The Ball


-In love, expect the unexpected-

The large ballroom was lit dimly and classical music played. Couples danced on the floor, while others were in groups giggling and playing with each others masks.

I was left standing as the loner, her long light blue dress, flat and lifeless, her mask dark, night blue, mask glittering. Nobody asked me to dance, not that I cared. I was one of those girls were left alone because of my brains and looks.

But then, that's when the lights were lit up, candle's flames flickering brightly. And the prince had come.

I gasped, and stared in awe. Who was he? He was my enemy! My number one rival! I was the pauper, and he was the prince.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the prince of Walwin, Parker Jennings!" shouted an announcer.

The music stopped. Everyone turned their attention to him and clapped.

"One lucky lady tonight will be dancing with him!" the announcer continued.

As soon as Parker's foot reached the bottom of the stairs, all the girls in the room started to walk to him. He grinned at everyone, but always passed up the offer when they asked to dance with him.

Parker's eyes looked up and he caught me staring. He winked at me, and I flushed.

He whispered into the girls' ears and they jumped on me.

One grabbed my arm while the other grabbed my other arm. One grabbed my shoulders and the rest pushed me towards Parker.

"Care to dance, my lady?" Parker asked me. He bowed. I yanked my arms away from the weak girls and crossed them over my chest.

"No, I won't! You're my rival! Rivals don't dance with each other!"
Park put his hands in his pockets. "Heh, hey, think of this as a dance competition. Whoever wins, gets the loser for one week twenty-four seven."

My jaw dropped. There was no way that I would lose! And also I wouldn't want to have him for a week if I win! He'd be a pain in the ass! There was no way!

Parker stood up and gently grabbed my hand. His blue eyes were big and desperate. Which I never got to see. His cold rough hands squeezed my cold and small hands.
"
Please, Renna, just tonight, will we not be rivals?" He pulled me in close. I tried to push away but couldn't. "Let go!" I squirmed.

Girls behind us giggled and some hissed and shot dagger eyes at me. I swallowed, I didn't want to be the center of attention. "Parker, let me go, please," I whispered. He shook his head and held me closer. "Renna, do this just for me." There was nothing I could do. He would always get his way because he was the prince and I was merely a pauper.

"Fine. But, you owe me one," I snarled. He smiled weakly. "Thank you," Parker Jennings whispered. He tilted my head onto his shoulder and we began dancing. "If I win, then you have to date my best friend, Gail, for one week," I whispered. He looked mortified. "Hmph, she's not up to your standard, huh?" I said sourly. Parker shook his head.

We started to sway back and forth slowly,moving with small steps. Parker's hand seemed strangely relaxing on my back.

"I cant date Gail. I already have a girl in mind." My heart sped up for some strange reason. My cheeks flared up. "Who?"

He swallowed. "I...Can't tell you. It's a secret." Parker grinned his commercial grin and winked. I flushed. I couldn't take it anymore. He likes someone?

I sucked in a breath and pushed Parker away from me. I reached for the skirt of my dress and shut my eyes. "I HATE YOU!" I shouted at him. I turned and pushed open the wooden doors. I ran down the deserted halls. the click-clacking of my high heels making me anxious.

I sat down on the edge of the fountain. I sniffled and sniffled again. I wiped my almost-falling-down-my-face tears. Why was I acting this way?! What did Parker say to annoy me so much?! What was this....Heart wrenching feeling I had? Why is my heart speeding up everything Parker spoke back there? I wasn't falling for his tricks. He was only my rival and nothing else? So, why did I have feelings like theses? Racing heart, unstoppable tears, ears that hurt, trembling hands, there was something here, and I didn't know what it was. I had to tell Gail about it. But, she would be no help. She was like me, only rich.

With a shaking hand, I pushed a strand a dark brown-black hair behind my ear. I sighed and put my head on my knees. Parker has only been nice to me after eighth grade. But I only would reject his niceness because our rivalry. I remember one Halloween that he gave me candy because I wasn't able to go trick-or-treating. I kept refusing, and his last resort was to climb to my bedroom and leave it there. Yup, Parker is nice to me, but, I am never nice to him.