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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌. 𝐀 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 that every high school girl dreams about and every high school boy hopes to get lucky with their girlfriends or see it as an opportunity to win over their crushes by asking them to go by doing some kind of grand gesture.

Liz had never really seen it like that. She always saw prom as the perfect opportunity to live out her Cinderella dream. Putting on a gorgeous dress and the finest jewelry she owned, all while getting her hair done up and her nails properly manicured.

Every girl has a fantasy dream about being a princess for just one night. Especially a girl like Liz who has grown up watching Disney movies and still loves them even at seventeen. And from the moment she saw Ester walk into the living room to greet her date- a sweet boy she had dated briefly before meeting Danny- wearing the most beautiful blue sapphire dress Liz has ever seen— looking exactly like a real life Disney princess going to meet her prince. Liz knew from then on that she wanted to have the same experience.

Even started looking at magazines for the perfect dress immediately afterwards, though she knew her parents would never be able to afford something extravagant. Their Nana had offered to help her pay for the dress, but her father had always been very prideful when it came to accepting charity. He wanted to be the one to give his girls everything and though it was hard, he made it work with Ester. Her mother may have grown up with money but she never needed it to make her happy. Just needed love, she always used to say.

Liz had meant what she said to Jessica and Angela a couple months back, when she said she had absolutely no desire to go to prom anymore, not like she used to. At the time, it all seemed so pointless and ridiculous when she thought about it. But to be fair, anything sounded pointless to Liz after the accident.

But when Jasper appeared at her front door three days ago with a bouquet of daffodils and a rehearsed speech to convince her to go to prom with him, Liz found herself saying yes despite all she thought before about the event. Because at that moment, she remembered her fairytale dream, and her prince had just asked her to the ball. Who in their right mind would say no to that?

It only left the girl with a very huge problem. She did not have a dress to wear. She has opted out of going to Port Angeles with Jessica, Angela and Bella. It had been her only defense when Jasper had first asked her before agreeing, but of course, Jasper has a fashionista sister who apparently knew that is exactly what Liz was going to say and Alice suddenly appeared next to her brother, a bright smile and was holding a large white box with a big red bow on the top.

All Alice had said to her was that she already saw her in it and she looks fabulous. She walked away before Liz could question how she was able to see anything clear in her vision where Liz was involved. Jasper simply shook his head and kissed her cheek, saying he will pick her up at six on Saturday.

That is how Liz found herself staring in the long length mirror Ester had dragged from her room to Liz's ten minutes before six on Saturday, smoothing out the absolutely stunning dress she was gifted. It was a breathtaking orange silk gown that dropped over her feet, with an attachable see through cape. Liz basically texted Alice telling her how much she loved it but that it was too much. Alice just responded with a wink face and nothing more.

It was pretty much the most gorgeous dress she has ever worn. She couldn't stop staring at her reflection, not believing she is the same girl who lost her parents and is one of the survivors from that horrible accident. So much has changed, and though she has lost so much, she really has gained a lot this year as well.

Tearing her eyes from the dress, she lifted them to her face, taking in the perfection Ester had done with makeup and a hairbrush. Her hair was pulled back into a neatly styled bun, loose curls falling to both sides of her face. Liz felt like the princess she always wanted to be. She couldn't help but smile, even as she brought her fingers to touch the side of her face where the bruises once were. They had been fading this past month and a half, but they were still visible. Ester did a good job covering it up with foundation.

If only she could take the damn brace off. At least she is able to hide in under the dress instead of it being on display outside her jeans or leggings. Still, she couldn't exactly pretend like she wasn't the girl who lost her parents and injured her knee, not with the limp that she will never escape from.

Her shoulder had healed before anything else really, her ribs taking the longest. It was a lot easier to laugh and breathe now, but there were times if she moved too quickly or bent in the wrong way, pain would shoot through her. The whole incident with James brought nightmares the girl would rather forget. But as long as Victoria is still out there, she knows she and Bella will never be the same.

Speaking of the quiet brunette, Liz was internally grateful that Edward somehow managed to convince her to go. Prom is the last thing Bella Swan would ever be caught dead at, it is why she made up the excuse to go to Jacksonville to see her mother when Eric and Mike had both asked her. It wasn't just because she didn't like the boys in that way, it was because she really does not like dances or dancing in general. But Edward seems to have some persuasion on the girl.

Whoever said those who go through a trauma together grow apart afterwards is wrong, because this whole ordeal with James only brought the two girls closer together. Both had to sit back and watch as James tortured the other without being able to do a single thing about it. Their friendship only grew stronger, just like their need to protect one another.

The girls had missed a ton of school due to their impromptu 'vacation' they apparently took where they got into their accident by 'falling down the stairs and through a window', but because of Bella's fantastic grades, she was excused and could easily make up for what she missed. Liz, however, fell very far behind to the point where her guidance counselor had called her into his office in the middle of class on the first day back at school and told her the horrible news.

She has to go to summer school if she wants to be a senior next year.

Liz nearly bursted into tears at the news, but knew she didn't really have much of a choice in the matter. It was summer school or retake junior year. She'd be damned if she had to fall behind her friends and stay at school an extra freaking year. In the past, the only thing that gave her the energy to actually go to school was track. But she no longer has that to look forward to, so she was not being left behind while everyone she knows graduated next year. She was not having it. 

At least if she does summer school, she will be able to graduate with her friends and most importantly, with Jasper. Even though he's probably graduated high school a hundred times, that's beside the point. He will be with her, that's all that matters.

"Liz! Jasper's here!" The sound of Ester's voice startled the blonde out of her wandering mind. The thought of Jasper always sent a flutter of butterflies in her stomach and a giddy smile immediately spread across her lips.

Letting out a deep sigh, Liz finally tore her eyes from the mirror and headed for the stairs. She wasn't allowed to wear heals, so she was forced to go with just some plain white vans. Didn't exactly fit the whole attire, but at least the dress covered them for the most part. She took her time walking down each step, holding up the dress with one hand and leaning against the rail with the other for support. When she first came home, she was couch ridden for two weeks before she was able to sleep in her bed again.

A flash of light surprised the blonde as soon as she reached the last of steps. She scattered back, blinking from the blindness. "Damn it, Ester. Was that really necessary?"

The oldest Chambers sister grinned as she stared down at the picture she just took. "Yes, it was absolutely necessary. If Nana learns I didn't take pictures I think she would literally murder me."

Liz couldn't really argue with her there. She noticed Danny standing by his fiance's side, smiling at the sight of her. Liz turned towards the only other person in the room, her heart picking up as their eyes locked, heat rushing to her cheeks as he watched her every move. He looked incredible. His golden blonde hair was combed and left in it's curls. He wore what Liz believes to be a very expensive black suit, white dress shirt tucked into his pants with a black belt, two buttons undone up top.

It should be illegal for Jasper to look that hot, but here he is, looking like a walking talking Greek god.

Jasper, completely mesmerized as soon as she steps into the living room, couldn't help the way his eyes widened, completely and utterly awestruck by her beauty. Jasper found himself letting out a deep breath, like he actually needed air to get over the shock. Liz has always had a natural beauty people envied, but now she was astonishing.

"Oh, Liz. You look stunning," Ester says, placing a hand over her mouth. "I don't think I looked this good for my prom."

"Shut up, you were gorgeous." Liz tells her.

Ester just threw her arms around her neck and embraced her tightly. Their relationship has been a lot better lately. Ester has never once asked about what the true reason Liz had gone with Bella to Phoenix was, being smart enough to know it was more than just petty boyfriend drama on Bella's part. Because of the deal, Ester will never find out. Just like Liz will never know why Ester stole money from her parents safe and why she got their Nana to lie for her.

Liz looked back at Jasper who not once took his gaze away from her, another blush rushing to her face as she moved towards him. "Hi."

"Hi," Jasper says softly. As if remembering the corsage in his hands, he opens the container. "May I?"

Liz nods, holding out her hand as Jasper gently slips on the corsage around her wrist. He gently leans in, his lips close to her ear in order to whisper into it. "You look exquisite."

"You don't look so bad yourself," she replies with a smirk, repeating the same thing she had said to him on their first date.

He presses a kiss to her cheek as Ester claps to gain their attention. "Okay, love birds. Get together. I need a few more pictures before you guys head off."

Jasper wrapped both arms around waist, turning her so her back was leaning against his front, both applying to the oldest Chambers sister commands as she snapped a few picks. Danny remained quiet, watching Jasper cautiously. Liz couldn't help but feel annoyed with his behavior towards her boyfriend. She gets that his family has tribe legends, but not everything about those legends were true. Danny doesn't even believe them, yet he still acts like Jasper was the enemy.

Like Ester, Danny did not question Liz about what happened in Phoenix, instead just kissed her cheek at the airport and made her favorite dinner to welcome her home. Liz likes that Danny loves Ester enough to trust her about the deal they had made before they ever started dating. She felt bad for worrying him and really appreciated how much he cares for her.

After about the tenth picture, Liz had just about enough and rolled her eyes. "Okay, you got enough. We are leaving now."

"Ugh, fine." Ester put the camera down, allowing both to head out the door. Liz was following behind Jasper who held open the screen door when she felt Ester's hand on her arm. Liz turns back to see her sister looking at her with sadness in her eyes. "Mom and dad would have loved to see you going off to prom. I know it is something you used to talk to them about for a while. They would be very proud of the woman you've become."

There it was. The bitter anger Liz still managed to hide so far in the back of her mind, she often forgets that it was there. It only ever resurfaced when Ester brought up their parents, just like that need to snap at her and call her out for the way she had treated them for nearly two years before they died. Liz told herself that it doesn't matter. That it was in the past. But sometimes, her anger was still there. That spite she still held towards her sister for not forgiving them when they asked. She knows they were both in the wrong, most specifically their father, but he did everything he could to reach out and reconcile. It was Ester who continued to make him feel like shit and ignore him.

Ester constantly put Liz and their mother in the middle of that fued and Liz still has a hard time completely forgiving her for it. 

But just like she has in the past, Liz shoves that anger and resentment back down and kisses Ester's cheek, thanking her before heading towards Emmett's Jeep. Before he pulled out of the driveway, Jasper turned to her and gave her a concerned look. "I felt anger coming off you a second ago but it disappeared. Everything alright with you and Ester?"

Liz pulled on her seat belt and sighed, leaning back into the seat before turning towards Jasper. "Just petty sister drama. I'll tell you about it tomorrow. Tonight, I just want to enjoy ourselves. This is, technically, our second date."

Jasper reached over and brushed away one of the strain curls from her eyes. "We better make this as magical as you always hoped it would be."

"Let's see... perfect dress? Check. Perfect hair? Check. Perfect shoes? Sorta check." Jasper laughs at the comment about the shoes, knowing she has been complaining she couldn't wear heels. Liz grinned back at him warmly. "Perfect date? Check."

Jasper just took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently before driving down the street, making sure to take back roads to the banquet hall. The vehicle was only quiet for a couple seconds before Liz turned towards her boyfriend, her brows squinting together. "So, how many proms have you been to exactly?"

His only response was laughter.

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    "𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀!" 𝐋𝐈𝐙 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐒 soon as she spotted her brunette friend waiting by Edward's Volvo. Bella had requested the four arrive together but Liz knew that Ester would hold them up with a bunch of pictures so encourage the other couple to meet them there.

Edward did not mind waiting for his brother and Liz, liking the bond the girls have formed since Bella moved to Forks. Glad she wasn't experiencing all of this alone and had someone to talk to that was human like her and that would also understand.

Apparently Alice had also gifted Bella with a dress. It was a beautiful purple flowy dress with riffles. Her brown hair was curled and clipped back and Bella even wore makeup, which startled the blonde when she approached the girl. She wore gray leggings under the dress and her iconic brace boot she was forced to wear from James breaking her ankle. It made Liz feel better that she wasn't the only one wearing a brace to prom, at least she was able to hide hers.

Both girls embraced quickly, Liz pulling away to examine Bella's handy work. "Glad to see you know how to use makeup."

Bella tilted her head to the side. "Uh, you've met my mother, right? She taught me how to apply this stuff when I was ten. I think she even quizzed me on which product is for what."

Liz had only met Bella's mother while in the hospital and just from five minutes of talking to the woman, she could tell she and Bella were nothing alike. Bella definitely gets her personality from her father, that is for sure.

"I should have known," Liz laughed. "You look beautiful, Bells."

"Thanks. You look gorgeous. I love this dress."

"So do I. I still think Alice went overboard."

Edward chuckled at that. "Stick around long enough, you and Bella will be her dolls she loves to dress up."

"A part of me thinks I should fight that, but I'm starting to think I won't really get a say in the matter."

"No, you most definitely will not," Jasper tells her. "Not where Alice is concerned."

"You girls take a seat, we'll be right back." Edward tells them, nodding for Jasper to follow him. Jasper sends Liz a wink before following his brother as Liz limps over the stone bench and takes a seat, Bella joining her.

"Bella. Liz." Both girls turn around to see Jacob leaning against the tree, wearing a white dress shirt and a tie.

"Hey." Bella said, while Liz tilted her head in confusion.

Jacob gestured to both their attires. "Nice."

"You too." Bella says. Liz was still confused.

"What are you doing here?" She didn't say it in a mean way, but seriously found it strange that he is showing up at their prom when they haven't seen each other in a while. Bella has not since the beach and Liz since that dinner.

"Good to see you too, Liz." Jacob says, walking over to him. Liz got up from her seat and hugged him, though he did not answer her question. When they pulled away, Jacob gave her a nervous once over and scratched the back of his head. "Uh, Liz, before you say something, I did not agree to this and I couldn't stop him from following me. My dad made me take him with me."

Liz blinked at the Quileute boy in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Jacob looked over her shoulder and Liz followed his gaze, her eyes landing immediately on the same boy who she never wanted to see again. She snaps her head back towards Jacob, her eyes fuming from anger and a little betrayal. "What the fuck is he doing here?"

"He wants five minutes. He won't leave until you talk to him." Jacob told her, his own bitter anger towards Paul Lahote clear in his tone of voice.

Bella looks over at the shirtless male and frowns. "Who is that?"

"A dumbass who doesn't understand what being dead to someone means." Liz snarls, practically seething with rage. She could easily ignore him, just walk into the banquet hall and pretend like he is not even there. But Jacob is right. Paul wouldn't leave, not until she talks to him. He was a stubborn bastard like that. Liz turned back towards Bella. "I'll be right back. Trust me, this won't be long."

Liz stormed as fast as she could in the sixteen year old boy's direction, his hard expression never wavering, not even as Liz gripped his arm and dragged him away, digging her manicured nails into his flesh. It if hurt him, he did not react to it. She shoves him as hard as she could but he catches himself before he could really stumble. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Relax," Paul stated, rolling his shoulders and tucking his hands into his shorts. How he wasn't freezing his ass off was mind blowing but Liz reminded herself anything he does she doesn't care anymore. "I came to warn you."

"Warn me about what, Paul?"

"About your new boyfriend. You need to break up with him and stay as far away from him."

It took a second for his words to really process in her mind and when they did, Liz couldn't help but laugh. She laughed so hard, she felt a small pain in her ribs from it. Paul was not at all affected by her laughter but did grow impatient. "Are you finished?"

"I'm sorry, but I thought you were making a joke. When someone makes a joke and I find them funny, I laugh."

Paul gritted his teeth, wanting to lose his temper but managed to take a deep breath. "It was not a joke. I'm serious, Liz. Stay the hell away from him and the rest of the Cullen's. You and the Swan girl both. Just know, we'll be watching."

Liz crossed her arms over her chest. It sounded more like a threat if anything, though she wasn't entirely sure what he meant by 'we'll be watching'. "What gives you the right to even think you can tell me what to do?"

"I still care about you, Liz-" Paul tried to say but Liz cut him in quickly.

"I don't care, Paul. You lost the right to interfere in my life the moment you cut me out of yours and abandoned me when I needed you the most." Liz snaps, putting a finger at his chest and jabbing it hard. "So you can take your threats and your warnings and you can shove them up your ass."

"Is everything okay here?" The sound of Jasper's voice from behind Liz was enough to settle her burning rage. Jasper was standing just a couple feet from them, his hardened gaze directly at Paul, who met his gaze with so much hate in his eyes. Liz has never seen Paul hate something so viciously before. 

"Everything's fine. Paul was just leaving." Liz snaps, turning her back to him but pauses when a hand grasps her wrist. She turned back to him to see he was shaking vigorously.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry." He said through gritted teeth.

Liz shook her head and snatched her arm from his grip, Jasper's arm around her shoulder in an instant. "Whatever." Without another word, Jasper was pulling Liz towards the banquet hall where Edward and Bella had just started making their way towards, the vampire turning to send the boy a challenging look.

Liz was still fuming when they walked along the red carpet displayed on the grass and towards the large sign that read the theme of the prom. 'Casino Monte Carlo'. Jessica is on the prom committee and remembers how proud she was when the others chose her theme out of the five suggested ones. Suddenly, Liz felt a wave of calm wash over her and she turned towards Jasper, finding herself letting out a timid smile just in time for the man who was snapping pictures of the students took the picture. They continued walking and Liz turned back to Jasper.

"Thanks. And I'm sorry about that."

Jasper shook his head. "Don't apologize. I presume that is the said best friend you had mentioned before that shut you out of his life."

"Yeah." Liz mumbled. She noticed Bella and Edward just ahead of them and entered the banquet hall first. "That's Paul. Just when I finally accept that he is out of my life, he tries to find a way back in."

"Mind if I ask what exactly happened between the two of you?"

"Short version is, he told me we couldn't be friends anymore with no explanation two week before the accident and when I had called him two days after waking up in the hospital only to get his voicemail, I left him a long message begging him to come visit me and to show up at the funeral, that I needed him." Liz explained, Jasper helping her with the step as they entered the hall, only for flashing lights and loud music to consume them. "He didn't show. Didn't bother to call me back. My parents practically raised him and he couldn't be bothered to show up for their funeral. So if he could cut me out so easily, so can I. And that's pretty much it."

"He really hurt you." It wasn't a question, just an observation.

Needing a change in subject, Liz shook her head and forced a smile on her face, refusing to let Paul ruin her night. "I need a drink."

"I'll get you some punch," Jasper offers, placing a kiss to the side of her head. "I'll be right back."

"I'll be here." Liz says, watching as he went towards the beverage table. Liz examined the place more closely, looking from the different gambling tables to the DJ set up in the front to the people dancing in the middle. She spotted Bella and Edward guiding themselves through the people and Liz told herself not to disturb them, not wanting to keep stealing Edward's date. Instead, she searched for her other friends, but they spotted her before she had.

"Elizabeth Chambers!" A voice practically yells, the blonde raising a brow in surprise and twirling around only to be greeted by two of her closest friends. Jessica had been the one to say her name, hands on her hips and looking at her in shock. "Where on this great wide Earth did you get that dress?"

"It was a present," Liz tells her, trying not to laugh as both Jessica and Angela gawk at it.

"It's gorgeous!" Angela says, moving to wrap her arms around her neck. "You look so gorgeous!"

Liz accepted the embrace. "So do you. This dress looks so much better on you then in the picture you sent." The blonde turned towards her strawberry blonde haired friend and her eyes widened from all the cleavage. "Wow, Jess. That dress-"

"What? Is it too much?" Jessica asked in panic. Liz immediately shook her head.

"No, of course not. It's perfect. I'm sure Mike appreciates the dress too."

Jessica giggles knowingly. "Oh trust me, he does. I wish I had gotten a picture of his face when he came to pick me up."

Speaking of, Mike and Eric appeared next to their dates. Eric's eyes widened at Liz in surprise. "Liz! I thought you weren't coming?"

"I told you yesterday that she changed her mind now that she has a boyfriend," Angela says, giving Liz a knowing wink.

"Right, you're dating a Cullen." Mike speaks up, a sense of bitterness in his voice. "You and Bella both. It's great. Frantastic, actually."

"I certainly think so," Liz tells him. She remembers his reaction when Jessica told him she and Jasper were dating and he seemed incredibly annoyed. And according to Bella, he had the same reaction with her and Edward. Straight up told her that he didn't like the thought of her and Edward together. Mike is a good buddy but it always irked Liz that she seriously thinks he is just settling for Jessica and it sucks because Jessica deserves better than that. She just doesn't know how to tell Jessica her thoughts without losing both her and Mike as friends.

Jasper reappeared with her punch, nodding his greetings towards the others. Angela was the most friendly where everyone else got awkward. Eric and Angela both excused themselves back to the DJ booth to play the next song and Jessica dragged Mike away to dance. Liz downed her drink quickly and when a slow song started playing, she turned towards Jasper. "Dance with me?"

Jasper's only response was holding out his hand which Liz accepted. He moved her a bit towards the back, away from the people and towards the area with the speakers. Liz did not care, just simply wrapped her hands around his neck and placed his hands on her waist. The two swayed in peaceful silence, letting the music consume them.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" Jasper says into her ear so she could hear him.

Liz's cheeks turned red once again. "I think the word you used before was exquisite."

"Well I plan on telling you a million times tonight so I'd suggest getting used to it."

Liz tilts her head back and giggles. When she looked back, their faces were so close, it was hard for Liz to breathe within this proximity. Liz ran her hand through his golden curls and tilted her head to the side. "Jasper?"

"Hmm?"

"Tell me something else about your past human life?"

It wasn't a surprising question, but Jasper realized why she had suddenly asked this. She only knows the bare minimum about his life as a human, mostly where he was born and his favorite foods to eat before he was turned. He has avoided answering questions that lead him to how he got turned into a vampire. He still did not want to tell her, not here and not now. He will tell her soon about the man he used to be, about the things he has done that he still has a hard time forgiving himself for. When he does tells her, they will be alone and they won't be at risk of any interruptions.

But what was the harm in admitting a little more about his human life? Especially to the woman he loves so much it pains him?

Meeting her gaze, Jasper found himself answering her question in more ways than one. "I was born July 12th, 1844 as Jasper Whitlock. My parents were named Andrew and Janice Whitlock. I had two younger twin sisters, Eloise and Mary. I grew up admiring my father. He was a soldier and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. My sisters used to get on my nerves but I vowed from the day they were born that I would protect them with my life, including my mother who was one of the strongest women I had ever known, especially during that time."

Liz couldn't help the grin that spread on her lips. "That's the most you've ever told me about your family."

"I have no problem talking about the good parts of my life before I was turned into a vampire..."

Liz placed her palm on his cheek and leaned her forehead against his. "You tell me when you feel ready. Just remember, I don't care who you were before I met you. I only care about who you are now."

Jasper only pressed a light kiss to her lips, it was soft and very brief but it meant everything to the both of them. Liz's only response was leaning her head against his shoulder, the two continuing to sway to the music even though the song changed and it was no longer a slow tempo.

The two were lost in their own perfect bubble, neither realizing a certain redhead who just came down from spying on Edward and Bella, watching them from all the way across the room, her ever growing plan of revenge brewing inside that twisted little head of hers.

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Not too crazy about this chapter but anyway... PART ONE IS COMPLETE!

Ahhh, I know this story isn't done but I've never gotten so far in one of my stories before and I just love this so much. Liz and Jasper mean the world to me. Part two is going to be interesting because I spent this entire part building up their relationship and we all know what is about to go down in New Moon. Can't wait to write Liz's experience and for you guys to see what I have planned for her. My girl is strong, I can tell you that.

Thank you all for reading and supporting this story, it means the world to me. Let me know what you thought and always give me feedback!

(Liz's dress & hair)