(Mike)
Bella and I pulled into the school parking lot, which was already packed with nervous teenagers pretending they weren't nervous. I put the car in park, jumped out, and jogged around to the passenger side.
I swung the door open with an exaggerated bow and offered my hand.
"M'lady."
Bella snorted. "You're ridiculous."
"Thank you, I try."
She took my hand and stepped out carefully so she didn't trip on the dress Alice had spent hours defending like it was a national treasure. Once she was steady, I closed the door and we linked arms like two kids pretending to be fancy adults.
The gym was decked out exactly how I expected: streamers, bad lighting, too much glitter, and a DJ who already looked exhausted with his life choices. Definitely Prom.
First stop was the little photo corner they'd set up, where Angela and Ben were working the camera like the cutest awkward photographer duo in existence.
Bella stood stiffly in front of the backdrop, shoulders tight, smile forced, like someone who'd been told she owed taxes.
I leaned in and whispered, "Relax. It's just a picture, not a mugshot."
But she still didn't loosen up.
So I made a ridiculous face. Crossed eyes. Puffed cheeks. Tongue out. The full Mike Newton package until Bella finally broke.
Right as she burst into laughter, Ben snapped the picture, the flash going off with perfect comedic timing.
"Got it!" he said proudly.
Angela looked relieved. "That's probably the most natural smile we'll get out of you tonight, Bella."
Bella groaned while I grinned widely.
We moved on to find the rest of the crew, who were, of course, already at the snacks table. Tyler and Lauren stood on one side, Eric and Jessica on the other, all of them already inhaling punch and cookies like they hadn't eaten since lunch.
"Yo, guys," I said, giving the boys a high-five. "You clean up good."
"Thanks, bro. You too," Tyler said… then squinted at my suit. "But seriously, how did you even find a suit in your size?"
"Custom order," I said, instantly regretting bringing it up as my wallet whimpered in the back of my mind.
Eric hissed sympathetically. "Ouch. That must've cost a fortune."
"Yeah," I muttered. "Let's not remind my bank account."
Then I glanced toward the girls and caught Jessica giving me that hopeful please compliment me look. So I did.
"You look good in that dress, Jess."
It wasn't flirty, just friendly, but it was like I'd handed her the crown of prom queen. She lit up instantly, twirling a strand of hair around her fingers.
"You think so?" she asked, all pleased and sparkly.
"Yes. Definitely," I said, because she really did look good and because someone needed to tell her.
Then I turned to Lauren… who was glowing. Literally. Her dress was a blinding, hyper-sparkly silver that reflected every light in the room. I had to squint.
"Wow. Lauren. Are you trying to blind somebody tonight?"
She smirked proudly. "That's exactly the idea."
Of course it was.
…
The gym filled fast.
Within half an hour, it was packed wall-to-wall with teenagers pretending they knew how to dance, glitter flying everywhere, and the DJ blasting the kind of music that made you question who exactly hired him.
Tyler was the first to react. The second a slow song came on, he perked up, grabbed Lauren by the hand, and dragged her onto the dance floor like he'd been waiting for that moment his whole life.
Eric followed, turning to Jessica with big, pathetic puppy-dog eyes.
She groaned, pretended she was above it all… then took his hand anyway.
And just like that, they were gone too.
I turned to Bella.
She was doing that thing where she tried to melt into the wall and pretend she was just part of the decorations.
"Come on, Bella," I said, offering my hand. "Just one dance. This is literally what prom is all about."
She bit her lip, classic Bella, and stared at my hand like it was a live grenade.
After a long pause, she sighed. "Fine. One dance. Only one."
"Deal."
I brought her to the floor and placed my hands lightly at her waist. She had to stretch her arms way up to reach my shoulders, like a little kid trying to get something off a high shelf. It was honestly adorable.
"Just follow my lead," I said. "And relax. No one's watching."
That was a lie. Everyone watches everyone at prom. But she didn't need to know that.
We started swaying to the music, and she slowly loosened up. I glanced around and spotted Emmett and Rosalie dancing like they were on Dancing With the Stars. Perfect posture, perfect synchronization, perfect everything.
Emmett caught me staring and gave me a nod, the cool older-brother approval nod. I nodded back.
Then I noticed Jasper and Alice. Alice waved at us like she'd won the lottery, glowing in a way only Alice could. Bella waved back, except her wave threw off her balance and she almost toppled over.
Good thing I was holding her.
"Careful there," I said, laughing.
Bella blushed hard enough to match the red punch bowl.
We kept swaying, the music picking up just a little. And when the song reached a high, I got an idea, a stupid, spur-of-the-moment, probably reckless idea, but hey, that's what prom is for.
Without warning, I lifted Bella clean off the floor and twirled her into the air.
She barely stopped herself from shrieking. "M-Mike!"
But then she started laughing loudly, and all the tension she'd carried melted away.
I set her gently back down. "Maybe give me a warning before doing that," she said breathlessly… still smiling like she didn't regret it at all.
The song faded out. We stepped off the dance floor and made our way back to the punch table. Bella took a big sip like she needed to calm her nerves.
"That wasn't so bad, right?" I asked.
She rolled her eyes in the least convincing way possible. "It was fine."
"I've got a surprise for you," I said.
Bella blinked. "A surprise? Here?"
"Yep."
Her confusion deepened, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Come on," I said, grabbing her hand before she could talk herself out of moving. "I want to show you something."
She stumbled after me, confused. "Mike, where are we going? The punch table is back that way."
"Patience," I said. "Trust the process."
"The process?" she echoed. "Mike, if you're dragging me somewhere to do something weird…"
"Oh, absolutely," I said. "Extremely weird. The weirdest."
She opened her mouth to argue, but then realization hit as I led her toward one of the side hallways, quiet, empty, tucked away from the noise.
"Mike," she said, slowing down, "are you planning…?"
"Yes," I said seriously, stopping in front of a shadowed corner. "I'm planning something very weird."
Bella stared at me, unimpressed. "Please don't say murder."
"Nope. Much worse." I lifted my chin. "He's right behind you."
She turned, and Edward stepped out from behind the wall like he'd been waiting for a dramatic entrance cue. Which, knowing him, he probably had. He wore a classic black suit that somehow made him look like he stepped off a magazine cover.
Bella froze. "Edward? What are you, how…?"
I stepped between them like a proud dad at a school play. "Bella Swan, allow me to present your groom… Edweird Cullen."
Edward's eyebrow twitched so hard I almost applauded, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he gently took Bella's hands.
"You look beautiful," he said quietly, the kind of tone that made it sound like he meant every word. "I couldn't miss seeing you like this tonight."
Bella stared at him wide-eyed, cheeks pinking. Her brain was probably short-circuiting, because that's usually what Edward Cullen does to her.
And they were seconds away from slipping into their trademark "lost in each other's eyes" routine, so I coughed loudly.
Both their heads snapped toward me.
"So," I said brightly, rubbing my hands together, "are you guys ready to say your vows?"
Bella's expression became pure horror. Edward looked at me like he wasn't sure if I was kidding.
But I wasn't done.
"Because," I continued, "I did a crash course online the other day and just got my official minister license, totally legit, so I can marry you right now. Like, officially." I pointed at the empty hallway. "We've got privacy, ambiance, a witness, me, and a very elegant trash can that can double as an altar."
Bella choked on her own breath.
Edward let out a low, amused laugh as he shook his head. "Mike…"
I couldn't hold back anymore. I burst out laughing, nearly doubling over. Bella slapped my arm with her free hand.
"Not funny!" she squeaked. "Oh my God, Mike."
Edward turned to her with a teasing smile. "What's with that look, Bella? Is marrying me that mortifying?"
Bella's face went bright crimson. "N-no! That's not, I just… you… Both of you, caught me off guard!"
Edward chuckled again, soft but warm.
I exhaled dramatically and pointed back toward the gym. "Alright, lovebirds, I'll leave you to your intensely smoldering eye contact or whatever you're about to do. I have something incredibly important to handle."
Bella blinked. "Important?"
"There's a lady I need to invite to dance," I said smoothly.
Edward gave me a grateful nod. "Thanks, Mike."
Bella squeezed my hand briefly. "Yeah… thank you."
"Have fun," I said, backing away with a grin. "And don't get married without me. I want front-row seats. I already have a very embarrassing speech prepared."
Bella groaned.
Edward laughed.
And I headed toward my car, heart already pounding with anticipation for the next part of my night.
…
I got to the Clearwater house in record time, practically jumping out of my car before the engine even finished rumbling. I knocked, trying, and failing, to look casual, and waited with way too much anticipation for the door to open.
Sue answered with her usual warm smile, she was wearing a burgundy dress that accentuated her mature curves. "Mike, you're finally here. Come in, come in."
"Hi, Sue. Thanks for the help, you look beautiful by the way" I said, stepping inside.
She waved her hand. "Oh, it's nothing, you really think so?"
"Yeah, that dress suits you perfectly." I said smoothly.
She beamed at the compliment.
But then I stepped into the living room… and proceeded to stop breathing.
Leah was standing there, tugging at the hem of a tight black dress that hugged her like a second skin. I'd never seen her wear anything like that. She looked, honestly, like a goddess who had accidentally wandered into someone's living room.
My jaw practically hit the floor.
Leah noticed and her eyes brightened. "Mike? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you still be at Prom?"
I still didn't answer. My brain was too busy short-circuiting. When the silence stretched, Leah's expression shifted to teasing. She walked toward me slowly, hips swaying just enough to make me forget how to blink.
She reached up, closed my hanging mouth with a gentle tap, and asked, "Like what you see?"
All I could do was nod repeatedly in a dumb way.
It took a moment, but I finally found my voice. "You look… stunning," I said. And it came out with so much sincerity that even I heard it.
Right then, Seth came down the stairs in a suit, saw us kissing, and immediately gagged loudly. "Ugh, gross!"
Harry walked out of his room at that moment, adjusting his sleeves. "Hello, son," he said warmly. "Nice to see you."
"Good to see you too," I said, then gave Seth a fist bump as he continued pretending to be traumatized.
Sue, who'd clearly been watching all of this like it was her favorite drama, clapped her hands together. "Alright, you two, you should get going already. Have a good time!"
Leah blinked at her. "Wait, what? What about your friend's wedding?"
"There is no wedding," Sue said, completely unfazed. "This was all part of mine and Mike's plan to get you into a dress."
Both Seth and Harry froze, staring at her with identical betrayed expressions.
"What?!" they said together.
"And why did you make us wear these suits?" Harry added, gesturing at himself.
"Yeah, Mom! You know I hate ties!" Seth complained, tugging at his collar.
Sue turned to Harry and said, "You, mister, are taking me out to dinner."
"I am?" Harry asked, confused.
"Yes. And if you behave, you might just get lucky."
"I will?" Harry asked, suddenly grinning like a man who just won the lottery.
Leah and Seth both shouted, "MOM!"
Seth added, "That's disgusting!"
I just laughed.
"And what about me?" Seth asked.
"You," Sue said, patting his cheek, "can take off the tie and have a date with your game console. There are snacks and soda in the kitchen."
Seth whooped like someone just freed him from prison. "Sold! You had me at 'take the tie off'!"
…
I led Leah into the woods, her hand in mine, the trees swallowing us up in the cool, earthy darkness. She kept glancing around between steps, her heels sinking into the ground every few feet.
"Mike," she said, narrowing her eyes at me, "where exactly are you taking me?"
"It's a surprise," I answered, trying to sound mysterious.
She took another wobbly step and grumbled under her breath. I watched her try to navigate the uneven ground in those heels and immediately stepped in. Without warning, I scooped her up into a princess carry.
Leah let out a startled laugh, arms flying around my neck. "Mike!"
"Come on, princess," I said with a grin. "Let me take you the rest of the way."
She rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face made it pretty clear she wasn't complaining.
After about ten minutes, the trees opened up and we reached the clearing I'd decorated that morning. I set her gently on her feet, and she blinked around in confusion at first, just the moonlight and the faint outlines of trees.
"Hold on," I said, moving toward the switch I'd hidden behind a stump.
With a soft click, dozens of tiny lights flickered to life, draped through the branches and scattered across the clearing. They shimmered softly, like we were standing in the middle of a swarm of fireflies.
Leah gasped. "Oh… Mike, it's beautiful."
The look on her face made all the work worth it.
I took her hand again and led her toward the center, where a small table and two chairs were waiting. I pulled one out and gestured with a little half bow. "Your seat, m'lady."
She smiled and said, "Thank you," sitting as gracefully as anyone could in a dress like that.
I grabbed the cooler I'd hidden nearby and started pulling out what I'd packed earlier, chicken salad, sandwiches, nothing fancy since there was no way to bring hot food out here without giving away the surprise.
Then I set down a bottle of Coke.
Leah immediately frowned. "Where's my Pepsi?"
"You're lucky I remembered the forks," I shot back.
She still took the glass and sipped from it anyway.
As we ate, Leah looked at me curiously. "What about Bella? Did you just leave her alone at Prom?"
"Nah," I said. "I handed her off to Edward after our first dance. It didn't last long, but we had a good time."
Leah raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Instead, she kept eating with a small smile, like she was satisfied with the answer.
Once we finished the food, I opened the last container, chocolate-covered strawberries I'd made that afternoon.
Leah's eyes softened immediately. "Really?"
"Really," I said, offering her one.
We ended up feeding each other across the little table, laughing between bites, chocolate smudging the corners of our mouths as the glowing lights wrapped the clearing in a warm, dreamlike glow.
After we finished dessert and sat for a few minutes letting everything settle, I reached under the table and pulled out the small portable radio I'd hidden there earlier. When Leah noticed what I was holding, her brows rose suspiciously.
I stood and held out my hand.
"Leah Clearwater," I said in my best dramatic voice, "would you do me the honor of sharing a dance with me?"
She stared at my hand for a long moment, lips pursed like she was about to shoot me down just for the fun of it. Then her eyes flicked up to my face, saw how hopeful I probably looked, and she sighed like she was making the biggest sacrifice known to mankind.
"…Fine," she said, placing her hand in mine. "But first…" she lifted a finger, "the shoes. There is no universe where I can dance on this bumpy ground in heels."
She slipped them off and stood barefoot on the cool grass, giving me a mock glare.
"And you better not step on my toes."
"I wouldn't dare," I promised.
I switched on the radio and hit play.
The soft opening notes of You're Beautiful by James Blunt floated through the clearing.
Leah stared at me with the most deadpan expression imaginable. "Seriously?"
"What? It's a classic."
"It's a breakup song."
"…Details," I shrugged, pulling her gently closer.
Despite her teasing, she settled her hands on my shoulders, her touch warm against the cool night air. I rested mine on her waist, and we began to sway slowly under the string lights. I couldn't help but notice how she fit much better in my arms than Bella ever could.
When the chorus hit "You're beautifuuul…" I couldn't help it. I lifted her easily off the ground and twirled her once.
Leah let out a half-laugh, half-yelp. "Mike!"
But when her feet touched the ground again, she was smiling wide.
We didn't bother saying anything else. She tilted her head up, I leaned down, and we kissed, slow, warm, and utterly perfect. Then with her forehead resting lightly against my chest, we kept swaying to the music, the world narrowing down to nothing but us, the lights, and the soft echo of James Blunt singing into the night.
…
As we finished dancing, Leah's laugh quieted, and when she looked at me again, something in her eyes changed. Softer. Brighter. Vulnerable in a way she rarely let anyone see.
"I love you," she said quietly, like she was handing me something delicate.
My chest tightened. "I love you more," I said, because it was the only thing that felt true.
That set off our little war.
"I'd die for you," she shot back, arms crossed like she'd already won.
I snorted. "Yeah, okay. Like I'd ever let that happen. Try this on for size, I'd kill for you."
She didn't even blink. "So would I. We could do it together. Make it romantic. I say we kill Paul and make a date out of it."
I burst out laughing so hard I scared a couple birds out of the trees. "Leah…"
"What?" she said innocently. "I was being serious."
She wasn't, and we both knew it, but the way she cracked made both of us dissolve into laughter again. The kind of laughter that made my stomach hurt and my heart feel stupidly full.
But then it faded into something quieter, heavier. She looked at me. Really looked. Her gaze flicked to my mouth, and I felt my breath catch.
I parted my lips to say something, anything, but Leah moved first.
One second she was just sitting there.
The next she launched herself at me.
I hit the grass with a grunt, Leah landing on top of me, warm and laughing, her palms cupping my cheeks as she kissed me, hard, urgent, full of everything she'd been holding back.
"Leah" I tried to speak, but she kissed me again, fiercer.
"I'll prove it," she murmured against my lips. "That I love you more."
Her forehead rested against mine, and her hands were trembling just a little as she pulled her dress up. Not from hesitation, no. From how much this meant to her. To us.
The bra followed, and she bit her lips as she pulled her panties off at last.
I looked at her frozen in disbelief, looking at this nude goddess in front of me. But seeing her looking so nervous, her eyes darting around and waiting for a word from me, my brain finally rebooted and I moved.
I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and whispered, "Hey. Look at me."
She did.
Moonlight poured across her skin, catching the small lights I'd hung earlier like they were tiny stars tangled in her hair. She'd never looked more beautiful, and I don't think she ever will. Not in any fancy dress, not at any event. Just… like this. Honest. Unprotected. Mine.
"Are you going to join me or not?" She asked nervously, gesturing at my clothes that were still on.
"Are you sure you want this?" I looked into her eyes.
"I'm sure," she said softly, answering the question. "I want this. I want you."
I couldn't breathe for a second.
I kissed her again, slower this time, deep and careful and full of everything I felt. She shivered and pulled me closer, and suddenly the world shrank to just the two of us and the quiet between our breaths.
She helped take my clothes off and then we took our time. No rush, no pressure, just two people choosing each other. Her fingers brushed my jaw. Mine slid to her waist. Every movement felt like a question asked and a yes whispered right back.
Eventually I shifted, rolling us so I was above her, giving her every chance to stop me.
She didn't.
She smiled up at me, eyes warm and steady, and tugged me down with a gentle pull.
And there, under the moonlight, with the trees around us standing like silent witnesses and my little lights glowing like fireflies.
We crossed a line together.
Not rushed. Not careless. Not because prom was happening miles away.
But because we loved each other. Because the moment was right. Because she wanted me, and I wanted her, and nothing else in the world mattered.
Because we were us.
…
(Extra long chapter to make the wait worth it. It took me the whole morning to write and I just finished editing it. I apologize if you were expecting a lemon but I've already tried writing them before and found it isn't for me, so we'll have to respect Leah and Mike's privacy. Support with power stones or comments. Share your thoughts, etc. 🐢🎶)