Big Foot and ThePrince

5) Shall We Dance?

Dedicated to @paint_your_face whose random vote in June (which I just saw now) has inspired me to repost this work!

Ben and I awkarwardly hobble out of the salon and unto the street, dazed, at best.

"Uh," Ben starts.

I laugh.

"So... Do you wanna walk or take my busted old truck?" Ben asked.

"I like your truck," I smile. "But its only two blocks from your place. I can deal with walking."

"You," Benadryl smirks, looking down at me. "Are not like any girl I have ever met.

I shrug.

"I like it," he adds, quickly.

With one last look back at the Beauty Shop, at our giddy mothers, we begin to walk. Quickly afterwards, Ben takes my hand and my breath hitches. Today is a bunch of firsts, isn't it? I let it be, though, breathing deep and letting any inhibitions go, for just this dance. I swing our arms a bit and smile to myself.

"So why exactly did I have to ask you for Girl's Choice?" I ask nonchallantly.

Ben looks down at me, the late day sunshine strea,img through his hair, "You tell me."

I purse my lips. "Really, Ben. I'm serious."

"I," he looks like he's in deep thought and then starts again. "You are so clueless, aren't you?"

I look at him dismally, feeling a bit lost. Its as if he's looking down on me... Well... You know, not literally, but theoretically. I stop, and tug at Ben's hand a bit.

"Ben..."

Ben smiles lightly and shakes his head, "Camelia. I've been into you since, like, sixth grade."

"What?"

"What?"

I blink, tightening my grip on Ben's hand and seeing the blush creep unto his face. Is he...? Is this..?

"Really?" I ask wide-eyed.

"Yeah," Benadryl sighs quietly. "Everyone says its exremely... Obvious."

I shake my head and begin to walk again, seeing the school building up ahead, wracking my brain for memories. There are a groups of students waiting to get into the gymnasium, milling around the... The... What? Ben Crowne has a crush on me? Boyish, hippie-haired me? I look around the crowd and grip Ben's hand tighter as I spot my brothers, who probably ducked the photo session because of me. I tow my... date towards my siblings, Jake and Luc, who are looking at me, amused. Ben is behind me, limbs akimbo, trying to keep up.

"Baby sister!" Jake calls, Selena at his hip. I smirk.

Luc is next to Jenna, who is in a light pink evening gown thing. I wave.

"Jenna, can I talk to you?" I hiss, finally realizing that I should let go of Ben. I let go and grab Jenna, a bit further from where everyone else stands.

"What's wrong?" Jenna asks. "You look beautiful by the way. ALmost someone else."

"Umm... Thanks. You look good, too... Umm.."

"What?" Jenna asks again.

"Um, does Ben rreally like me?" I ask, blushing, feeling stupid.

Jenna chuckles, "You, Camelia, are very clueless."

"I've been hearing that a lot as of late," I sigh. "But seriously."

Jenna chuckles, holding my face, being a bit taller than I am because of her heels. "Ben has been smitten by you since Luc dared him to peek under your skirt in that play in sixth grade. You were so calm about it... I think you knocked some sense into good old Benadryl."

I shake my head, remembering the said event. We were doing a terrible rendition of Grease, which I really don't remember the plot of. I know, shame... I was playing Rizzo because I heard she was pretty badass and Ben was some other guy... He and Luc had been snickering in a coner for a couple of minutes and when Ben aproached, I knew what was up. I had backed up and crossed my arms.

I said something really stupid and kinda femenist and Ben sort of looked embarassed and defeated. Luc had laughed so hard, he probably bruised his rib.

"Really?" I ask.

"Yeah," Jenna affirms. "Just chill, girl. You don't have to overthink. He's a nice guy and you can like him if you want."

"If I want?"

"You are so middle school -like," Jenna shakes her head. Then, grabbing my arm, she says, "Cmon. Shall we dance?"

I groan. "Yea... I guess..."

-------

Ben acts as if nothing had happened earlier. My mind ciontinues to buzz and realize, I've never actually thought about this "LIKING" business.  We walk as a group into the gym and Jake greets old teachers and the basketball coach warmly as the rest of us beeline for a table. Selena isn;t far behind, longingly staring at my brother.

"So," Luc and Jenna say simotaneously. I look up.

"Yeah?" Ben asks.

"How exactly did this happen?" Luc asks, gesturing to Ben and myself.

I purse my lips, "I lost a bet."

Ben chuckles, "I'm not that bad of a consequence, am I?"

I look up, at him. My mind screams something along the lines of HELL NO! YOU'RE KINDA PERFECT, I THINK. But i just shrug and give him a small smile. Ben takes it and pulls out my chair and Luc follows suit for Jenna. Jake comes back grinning, really hyper. He pounds on the table  and sits down, Selena close as a leech on a leg. She's so awed, so proud that she's got some older man.

Jake isn't even paying much attention to her. Instead, he is drumming on the table, "This school hasn't changed, huh?"

"Of course not," Luc and I sayy together. "This town is too small."

Of course Jake would be excited because he got laid the first time after one of these dances. We don't know which one and we're not allowed to tell because Mom is big on Christian values. Our older brother is probably reminiscing. I roll my eyes and Ben taps me on the shoulder.

"Mmm?"

The lights are dimming and Principal Cooper welcomes us all. I look at where Ben is pointing and I smile. Above the basketball hoop where the main "stage" is a banner, my banner, announcing the Girl's Choice Dance. I did good. It took three days but it was a thing I enjoyed. Ben visited often, mock criticizing my work.

"Looks amazing," he compliments.

I chuckle, "I like this change of heart."

He shrugs, "Yeah."

Principal Cooper finally quiets down and the microphone screeches, the music starting with a jolt. I throw a wayward glance to the food table and then back to Ben.

"Dance?" he asks, half-expectant.

"Food?" I counter.

"Oh, yes," Ben laughs. "Camelia, shall we chow?"

"Absolutely."

-----------

Bam.... WHO'S READTY FOR THE SHOE THANG?????

I still need to figure that out. Lol.

Thanks for reading.

Dedicated to the first author I read from here on Wattpad!

I hope you all enjoy!