XLVI. Missing the Cupid Shuffle

The school cafeteria practically shook with the whole of Forks High's student body, music gushing out from every speaker, interspersed with gleeful shouts and sharp laughter. Rays of violet lights were projected throughout the room, bouncing off the shining, laminated floors and ricocheting off the sheer curtains and threads of fairy lights concealing the time-worn walls

Edward tilted his lips close to my ear, for once, not having to lean down as much with my heels boosting me up several inches. "Do you want to dance?" he asked, sounding oddly eager.

I grinned up at him. "Sure! But a word of warning, I don't actually know how to dance." At least, not the type of elaborate dances I was sure he preferred.

"You did well enough at Kate's wedding," he reminded me, voice shaking with laughter.

"We had lots of practice prior to that!" Maybe a practice session or two before the spring dance wouldn't have been remiss of me.

"Come on," Edward said, tugging me in the direction of the dance floor.

I hurried along, heels clicking sharply against the laminate.

Fortunately, the dance floor was sparsely filled. Many of the students were socializing on the sidelines or crowding around tables laden with drinks. On the erected stage, decorated with balloons and arrays of metallic silver streamers, Eric stood behind a turntable, DJing.

"Just follow my lead," Edward said, dropping one of his hands to the dip of my waist and lifting my other hand in his.

"I think I can handle at least that much," I said, placing my free hand against his broad shoulder and falling into step with him.

He started off slow, gentle. But once I grew comfortable, Edward quickened his steps to the beat of the music, spinning us across the dance floor with the fluidity of someone who'd done this many times before.

I laughed as I twirled under his arm and spun back into his embrace, heart quickening with exertion as he continued to guide me, sure-footed and swift.

I wondered how strange it must seem, dancing a ballroom dance to the beat of Elton John's Are You Ready For Love.

And then, Edward dipped me so far back, the edges of my curls brushed against the floor, before he pulled me back into the safety of his arms.

"Warn me next time!" I gasped, though the laughter in my voice could hardly be construed as threatening.

Edward smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

Before I could make a snarky retort, we were soaring across the dance floor once more and my annoyance was left behind and forgotten.

The wide, toothy smile that stretched across my face almost hurt, but in this moment, spinning and dancing and twirling in Edward's arms, I was so deliriously happy, it felt unreal.

Too soon, the song ended and we slowed to a halt. Edward flashed me a blinding grin, violet lights reflecting off of his pearly teeth and paper white skin in a dazzling effect.

"Do you need a break?" he asked, not a hair out of place.

My heart still fluttered against my ribcage, but I shook my head. I wasn't quite ready to let go of this moment. "Another song," I insisted as I caught my breath.

"It would be my pleasure," he murmured, and then, we were flying under the hypnotic lights once more.

The songs blended, one into the next, as I continued to follow Edward's lead. His firm grip on me was anchoring, as though he were keeping me from floating away in a sea of bliss.

I wished we could dance forever.

But my feet were starting to hurt and my stamina was dwindling.

"I think I need a moment," I gasped, short of breath as I twirled under his arm.

Edward drew me back into his arms. "Are you finally losing steam?"

"Unfortunately," I said with a breathless laugh.

And then, I spun out from Edward's arms, but to my shock, he let me go. And for one, terrifying moment, I was falling―

"Oof!"

"You okay there?"

"Jasper!" I gasped, clutching his arms as I regained my balance. "Thanks for catching me!"

Jasper grinned sharply. "Glad to be of service, Iz."

My dance with Jasper was much slower, as we both watched Edward and Alice twirling across the dance floor like a pair of competitive performers.

"What a bunch of show-offs," I scoffed.

"Alice rather enjoys the attention," Jasper chuckled fondly.

"I'm sure Edward does too," I said with a laugh.

Jasper hummed in agreement and then asked, "Should I fetch you a drink? Your heart is still beating quite fast."

"Oh! Yes, please," I said.

"Wait here."

Jasper disappeared into the throng of students, his presence causing them to part around him like the red sea.

"Isabella!"

I whirled around at the sound of Leah's voice.

"Leah?" I gaped, rushing to meet her, ducking around a few dancing couples. "What are you guys doing here?!" I shouted over the music.

At Leah's side, Embry offered me a cheerful wave.

"That girl―"

"Whitney," Embry offered, when it appeared Leah couldn't recall her name.

"Yeah, her," Leah continued with a snap of her fingers. "She wouldn't let us in at first. Not until we told her we were friends of yours."

"We didn't know you were so popular, Isabella," Embry snickered.

I rolled my eyes. "It's a small school."

"Izzy, everything okay?" Jasper asked, suddenly reappearing at my shoulder. He pressed a red solo cup into my hands, eyeing Leah and Embry with an air of menace.

"I'm fine. Thanks, Jazz," I said and took a sip. I wrinkled my nose at the sharp taste. Someone had already spiked the punch.

"Is this your mosquito boyfriend?" Leah asked, eyeing Jasper with a wary eye.

"Pfft. Jasper?" I laughed. "No. Jazz, this is Leah and Embry, my friends from the reservation. Guys, this is Jasper. He's my friend, and Alice's partner."

"Oh, yeah. I remember her," Leah recalled. "Nice to meet you, I guess?"

"Likewise," Jasper said dryly.

"Shit, there she is now," Embry suddenly said, gesturing towards a group of students standing in line for the photo booth.

"Who?" I asked.

"Whitney," Leah said with a scoff. "Embry here thinks he's a charmer."

"I didn't say that," Embry protested, cheeks reddening. "I just said I think she might be into me."

"Whatever," Leah shrugged. "Go on, idiot. I think you might actually have a chance."

"Really? Thanks, Leah!" he beamed and darted off.

"Dumbass," Leah grumbled, sounding reluctantly fond.

"Leah, what's going on?" I asked. "You didn't say you were coming tonight."

"Last minute idea. Embry is super bummed because Jacob and Quil are currently getting special treatment," Leah said, features twisting with disdain.

For a last minute idea, Leah cleaned up nicely. Her hair shone like a rippling waterfall, sparkling under the beaming lights. And her white, thin-strapped dress hugged her torso and waist snuggly, skirt fluttering in loose layers and contrasting sharply against her dark skin.

"Special treatment?" I asked around another sip of the spiked punch. "From the council?"

"From Sam," she spat. "Since they're in the know, Sam decided they're unofficially part of the pack now. He's 'showing them the ropes' as we speak."

"My understanding was that you're meant to join the pack too, Leah," Jasper said.

Leah snorted. "You didn't tell them?"

"I didn't," I said with a shake of my head, before turning to Jasper. "The council isn't aware of my abilities. So, they're not aware that Leah will be the first female shifter."

"I see," he said with a surprising look of relief. "It's probably best if they have no information on you."

"Why's that?" Leah asked, eyes narrowing. While she was no huge fan of the council herself, it was incredibly doubtful she would take slander from an outsider. Especially one who was meant to be an enemy.

"I'm not intending to offend you, ma'am," Jasper said diplomatically. "But Isabella has powerful abilities. If they were to be discovered by the wrong person, one could only imagine the consequences."

Leah arched an eyebrow. "Have you told her that? Because she easily shared everything she knows with me and the guys."

Jasper grimaced. "She is rather reckless."

"Uh, I'm still here," I grumbled. "Besides, I trust Leah."

Leah flicked her hair back and shot Jasper a triumphant grin. "Thank you, Isabella."

It was then that Embry popped back at our side.

"I got her number," he said, proudly waving a folded piece of paper. "And she said she was gonna save me a dance!"

"Good for you, snuffles," Leah said with a huff. "Now, come on. Let's dance."

Embry obediently scurried after her.

"Is something wrong with your drink?" Jasper asked, frowning when he realized I had only taken a few sips.

"It's spiked with alcohol," I explained. "Did you see if they had any water?"

Jasper nodded. "They do."

This time, I accompanied Jasper to one of the decorated tables, laden with disposable cups and a variety of glass dispensers.

"Here," Jasper said, picking out a cup for me and topping it off with water.

"Thanks!"

I took a long drink and sighed in relief.

"Jazz, can I ask you a question?"

Jasper eyed me curiously. "I reckon you can."

"There's something I've wondered about," I said, taking another sip. "Back in the beginning…how exactly did you plan to murder me?"

Jasper suddenly smirked, appearing morbidly amused.

"Why, isn't this ghastly?"

I peeked over my shoulder and grinned. "Alice!"

"Let me see here," Alice said, scooching in between Jasper and I. From out of thin air, she procured a tube of red lipstick and applied a fresh layer of product across my lips. "Okay, now pop your lips…perfect!"

"Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you," I teased.

"If it weren't for Alice, we'd be unable to leave the house," Edward said with a grin, scooping up my hand and lacing our fingers together.

"You won't be laughing when all your trousers inevitably go missing," Alice harrumphed. "Now go," she said, swiping my cup out of my hand. "It's a dance! Not a funeral. Honestly, you two."

Jasper and I snickered.

"So sorry, your highness," I called as Edward pulled me back in the direction of the dance floor.

This time around, Edward and I kept it simple, merely wrapping our arms around each other and swaying to the music. We were highly unremarkable compared to the spectacle Rosalie and Emmett were making, giving Edward and Alice's previous dance a run for their money as they spun brazenly around the other dancers.

"How are all of you this theatrical?" I laughed.

"It's not theatrics," Edward assured me with an indulgent smile. "We simply don't fit in."

"Hmm," I hummed, resting my cheek against his shoulder. "It must be tough."

"Yes," Edward agreed quietly. "We're too other to fit in with humans, and too human to fit in with those of our kind."

"Really? It didn't seem like it, at Kate's wedding."

"Our cousins understand us. But even Jasper's family finds us strange," he explained, words murmured near my ear. "There's always been a disconnect between us and those who drink human blood, not because of our diet, but we simply…act too human."

"So the charade isn't entirely dropped, even at home?"

"No. When we learn to be human, we pick up habits that are not natural to us―behaving in ways that are too slow, too limited. In the privacy of our home, we can be ourselves without restraint, but some mannerisms tend to stick. Though I doubt you would've noticed."

"No," I agreed. "It's all so extraordinary and foreign to me. I guess all the little details get lost in the unfamiliar. But, at least you have each other."

"There isn't anything any of us wouldn't do to protect our family, our way of life."

And it left me wondering where that could leave us all. Because I wasn't at all confident in a destined happily ever after.

How far would this unknown entity go to capture me? Alice had never once pointed to any of the others vanishing in her visions alongside me, but even if she had, I don't believe she would've told me; surely in a misguided attempt to free me of any guilt.

I clung to Edward a little bit tighter.

There wasn't anything I myself could do to protect any of them. I could only trust in Alice's one vision, that we would make it through this, even if I had to turn. Because even though I'd never wished to be a vampire, I could no longer imagine a world in which I walked away from Edward, or anyone in his family.

I'd lost count of the number of dances we'd swayed to, when Jessica called our attention from across the dance floor.

"Come on guys! We're about to take pictures!"

I quickly shook off any traces of melancholy and pulled back to smirk at Edward. "Well?" I asked. "Think you can handle the inevitable bunny fingers?"

Edward rolled his eyes. "I'm sure I'll live."

I pulled him along with a laugh, joining Jessica and the others, where they were grouped by the photo booth, next in line.

"Isabella, you look gorgeous!" Jess squealed.

"Thanks! So do you," I said. Jessica's hair fell around her face, glossy and smooth, and her eyelids glittered pink, matching the exact shade of her dress.

Beside me, Edward chatted with Ben.

"By the way," Jess said, abruptly lowering her voice. I had to strain my ears to hear her above the deafening music. "I wanted to check in on you. I heard Edward's family is leaving Forks. Is that true?"

"Oh," I said. Had the rumor finally spread? It felt like old news. "Yes, as soon as Edward's older siblings graduate in June."

Jessica looked devastated. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm sorry, Jess," I said, feeling a twinge of guilt. The real significance behind the announcement was stressful enough that I'd forgotten how my human friends might react to it. "But, I'd rather just enjoy my time with Edward for now. No sense in crying about it yet."

"You're a stronger woman than I," Jessica said solemnly. "I'm sorry."

"It'll be okay," I assured her.

"Guys, we're up next," Angela called us.

We all converged behind the camera lense, between the balloon arrangements and backed by sparkling streamers.

It was a blur of movement and laughter as we took pictures, switching between couples, friends, and the group as a whole. At one point, Leah and Embry joined us and I went around and introduced them.

It was once we got kicked out of the photo booth after hogging it for too long, that Mr. Varner confronted Leah and I.

"Miss Swan," he called, glaring at any student who pushed too close to him. "What is this I hear of you sneaking in kids from other schools?"

"Oh, shit," Leah mumbled under her breath.

I turned and gazed up innocently at the math teacher. "But Mr. Varner," I said. "Are we only allowed to bring a date from Forks High?"

He shot Leah a squinty glare. "I thought Mr. Cullen was your date."

I shook my head. "Mr. Varner, have you never heard of a polygamous relationship?"

His eye twitched. "…I don't get paid enough for this."

Leah burst into raucous laughter as soon as Mr. Varner disappeared, swallowed by the gaggle of students converging closer to the dance floor.

"Isabella, you are my hero!" she howled in laughter.

"Whatever you say," I huffed. "Go on, have fun before you officially get kicked out."

"Yes, sir," she saluted me and flounced off, likely in search of another dance partner. Embry had been claimed by Whitney not too long ago.

"Isabella!" Jess popped up by my side again and began dragging me by the hand. "Come on, Eric's about to play it!"

"Huh? Play what?"

Fortunately, Edward found me amongst the bedlam of students scrambling to line up across the dance floor just as Eric started blasting the song.

"Oh hell," I laughed. "How old is this song?"

"Five years," Edward said, pitching his voice so that I could hear him above the chaos. "Why?"

"It'll be a keeper," I winked at him as we clapped our hands under the instructions of DJ Casper.

Edward laughed in disbelief. "For another fifteen years?"

"And maybe even more," I said, nearly crashing into Jessica as we moved to the left.

Dancing the Cha Cha Slide with my friends was a grand time, even with Jessica bumping into me. But I couldn't help but feel nostalgic, remembering old school dances I'd once attended, dancing to the same song with my old friends. For the most part, I made an effort not to think about them, but at the moment it was especially hard.

Still, I tried to focus on Jessica giggling beside me and Angela in front of me, dancing out of sync. It was a fun time and I refused to get caught up in the past yet again.

But of course, Edward noticed.

"Isabella, is something wrong?" he asked me quietly as the song came to an end.

"I'm okay," I assured him, unwilling to open up that can of worms at this particular moment. "But the Cha Cha Slide has nothing on the Cupid Shuffle."

Edward arched an eyebrow. "I'm afraid that one hasn't been released yet, love."

"I'm sure it won't be long now."

"Show me?" Edward asked, as students began to drift away from the dance floor.

"It's not as fancy as your ballroom dancing," I warned him.

"That doesn't matter to me," he chuckled.

"Alright, fine, let's do it. Follow along with me," I said and began moving to the right. Dancing the Cupid Shuffle to the beat of Green Day's American Idiot was an adjustment, but an enjoyable one, and fortunately the steps were simple enough.

"Now kick," I told Edward, kicking out each of my feet once and then twice. "Think you can remember that?"

"I'm sure I'll keep up," Edward laughed as we turned and started from the top.

It was as we finished the second rendition and turned again, that I noticed some of my friends dancing around us, following our steps.

I locked eyes with Edward, but he looked just as bewildered as I did.

"You think this'll break the space-time continuum?" I asked as we turned again and stepped to the right.

"The world isn't falling apart just yet," Edward said, and then added as we began moving to the left, "But if anyone remembers this night, I suspect time-traveler will not be their first conclusion."

I laughed. "No one except for June."

As soon as the song ended, my friends burst into applause around me.

"That was fun, Isabella!" Jessica grinned, bouncing over to my side.

"Oh, uh, thanks. I'm glad you liked it Jess," I smiled nervously. Hopefully, in a few years, it really would be forgotten.

"Ooh! I love this song! Let's dance!" Jessica insisted as U2's Vertigo blasted around us.

"Okay!" I laughed and we all devolved into a chaotic sort of dance with no rhyme or reason, simply getting lost in the music.

The song turned into another and another as I danced with Jessica and our group of friends, having a blast while Eric played one rock song after the next.

It was a lively night, but as soon as I had a moment to breathe, I clasped my hand around Edward's wrist and hissed, "Come on, follow me!"

Edward was quick on the uptake, paving the way through the crowds, until we reached the exit doors near the back.

The sudden slap of cold air against my hot skin was a gratifying relief.

"Do you wish to leave?" Edward asked, as the doors slammed shut behind us.

"No, of course not," I said with a smile, moving to lean against the wall of the building. The high heels were starting to become painful. "I just needed a little break, that's all."

"You should have said so sooner," Edward said, moving close and pressing a cool palm against my warm cheek. His bright, tawny eyes examined me slowly. "Did you have a pleasant time?"

My smile softened. "Without a doubt," I assured him, reaching up to curl my fingers around his wrist. "Did you?"

Edward gently pressed his forehead against mine. "I'm with you, aren't I?"

"So cheesy," I giggled.

Edward's lips split into a crooked smile. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Anytime," I said, pushing myself away from the wall, feeling the sudden urge to be closer to him.

Edward obliged, snaking his free arm around my waist. Even with my heels, he still needed to duck his head down as he pressed his mouth against mine.

He kissed me gently, tenderly.

I could feel myself melting against him, heart tap dancing against my ribcage, a whirlwind of emotions surging in my chest and painfully gripping my heart. Oh, yes, I do love him.

His lips parted against mine and I inhaled a mouthful of his fragrant aroma, becoming incredibly dazed as a result.

And then, the skies unleashed a torrential downpour.

Edward and I immediately broke apart, gazing up at the rain showering upon us in disbelief.

"Alice couldn't have warned us?" I laughed as I quickly became drenched, my hair losing all volume and the floating sleeves of my dress clinging to my skin.

"That little sneak," he scowled, glaring up at the storm through his flattened hair, as though it were a personal offense. "Come on, let's get out of here."

"What? Wait!" I said, before he could distance himself from me. "Just another minute."

"It's cold and your bandages are wet," Edward argued, nonplussed.

"A minute. Please?" I cajoled him softly.

He heaved a sharp, very unnecessary sigh. "If this is the death of you…"

"It won't be. I'm not that fragile," I assured him, tangling my fingers through his doused hair and drawing him close.

Under the shroud of rain, Edward kissed me earnestly, crushing his lips against mine and sweeping his tongue across my lower lip, tasting the rain, tasting me.

The flavor of his mouth was intoxicating, addicting. I wanted more. But I only got as far as capturing his lower lip between my teeth, before Edward pulled back with a groan.

"Sorry, love," he breathed against my soaked skin. "Sharp teeth."

"How cruel," I murmured, catching my breath. Still, my heart fluttered in my chest, feeling as though it would burst with emotion.

He chuckled darkly. "I'm aware."

"So," I asked him instead, still trapped in his arms, trapped in the rain, but unwilling to break away just yet. "Is there still a thunderstorm scheduled for tomorrow?"

A/N: A thunderstorm? I think we all know what that means…

I wrote this chapter while I've been sick, so I blame that for any typos. But I hope y'all enjoyed the update. Be sure to drop a review and let me know your thoughts on the chapter! And I promise to update soon! :)