nineteen, prom
twilight

The prom is winding down. Soft string lights glow against the polished floors, casting golden reflections as the last few duos sway to the music. The scent of punch, alcohol and sweat drifts through the air, mixing with the hum of quiet conversations and laughter.

Clover steps further into the gym, smoothing down the fabric of her dress, her trip to the washroom was more than eventful, side stepping girls who were pressed against the counter re-applying makeup.

She looks around, taking everything in. Bella and Edward stand near the center, lost in their own world, his hand resting gently against the small of her back as they whisper to each other. She sways awkwardly with a bulky boot on her one foot — a result of the vampire vs human fight.

Juno and Angela are off to the side, laughing as they spin each other around in an exaggerated waltz near the snack table, barely missing the pretzel bowl when Juno stumbles.

And then there's Mike, standing near the edge of the dance floor, shifting awkwardly, fingers tugging at his slightly wrinkled suit jacket.

He catches her gaze when she walks towards him, and the awkward expression flees as he smiles. "You look nice, really nice, Clover."

"You too." Clover's reply comes just as softly. She flashes a toothy grin as she reaches out and fixes his tie.

He hesitates, just for a second before exhaling. "Wanna dance?"

Clover can tell something is wrong, but she nods, reaching for his hand, letting him pull her into the crowd.

Nearby, Juno nudges Angela with her elbow, tilting her head toward the dance floor. "You realize we haven't danced at all?"

Angela scoffs, but it's followed by a small laugh. "So?"

"So — it's prom, Ange. One slow dance won't kill you."

Angela rolls her eyes, but still lets Juno pull her onto the floor, weaving them through the crowd until they find an open space. Their movements are ridiculous at first; Juno twirling Angela too fast, Angela dramatically dipping Juno like she's performing in a Broadway show. Eventually, their laughter settles into something calmer.

Steady. Comfortable. Full of friendship.

Juno watches Clover and Mike from a distance, sees the tension in Clover's shoulders, the hesitation in the way Mike holds her. She knows something is coming, she wants to rush over and protect her sister.

The song shifts. It's slower now, softer, the kind of melody that makes everything feel like heavy love. Clover rests against Mike's shoulder, eyes closed for a brief moment, breathing him in, waiting for whatever comes next. She can feel it, in the way his hand barely touches her, and the way his chest shakes with each breath.

"Ver," He exhales an uneven breath like he's been holding it in for too long. He pulls away slightly, but keeps her close enough that only the two can hear their conversations. Mike avoids her eyes at first, like the words are too difficult to say while meeting her gaze. "I — I'm not ready for a relationship."

Clover feels her pulse skip, not in a bad way, but in a way she can't fully describe as good either. "Oh."

He swallows, nervous energy radiating off of him. "I don't wanna mess things up between us because I'm not ready."

For a long moment, Clover doesn't say anything. She just watches him; sees the way his fingers twitch, sees the sheer vulnerability in his posture, the raw truth in his voice. She knows he's full of the truth and nothing but, and she can feel how hard it must have been.

Slowly, she nods. Not because it's the right thing to do, but because in her heart, she's okay with just being friends with Mike. She'd always be okay with just being friends. "It's okay, Mikey."

"I just — I wanted to be honest," he murmurs. "I couldn't lead you on. And you're such a great friend, I couldn't ruin that either."

"Mike, Mike, it's okay. I'd rather have you as a friend than not have you at all. And truth be told, you're a wonderful friend that I don't wanna loose."

The music plays on. They keep dancing but at a different space than they were before. It's almost more comfortable, more relaxed and fun. And even though everything is different now, they don't let go.

Hours later, when the gym has nearly emptied, Clover, Juno, and Bella sit on the hood of Bella's truck in the parking lot, watching the stars stretch wide above them.

The night air is cool against their skin, the quiet comforting after the loud noise of the dance.

"I can't believe we made it through all of that. The whole vampire thing." Juno lets out puff of breath, watching as the cold air shows it. She's leaning back on her hands. "With James and then with Victoria trying to abduct Clover but Rosalie scaring her off."

"It doesn't feel real," Clover admits, pulling at a loose thread in her dress. She's always got loose threads — maybe she should pick up sewing. "It feels like a brothers grim story."

Bella is quiet for a long time, hands tucked under her sleeves. When she finally speaks, her voice is soft but each word is precise. "No matter what happens, we stick together."

Juno nods, unwavering. "Yeah. Always."

Clover grins, nudging Bella with her shoulder. "Even if you keep running off into danger?"

Bella laughs. "Even then."

Juno throws an arm around them both, pulling them close.

"Forever," she whispers. "The Swan Girls against the world."

Their world is different now. But they are here. They are together.

Clover laughs, "The Swan Girls. Really? Why not C-B-J Girls."

Bella's head moves towards Clovers direction, eyes widening. "C-B-J Girls sounds like See Blow J—"

Bella is laughing like she's never laughed before, like she's finally in this place where she can laugh and have the time of her life.

Juno lets out the most happy laugh ever, one that makes her feel like abs are growing on her stomach.

Clover is laughing so hard her eyes are getting teary, and her cheeks hurt from the laughter.

🌲 — 🌲 — authors note,

not clover and mike breaking up — omg. but now it's over and we can finally have some clover, rose and emmett love. yay!