𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍:
On the dancefloor
(1971)

"WHY RED?"

Alice asks as she continues to sew the silk fabric material that Corazon is currently wearing on her waist, Alice wants to bring her designer vision to life, and she had thought of an innovative design of a corset top, but unlike the original corset design in the past centuries, what Alice made isn't a rib torturer. Corazon could only describe Alice's room as an organized mess of some sort, multiple fabric rolls on the ground and on her bed, her drawing table filled with art materials, sketches, and numerous fabric rolls scattered around. Three mannequins at every corner with unfinished projects, different styles of hats, and brands of shoes out of their boxes, and her jewelry boxes are opened.

Surprisingly, it looks organized in an unexplainable way, but that's just Alice's way of doing things.

"Red looks good on my complexion," Corazon answers as she looks at herself in the mirror; it really does; red does look good on her, there's no doubt about that. "I think it brings a bit of color to my skin," Corazon always has light tan skin with cool undertones. Even when she was human, given her European ancestry, she didn't have the beautiful warm brown complexion. She always noticed how rich Jasper's golden tan skin was, how divine he looked, and how much of a he looked in one of those movies set in the American West wearing cowboy hats and boots.

Jasper doesn't like watching those Western movies. He said it was a bit stereotypical, but Corazon liked it. She kept listening to Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash and made Jasper sing the song with her and requested to accentuate his Southern accent further, and it was an electrifying sweep on her skin as the deep timbres of his voice cradled her undead heart.

"It does," Alice didn't deny that red is Corazon's color. It always has been. "Is it why they called you the Red Lady of the North?" Alice looks at her with a needle and thread in her hands. Corazon slightly tilts her head and purses her lips to the side with a thoughtful look as she hums.

"One of the reasons, yes." Corazon places her hand on her cheek, pointing her finger and tapping her cheek, "But because the house I...stayed in was painted red." She chose her words carefully to not dim a good day. "I needed a reminder of why I was doing the things I did back then, something that would haunt them, a color that would be imprinted in their mind, and once they see it, they'll think of me." Corazon's voice was confident, but Alice could hear the slight tremble in her voice.

Alice nods, giving her a meaningful look. She can only think of how difficult it has been for Corazon to sacrifice everything and get nothing in return. Alice knows that Corazon has stopped keeping up with the Philippine news; it makes her homesick with longing. Alice always knows how sad her best friend has been when Corazon told her mother to stop writing to her because it is getting difficult to send in letters without her family discovering that she is indeed alive all this time.

"And they still think of you. You changed the course of history for the better, something you should be proud of." Alice adds with a cheery tone as she takes a shoe box underneath her bed and places it beside Corazon, removing the wine-red double crystal buckle Mary Jane pumps from the box.

"Oh, Alice! They look gorgeous and chic!" Corazon exclaims as she leans down and takes the pair of shoes to her hands. Smiling so wide that her teeth showed, Corazon was never the one to purchase unnecessary apparel items. She guesses that she never really left that habit behind; whenever she buys clothes, shoes, or bags, she only purchases them when needed for practical reasons; she owns two pairs of shoes, one pair of flats and pumps, and three bags with different sizes and styles of the occasion. She relies on Rosalie, Esme, and especially Alice if she needs something out of her wardrobe.

But when it comes to jewelry, that's where Corazon invests her money because jewelry's worth can increase over time. Jewelry is always a timeless piece.

"I knew you'd like them!" Grinning, Alice turned around and skipped towards her jewelry box, taking a matching set of diamond jewelry and placing it on Corazon.

"What's the occasion? Are you going to sell this design of yours?" Corazon curiously asks as she touches the diamond necklace around her neck.

Alice shrugs, "Nothing. I just wanted to see if you'll like it enough to keep it."

"And you haven't seen it in your visions?" Corazon clarifies.

Alice then tips her head up, crossing her arms in a scolding manner, "I told you,"

Then, they both said in unison, "Reality is better than visions."

Alice chuckles, "Besides, I have so many visions that it's difficult to narrow it down to what will happen."

Corazon looks at her with a concerned gaze, "Does it get scary seeing the future?" Placing the shoes back on the floor.

"Sometimes," Alice answers with pure honesty in her tone and a light shrug of her shoulders. "But it's assuring in a way, knowing what's going to happen, and that if needed, I can interfere if it's not the future I want."

Corazon points out, "But you don't like interfering with your vision. You want it to naturally take its course."

"Yes, because that's what it's supposed to be. My gift is unusual. No one is supposed to see the future in the first place." Alice tells her that Corazon has always assured Alice that her gift is unique, something that should be wielded carefully, and that Corazon is glad that Alice is the one who possesses it in the first place because she knows Alice wouldn't take advantage of it.

"Well, I think it's given to you in the first place for a reason." Corazon says, and Alice prods,

"What do you think it is?"

"Because you can handle your gift. Seeing the future is difficult, but you're handling it gracefully with certainty." Corazon states, and it's true when Alice has her visions, she always handles them calmly and unpanicked. Alice always knows what to do and what to say when it comes to her gift because she knows it best. She had taken care of them multiple times, especially when it was time to move or to avoid unwanted accidents, and one of the main reasons why Corazon's life is so content is because of Alice, Alice is the reason that brought the three of them together, and Corazon wouldn't have it either way.

"I don't know about that," Alice doubts; she's always been insecure about her ability to see into the future, afraid that she might lead her family on the wrong path and make the wrong choice that leads to a difficult decision and dire consequences. They relied on her; it felt like a huge responsibility, their safety and assurance to live peacefully amongst the humans.

As if Corazon read her mind, she places an arm around Alice's shoulder, squeezing it lightly with firm assurance. "Give yourself a lot of credit; we'd be lost without you."

"I think you'll be just fine. You've always been so independent." Alice leans on her shoulder.

"But there's something that will always feel missing." Corazon adds, "I wouldn't have met Jasper without you."

Alice shakes her head in dismissal as she wraps an arm around Corazon's waist, "You would've, like twin flames, I just sped up the process."

Confused, Corazon asks, "Twin flames?" Alice nods enthusiastically, "Two souls that were always meant to find each other, but I think there's something more."

"And what is that?"

"That you two are soul mates."

With that, Corazon's breath hitched as she blinked rapidly; she recovered with a quick shrug of her shoulders, "Jasper's been only courting me for four months; I think that's a little quick to conclude."

Alice hums as she smiles knowingly, "Jasper looks at you, the way Carlisle looks at Esme, the way Emmett looks at Rose. How I saw my mate look at me." Corazon beams, looking at Alice with excitement.

"So, when's the time you're going to meet her?"

"Not yet. She's not ready, and I'm willing to wait." Alice removes her arm around Corazon's waist, removing the clip-on of the corset on her back, and continues to sew the ribbons for the corset.

"I hope she doesn't make you wait for long,"

"I could say the same for you." Alice chirps, and Corazon looks over her shoulder with a questioning look, "Give your relationship with Jasper an honest chance, and I can assure you that everything will be worth it."

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

EMMETT LOVES ROLLER SKATING. Corazon loves to dance, and that's the only thing they agree on. They like to groove to the music as it takes over their body, following the motions of the sound blazing on the rink.

"See you on the rink, losers," Emmett struts with his roller skates as he heads towards the rink, holding his skates through the ties thrown over his shoulder, hips swaying. Corazon only followed his figure with a raised eyebrow. What a drama queen.

They brought their own roller skates as well. Alice rented the roller skating rink for the night, so the only people—vampires in the place are them, except for the manager, who is creepily observing them from afar. Carlisle and Esme joined them as usual, but they sat by the lounging area, enjoying each other's company. They were more than happy to accompany them. Edward didn't want to skate, so he stayed in his usual broody state with their adoptive parents.

"Let him have this night." Rosalie shakes her head, rolling her eyes, but there's an unmistakable glint of amusement as her lips twitch into a grin. Emmett often asks them to do physical activities to satisfy his energetic body, such as hiking, hunting, skating, sparring, rowing, and even yoga. He's such a nature person as well, no wonder he got killed by a bear.

"Yes, 'cause this is the only night he doesn't lose." Corazon tells her, and she hears a scoff and a yell of disagreement from Emmett, who has both of his hands perched on his hips, already on the skating rink, "I never lose!" Alice then drags Rosalie towards the rink.

"Tell that to Jasper." Corazon tips her head towards him, and Jasper only lets out a chuckle as he tugs her hand towards the bench, "Sit," Jasper tells her, and she does without hesitation. Jasper kneels in front of her as he removes her heels, placing them on the side, and puts on the burgundy roller skates, tying the laces skillfully.

"You don't have to do this, you know?" Corazon asked with a smile, tilting her head, but there was no tone of protest, only amusement.

"I know," Jasper replies as he taps the sole of her roller skates, looking up at her with a small smile. His gaze is soft, and she could feel it, the adoration he felt for her, and it felt like a warm blanket over the winter nights. "But I want to," He retakes her hand and helps her to stand up.

"Why don't you ever join me to skate?" Corazon asks, and Jasper sighs, giving her a look, knowing that she already knows the answer, but he repeats it again, "I don't know how to skate,"

"I told you I'll teach you," Corazon pouts, looking at him with doe-like eyes, "It'll be fun!" She exclaims enthusiastically and eagerly, then looks at him through her lashes, "Please," Tugging his hand and wrapping it around her waist.

"You make it extremely difficult for me to resist you," Jasper groans as he throws his head back, then looks at Corazon again, moving her shoulders slightly, still a pout on her red-tainted lips. Corazon, on her tiptoes, leans towards him, placing a hand against his chest as he whispers in his ear, "Then don't," Jasper tried not to shudder as her lips ghosted on the shell of his ear; she then placed a peck on his cheek.

"Fine," Jasper relented, "Wait for me,"

Corazon says in a sing-song voice, "You know I will," Corazon looks towards the rink, seeing Alice looking at her with glee and a thumbs up, and she sends a wink in her direction. Mission accomplished. They've been trying to convince Jasper to skate for as long as they can remember, but it looks like Corazon has him wrapped around her dainty fingers.

Jasper walked back towards her with a pair of rented roller skates; he never joined them to skate, so he didn't have his own pair. Corazon noted in her brain that she'd buy him a pair of his own since this would be a regular occurrence. Jasper sat on the bench as he fitted his shoes and tied them securely, Corazon offered her hand, and Jasper took it. The carpet makes it easier for them to walk because of the rough and textured surface.

The disco ball suspended from the ceiling casts a dazzling display of reflective lights across the room, creating a mesmerizing kaleidoscope that dances on the walls and floor. The walls are adorned with psychedelic patterns and colorful murals.

Corazon took it upon herself to step inside the rink while Jasper tentatively looked at the shiny wooden floor. "Come on," Corazon urged with an assuring smile, and he did; she guided him, holding both hands; Jasper was still as a statue.

"Okay, so first, to control your balance," Corazon begins, "Step with your feet shoulder-width apart, crouch, and bend your knees. To create a comfortable squatting stance, lower your backside toward the ground and lean slightly forward." Jasper did what he was told, "Step slowly forward, first to the right, then to the left, and so on, with your heels together and your toes pointed out."

Corazon held his hand as he did so for guidance, "Yeah, that's it," Corazon encouraged with a gleeful expression, "Then to glide. Push off with one foot and glide with the other, switching your gliding foot. To prevent it from getting in the way of your glide, keep the other foot elevated as you glide on the other one."

Then, Emmett speeds towards their direction and does a spin. Jasper rolls his eyes, "Show-off," He scoffs, annoyed. They both moved slowly around the rink.

"Don't mind him. That's the only thing he's good at," Corazon laughs. Emmett stops in front of them with furrowed brows and pouty lips. He looks as if he's going to throw a temper tantrum, "I take offense,"

Corazon shakes her head, responding in a mocking tone, "Then I am sincerely apologizing, king of the rink," Emmett smiles, teeth showing, his chest puffed in pride, "Dang right I am," Then skates away towards Rosalie.

Corazon and Jasper took a few more strides around the rink, and then Corazon decided to teach him how to stop, "Skate parallel to each other to come to a stop. Continue squatting and incline your body slightly forward. Slide the right skate slightly ahead of the left, raise the right skate's toe, and apply force to the toe. You will stop more quickly the harder you press."

Then Jasper stopped, and Corazon enthusiastically clapped her hand, "You did well! You should be very proud of yourself," She gushes as she wraps her arms around his neck, with Jasper placing a hand on the small of her back.

"I have an excellent teacher," His voice, though gentle, possesses a magnetic pull that Corazon couldn't help but feel herself getting lost in.

"Am I?" Corazon hums as Jasper brings his hand towards her chin, his thumb tipping her head upward. Placing a kiss on her lips, the brain-melting kind, she nipped the bottom of his lip. A throaty groan rumbled from his chest. She felt her body mold with his; every essence of her depended on him like a lifeline.

"Enough, lovebirds. I took too many photos of you two smooching when you two should be dancing all lovingly!" Alice interrupts with a camera—a Minolta SRT-101. Corazon and Jasper pull away from each other with a laugh. Then Corazon looks over to Jasper's shoulder, waving a hand towards the manager. She yells out, "Could you play Respect by Aretha Franklin?"

The manager dutifully nodded, walking towards the back room. The unmistakable opening chords of "Respect" fill the air. Corazon then pulls Jasper towards the middle of the rink with a loud laugh. As she sees his surprised expression, she sings along, "What you want, baby, I got it," Corazon winks at him.

His topaz eyes are fixed on Corazon, captivated by the fluidity of her movements and the infectious joy she radiates. She sways her hand in the air, her hips moving along with the tune as Jasper follows her and watches with a quiet admiration for the beauty of carefreeness unfolding before him.

Jasper never wanted anything in his whole life except for this moment; she's right; everything that he wants and needs is Corazon.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

━━ I am establishing a new rule that I won't update any chapters until the previous chapter I posted isn't receiving the amount of attention/hype (comments & votes) I would have preferred, so this time I know that ya'll actually want to read my updates. This might get a weekly update if I am satisfied with the feedback!

━━ I noticed that the votes and comments are declining! As promised, I'll be updating this fic before my exams start on Wednesday so I'll be super busy until Saturday and after that I'll be able to write again!

━━ Literally, what I'm doing with this fic is like creating a more improved world for Twilight. You'll read what I mean, but it'll take a few chapters to do so. The vampire world is much more profound and advanced in terms of living. They adapted to the human world but, at the same time, remained hidden from humans. I was surprised when I was writing it. Act 1 has 30 chapters (i think), and it focuses on character development, adding depth to the Cullens and the other vampires; it addresses the issues of the decade they are in, an improved version of the vampire world, and how the Volturi governed their world, most of all exploring big emotions—humanizing them in a way, because we must remember that vampires are once humans too but now they are immortal with benefits, but they still have emotions! It's actually awesome, and I hope y'all won't get bored reading it, though! This is, I feel, like a new/fresh take in the Twilight fanfic fandom.