I wasn't as excited about the dance as I was a few days ago, Grim was going to be there and I had no idea why. I called Bryce as soon as I woke up and he said to just "act normal," like I dont know how to be normal. But honestly who in their right mind wouldn't be scared with the reaper of death at their school dance. I was two seconds from telling Heavenly to go to Ambers alone but I knew how much this meant to her, and I knew how much it would mean to her after I'm gone...

I hate that I was too consumed in my own life, in my pain to let Roxanne and Heavenly in. I felt like being around them only made things worse, they look at me and they see a orphan surrounded by death. My father took his life and I couldn't help but wonder why he couldn't just stay for me? Ill never have those answers, and I hate that I spent so long secretly hating him for it.

I shoved my dress into the back of the Roxannes car and waited for her and Heavenly in the front seat.

"Now remember you must take pictures, no drinking no drugs and definitely no boys, not you though Blair you and Bryce are a handsome couple."

"No one says that anymore," Heavenly groaned.

I spun around to look at heavenly, "You told her Bryce and I were a thing?"

"She didnt have to I see the way he looks at you when he walks you home, i was once your age too remember. Bryce is head over heals smitten with you, you''re old enough to make smart decisions."

"I'm only a year younger then her!"

"And you've been dating boys behind my back since middle school," Roxanne eyed Heavenly from her mirror a faint smile on her pale face.

"Bryce and I aren't together and never will be," I sighed as we stopped in front of Bryce and Ambers house.

"Because of Sharon? How does she even have a claim on him? He sees her like a best friend and everyone knows it," Heavenly bristled, one thing that you can admire is how brutally honest she could be. You just know she's going to make it in life, she's young just like me but she's stronger then I ever could be. "When I want something I go after it because no one is looking out for your happiness like you can."

"Since when did you get so smart," I grinned.

"Since you started listening," she raised a brow challenging me. "Get your man tonight a guy like that isn't on the market for long."

"What is he a chicken?" Roxanne laughed, neither of us joined in. "Anyways love you guys, have fun!"

"Love you," we said in unison as we got out of the car with our dresses.

"I have a feeling about tonight," Heavenly purred. She normally always wore her hair down but at the salon shed gotten a French braid with pearl pins scattered throughout the braid. Since I always wore my hair up or in an unbrushed mess the hair dresser decided to straighten my hair and wove two thick braids with white lace ribbon from each side of my temple. I didn't realize how much longer my hair appeared straightened, I felt more grown. I used to be too lazy to straighten my natural curly hair and it was to heavy to leave down most days but today was an exception.

"A good one?"

"Of course," she smacked her lips as she knocked on their glass door.

Amber was already in her red "Jessica Rabbit" dress, only the slit was jeweled at the top. It hugged her curvy figure beautifully, seeing Amber in makeup was like seeing and entirely different person but she was amazing at it. Her eyeliner wasn't too thick and it came to a sharp short point making her eyes look more slender and soft.

I went a little more simple as I wasn't an expert at makeup whatsoever, not that I haven't tried I just suck. My hands can't stop shaking, they get a little sweaty and next thing I know I'm tossing my entire vanity over. I carefully coated my lashes with mascara, filled in my dark brows where was needed, and then some good old lipgloss. I was blessed with nice skin so I didnt even own foundation, not that I would even know my shade color.

Finally I was ready to put on my dress. After I slipped on my black stilettos I stared at myself in the mirror for far too long. The gold and white dress was just as beautiful as I remembered it, it was the sleeves and the buttons on the back that I had fallen in love with. The only annoying part was the corset, it forced me to stand up straight.

Sharons yellow dress reminded me of a modern day Belle from Beauty and the Beast, her usual cluster of braid extensions were taken out and replaced with a beautiful straight brown bobbed wig. She set her own jeweled tiara on her head, slid on some silk gloves and she was ready.

"Who would have thought homecoming would be just us," Sharon said trying to force a smile. I knew she was upset still about her closest friend running for Queen this year, not only did she do that but she took Sharons friends along with her. If you ask me they were never real friends to begin with. Heavenly picked a simple black mini dress and red open toed heels, she looked so much older and mature.

I was waiting to get Amber alone but there was no chance of that, I know Bryce told her everything but she didn't act like it. "Bryce just pulled up in the back of a limo, you girls ready?" Ambers mom came peaking in and snapping a pic.

"Ready as ever," Sharon said as we all followed her downstairs and into the hall so Amber could take pictures with her parents. Bryce walked in and I was once again blown away, his dark curly hair was pushed back slightly, he wore a black suite with no tie and a button undone, it was very Bryce. His dark golden brown eyes stared at me for a few seconds too long. Sharon cleared her throat, "We should go now don't want to be late," she chirped.

As we walked out Bryce fell into step behind me and murmured, "You look breathtaking."

"You dont look so bad yourself," I smiled inside.

The limo was nice but I couldn't wait to see Sharons face when she sees her carriage and horses, it's definitely going to make the news in this small town. "So how's been your first week of school?" Amber asked as Sharon began FaceTiming one of her friends already at the dance.

"School has been the most easiest part of this move," I said honestly, catching Bryces dark gaze for a few seconds. "You, Sharon and Bryce have been amazing friends."

"If I ask you something will you answer me honestly?" She whispered, I nodded. "Do you like my brother? Because I know he likes you and if you feel the same you should tell him and if you dont, you should tell him. You know more then anyone what he's been through, neither of you deserve any more heartbreak."

"I dont know what I feel, I hardly know him."

"You know him," Amber said looking over at me, "I know you also are interested in another, probably more then you are in Bryce."

"How do you know that?"

"Bryce told me, you and that Mackay boy. I'd be careful their bad news," she warned, not like he's a literal ghost and there just was no romantic future for us. "Its not my business, I am just looking out for Bryce. He will always be there for you even if you dont know what you want, that's his downfall."

"I know," I sighed as I watched Bryce next to Sharon as they laughed at whoever they were on the phone with. I admired him, his ability to still love and trust with everything he has. He's lost people, he's had to reap lost souls, and yet he still laughed, smiled, he was still Bryce.

.....................................................................................................

I didn't expect Sharon to cry in Bryces arm, but she did and she wouldn't stop. "Ive never had anyone do something like this for me," she sobbed. Bryce eventually helped her onto the carriage and told us he'd meet us inside so Sharon could make an entrance. I had a feeling they were going to be gone for a while, Sharon was all about being the center of attention and tonight she was the Queen.

I let Amber go in without me and walked to the edge of the woods, "I knew I felt trouble." The music was still loud even at the edge of the schools property. Cullen took me in very slowly from my eyes to my chest, my waist, then legs, a small grin forming on his lips.

"I figured if I wanted the first dance I would have to steal it," he held out his hand.

"If someone sees me I will be called crazy," I said looking around nervously, "I guess Ive been called worse." I took his hand and he pulled me close to him, our bodies almost flush to each other. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he set his hands on my waist, "Have you seen Grim?'

"Relax Blair, there's not much he can do now to you especially since he needs your help. You have nothing to worry about."

"Yet," I warned, looking up at him as we danced to a slow romantic jazz song. I took a slight peak in the gym earlier and didn't realize how serious they took homecoming. They booked a live band and singers, strobe lights and dozens of raindrop dangling lights from the ceiling. they even had a red carpet where Bryce should be with Sharon by now. "I cant stay out here long," I said laying my head on his chest, "I wish I could." I felt calm in his arms, the shocking coldness and shivers faded and all I felt was numbing sparks.

"I need to say something before you go," I looked up at his beating eyes and pulled back slightly.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothings wrong," I relaxed a bit. "I care about you, more then I should. Every time I see you I feel more alive and I haven't felt alive in thirty years. Ive been stuck and alone and for the first time," he cupped the side of my face. "I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me, you give me hope."

"What are you saying?" I cocked my head.

"I'm saying that I have feelings for you I can't explain, feelings I've tried to hide since the moment I found your car wreaked in front of the Mansion. Am I insane do you not feel the same?"

"Could it be possible its because I'm a banshee?" I asked, he shook his head. Why did he have to do this? I pulled away from him, I need to think.

"Did I upset you?"

"No you just made everything so much more difficult," I sighed.

"Do you only see me as a friend? If that's it then its fine I will always cherish your friendship-"

"Bryce and I kissed," I blurted turning to look at him, I kissed Bryce for all the wrong reasons and if felt amazing and I couldn't explain why. "I kissed him because it was easy because I thought being with Bryce could never lead to anything. Cullen of course I feel something for you, you saved my families life, you've shared your truth with me and when I shared mine you never judged me. But do you not realize that there is no future for us? Maybe we can sneak stolen kisses but I am the Grims, and one day he will leave here with me. I will not put us in that position, I will not break both of our hearts."

Cullen grabbed my hands, " I dont care that you kissed him, do you feel the way you feel about me with him Blair?"

"No," I said quietly. "But that doesn't matter," my voice cracked. "We'd be fools to even think or entertain the fact of us being together, you cant leave this town and one day I will."

"Then we'll have now, tomorrow will just be something we hope for."

"Could you do that? Because I couldn't. We would fall in love, what would we do then?" I shook my head trying to hide my tears, "I'm sorry Cullen but all I can give you is friendship, Ive got to go."

Before he let me out of his arms he kissed me tenderly his soft lips exploring mine, my body melted into his hands instantly. He couldn't feel my hands running through his hair, but I could feel his electric touch on my thighs under the slit of my dress and I shuttered in surprise. "I'll always remember you," he said as his lips drifted to my jaw, kissing me softly. "Ill always fight for you," another soft kiss on my neck. Abruptly he let me go his sapphire eyes twinkling in the setting sunlight. I watched him walk away fading into the woods leaving me wanting more and full of questions.

"May I have this dance?" A smug voice came from behind me, startling me from my daydream.

Grim.