Chapter 14 – Just Dance

EPOV

I ejected the usb key from the computer, placed it in a pre-wrapped box, and leaned back in my chair. I had felt utterly foolish not realising that it was Bella's birthday, and even worse when Alice had stolen the only opportunity to purchase her a gift. I suppose I wasn't surprised that Bella hadn't wanted a fuss made over her. The more time I spent with her, the more I realised what a private person she was. She was used to being the caretaker, not being taken care of.

I had spent the day recalling how she looked in that blue dress. I shouldn't have, but I did. Normally I don't go around picking through the minds of people in dressing rooms, but when I heard Alice mentally say that 'This is the dress!' to herself, I had to look. I should have felt chagrined for spying on her, but somehow whenever I was with Bella, all my personal rules got tossed by the wayside. It was disturbing the effect she had on me without even trying. I needed to be more stringent with myself in the future. I couldn't allow myself any more slip ups.

I was pleased however, that I had tricked her into allowing me to give her something for her birthday. Her only condition was that I not buy her anything. I closed the laptop I had transferred the mp3's from, containing a mixture of music I had heard her humming sometimes, as well as some other music I thought she would enjoy. I hoped she wouldn't find it too forward of me to give her the twenty first century version of a mixed tape.

I had rearranged my cd's for the third time that weekend, when I caught the end of a vision Alice was having. I flew to her room, and dropped four cd's in the process.

"Alice, why did I just see Bella coming over to our house?" I demanded.

Jasper growled at me from the corner where he was reading a book on the Civil War. Apparently he didn't like the tone I was using with his wife. I ignored him.

"Well?"

"Take a chill pill there, Edward," Alice called out from her bathroom. "Of course she's coming here, you can't expect me to get her ready at her house? Have you seen her room? Oh...I forgot who I was talking to; of course you've seen her room." Alice's tiny head popped out of her bathroom and she stuck her tongue out at me.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath.

"Alice, I'm sure I don't need to remind you that Emmet, Rose and your husband are supposed to be away at college?" I looked pointedly at Jasper, asking for some help. He shrugged at me, and went back to reading his book.

"I'm not getting involved," he told me in his head. I gave him a sour look, and turned back to Alice.

"I'm sure they can figure out something to do for a couple hours while I get Bella ready. Besides, I already had a vision that if I don't help her, she'll show up to the dance in the dress I bought her and flats. Flats, Edward. With that dress? Not on my watch." Alice emerged from her bathroom, glared at me, and danced towards her massively, oversized closet. I caught the flicker of a hazy vision zip through her head.

"Wait. Have you not even asked her to come over yet?" I blurted out. Even for Alice, this was a tad extreme.

"You worry too much, Edward. You're going to give yourself gray hairs." She twirled out of her closet and landed in Jasper's lap. "Now if you'll excuse me..." she then pictured what she had planned for Jasper.

"God, Alice...I did not need that visual to change the subject." I loudly closed the door behind me before I returned to my room.

I picked up the CD's I had dropped, but felt an immediate need to get out of the house. With Alice's taunt fresh in my mind, I found myself at Bella's house, sat in Bella's tree, and looked into Bella's bedroom. I didn't even remember the run over, but I was somehow inexplicably drawn here.

Her room had been unusually quiet. It took me a few moments to realise that she was not at home. The only sounds I heard were Charlie's rhythmic snores coming from further in the house.

Where was she? Was she all right?

I calmly reminded myself that Charlie would not be fast asleep if he were concerned with his daughter whereabouts. She must have stayed with a girlfriend. Perhaps Jessica, or Angela invited her for a slumber party after the bonfire. I've often overheard human girls making such plans.

I took this opportunity to once again sate myself on her scent without putting her in danger. I easily lifted her window, and crept into her room. Once again, the concentration of her scent hit me hard, and I took a few moments to steel myself against the overwhelming desire I felt. I found it became easier to control myself the more I visited this place.

Perhaps I should make it a nightly ritual. Bella would never even need to know. It would also provide me the opportunity to try to understand her better.

As Monday approached, I had found myself feeling anxious about giving her the gift. Anxiety is a new emotion for me, and I was unsure how to deal with it. Jasper even pulled me aside to question me, but I had not wanted everyone to know why I was anxious, so I told him not to worry. Instead I ran to Canada to try to clear my head.

My anxiety deepened when I approached her Monday morning in English, and she didn't even acknowledge my presence. In fact she had seemed unaware of me completely. This was odd, since most humans unconsciously shy away from us when they aren't paying strict attention. Bella had been motionless. I had observed this behaviour in other humans, and deduced that she was daydreaming.

What I wouldn't give to see into her mind!

Newton dumped his books all over his desk, and it seemed to bring Bella out of her reverie. She looked up to find me staring at her.

Subtle, Edward.

"Sorry Edward. Were you talking to me?" she asked meekly. I chuckled, to try to play off the fact she had caught me staring at her.

"Actually you looked pretty out of it when I sat down, so I figured I would wait until you came back to earth." I smiled at her and winked. I decided it was now or never, so I reached into my bag, and handed her the small white box, with a bow on the top. I nodded my head towards the box. "As per our agreement."

She seemed confused by my statement, but opened the box regardless.

"Uhh...you'll have to refresh my memory?" she stuttered.

"At the department store, you agreed I could get you a birthday gift if I didn't buy anything. I already had the usb key, and I've filled it with some music I think you'll like," I whispered.

"Wow, Edward. That's incredibly thoughtful. Thank you so much. I'm looking forward to hearing what you picked later. Thanks!" She smiled at me, as Mr. Berty entered the classroom.

"Oh, you should be warned that Alice is planning on cornering you in Spanish to talk about the dance." I added right before Mr. Berty called the class to attention. I thought it best to warn her so she could mentally prepare, but I didn't want to deal with her questions, so I had purposefully waited until I knew she couldn't ask me. It was unfair, but I didn't like never knowing what she thought, it was difficult to field questions from her.

True to form, Alice nearly pounced on her, when we arrived in Spanish.

"Bella, you're coming over Friday after the game so we can get ready together, okay?" Alice was so excited she spoke at vampire speed. I saw Bella really concentrate to try to catch everything. I read the hesitation in her response with ease. It pleased me that I was getting to know her so well.

"Uhh, I dunno Alice," Bella replied, "Jake probably needs me to pick him and guys up from the Rez." She looked overwhelmed. I tried to stifle a chuckle.

Alice stuck out her bottom lip out and gave her famous pout.

"Please, Bella! Oh please! Please let's get ready together!" Alice grabbed her hand and gave her big doe eyes, then crouched right next to her face and asked again. "Please, Bella." Alice exhaled a long breath out at her.

Wow, she used her vampire powers to try persuade her. Unbelievable. I saw Bella breathe in, and then her eyes glazed over. She shook her head, as if trying to shake out the foggy thoughts I'm sure she had.

"Ok, Alice," Bella started slowly, "what time are you coming over?"

"Silly Bella, we're going to get ready at my place!" Alice laughed, and skipped to her desk. I caught Bella eye me dubiously, and then turn her attention back towards my sister.

"We are? I thought that no one had...I mean, people said you didn't...uh..." she stammered and I saw the blush rise in her cheeks. I could tell she was floundering with words, and didn't have to wish I could read her mind. I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Bella," I interjected, "while it's true some of the other kids may not have seen our house, I can assure you that Alice will have ample room and supplies to get you both ready for the dance."

She looked at me appraisingly, and then settled into her seat.

"Ok, but we're taking my truck," she shot over her shoulder. I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

BPOV

I am a pushover.

Not only had I somehow allowed Alice to talk me into getting ready at her place, but she wouldn't let me take my truck. Something about a stupid sports car. And poor Jake had to find his own ride to the dance.

I'm a terrible girlfriend.

Jake, of course, had been completely fine with it, but I felt terrible. He was so laid back that he was completely fine with most things I had told him. I hoped that Alice could work some magic on me, and make me beautiful for Jake, and he'd forget I left him to his own devices for getting to and from a dance I begged him to accompany me to.

I'm a terrible girlfriend.

"Earth to Bella?" Alice's face came into focus as I opened my eyes.

After the football game Alice had dragged me up to her enormous room, pulled me into her oversized bathroom, plopped me into a plush chair and had attacked me with various scrubs and brushes. I had no idea what half the things in her bathroom were, and had fallen into random thoughts as she merrily chatted away about the things she was doing to me. Apparently my silence had been noticed.

"Sorry, Alice. Got lost in my train of thought again." I gave her a sheepish grin, and hoped she didn't mind. When I heard her laugh like tinkling bells, I knew I was forgiven.

"Oh, Bella. I'm sorry. I know this isn't really your thing, but I always have so much fun getting ready for big events!" She gave me a big hug. As per usual, her skin was cool to the touch. I wonder if she had a glandular problem or something.

"Tell you what, Alice, you don't be sorry that I'm not paying attention, and neither will I." I winked at her and started laughing.

Alice skipped around behind me, and I caught my reflection in the mirror. At least it was supposed to be me, but I barely recognized the face looking back at me. The girl in the reflection had deep, huge eyes framed by smoky eye shadow, with eyelashes that were a mile long. Her skin glowed a pearlescent sheen of white, except for her rosy cheeks. Her lips were a soft shade a pink, and looked much plumper than I had ever recalled seeing them. I was speechless.

"So?" She asked nervously, "What do you think?"

"I think you missed your calling as a makeup artist." I grinned up at her, and she beamed back at me. "Alice, I can't believe this is me." I gestured towards my face, and couldn't help but be mesmerized when the girl in the mirror mimicked my actions.

"What about the hair?" she asked while she bounced up and down. Honestly, I hadn't gotten past my face to see the hair, but when I looked, I was amazed. She had gathered the top section in beautiful twists, and had carefully selected tendrils to fall around my head. At the top she had attached some small flowers around the crown to accent the curls pinned in place. The rest was down and flowing. The best of both worlds.

"Amazing, Alice. Makeup and hair artist. You should be doing celebrities, not me." She looked in the mirror and styled pin curls into her normally spiky hair.

"You're so sweet, Bella, but really, I had a great canvas to work off of. Your skin is already so amazing; I really didn't do that much to it." She danced off towards her closet, and came back with our dresses. She gave me a quick lesson on how to walk in heels, and afterwards I found myself doing okay in the shoes she had bought me.

"Alice?" I can't believe I was actually going to ask her this. But my lack of previous dances really had me nervous.

"Yes, Bella?" Alice looked up at me, and gently touched my arm. It gave me the courage to ask my next question.

"I don't know how to dance. I tried ballet when I was younger. It er... it didn't go well. Can you like, I dunno, show me what I'm supposed to do?" I looked at the floor and wrung my hands together.

"I would be delighted to!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the bathroom. "Okay, first off, if you're dancing with Jacob, or any guy for that matter, just follow his lead." She grabbed my right hand in her left, and propped my left arm up on her right, with her right hand on my shoulder blade. "See, you can do this, just move your feet from side to side, and follow his lead. You can tell where wants to lead you by where he pulls your hand, and pushes on your back." She demonstrated by pulling me around in a wide circle. I had to stop her so I could laugh. This wasn't quite what I had meant.

"Sorry, Alice. It's just that I don't think that Jacob even knows who Fred Astaire is. I don't think he'll be leading me anywhere." I saw the surprised look and her face, and burst into a fit of giggles. "I don't think anyone from our school will be waltzing." A look of understanding dawned on her face, and she started giggling too.

"No, you're right, Bella. It was silly of me to start there. You're thinking about how people will be dancing at school right? Like music video stuff?" She shimmied and shook around her room. She totally looked like she could be in a music video. I could never be that sexy while moving.

"I guess something like that, but realistically this is me, and I'm a klutz, so really can you just show my how to move my feet, so I'm not just standing there awkwardly?" I watched her twirl to a stop in front of me.

"Bella! You're over thinking it! You should dance because you feel happy, or sexy, or some other emotion!"

She fiddled with her ipod and blared Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance'.

"Now girls have it easy. You can just move your hips to the beat, instead of your feet to start. Like this." She put her hands on my hips and was swivelling them to the beat. "Now see how the rest of your body wants to follow?"

My torso moved with my hips. It actually felt more natural than I had thought.

Where had Alice been years ago when I was taking ballet?

"That's great! Your hips move your legs, and your legs move your feet, see?" She was right. I looked in the mirror, and I was essentially dancing by just moving my hips. Except my arms. My arms hung limply by my body.

"What do I do with my arms? They're just kinda...there." I flapped my arms like an overgrown bird.

"Oh, that's the best part! The best way to drive a guy crazy is to touch yourself with your hands." She looked at me like what she said was the most obvious thing in the world.

I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at her through the mirror.

"Excuse me?" Maybe I heard her wrong.

"Not so graphic silly! Like this!" She moved her arm up the side of her body, just brushing past her boob up to touch her neck, where she rubbed along the back of her neck up to her hairline. Her other hand rubbed down her hip to her thigh, and back up. My mouth was literally on the floor. She made those simple movements look so sexy.

"I dunno if I can do that Alice." I tried moving my hand up and down my thigh. That wasn't so hard. I tried moving the other up my body to my neck. It hadn't been too bad, until I got to my boob and turned cherry red. Apparently I couldn't fake sexy without turning into a tomato.

"Bella, you don't have to exactly what I did. Just do whatever you feel comfortable doing. No one is expecting a pre-zombie Britney Spears dance number from you."

"Poor Britney is kinda dead in the eyes now, isn't she?" I asked. Alice nodded her head tragically. Then her eyes lit up.

"One more thing! I almost forgot because I can't do it... the hair flip!" She looked at me like she was dead serious about what she just said.

"Alice, that sounds so cliché!" I raised my eyebrow speculatively at her.

"I'm serious, Bella. When you really get into a song, the hair flip will come naturally to someone whose hair is as long as yours. The basic concept is that you tilt your chin down to break eye contact, like you're really getting into the song. Then, at a high point in the song, you quickly bring your head back up at an angle and make eye contact again. Your hair will do the rest. C'mon, let's try."

The song changed to Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream' and Alice turned her head from side to side. I felt silly, but danced in the mirror with her. She grabbed my hands, we twirled until the chorus, and Alice dropped my hands and said "Now!"

I felt rather giddy by this point, so I just let loose, and flipped my head up and to the side. I couldn't believe what I saw in the mirror. A beautiful cascade of chestnut hair flew across my face and over my shoulder. I actually looked sexy!

"Oh my gosh, Alice, you are such a genius!" I beamed at her and felt well prepared for the dance tonight.

"Thanks, Bella." She beamed back at me. "Hey, Carlisle and Esme wanted to take some pictures of us before we go, I hope that's okay?" she asked me. Immediately I felt contrite that I hadn't properly met any of her family yet, and we had holed ourselves up in her room and danced up a storm.

"Of course that's okay, Alice. I'd be really pleased to meet them." She led me out the door of her room to a beautiful staircase. I had noticed it on the way to her room, but now that I was all dressed up in heels, they were more than intimidating. I hesitated at the top of the landing, and held on tightly to the banister.

While I was debating the best method to safely navigate the stairs, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I turned my head to see Edward down the hallway staring at me. Our eyes locked, and I could have sworn his eyes went from amber to black, like the very first time I had met him. He approached, and as he got closer I saw that his eyes were back to their usual honey colour, but couldn't shake the feeling that what I saw was true. Impossible but true.

"May I offer you some assistance with the stairs?" He graciously held out his hand to me, and swept into a bow. He was dressed in a dark grey suit, with a matching shirt. Something about his mannerisms reminded me of an old movie. I happily accepted his offer. "You look lovely this evening."

"Thank you. I was getting nervous about how I was going to arrive to the dance in one piece." I chuckled. He laughed somewhat nervously at me, and helped me to descend the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, I was hit with several flashbulbs. Alice popped out from behind a camera and began the introductions.

"Bella, this is Carlisle and Esme," she gestured towards a couple that couldn't have been more than ten years older than me.

"It's a pleasure to have you in our home, Bella. Alice and Edward have told us a lot about you." Carlisle reached out his hand, and I shook it. Esme beamed at me and offered her hand as well.

"Thank you for allowing me to get ready here. You have a lovely home." I gestured around, and really took in my surroundings. It was immaculately decorated in natural palettes, and soft neutral tones. Carlisle chuckled.

"From what Edward tells us, Alice didn't leave you much choice." Esme and Edward joined in as well.

"Of course she had a choice," Alice huffed, "I didn't drag her here or anything." That of course started everyone laughing. "Bella, why don't we pose for a few more photos before we head out?" She pulled me towards the staircase where she, Edward and I posed for a few more photos before we left for the dance.

"Alice, do you think I could get some copies of those? Charlie would probably like to see them," I asked.

Edward offered me his arm as we reached their gravel driveway.

"Sure, Bella. I'll zip them and e-mail them to you?" she called over her shoulder as she punched a code into the garage. The door smoothly glided up and I was presented with a wide array of various cars, which I assumed were both very expensive and very fast.

"In honour of your first dance, we'll take the Vanquish tonight Bella." Edward pulled the passenger door to a very fancy looking car open. Alice hurried around to the driver side, and got in the back of the car.

"Alice, we're not having this argument again, you shouldn't sit in the back of your brother's car." I tried to hold firm, but as I noted before, I was a pushover.

"Bella, I'm already in the car, and buckled in. Sit down already." She rolled her eyes at me, and gestured to the seat. I carefully got in, very aware of how high up my skirt rose when I sat down. I fidgeted with it as Edward closed the door, and walked around to the drivers' side.

Just then my cell beeped, and I received a text from Jacob. I texted him that we were on our way, when I noticed that we weren't. Alice had her hand on Edward's shoulder and they were having one of their super quiet discussions. Edward had his eyes locked on me.

"Uh...sorry," I offered, "Jake was just wondering where we were at. I told him with the way you drive, and given that this was a sports car, we'd be there in thirty seconds," I joked. My joke seemed to ease the tension from the air, and Edward sighed.

"I forgot you didn't like to go fast." He pulled out of the garage, onto their winding driveway.

"I have a healthy respect for the law." I repeated our conversation from a week ago.

"Text him to meet you inside. That way you can make an entrance," Alice ordered.

"I hope by entrance, you don't mean me falling flat on my face," I sighed and glanced down nervously at my shoes.

Embry's POV

Sometimes the Universe really helped a brother out. I had wracked my brains all week trying to figure out how I was gonna pull off Sam's latest Alpha command. Sam somehow expected me to not only be glued to Jake's side at this dance, but also get Sam an invite to drive us down so he could be nearby should anything "go wrong." Sam was not a big fan of us being in a social setting with the leeches, and was worried their scent might set Jake off with the fever...or worse, fully wolf out.

Then BAM! Bella's leech buddy wanted to give her a makeover extraordinaire, and I had my in. We needed a ride to the dance, and Sam was "heading into town anyways." While Jake wasn't super thrilled with the idea, he just wanted to get to the dance, so we were a go. Turned out that vamps could be useful after all.

Now, I didn't like guys, but I gotta say, the three of us looked good. When we went in the gym, the ladies totally checked us out. Thankfully, Jessica was nowhere to be seen. Quil had said that she and Lauren were getting ready together.

What's up with girls getting ready in groups?

We hung out by the food table scarfing down chips waiting for Bella to arrive. Now I knew the boy hadn't phased yet, so imprinting wasn't possible, but if it were, I swear he had already imprinted with Bella. He turned to face the doors a full three seconds before she came in. Like he knew she was there. I gotta say that Bella looked like something out of a magazine. I barely recognized her. She walked into the gym, with the hallway lit behind her, just as a spotlight passed over where she was standing. She looked HAWT. I wasn't the only one who thought so either. My wolf senses immediately noticed an increase in pheromones, and my super night vision could see dudes were gawking at her.

Then there was Jacob. He had already stalked towards her, and he looked fierce. He didn't even say hi, and just pulled her into a hot n' heavy kiss. She didn't look like she minded, but this wasn't our Jake. The rest of us phased because we were pissed or angry. Jake was going to be the first to phase because he wanted to claim a mate.

Ah, Fuck my life.

I texted Sam: Its going down 2nite.

My phone rang immediately. Fortunately, super wolf hearing let me hear shit like that even when the room was loud. I explained what I just saw, and Sam agreed with me. He told me to watch Jacob closely, and that he'd be in the parking lot all night.

I smelled the sickly sweet scent of the leeches come in right after Bella, but ignored them for the most part. The male eyed Jake, but the tiny female pulled him away from Bella, off to the side.

"Dude, Bella needs to breathe. Come up for air." I tapped Jake on the shoulder, and I heard a low growl erupt from him, even if he didn't.

"Bella, you look lovely this evening," I took her hand and kissed it like I saw in some movie from history class, "I'm sure Jake has told you so already." I elbowed him hard, hoping he would come back to earth and remember some manners. It seemed to work. I saw the hunger leave his eyes, as he tried to shake it off.

"Bella, I'm so sorry. You just... I mean you looked...I uh..." Jake looked properly abashed, and totally back to his usual self. "I'm so sorry, Bella. You look amazing tonight."

Bella smiled, and reach up to rub some stuff off Jake's lips.

"Thank you, Jake. You have Alice to thank for that. She's a genius." She gestured towards the tiny vamp female. "Alice, Edward, this is my boyfriend Jake." She pointed at Jake, and they all shook hands. "And these are Quil and Embry." I nodded my head at them, as Quil waved from behind us, stuffing his face with Doritos. The male gave me a quick look, studied me briefly, then went back to the small discussion that had begun with Bella, Alice and Jake.

Yeah that's right leech, I know what you are.

Then to my total fucking shock, he turned to look at me and smirked. He looked at me, and quietly spoke, though I heard every word.

"Don't forget the treaty, wolf. You're on our land tonight," he whispered. The female glanced over to him, then over to me, and rolled her eyes.

What the FUCK?

What the hell was I supposed to do know? From what I knew, when Sam phased, he and the elders went and renewed the treaty. Partially to let them know the wolves were still present, and partially to remind them of the boundaries of the treaty. But Leechward was right, we were on their land. Then, because the Universe wasn't always on my side, Lauren and Jessica showed up, and Jessica practically mauled me when she saw me.

Our group shuffled further into the gym, and soon we were in one of those big circles, dancing. The rest of Bella's group joined us, and the circle got bigger. Fortunately the bigger the circle, the further away from the leeches I could be. My poor nose was going into overdrive.

Jessica and Lauren kept grinding on each other, as some type of show for Quil (and I guess me). Quil totally dug it, but I was too preoccupied keeping track of Jake to really enjoy any kind of dancing. Even when Jessica decided to wriggle her butt into me, my brain had been split all over the place. On the one hand, a cute girl was seriously into me. On the other hand, my buddy might morph into a giant dog and freaked out the love of his life, possibly hurting her in the process.

Priorities, Embry.

I casually snuck a glance over to Jake and Bella, who were so wrapped up in each other they weren't even dancing in time to the music. I mean, I'm no Baryshnikov but they were slow dancing to a fast dance track. And by slow dancing, I mean that they were staring at each other as Jake's hand moved further and further south down her back, and they barely moved to the music at all.

My eyes flicked across the circle to see that the leech was intently watching them. Scratch that. He was gawking. Then he shifted his weight, and I saw the boner he tried to adjust.

That's just fucked up.

He was a blood sucking leech, and he was getting off watching Jake and Bella.

Lauren grabbed Jessica again, and I guess decided a two girl show wasn't enough. So she also grabbed Bella and Angela, and pulled them into the middle of the circle to dance. Angela and Bella kinda stood awkwardly, not really knowing what to do. I saw Jake smirk at Bella. I smirked at her too. Down at the Rez, we all know what a total spaz Bella was because she was constantly tripping on nothing and falling down. Judging by her shoes, I imagine it took everything she had to not fall over since Jake' wasn't holding onto her anymore.

Lady leech sidled up to Bella and reached up and whispered in her ear. Then to my surprise, Bella was dancing. And she was good. I mean, she wasn't grinding up on anyone, but she looked hot. At first she was really timid about it, not really moving a lot, but she seemed to get more into it. The song morphed into some other shit pop number and Bella and lady leech laughed. Then she was really dancing; she was touching her body and swaying her hips type dancing. She held Jake's eye contact the whole time and his mouth hung open, welcoming flies. She smiled at him, then looked down at the floor. What she did next was almost Jake's undoing.

Her hip swivelled out hard just as her hand ran up her body, grazing her tit as she swung her head around. Her hair followed the path her head left, and I could smell her shampoo from here.

Strawberries, nice.

Jake came unglued. He reached for her, and pulled her roughly to him and claimed her mouth with his.

Yeah buddy, I'd be letting everyone know that was mine too.

At almost the same moment, I saw the leech move forward, as if he had wanted to reach out to her as well.

Well that's gross. A dead guy has the hots for Bella.

He watched them intently for a moment, and then a weird look shot across his face for a second. I couldn't place it; it was like a bizarre mix of disgust and desire. I mean who was ever grossed out by something they want? Dude was weird. He stood there for a moment longer before he looked like he had decided something, and went up to the deejay. I saw him say something to the deejay, who just scoffed at him. Then I saw something I'd only ever seen on TV. Leech boy palmed a bill to the deejay. It must have been a big one because the deejay looked impressed. Next thing I knew, the deejay was on the mic claiming that the next song must be danced with someone that was not your date.

That vamp is one smooth motherfucker.

By the time I realised what happened, Jake was by the punch table. I looked around for Bella, and saw that the leech had already asked Bella to dance like Old Quil, ballroom styles.

"Hey, dude, you having fun?" I tried to be super casual about it. Jake stared at Bella, apparently oblivious to me. Leech was singing the lyrics to Bella.

Maybe he's not as smooth as I thought. Crooning to girls is hella lame.

"Yo, Earth to Jacob." I waved my hand in front of his face.

"Sorry Em. What's up?" Jake blinked slowly, but didn't stop staring at Bella.

"Just asking if you're having fun, dude." I fiddled with my cell in my pocket.

"Isn't Bella beautiful?" Okay, so not the answer I expected to my question.

"Yeah, Jake. She looks great. That dress is smokin'." His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her. I looked up and saw that the leech had pulled Bella super close, and she looked kinda out of it. Her eyes were glazed over.

Shit, he must be doing some crazy vampire voodoo on her! How the hell do I get Bella away from him?

Then I heard Jacob growl. It wasn't like before when I interrupted his macking on Bella's face. It was a full on growl, and the vamp heard it too. He looked directly at me and Jake, and smirked.

The pupils in Jake's eyes went to vertical slits, and a yellow rim circled his irises.

Ahh, FUCK! Jake's eyes have phased. Don't panic...just need to get Jake outside to Sam, and break the leeches spell on Bella. No problem. Super Embry to the rescue.

I dialled Sam, and pushed Jake towards the door.

"Sam, it's started. I'm heading outside, but I'm going to need your help." I quickly clicked the phone shut.

Jake's skin was warm, not hot, but it was definitely going to happen tonight. He resisted my pushing a bit, and stumbled into the table, knocking the punchbowl all over Bella's friend Mike.

"Sorry, dude, he's not feeling well. I'm gonna try to get him home." I shrugged my shoulders at Mike, and his newly pink shirt, and went back to trying to get out of the gym. I quickly looked around for Quil, who was making out with Lauren in the corner of the gym.

"Jake, buddy, you feel warm. You feeling alright?" Having gone through this a few weeks ago, I knew for a fact he felt like shit.

"Wha? I'm fine. Well, I do feel kinda hot." His eyes never left Bella. I kept pushing him towards the door.

"I think we should get you outside for a bit, get you some fresh air."

"But, Bella..." Jake got out of my grip and started towards Bella.

Okay, two birds with one stone then; we rescue Bella, and then get Jake outside.

I caught up and passed him, reaching Bella first.

"Hey, Bells. Sorry to interrupt," I in fact was not sorry to interrupt at all, "Jake seems to have caught a fever or something, and I think I should take him home."

That seemed to break the trance she was in. Bella shook her head before looking over to us, and reached up to touch Jake's face.

"Holy crow, Jake! You're burning up!" Her complete attention was on us, and the leech looked irritated.

"Sorry, Bells. I don't know what hit me." Amazing. Boy was about to phase into a giant wolf. I know he felt like shit, and he was apologizing to Bella. He had it BAD.

"Don't be silly, Jake. C'mon, let's go." She grabbed his hand, and was leading us out of the gym. I had to think fast, because she really could not have been around for Jake phasing. In fact, neither could Quil.

"Actually, Bella, I already called our ride. He's out front waiting for us. Do you mind telling Quil that I took Jake home? He's stranded now, so can you maybe work something out to get him back to the Rez? Sorry to put this on you, but I really think I should get him home." I motioned to Jake with my head.

He leaned heavily into me, and I was supporting almost all his weight. She chewed her bottom lip. I could tell she was torn between wanting to stay with Jake, and wanting to help us out.

"Yeah, of course, Embry. I'll figure something out. Please call me when you get there to let me know how he is? I'll go find Quil." She quickly turned, and scanned the crowd while I hauled Jake outside. Sam was just outside the gym doors waiting for me.

"What set him off?" Sam asked seriously.

"He wants to bang Bella." Sam gave me a speculative look. "No, seriously dude. He went all caveman when he first saw her. And then when she danced with the leech, his eyes phased." We got to Sam's truck, and loaded Jake into the bed. I saw Jared in wolf form in the tree line. He was going to run back with us. I hopped into the bed with Jacob, and kicked off my shoes in case I need to phase. "Also, the leech has the hots for Bella," I added hastily.

"One problem at a time, Embry." Sam sighed and sped off towards the Rez.

Chapter End Notes:

Whew! So looks like something's up with Jake! I wonder what it could be? (grins evily)

Newton getting punch on him was all for Mandi, who thought it would be funny (I agree, oh Mike.)

What did you think of Embry's POV? I felt he was necessary here so we could tell what was happening to Jake.