December 2016
"And that's a wrap on act two!" Bella applauded, as the group of preteen dancers she was instructing struck their final poses for the end of act one of Coppélia. "Alice, Jasper, James! Great job with the workshop piece. When you get back after winter break, I want to work with you three a bit."
"Thanks, Bella!" The group of tweens said before running off to their bags as Alice pranced over to Bella.
"Hey, Ali," Bella greeted, giving the younger girl a side hug. "You planning to watch our troupe next?"
She shrugged with a smile. "Either that or wait in mom's office. Are you Odette or Odile today?"
"Still Odette," Bella laughed. "I don't think we're touching Odile until after break."
"So it's just a run-through?" Alice asked, getting a nod from Bella. "Maybe I'll watch. It's been ages since I saw Swan Lake." She couldn't help but let out a little giggle. "It's funny, Bella Swan playing the Swan Queen. Also, Swanhilda." She gestured to herself in explanation. "It's totally mom's year of the swan."
"I don't think I'm really a factor in that theme," Bella laughed. "Why don't you get changed before the senior class gets here?"
"Okay!" Alice agreed and danced away to the change room while Bella shook her head.
"Hey, Bella!" Bella turned to the husky voice of the newest member of the Platt Company's Senior Troupe, Jacob Black. In September, Jacob Black moved from La Push, and Bella had been expecting another dumb jock when they put him on the starting line lineup of the junior varsity football team at school. So, she had to admit it had shocked her when he showed up at the studio for Swan Lake auditions. Like Esme had told her brother so many years ago, he started doing ballet to improve his footwork as a tight end, but actually enjoyed performing and was quite talented. A few of the other men in the company had been butthurt when Esme cast him as Von Rothbart, as Edward as Prince Siegfried had been a foregone conclusion. "How's my evil daughter doing?"
"I'm still Odette today, Jake," she laughed as she tied her hair into a tight bun. "But I'm good. How's the ankle doing?"
"It's a little tight," he admitted, taking a seat on the ground to wrap his still-healing injury from the state championships. "But better. Oh! I got you something!" He jumped up and dug into his bag until he produced a small chiffon bag and a hair tie for his long ebony hair. "My dad and I are leaving for Hawaii early, so I thought I should give you this now."
"Jake, you shouldn't have," she replied, shocked. "I didn't get you anything."
"It's just something small. My dad makes them and I thought you'd like it," he admitted as she opened the bag and pulled out the small charm bracelet with a single wolf charm. "Well, not the bracelet, but he does those wood carvings."
"I don't know what to say. Thanks, Jake." She leaned up and hugged the large boy in thanks before moving back and placing the bracelet back in the bag. "I'll put it on after rehearsal."
"I'm glad you like it," he sighed in relief before stripping off his sweatshirt to reveal the black tank top underneath.
"Hey, Bella," Edward said loudly as he entered the studio, hoping to interrupt the conversation between his best friend and the new guy. "Jake," he added quickly, with a nod.
"Edward," Jake replied with a smile. "I'm gonna go stretch. See you two out there."
"What was that all about?" Edward asked, removing his hoodie and track pants.
"Oh, Jake just wanted to give me an early Christmas gift. I feel bad. I didn't get him anything," she sighed as she put the small satchel in one of the side pockets and grabbed her shoes.
"I didn't think you two had that kind of friendship," he grunted.
"Neither did I, but it's still thoughtful," she shrugged. "Can we work on our first lift again? I just want to make sure we got it down before the break."
"Of course, I'll never drop you, Bell." He smiled and led her out to the dance floor.
"So, I couldn't help but notice that Cullen didn't take you to the Winter Ball," Mike Newton stated as he slid into the seat next to Bella in French 2.
"Actually, what you noticed was we decided not to go this year," she corrected him, mentally cursing Edward for choosing Spanish instead. "We've had enough school dances and saw Rogue One instead."
"Really? The ballerinas saw Star Wars instead of going to a dance?"
She sighed and looked up from her textbook. "Yes, watching Felicity Jones and Diego Luna kick ass was a better use of our time than watching you and Jessica grind all over each other."
"I didn't go with Jessica." He leaned back in his seat with a smug grin. "I went stag. Could have used a dance partner like you."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you," Bella deadpanned and turned back to her book.
"I'm not the only one who was disappointed. Jess was hoping Cullen would be there, too."
She huffed and looked back up at him with daggers in his eyes. "Tell me, do you and Jessica base your entire relationship on the chances of getting with me and Edward? Because you may as well get married. Neither of us plans to go out with you. Ever."
"You sure about that?" He asked, leaning in with a knowing grin. "'Cause he and Jess looked pretty cozy this morning when I walked by the guitar room."
Bella pushed down the bubbling feeling in her stomach. "Everyone knows Jess has no respect for personal space, but it's not my place to dictate what Edward does."
"In that case, we should hit a movie during the break. Have you seen Office Christmas Party?"
She rolled her eyes. "A stoner comedy about a bunch of people snorting coke and acting like idiots? Pass."
"Okay, you can pick the movie," He conceded.
"Bonjour à toute la classe!" Monsieur Martin announced as he entered the classroom, effectively ending all conversation. "Passons en revue le chapitre dix-sept. Ouvrez vos livres!"
Bella turned away from Mike and settled in for fifty-five minutes of French review, however her mind was on Edward and Jessica the whole time. Was he interested in her? It's not like Bella had a claim, but he always seemed irritated by Jessica. What changed? Did anything change? Was Mike just grasping at straws? Ugh, maybe she should just talk to Edward at lunch.
When the bell finally rang at the end of third period, she bolted out of the classroom before Mike could open his mouth again.
Seated at their usual table in the cafeteria, Bella was so stuck in her thoughts that she didn't hear Edward approach before he spoke. "Did you know Rosalie's allergic to kiwi?" He asked as he plopped down beside Bella.
She shook her head, shocked out of her reverie. "What?"
"Rosalie's allergic to kiwi." He picked up his fork and dug into his chipotle bowl. "I heard my mom talking to your mom about Christmas dinner. Who eats kiwi at Christmas?"
Since Bella's Gran Marie passed away three years ago, the Swans had been spending Christmas in Seattle. Because of Renee's ineptitude in the kitchen, they had a standing invitation with the Cullens for the day, and would always provide the drinks and desserts.
Bella shrugged. "Maybe someone in Rosalie's family makes a lot of kiwi desserts?" She had long since gotten used to Rosalie around the family. Shortly after their production of Cinderella, she and Emmett began dating and had been together ever since. They even moved in together once Rose joined him at U-Dub. When the Hales announced they were taking a Hawaiian cruise over the holiday, it was obvious Rose would spend the holiday with the Swans.
"I don't think my mom's ever cooked with kiwi…" he mused, but just shrugged it off and took another bite. "So, how was your morning?"
"It was fine," she sighed. "Other than the Mike Newton Experience in French."
Edward forced the growl that always threatened to sound at the mention of Mike. "What did he want?"
"The usual. He tried asking me out during break." She waved her hand nonchalantly, not looking at Edward as she speared a piece of lettuce. "He was also trying to convince me you're into Jessica."
"What?" Edward choked. "How did he try that?"
"He was talking about how close you two were during guitar," she said in a mocking tone, hiding how nervous this conversation made her.
"Yeah, because she sucks at guitar," he snorted. "Mr. Simms made me work with her during our study period. Pointless endeavor, really." He shook his head with a chuckle.
"Yeah, that's what I figured," Bella chuckled in relief as Angela and Ben joined them. "So, Christmas dessert. Pumpkin or apple pie?"
"You know I can't resist your pumpkin pie."
"Emmett, grab that case over there," Charlie instructed as he opened the hatch of his Explorer. "Bells, can you and Rose grab some gifts?"
"Sure thing, pops," Emmett agreed as he headed to his dad's trunk and grabbed the gift bags. "Bells, Babe, here you go." He passed them over before grabbing the case of Vitamin R, while Charlie grabbed the four bottles of wine and Renee snatched up the pies she and Bella had baked before they all made their way up the Cullens walkway.
"You made it!" Edward greeted them cheerfully as he opened the door. "Merry Christmas."
Everyone shared their greetings as Edward offered to grab coats and bags before leading them into the living room that looked like a winter wonderland, courtesy of Esme's artistic eye. The two families had spent so much time together over the years that no one needed to ask where to go. While the rest of her family scattered around the Cullen house helping in ways they could, Bella and Edward organized the additional gifts amongst the pile already situated around the tree. "So, which one's mine?" Edward asked playfully.
"I'm sure a few of these are yours. I assume your parents bought you some gifts," she replied cheekily, nudging him with her elbow.
"Come on, what did you get me?" He grabbed her around the waist and began tickling the answer out of her.
"I'll never tell!" She squealed with laughter as Edward continued his ministrations.
"Edward, what are you doing?" Charlie deadpanned.
"She wouldn't tell me what she got me," Edward replied sheepishly, releasing Bella from his grip.
"And was that a reason to torture the poor girl?" Carlisle added with a chuckle and took a seat in his armchair. "We'll start opening gifts once we're all here."
"We have drinks!" Renee sang as she carried in a tray of red drinks while Esme followed with a snack tray. "The ones with orange slices are mocktails, so no sneaky sippies," she warned Edward, Bella and Rosalie with a giggle.
"Mom, we just got here. How are you wasted?" Emmett laughed as he grabbed a cranberry garnished drink and sat down on the loveseat that usually lived in the den.
"I'm not drunk, I'm just happy," Renee smiled at her son, before taking a seat beside her husband on the large sectional. "Everyone I care about in one room? Doesn't happen often."
"Don't let him bring you down, Rennie," Esme said soothingly. "He'll understand when he's older. And just for that, I think I know who's playing Santa this year." She held up the familiar red hat with a giggle. Everyone but Emmett cheered and laughed as Esme tossed the hat to Rosalie, who stuffed it on her boyfriend's head.
"Fine, I'll do it. But I'm getting extra cookies." Emmett laughed and headed over to the tree to hand out gifts.
Rogue One reignited Edward's interest in the Star Wars universe, surpassing the level it was when they were kids. In response, Bella bought him a collection of recently published Star Wars novels. Edward had been excited to receive the books and couldn't wait to read them. However, his excitement was nothing compared to what Bella felt when she opened the envelope with Edward's gift.
"Is this for real?" She whispered in shock. "You actually got me tickets to see Ed Sheeran at the Tacoma Dome?"
"It's not completely selfless. I'm hoping you'll take me," he admitted with a shy smile.
"Of course!" She squealed and jumped up to throw her arms around his neck. "Thank you. Edward!"
"Anything for you, Bell." He wrapped his arms around her tightly and pulled her in closely. Both were too distracted to hear the shutter go off as Renee snapped a picture of their embrace by the tree.