A Match Made By My Parents (Prologue)

*** Im baack from Venice.... jus got back and i have to say that it was the best valentines ever..... kinda made up for the last 3 years when he was away for work. :D ... how did u guys spend the day?? So heres a new story.... written by Amber. Tell me what you think. xSx. ***

With determined eyes, I scanned the dance floor, the music reverberating through the speaker. Where was he? Melissa had promised me that she would bring him. It was almost three years ago since I had talked properly with James Morgan after I had ended things with him. Every time we passed by each other in the halls, he would look away and ignore my existence. No matter how much it hurt, I know I deserve it. After all, I had hurt him.

My fingers trembled with trepidation as I remembered the reason why I had attended this social function. I scanned through the crowd of Crestwood Academy students and caught sight of the blonde hair. My heart skipped a beat as I drew in a breath. I fiddled with the hem of my purple halter-top as I took a step forward. I turned back around, walking towards my friends. I couldn't do it!

"El, just go!" Melissa exclaimed. "I convinced him to come for you, you know."

I nodded with a nervous smile. "I can't do it! It's been too long. He's..."

Suddenly, my best friend pushed me towards him. Stumbling, I regained my balance. James looked up, our eyes meeting. He quickly turned away. I frowned as I tapped his shoulder. He raised brow in a questioning manner. "I... Will you dance with me?" I asked, looking up uncertainly.

"...suck...dancing..." The music carried off his voice.

"What?" I asked, leaning closer.

"No, I such at dancing."

"Oh... thanks anyway," I said as I walked towards the girls. I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "He said no," I said, trying to avoid the curious gazes."

"What? Just a minute," Melissa ran up towards James as they began a heated argument. I quickly turned away as Samantha wrapped an arm around me in a comforting manner. I swallowed, holding back tears.

"He said yes, you idiot!" Melissa ran up to her.

I glanced at her with confusion. "He said yes?"

The girls started to laugh as my cheeks flushed crimson. Matt came up, pushing James towards me. "James, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, James, now dance!" he exclaimed as the slow song ended. It would have been funny in any other situation.

James stood in front on my uncertainly, glancing at me ever so often. "Uh... can we talk?" I asked as I led him towards a bench at the back where there was no one.

He nodded. I took a deep breath as I took a seat. I looked up, meeting his icy blue eyes. I quickly looked down at the floor. "I..." I bit my lips, a nervous habit. "Do you resent me?" I asked, uncertainly.

"No, why would I?" came the reply.

"Because I... dumped you in grade 8?"

"It's been like three years. Why would I..." he glanced at me.

"I'm sorry. I... we... I still like you." My eyes widened. What did I just say? Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"Then why did you break up with me then?"

I glanced at the students, dancing merrily, unaware of the drama that was unfolding. "Because my parents... thought you were a bad influence. Do you remember Derek?" He nodded. "Apparently, you threatened him and he told my mom. She thought you were dangerous. And I... with Chris... we... I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I was an idiot but I... I still like you. Could you think about it?" I felt like going up to a wall and hitting me head. How stupid was I? It was like his presence was enough to leave me lacking eloquence.

"I'm sorry. I still think you're a cool person but I don't think we should date. It's been too long." James declined. I nodded, standing up as he stalked off. Did it hurt? At least it was closure. I watched his retreating figure as he joined his friends. I could feel the tears coming but I had expected his reply. I thought it was the last time I would hear his deep voice, have his blue eyes focused on me... the last time I would ever feel this way about him. Oh, how wrong was I and if I had known about the sequences of events that were to unfold, I would've never believed it; in fact, I still can't believe what occurred. It was too coincidental, almost impossible. I call it luck. James calls it fate. Little did I know that that confession was the beginning of a fairy-tale story not the end of a book.