Midnight Sun (Twilight #1.5)(216)

Her expression changed to fear instantly and she gulped.

"Bella, I won't let anything hurt you," I paused, "-- not even yourself. I won't let go of you once, I promise."

The fear washed away as quickly as it had placed itself on her glorious face. I was relieved at once.

"There, now," I said gently, "it won't be so bad."

Without effort I reached out pulled her to my chest, wrapping my arm around her waist and holding her hand in the other. Her warmth wrapped around my body as we walked towards the school. I held her firmly in my grasp, letting her place all her weight on me if necessary. Our progress was slow, but tonight there were no expectations and we were in no hurry.

Fork's High School prom was in their gym and as we entered Bella fully took in the decorations of balloon arches, pastel crepe paper and twisted garlands that were covering every inch of the walls. Her whimsical giggle shocked me. After all her anger, fear and constant pouting and shouting she was...smiling.

"This looks like a horror movie waiting to happen," she snickered.

Relief washed over me and I joined in with her humor.

"Well," I whispered as we approached the ticket table, "there are more than enough vampires present."

She looked over the ladies shoulder at the ticket area. On the dance floor, Emmett and Rosalie, and Jasper and Alice were floating fluidly around the enclosed circle of admirers as they danced gracefully around in their evening gowns.

That family makes me sick, look at how perfect they move.

My date probably thinks I'm ugly compared to these women.

Man I'd like to...

I shoved everyone's thoughts from my mind so I could focus on Bella. Looking down at her, she looked up at me with a look of conspiracy in her thoughts.

"Do you want me to bolt the doors so you can massacre the unsuspecting townsfolk?" She whispered.

My brow raised. "And where do you fit into that scheme?"

"Oh, I'm with the vampires, of course," she collaborated.

Though I was happy she was in better spirits, I was afraid that this conversation would turn into a 'let's turn Bella into a vampire' argument. Trying to read her face, I smiled reluctantly. "Anything to get out of dancing," I assumed.

"Anything." She smiled.

After purchasing the tickets I began pulling her to the dance floor. She literally dragged her feet. Pursing my lips, I stared down at her.

"I've got all night," I informed her, not in the least bit worried that she wouldn't fold.

Finally, her stubbornness subsided and we moved onto the dance floor next to my family. This was my first time going to the prom, though my siblings went every chance they got. Alice loved to dress up and so did Rosalie, mainly because of the stares and compliments she received.

Bella stiffened at my side and I looked down at her.

"Edward." She croaked. "I honestly can't dance!" Panic was obvious in her tone.

I sighed in exasperation. "Don't worry, silly," I whispered in her ear. "I can."

Gently, I pulled her close to my chest, her feet leaving the ground before I placed them over mine, and wrapped her arms around my neck. Without effort we twirled around the dance floor with my family and even though I tried to dispel all thoughts, the boys in the audience were also crooning over Bella. I felt smug with pride.

"I feel like I'm five years old," she giggled after several minutes of us waltzing.

Her hair was blowing around lightly with the slight breeze we were making with our dancing and her cheeks were flushed the perfect pink. "You don't look five," I breathed in her ear, hugging her closer to my body.

I'm a genius! I mean, just look at that dress on her. Alice thought as she watched us twirl around. Bella caught her eye and smiled back at Alice's grin. I think she might actually be enjoying herself...

Before Alice finished her thought another thought burst into my head. He was arguing with himself. As I twirled around to see who it was, I realized it was Jacob Black.

I can't believe I'm about to do this. Seriously - he's here with her, what does my dad expect me to do? Go up to her and tell her to leave him right here on the dance floor... but my car, I really want my car up and running. Stupid master cylinder.

"Okay, this isn't half bad," Bella admitted to me, but I was too busy glaring towards the doors where Jacob was leaning.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. Jacob chanted over and over in his head. Why did she have to be here? Argh! He hesitated on the dance floor. Master cylinder, he reminded himself. ...just remember driving around in your car, his lips twitched up. ...maybe Bella in the passenger seat. The mental image was enough to make him move closer to our dancing forms.

Bella and I continued to spin without effort on the dance floor, but my eyes never left Jacob for more than a fraction of a second. My possessive side started to creep up as I watched him walked towards us.

Bella noticed my distraction. "What is it?" she looked at me curiously.

I didn't answer. She looked over her shoulder and then continued to try and focus her eyes through our continuous gyrate. Jacob continued to move towards us. His face displayed his thoughts of distress and discomfort.

Come on, Jacob. Pull yourself together! He frantically tried to calm himself. He's not actually a vampire.