The Academy, Part Two

Twenty Eight

Matthew:

"So I have to dance with one of the Disney girls?" I ask, my voice sounding more like a whine and James nods, while he and Sam are dancing gracefully.

He gets to dance with his fiancee, easy for him to say. Ester put his hand on my shoulder. "Hang in there."

Well he's bi! This shouldn't be a problem for him at all.

Bella walked over, "My Matthew, you clean up well." "You...you too." I said, rubbing the back of my neck, and avoiding looking at her. She grabbed my arm, "Let's dance."

Do I have to?

She nearly dragged to the middle of the huge ball room where she practically hissed, "Put your hand on my waist." "Huh?" I asked, because 1) I'd never reallydanced with anyone, unless you accept awkwardly swaying at one of the rinky dink dances that the Academy throws. 2) I didn't want to put my hand anywhere on this pushy princess.

She groaned and grabbed my hand before pulling it to my waist and suddenly moved to the music.

Ester, James, and Samantha seemed like they were in their element. Ester was dancing with Cinderella, looking great with his new black hair, he caught my eyes and nodded to Belle before continuing with Cinderella.

Great, no help from my boyfriend.

James and Samantha were whispering to each other in hushed tones and I noticed that the whole atmosphere of the ball felt...heavy. There's no other way to put it, with the pressure of Mr. Charming looming over us. (He was standing by the doorway with a gun in his pocket. It was like he wasn't even trying to conceal it!)

After that brief song was over she sighed, "I'm going to go find someone else. It's like your brain and feet aren't connected." Without another word she left.

I found my way over to the refreshment table and sat down. Dancing was a flop, and honestly I didn't feel like watching ester dance with a girl.

(Oh hello jealousy my old friend.)

James and Samantha walked over and he looked at me. "You okay?" "Okay is a relative term that I don't think could some up anything in this situation right now." I replied, grabbing a cup of what I assumed to be water.

As soon as I took a sip though I spit it out. "Was that wine?!" I asked, wiping my mouth and James laughed. Not just his play laugh to make his dad not suspicious. "Knowing my father, yes. I'm surprised it wasn't liquor." "With that taste, it sure could have been!" I told him with a sigh.

Samantha sat down beside me, and I looked at her. "how are you with all of this?" "All we were doing was looking for a hotel room and now look at us." she mumbled, and I put an arm around her shoulder. "It's a fine predicament we've found ourselves jammed in but we'll be alright."

She looked at me gratefully. "Thanks Matthew." "What's family for if not to make each other feel better?" I asked her, smiling, and she laughed. "I'm not sure. Obviously not this." she gestured around the ball with a sigh.

More people had came in, most of them had familiar faces but I couldn't quite peg down names. The dance floor was packed now and i had trouble finding Ester if I happened to glance away.

When he came back he was breathing heavily. "Well, I think Cinderella's all danced out for now. That woman is a beast, who knew she could survive that long in heels?"

Obviously not you. I thought as i sat back in my seat.