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FIVE; PROM

     "TELL ME YOU'RE NOT screwing my cousin over for your pathetic ex-boyfriend."

     "Amber, if you haven't noticed, I need to get ready."

     The unwelcome guest crossed her arms, staring blankly at June. After Quil called his cousin that morning to explain why he was canceling their plans for prom, Amber stormed over to the Haight house. She knew of June's relationship with Jake. It was well known throughout the reservation and she didn't want to have her cousin weeping on her doorstep. "June, this isn't fair to Quil."

     June scoffed, pulling her dress out of her closet to examine it. "Why do you automatically assume I'm leading Quil on?" Amber frowned, pushing her chestnut locks behind one ear. She fixed her brown jacket when it started to slide off her shoulder. June noted that Amber looked absolutely nothing like Quil; the only resemblance being their tanned skin.

     "I just thought-"

     "You thought I was still hopelessly in love with Jacob. Newsflash, Amb, I may have bought this dress for him, but he sure won't have the pleasure of seeing what's underneath it."

     Amber's eyes widened. June was different from when she had visited her months ago. Back then, she was listing all of the opportunities for her and Jake's future. She had plans for them to go to college together, get married, and raise their children. "So you genuinely want to go with Quil tonight? No evil plan behind it?"

     "Yes," June sighed, setting her dark blue gown on the bed. She ran her hands over the fabric before smirking, facing Amber with her hands on her hips. "Care to help me impress your cousin?" The girl smiled and threw her bag down on the floor, clapping her hands together.

     "Let's do it."

     The girls were working on June's appearance in no time. Amber was curling her hair whilst June was painting her own nails. They gossiped when the silence became unbearable, and Amber couldn't help but release some of Quil's secrets. "He was so energetic this morning. He confessed you guys kissed and basically applauded himself for it." June giggled, waving her hands around to let the polish dry. "What happened anyway?"

     "It was a spur of the moment," June shrugged. "I anticipated regretting my decision the next morning, but I didn't."

     "Wait," Amber paused, a surprised expression painting her face. "Did you guys-"

     "No!" June denied. "We only kissed on the couch. He went home after we heard my parents' car pull up in the driveway."

     "Figures," Amber resumed her work with June's hair and the curling iron. "Quil's mouth probably wouldn't have closed on the phone if you had. I swear, that boy needs to stop coming to me with his problems."

     "It's hard when your two best friends ditch you." Amber felt guilt build up in her stomach. Her phone didn't ring the night Embry joined Sam's group. Her aunt divulged that Quil was in a state of distress, and his emotions became even more clouded when Jake left. "Hopefully, Sam's posse won't attend tonight."

     "I doubt it. Everyone in La Push thinks they're sketchy. They wouldn't come to a dance and witness all of the judging glares from their classmates."

     "Oh, look at you!" They heard June's mother exclaim. She stood under June's doorway, gushing over her daughter even though June hadn't changed into her dress yet. "Amber, it's sweet to see you. Are you going with Quil?"

     "No, I am," June affirmed. Her mother's face had fallen, and she wrung her hands together. Although Jacob Black had broken June's heart, her mother always dreamed of having those perfect prom pictures when the time came around. She loved Quil, but she had gotten accustomed to the idea of Jake marrying June.

     "Alright," she muttered. "Don't leave before your father gets home. He wants to see you."

     After her mother retreated downstairs, Amber finished curling the last strand. She turned off the curling iron and admired her handiwork. "Voila! Quil's going to have a heart attack when he sees you."

     June scanned her reflection in the mirror and a devilish look appeared on her face. "Tonight's the night, Amber. Everything changes."

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     "Don't be scared," Quil whispered to himself, repeating the phrase. He didn't feel well that morning, his temperature rising and he came close to vomiting in his bathroom toilet. He blamed it on his nerves. June brought up that they should go to prom together after their kissing session. They hadn't stamped a label on them yet, but this dance was only the beginning.

     He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It swung open immediately, and he was shocked to come face to face with his cousin. Amber laughed at his visage.

     "Hey, Q. Ready to see your lady?"

     He didn't have a chance to respond before Amber pulled him inside. It was exactly like Quil had seen in the movies. June's mother greeted him politely and her father had given him a painful handshake. He was taken aback when he heard the distinctive sound of heels clicking against the floor. She stood at the top of the stairs, dressed elegantly from head to toe. Her long, dark locks were curled perfectly and fell down her back. She adorned a diamond necklace, her old charm bracelet, and sparkling silver heels. Her navy blue dress had embellishments around the neck and waistline, complimenting her purse, which was the same shade of color. Quil almost fell to his knees and began to praise her.

     "I'm going to die a happy man," he said, gulping. Amber slapped his back as June descended down the stairs.

     "You have one shot, Quil. Don't waste it."

     He handed her corsage over when she approached him. He was at a loss for words, completely amazed. Her father ran over the guidelines and her mother snapped some pictures, cooing at the couple. They left after all of the hugs and threats, mainly originating from June's father.

     "Are you prepared to have the best time of your life tonight?" She wiggled her eyebrows as soon as he shut the door. He grinned and held his hand out for her to take.

     "As ready as I'll ever be, Hurricane June."

     The dance was in full blast when the duo walked in the door. Multicolored lights strobed around the gymnasium, multiple teenagers bopping their heads to the music. The theme was simple — A Night To Remember. There was a band playing on stage, a local group who usually performed in Port Angeles. "Is this everything you've ever dreamed of?" Quil asked, nudging her side. She gripped his forearm and kissed his cheek.

     "Better than anything I could've dreamed of," she murmured. Quil turned his head and they locked eyes. She leaned in to kiss him before someone bumped into them, apologizing quickly for their clumsy feet. They recovered from the incident and Quil motioned to the dance floor.

     "Let's boogie."

     "Please don't say that again."

     Jake arrived shortly after June and Quil's third song. He felt out of place, which was expected. The other pack members didn't bother tagging along with him, insisting dances were lame. Embry warned him not to converse with Quil and June, hearing about their affair in the hallways. Jake was mildly angry but he had no right to be in the way of June's happiness. She wasn't his imprint and he didn't have a bond with her. She was free to date Quil if she wished.

     Two girls eyed him at the door, tired of coming to dances alone. Jake turned them down courteously, much to their displeasure. He kept his gaze on June and Quil, watching them dance, laughing at one another. June looked gorgeous in her dress and Jake was envious.

     She didn't spot him until the first slow song. Maybe it was because she bought his tuxedo for him or the fact that he wasn't being very discreet, but June could easily see Jacob. Her hands were wrapped around Quil's neck and his arms were slithered around her waist. He noticed her feet had stopped swaying and her body tensed. "What's wrong?"

     "He's here," she squeaked, drifting her vision to the floor.

     Quil swiveled his head and for the first time in months, he snapped.

     He exited the dance floor and Jake shook his head at Quil's expression. He dug into his pocket for his phone to call Sam, but Quil gripped his arm. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?" Their faces were inches apart and June ran up, attempting to wrench him back.

     "It's prom and I go to school here," Jake stated the obvious, twisting underneath Quil's grasp. He could sense the anger flowing from him. He had to get Quil out of the school and into the woods.

     "Stop harassing her," he commanded, pushing Jake up against the wall. He ignored June's pleads for him to walk away. "She doesn't want you. She kissed me." The comment tugged at Jake's heartstrings, but he moved his feelings to the side.

     "Quil, let's take this outside."

     "Quil, don't let him ruin our night," June spoke calmly. She couldn't believe Jacob had the courage to show his face at prom. They talked about this night for months.

     "You're going to hurt someone," Jake grabbed the palm of his hands, which only egged on Quil's wolf. Everyone's attention had diverted towards them and some were staring to chant for them to fight. June shushed them, shouting to mind their own business.

     "The only person I want to hurt is you."

     The first punch was thrown. His fist collided with Jake's face, but Quil started to scream when he felt pain shoot up his arm. He heard a cracking noise and realized it was from the connection to Jake's cheek. June touched his shoulder but gasped loudly. Quil's skin was on fire. "Quil, let me take you home. You're burning up."

     "Stay out of this, June!" Quil yelled, throwing his left hand. Jake took ahold of it and dragged him outside. People followed, cramming the exit. June shoved her classmates aside, trying to pursue the two boys.

     Jake had managed to get Quil a good distance away from the campus, but he struggled in calling Sam when Quil was still fighting him. He grunted as Quil started to kick at his ankles, working his way up to Jake's calves. "You ruin everything! I stood around for months, and you kissed her and told her you love her. I was left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart but you're always there! Standing in the background, waiting like she was going to beg for you. I finally have my one shot and you have to show up!" Quil ranted, using all of his force against Jake's body. Something was roaring inside of him, begging to be released. Jake checked the scene above his head, only making out a few figures. They were relentless at seeing Jake and Quil fight. Getting Quil into the woods was a top priority at the moment. "Why? Why do you persist on taking everything good in my life? I love June. I love her and treat her way better than you ever did. Leave us alone!"

     Jake couldn't bite his tongue anymore. He had to say something. "You liked her. The whole time I was dating June, you were ogling at her when I wasn't looking! What kind of a friend does that?"

     "What kind of a friend leaves another for Sam Uley? No explanation, ignoring calls, and leaving him in the dust. I always lived in your and Embry's shadow and I despised it."

     They were only a few feet away from touching the grass, but Quil's anger was accelerating at an alarming rate. Jake wasn't going to sympathize anymore. "You were just waiting, weren't you? Expecting our relationship to blow up so you could swoop in and become her knight in shining armor. She was arguing over the existence of Bella Swan but we never gave a second thought to you. To all of the side glances and volunteering to help her whenever you could. You were a traitor before I ever was, Quil."

     And he lost it. Jake had phased in time, Quil's wolf attacking his. Their tuxes ripped, falling to the ground. They growled and clawed at each other, swiping at their chests. Jake heard a howl and Quil was thrown off of him. Paul was biting at him, communicating through their minds. Quil wasn't having any of it, not comprehending what he had just done. Jared ran over to help Jake get back on his paws. Paul and Quil didn't cease their attacks until Sam's domineering alpha voice commanded them. His black fur was nearly hidden in the dark forest, but the moonlight shined down on his figure.

     "Quil Ateara, welcome to the pack."

oh shittttttt