Hannah's POV

I stood in the dorm, staring at the two dresses that had arrived in the post. One was for Hillary, one for me.

Hillary's was a soft purple, with an open area going just in-between her breasts, and the end flipped out reaching just to her knees.

Mine was powder blue, and the top went to just the top of my breasts. There was lace down the sleeves and the skirt flipped out slightly and went to the floor.

Jessica was by the mirror, already wearing her dress. It looked gorgeous on her. She had her hair up in a bun and a small amount of lipstick. She was growling at herself.

"Here was me, saying I'd never grow up." She moaned. It was a promise we'd made ourselves, to never dress up fancy and never to be too serious, always have fun.

"We will at some point, you know it. You can't avoid it. You might as well grow up now."

"I know, but a dance..." Jessica's voice trailed off, and I understood how she was feeling. We weren't ready for a dance.

We were still little kids at heart, and other than the weapons we held on our legs we were as much a child as an 8 year old.

Why did I feel like I was going to have to grow up quick now?

"Hey, we don't have to go." I suggested. That idea was suddenly very appealing, considering that otherwise we were going to be with guys we'd never even met before.

Jess smiled. "To not go would be an abomination. No, we're going. But I'm a kid by tomorrow, yeah? It never happened?"

"Of course not, if it never happened for me either."

"Deal."

***

Hilary's POV

I ran back to the dorm. It was starting to rain and I had to get ready. I had 2 hours, and that didn't seem nearly long enough as it was.

I managed to pull out my umbrella, and I was thankful for the shelter it gave me as I spotted the entrance a short white away.

I sighed as I felt the warmth surround me. There were girls running back and forth in the halls, desperately trying to get ready, and I ran straight up the stairs, into the dorm.

There were two dresses laid out. Hannah was getting one on, and I gasped at the beauty of the other.

Jess was already dressed and ready... wait a minute. Why were they dressing so nicely?

I went over to the dress to find a letter by it:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Hillary,

I saw this dress and couldn't help but think how beautiful you'd look in it. Would you wear it to dance? I'd like to see ;)

Your prince charming,

Jacob

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I let my hand glide over the soft fabric as Hannah laughed at me.

"Prince charming? Who the hell is this guy?"

"Who the hell are YOUR guys?" I asked. It was more of a guess but by the way they looked I could tell it was accurate.

"Oh my god you actually have dates!" I squealed, jumping up and down like a little girl. Hannah blushed and Jessica stood up angrily.

"They're random boys who asked us to the dance. We said yes. It's a one time thing, Hillary."

I stared at the rose on the dress table. It was exactly like mine, and I could see the glint of red again... what was it? But once again it was gone before I got the chance to comprehend it.

I shook my head. Was I seeing things, or did we all get given identical white roses with blood that disappeared? Had they seen the blood too?

I tried to ignore it and slipped into the shower.

Suddenly the water wasn't water - it was red. I screamed.

"Don't fight it" a voice in my head told me - but it wasn't me. It wasn't even my subconscious. It was somebody, trying to tell me something. How were they in my head?

"You know, inside, what he is. Why don't you fight it? You have your épée - why don't you do anything?!"

I gasped and blinked, and the water was water again. I took deep breaths and stood up. Jess and Hannah were hammering on the door.

"Sorry! I'm fine," I called, realising I'd been sobbing loudly. I was scared, oh so very scared, but I tried to take a deep breath and reach out for my shampoo.

Who was that? What was going on?

***

Jacob's POV

I combed my hair and searched for her face in the year book. She was top in the choir. Her chocolate brown eyes seemed to call out to me, and I stroked her hair.

"What the hell, man?" Vincent sighed. "It's just a picture. Stop stroking her hair."

I sighed. I knew he was in love with his mate, but why couldn't he see the infinite love I had for Hillary?

I shut the year book and pocketed the second white rose. I'd left her one on her dress, so now here was the 3rd one. Once she took this rose, she was mine.

Forever.

This story is being edited. This chapter has been edited.