the excuse he needed. He went straight to Bella, reaching out and pulling her away from Jacob.
His icy touch made Bella flinch. "Edward, what are you…?"
"Hush." Edward warned her in a low voice. He ignored Jacob's heated stare, pointing toward Alice.
Immediately Bella understood. "She's seen something." She turned away from Edward and focused on Jacob. "Come on." She said, grabbing his arm and simultaneously stepping away from Edward. "Now is our chance."
"Your chance for what, Bella?" Edward asked, trying to rummage through Jacob's mind as he did so. All he got from the wolf boy's head was a list of patrol schedules and he gritted his teeth in annoyance.
"Come." Was all Bella said as she marched in Alice's direction, the two boys following behind.
"What, Alice, what did you see?" Bella demanded.
Alice didn't respond, she was staring away into the distance. Bella followed her gaze as she caught Edwards eye. His face was as empty as stone, clearly seeing what she was seeing.
"What is it?" Bella demanded again. She was practically vibrating with anger. She couldn't stand the suspense. Alice had clearly seen what she had been waiting to see.
"Keep calm, Bella." Jacob's hand on her shoulder immediately made her relax. She blinked, breathing deeply. "We'll find out all in good time."
"I have to talk to Carlisle." Alice was pale as she spoke.
"We'll be coming with you." Bella indicated herself and Jacob.
"The werewolf is not invited." Alice trilled.
"He is by me." Bella snapped. "Stop playing games. This involves all of us!"
"Bella, please." Edward reached out to her again, but she retreated. Hurt flashed in his eyes, his fingers stopping in mid-air, stretched out in her direction.
Alice glanced at her brother, looking troubled, before turning her attention to Bella. "Why are being like this, Bella? I don't understand."
"I am not being like anything." Bella answered as calmly as possible. "I just think its time that we all started to work together to defeat the common enemy."
"And the wolf boy thinks the same?" Alice was skeptical.
"The wolf boy has a name-use it!" Bella narrowed her eyes and held Alice's gaze.
"Fine, then." Alice said grimly, finally giving in. She glanced again in Edward's direction, her expression inscrutable.
Bella wondered what she was thinking, if anything she had seen regarding her own future had changed. And wondering why it was that Alice kept shooting furtive glances in Edward's direction. Then she remembered that Alice couldn't see past Jacob and the pack when they were in close proximity.
"Hang on a minute." Bella said suspiciously. "How could you see anything with Jacob, Quil and Embry here?"
Alice stilled, her gaze sliding to Edward.
"Don't look at him. Look at me!"
Jacob's warm fingers massaged Bella's shoulder as he took in Edward and Alice's odd reaction. "They already knew, Bells. They just delayed telling you-probably as a tactical ploy they plotted between them, thinking it would get you away from me. Isn't that right, Cullen?"
Edward scowled. "You shouldn't even be here." He snarled, finally losing his cool. "You were not invited by me."
"And there's me thinking this was Bella's party." Jacob retorted.
Bella put her hand on Jacob's chest, reminding him once again the reason why they were at the damn party in the first place. It no longer mattered what Edward did. His plan had failed anyway. Jacob looked down at her, nodded, and then turned to catch his back brothers' eyes. When Quil and Embry took in his expression, they started moving, weaving their way agilely through the partiers, almost like they were dancing too. Jessica looked aggrieved at Quil's abandonment, but he didn't look back, he was all seriousness now.
In half a minute, they stood on either side of Jacob, towering over everyone.
"Now, explain." Jacob ordered Edward and Alice. He folded his arms across his chest, Quil and Embry doing exactly the same. They all looked as menacing as hell.
Alice's face was full of stress and fear. "Alright." She conceded. "But not here. Upstairs."
Jacob immediately started to head for the staircase, his brothers were a little more reluctant, but followed his lead. He kept Bella close to his side, his hand holding tight to her good one. Edward walked on her other side, keeping just as close, his fingers twitching by his side as if he wanted to wrench Jacob's hand away from hers so he could hold it instead.
Jasper appeared quite literally out of nowhere. He didn't like the way Jacob had spoken to his mate. His expression was terrifying.
Now Jasper was one vamp that Jacob did have a modicum of respect for. "We just want to talk. We're trying protect everyone just like you are. Doesn't that give us a right to know?"
Jasper continued to glower at Jacob for a moment. "I suppose you actually have a point." He said eventually. He stepped aside, allowing Jacob and his brothers access to the staircase.
As they ascended, Bella spoke to Alice, not knowing what the little psychic had seen was doing her head in. They were out of earshot of the partygoers now. "What did you see, Alice?"
Alice sighed heavily, her eyes flitting from Jasper, to Edward, then back to Bella. "The decision has been made."
"You're going to Seattle?"
"No."
Bella felt the color drain out of her face. "They're coming here. Aren't they?" She whispered, dread filling her heart.
Jacob, Quil and Embry exchanged glances, reading every unconscious play of emotion on everyone's faces. They were rooted in place, but Bella could feel Jacob's hand tremble in hers as he fought the urge to shift.
"Yes." Alice admitted.
"To Forks?"
"Yes."
"For?"
Alice nodded, sighing again. "One of them carried your red shirt."
A/N-thanks for reading!