••••••••••••••••chapter sixteen••••••••••••••
(Listen to song before reading chapter.)
The "dance" was at a hotel someone in downtown Manhattan. Tommy had been oh-so generous to get a limo for the ride, only solidifying people's thoughts about us being rich snobs.
I sat between Tommy and Jas, unfortunately directly across from Parker and his brother.
I just have to play this night cool and calm, right? Just don't let on that we know each other. That's all.
Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
The limo pulled into the roundabout at the Hotel, letting us see how packed it was. Cameras flashed and people stood behind velvet ropes, hoping to get a glance of the people arriving. The only thing separating the crowd was a beautiful velvet red carpet that led to the front entrance of the even more beautiful Hotel.
"Woah," I murmured. "Kenna you weren't kidding when you said this was a big deal."
She only smirked and touched up her lipstick before allowing Chris to guide her out of the car.
Tommy opened our side door and got out, before holding this hand out for me. I graciously take up and get out of the car.
Before I could say "boo" I was bombarded by the flashing lights of paparazzi, and by paparazzi, I mean photography students from the college down the street.
I looped my arm in Tommy's as we walked down the red carpet slowly enough to let people be dazzled by our presence.
God, I feel more snobby than ever.
"Don't be nervous, P." Tommy smiled from beside me as we slowly inched closer to the door.
"Why would I be nervous?" I chuckled.
"Because you're cutting off the circulation to my arm." He chuckled.
Suddenly realizing how tight I was holding on to his arm, I sheepishly loosened my grip.
We eventually got inside of the Hotel, and the inside seemed even more gorgeous. The walls were gold and sculpted with precision.
Beautiful people in beautiful gowns and suits scattered amongst the floor, talking to each other while sipping champagne out of flutes.
"I suddenly feel a tad underdressed." I whispered to Tommy as we walked across the floor, the rest of our group behind us.
"Shut up, you look great, P." He smiled.
I rolled my eyes.
"You're my brother, you have to say that."
He shook his head with a smile as a waiter walked by. He snatched two flutes off the tray and handed one to me.
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh, hello? Minor?"
He chuckled before mocking my tone.
"Uh, hello? Sparkling cider?"
I nudged him before taking the glass and scimming off the top.
We watched and waited for a while before Tommy eventually left me to talk business with some other seniors.
I stood by myself, glancing over the sea of socializing rich folks and occasionally sipping from my glass.
"Did they have anything like this at SCAD?" A voice said.
I jumped and turned to see Parker standing there, leaning against the wall behind me with a smug look on his face. He drank from a whiskey glass, probably from the open bar on the opposite side of the floor.
I chuckled before joining him against the wall, suddenly feeling more wallflower-ish than ever.
"Nope, definitely nothing like this. We did have an art dance, one time during August. It was a welcoming dance. No fancy gowns, or suits. Just people, blank canvases, and a shit ton of paint."
"Sounds like a hoot." He chuckled.
"It was." I smiled, glancing into my cup sadly.
"How long are we going to keep this up?" His question caught me off guard, causing me to look at him in confusion.
"What?"
"This whole 'we've never met' facade." He sighed, setting his glass down onto a nearby table.
I thought about it before shrugging.
"I guess, now. They think we just met so I guess we're in the clear."
He smiled and turned to me.
"Good. I'm really tired of tip toeing for my life around your ridiculously buff brothers."
I scoffed. "Calm down. They wouldn't do really any damage unless you hurt me or if we were dating. Then they'd really lose their shit."
He smiled.
"Dating? Doesn't sound like a bad idea."
I rolled my eyes and nudged his shoulder, but couldn't help the smile on my face or the blush in my cheeks.
"C'mon. We've know each other, what, 3, 4 weeks? I don't think so."
He laughed and stuffed both hands into the pockets of his tux.
"What's 3 weeks in the name of romance?"
I giggled, suddenly feeling a lot more relaxed than before.
Suddenly, a noise echoed around the room. Someone cleared their throat into a microphone before tapping on their champagne glass, catching the attention of everyone in the room.
"Excuse me," Dean Henson appeared at the center of the room, under the grand chandelier.
The room quieted as he cleared his throat again and flashed the room a toothy smile.
"Thank you all, for joining us on this our 75th Annual Fall Formal. As most of you know, this is a fundraiser event. There is a raffle in which one of you lucky, lucky students will win a new car!"
The crowd explodes into whoops and cheers before settling down again the here the rest of the dean's speech.
"All proceeds from the raffle tickets go to the Breast Cancer research foundation! Tickets are 100$, so buy them while you still can. This is a night for fun so have at it! Hit it, DJ!"
Henson turns to point at the DJ both that sits a floor above is on a grand balcony. The DJ nods and before you know it, music starts to boom out of speakers.
This was making out to be one interesting night.
***
An hour later and the dance had not slowed down a bit.
After dancing for what seemed like forever, I took a seat at the table with Winn and Sunny, who seemed to be getting tired of the dance all together.
"Having fun?" Winn asked as I sat down.
I took a sip from the water on the table and smiled.
"I guess you can say that." I shrugged.
"You guys tired?"
"No," Sunny smiled. "I haven't dance at all tonight, actually."
I furrowed my brows before standing and grabbing the edge of her chair. I pushed it forward so she fell out of it and stumbled onto the dance floor.
"Go dance, now!" I yelled over the music.
She rolled her eyes and walked backwards, right into Chris. Sunny turned around ,startled, but relaxed when she saw it was only him. He gave her a stupid smile before grabbing her arm and dragging her further into the dance floor, eventually disappearing into the crowd.
I smiled with success and sat back down.
"She's a sweet girl." Winn chuckled before drinking some champagne.
"Yeah," I agreed. "She really is."
"So they're announcing the raffle winner after the next song. You excited?" He asked.
I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Not really. I didn't buy a ticket."
"Tommy did. He bought one for all of us."
I swirled in my seat and laid my arms on the table.
"Still, I couldn't really care less about a stupid car. Besides, isn't the money going to BCRF what this all is really about?"
"Sure, but have you seen the car?" Winn grinned.
I chuckled and threw a square of cheese at him from the half eaten plate in front of me.
We sat and watched the dance floor for a while before the music slowed and the lights turned a pretty shade of lilac. Secret Love Song by Little Mix played through the speakers, causing the mood to take a sharp left hand turn. People got into pairs and slow danced, something I have no intention of doing.
Well, I didn't until Parker waltzed over to me.
"May I have this dance?" He held out a hand for me to grab and gave me a bright smile.
I thought about it for a minute before shrugging and taking his hand.
What the hell, live life to the fullest, right?
We walked to the center of the dance floor, the grand chandelier swinging in all it's glory above our heads. I hung my arms over his shoulders as his hands went to my waist. We were close enough to where I could feel his cool breath tingling my ear. It was surprisingly less awkward than I imagined.
We keep behind closed doors. Every time I see you, I die a little more. Stolen moments that we steal as the curtain falls, it'll never be enough.
We swayed to the tempo of the music. I couldn't help but feel my heart become warm when his hands accidentally touched the bare skin on my back.
As you drive me to my house, I can't stop these silent tears from rolling down. You and I both have to hide on the outside, where I can't be yours and you can't be mine.
A part of my brain told me this was a bad idea but I tuned it out, which was an even worse idea.
My brown eyes locked with his, and my lips tugged themselves up into a smile.
But I know this, we got a love that is homeless.
I watched slowly as his eyes went to my lips, and my heart started to beat faster.
I knew what was coming.
My mind kept screaming to turn away, run fast, do something!
But as I felt his face inch closer to my, I couldn't help but do the same. Our faces got closer and closer until...
...he kissed me.
Why can't I hold you in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that. Why can't it be like that? Cause I'm yours.
As much as I hate to admit it, it felt right. His lips moved with mine as I felt his hands move up my back. My hands instinctively found their way to his neck, under his curly long hair.
Why can't I say that I'm in love? I want to shout it from the rooftops. I wish that it could be like that. Why can't it be like that? Cause I'm yours.
My brain continued to curse at me about doing something so wrong that felt so right.
I don't know what it is about this boy. One minute you're drinking with him, the next you're kissing him.
It's obvious you're meant for me.
Every piece of you it just fits perfectly.
Every second every thought, I'm in so deep.
But I'll never show it on my face.
But we know this, we got a love that is homeless.
Our lips moved in a steady rhythm. It felt like a kiss that'd never end, and a small part of my didn't want it to.
Why can't you hold me in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that. Why can't we be like that? Cause I'm yours.
Why can't I say that I'm in love? I want to shout it from the rooftops. I wish that it could be like that. Why can't we be like that? Cause I'm yours.
We finally pulled away from each other. I took a deep breath as I glanced into his eyes. We were both breathless and obviously shocked by what just happened.
That's when all my senses came back.
No.
This is a mistake.
I don't want to live love this way, I don't want to hide us away.
This was all a mistake.
I wonder if it ever will change. I'm living for that day, someday.
I won't do this. Not with some boy I barely know. Not in a room full of people I barely know.
When you hold me in the street, and you kiss me on the dance floor. I wish that we could be like that. Why can't we be like that? Cause I'm yours, I'm yours.
I stumbled backwards, out of his grip. His expression changed from happy to concerned as the edges of my eyes filled with tears. I don't know why I'm crying, I really don't have a reason to. Maybe it's because I know I'm walking away from something I might not ever get back.
Why can't you hold me in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that. Why can't it be like that? Cause I'm yours.
A tear fell on my cheek as I whispered the only words I could.
"I-I'm sorry. I have to go."
Why can't I say that I'm in love? I want to shout it from the rooftops. I wish that it could be like that. Why can't we be like that? Cause I'm yours.
I let my feet carrying me through a sea of people and off the dance floor. I let them carry me away from the best and worst thing to happen tonight.
I let them carry me away from him.
Why can't we be like that?
Wish we could be like that.
a/n
oop
sorry not sorry
comment
vote
recommend
share the love
-eboni