At first you felt stiff and awkward as you and 62 stood at the entrance of the sort of outdoor patio that would hold the event. You were all dressed up and able to feel the skirt of your dress lightly brush past your skin in the night wind. The odd space between you and he who was next to you was significant to where you couldn't tell if you should stand closer or further apart.
Everyone else in line waiting to be seated stood by themselves, and you could easily feel their eyes. It seemed as if even in your fancy attire, the judgment from the gold tiers was unavoidable. Now at least it felt like maybe both of you were being watched, not just you, which by now wasn't unusual.
Many people in the past had stopped to stare at you and 62 when you ran around the Between like giggling idiots. Maybe it was because you were actually able to have fun. Maybe it was because you were interacting with another being at all to begin with.
You and 62 made eye contact as you waited in line and felt the many pairs of eyes. He seemed to notice it as well and tossed his head a bit to litter the hairs against his bangs to the side in slight nervousness while licking his bottom lip. That constant cursed space between you still didn't move then however, and you both positioned your gazes forward once more.
You didn't care so much that people were staring. After awhile of standing, it became the norm. Soon your only irritation was boredom, and you tried to focus on the happenings under the fancy gazebo in front of you in order to distract yourself from your aching feet.
Soft music played from the speakers as a large chandelier and ribbons plastered above rustled slightly in the outdoor night air. There were rounded and white clothed tables sitting scattered about under the large wooded canopy, and you noticed that every table sported only one chair.
That must have been what was taking so long as you noticed one worker had to individually find each separate gold tier their own assigned table. You sighed lightly as a piece of your hair got in your eyes and you had to blow it out of your face.
You weren't used to the feel of makeup on your skin or... looking nice in general. You didn't hate it exactly, you just needed time to get used to it. At least now when 62 looked at you you didn't have to feel beneath him or lesser due to your attire. For once however it seemed as if he wasn't looking as the space between you and him held awkward air and he simply kept his gaze forward.
Finally the two of you were at the front of the line, and a nervous looking waiter with a silver plated badge bowed to 62 before his eyebrows crinkled in confusion your way. Now used to confusion and looks from the workers, 62 immediately stepped in.
"She's with me. She's my dance partner. Can you find her an extra chair if there isn't one already?"
The worker blinked before nodding quickly under the orders and running off. You sighed pointedly again just loud enough to draw attention from 62.
"What?" He questioned with a small smile while you crossed your arms; he ready to assure you that you weren't lesser in case you needed another reminder.
"Ug, it's just that... so far this is sort of boring. Are all gold events this boring?"
For a moment he said nothing before a sort of light jumped to his eyes and he laughed while shaking his head.
"To be honest with you... yeah. They sort of are. A lot of sitting around doing nothing. Which is why this time I brought something with me so that I'll be entertained."
"Really?" You looked him over but found that he didn't seem to sport anything that would ease the boredom and tilted your head questioningly. "What?"
"You." He spoke rather shamelessly, eyes glistening while you tisked and looked away in slight embarrassment.
"Whatever."
62 laughed again at your lackluster reaction and worked to close the awkward amount of space between you just slightly while you pointedly avoided noticing it. Before he could say anything more, the waiter returned.
"Right this way," he motioned, you happy to comply and stepping up onto the large gazebo with 62 right behind you as the silver tier led you to a small table in the back corner. Unlike the other tables, it sported two chairs.
A gold plated name tag that was labeled '62' sat on top along with a flickering candle, salt and pepper, other utensils, napkins, and cutlery.
62 bowed politely to the man who had seated you while you moved to one of the seats. Before you could pull the chair out however, 62 was already on it. He had grasped your chair and pulled it for you, motioning for you to sit down. You looked at him skeptically.
"You better not pull it out from under me," you warned, he laughing in response.
"Don't give me any ideas."
His eyes flickered playfully and the waiter watched from the corner of his eye before stiffening upon getting caught looking and scampering elsewhere to continue working.
"I have the right to be weary. It's sorta suspicious how nice you are sometimes," you pointed out after watching the waiter leave and also leaving 62 hanging by still refusing to sit down. He hesitated before pouting a little.
"Hey. Just because I'm dead doesn't mean chivalry is. Take a seat, peanut. I won't play dirty."
You blinked at his statement before obeying while rolling your eyes.
"Haha, good one."
He beamed and even attempted to wink through his already seemingly closed eyes before also taking a seat next to you. You leaned back in the chair and allowed yourself to study the room even further while you heard the sound of 62's chair scratching against the wood floor.
No one had food yet, but you could still see waiters seating gold tiers among the soft violin music and dim lighting. Another thing you were now able to notice were all the other... presences. You stiffened upon spotting the many shadow/smoke faced creatures standing around and against the perimeter of the gazebo. They didn't have eyes that were able to flicker, but rather smoke in the voids of where their faces might have been seemed to buzz lightly as some paced about. Others stood completely still.
So far you had never heard one speak but only observed them about the Between lightly pacing among the guests. Some had forms that were more defined and human looking. Others had become blurred and foggy.
You felt as if they were staring at you even though you knew this was impossible. Everyone else seemed to ignore the things as if they were normal, which confused you. What were they? Were you the only one that couldn't help but feel your heart beat speed up in fear upon spotting them?
62 even seemed to pay them no mind and had busied himself in the quiet waiting by lightly fiddling with the hidden buttons of his new shirt. In the candle that graced the middle of your table, you couldn't help but watch the way shadows danced on his soft features. You barely even noticed when he turned his attention towards you, but when you did, you knew you could trust him to ask the question that was throbbing against your mind.
"Hey, um, can I ask you something?" You spoke lightly, drawing your voice into more of a whisper. He arched an eyebrow questioningly after widening his eyes in surprise but nodded regardless. He waited, but you said nothing.
"Closer!" you motioned in slight irritation, 62 releasing an "Ah," of understanding before leaning closer to where you could speak to him without anyone hearing. Now his head was leaned towards yours as you looked behind you just to make sure none of the creatures were in hearing range.
Satisfied with his closeness, you leaned a bit towards him as well and continued to keep your voice at a whisper while 62 fought any rising feeling of heat.
"So... you know those... things? The ones that don't have numbers and don't have a face or anything?"
62 tilted his head a bit while you motioned back to the one closest to you. His eyes cleared in understanding.
"Ah, yeah. The shadows? What about them?" You shushed him and he apologized, repeating the question but in a whisper. "Sorry, what about them?"
"Shadows? Is that what they're called? What are they?"
"I'm not exactly sure," he began in an obedient whisper while shrugging nonchalantly. "The ringmaster says they live here and that we shouldn't disturb them. Apparently they just sorta walk around, but I've noticed they always listen to the ringmaster. They do whatever he says, maybe because he's one himself. He's the only one that can talk though, so I don't know."
You watched him incredulously while he spoke.
"Aren't you curious about them? You're sorta acting like they're completely normal."
"Well..." he shrugged again after lightly taking his lower lip between his teeth. "What's there to be curious about exactly? We're dead... this place isn't exactly normal to begin with. Who are we to say what is and isn't normal? You know?"
You allowed his words to wash over you and backed away from him to slouch in your chair. Thoughts swarmed your head as your attention went elsewhere and you found that even under 62's advice, you were still fearful of the 'shadows' standing still and 'staring' your way.
You looked a bit distraught, so 62 hummed in thought as he tried to find a way to calm your nerves.
"Don't worry so much about things, peanut. After all, the food will probably be served soon, hmm? Doesn't that sound nice?" He playfully elbowed you while you fought a smile and moved your chair a little further away.
"Aish, I told you I'm not a glutton!"
62 laughed, noting that he had definitely seen the way your eyes had lit up upon the notion of food.
"I know it's boring, so let's think of something to do until then." He looked around for anything that would be of any entertainment, but to his disappointment there wasn't much to do. He was going to suggest just talking, but you interrupted him by clutching onto your skirt in excitement and scooting your chair back closer to him.
"Oh!" You spoke with a light in your eye that was now familiar. It occurred every time you were most comfortable with yourself, 62, and the environment. "I have an idea. Give me your hand."
62 stared at your hand that was slightly reached his way for only an instant before obeying and allowing his own hand to grip onto yours. You scoffed but didn't pull your hand away at first.
"Not like that," you scolded his immediate grip that made it look as if the two of you were holding hands. You watched as his eyes glinted playfully before slapping his hand in yours lightly so he would release. He winced at what you had presumed to be a light tap and you quickly moved his hand to where his palm was facing upwards when he loosened his grip.
To 62's surprise you began to move your hand against his in random and sporadic fashions with a wide smile against your face. He allowed you to do so and maneuver his hands to your liking while you preformed the odd handshake.
"See? It's like this, and then we high five, fist bump, and it's done!"
You seemed very proud of yourself while 62 sat in confusion when you finished.
"What was that, peanut? A secret handshake?"
You hummed lightly and scooted your chair back so that you once again were close to the table instead of facing him.
"Yeah, I guess. It just came to me."
62 blinked before his lips formed a soft smile. Now you were looking around in excitement as you noticed waiters walking about with tray's full of food and drinks and he noticed how your feet tapped against the floor to display this.
His palm that was usually chilled by the temperature of the Between was warm after your random boredom buster, and he couldn't help but look down to see your own hand lightly tapping in excitement against the chair.
He was broken from his thoughts when all of the sudden a waiter placed the tray of seven shot glasses in front of the two of you. 62 immediately stiffened while your mouth formed an 'o' shape and you peered at them in curiosity.
"We don't need all of these," 62 tried to tell the waiter, but he was already walking away while you stared at the fluorescent liquid in the shot glasses.
They were lined up in a row and each held a different color. You couldn't help but feel drawn to them as the liquid in the cups lightly rocked with the motion of being sat down.
62 tisked at the fact that he had been too late in signaling for the waiter to take the drinks back and didn't notice you grabbing one of the glasses in curiosity. Like the others, the liquid inside seemed to glow. The one you were holding held a green color, and you wondered if maybe it symbolized the flavor of whatever the drink was.
Too late did 62 turn around to warn you before you had already downed the entire glass; his eyes widening at the sight and immediately swiping the glass from your hands as you began coughing.
"Peanut!" You thought you heard him scold, but you were much too focused on the burning sensation of the liquid sliding down your throat to respond at first. The taste had somehow been bitter but sweet at the same time, not at all what you had expected. 62 was looking at you with worry dancing in his gaze as he examined the empty glass you had downed so fast. "Yah! What did you just drink?"
Your head felt a bit odd, but you blinked in recognition of his question and shrugged nonchalantly.
"I don't know... juice?"
He was shaking his head now in disbelief and you thought maybe you felt his hand on your shoulder.
"Peanut, what kind of juice comes in a shot glass? Your logic is flawed. What color did you take?"
You scrunched your nose in thought for a moment before telling him, still feeling a bit strange but not in a concerning way.
"Green."
Then, it hit you. It was an overwhelming sensation that flooded your body in a way that was so strong you almost fell over. Your head began to buzz in an unfamiliar way and your heart throbbed from sudden adrenaline as your eyes widened under the feeling. At first, although terrifying, it was thrilling. Your senses were on high alert, and a sudden crashing of emotion overcame you when you were able to look around.
Your vision seemed to dance with a bit of a green hue, and as you spotted the other gold tiers, you felt it. It was an emotion you didn't like feeling and usually forced deep down, but now, it was so overwhelming that you were practically basking in it.
Jealousy.
The way they dressed, the way they acted... they knew they were better than you. They had so many memories and didn't have a care for what would be happening behind the curtain. Why should they? They were perfectly content, and their stares only fueled your feelings as you gripped tightly onto your only nice dress in your lap. You heard the buzzing of 62's voice, and you turned towards him.
This didn't help with anything. Usually, you weren't jealous of 62. If you were, it was only slightly. Mostly you were just embarrassed. Now, you seemed to notice him in a new light; and a green one at that.
He didn't have to work, he only had to dance. He knew dancing was his passion and excelled at it. The whole Between loved him, and he seemed to live in a world of comfort and riches while you went to bed every night fearing your bed would break as it creaked threateningly with every small motion.
Didn't he have it all? Why did he need his name anyway? You probably didn't know half the things he did...
His eyes widened when you forcefully shook his grip off of your shoulder and stood up abruptly in the flooding feelings of negative emotion. Your body shook with adrenaline you had never had before as you stood up... and it faded away.
It was gone as soon as it had came, and you blinked in confusion when all the overwhelming thoughts and feelings left you. Once again you felt... stable. Normal. 62 was looking at you in clear concern and you noticed that he had dropped the shot glass that he had taken from you. Glass was now littered against the floor and you took a step back in both confusion and fear at what had just happened.
You felt people's eyes on you after the small scene of you pushing 62 away and standing up while he dropped the glass. You didn't like their eyes, but soon, you felt a new familiar feeling crawl up your spine as you spun around to see you were in the presence of someone who had no eyes but was somehow able to stare regardless.
"79," the ringmaster spoke with a hint of amusement to his voice as the soft violin music trickled on in the background and the other gold tiers tried to pretend they weren't looking at you who had caused the ringmaster to come to your table. You clenched your fist in fear and swallowed hard as you took a step back and sat in your chair once more. "How was your drink?"
You didn't even know what to say then as your brain was still a bit jumbled. Thankfully, 62 came to your rescue like usual.
"It was her first one and she drank it all in one go. I'm sure she's a bit shaken up, but she seems fine now. Don't worry, we can pick up the glass and-"
"No need." he spoke simply, motioning to a silver tier that immediately dropped what they had been doing and ran over to sweep up the glass. Your throat felt dry as you shrunk under the ringmaster's presence. It had been awhile since you'd seen him, and you didn't feel any more at ease around he who you had stricken a deal with. "I suppose you two are getting along well?
"Yes." 62 stated simply, not knowing what else to say and knowing you were in need of a recovery from your small episode. The ringmaster hummed and you looked up to see the shadow like void of his face whisping about as his red hat moved with the motion.
"Your outfits are intriguing, and I must say 79 you look quite lovely. I'm excited to hear more on your progress during the scheduling. For now... have a nice meal. And 62, please make sure your dance partner can hold her drinks before she chugs them."
62 stood up and bowed politely to the ringmaster as he immediately moved on to the next table. The candle in the centerpiece of your and 62's table flickered out as he passed. The flame returned after a second, and it was now illuminating your dance partner's worried face.
"Are you OK?" He asked with a sincerity that made you guilty. Everything you had just felt... you didn't usually feel. Well... maybe you did. But it was never anything of concern or something you dwelled on. It was an emotion you pushed deep down. You weren't jealous of 62 or the other gold tiers to that extent and usually tried to be proud of your bronze status. 62 was your friend, and you didn't think negatively of him regardless of the playful taunting between the two of you.
"I'm fine..." you assured him, peering at the other drinks before looking back to him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make a scene... or push you away."
"It's OK," he informed you with his signature sweetness. "It wasn't your fault. Let's get rid of these though, just in case you start going at it again."
He grabbed the blue shot glass and emptied it's contents behind the two of you over the side of the patio. You watched as the liquid dripped into the bushes before 62 grabbed the next yellow one.
"What was that?" You finally managed to ask, now feeling recovered completely and your usual curiosity brimming. 62 continued to empty the glasses and shook his head at your question.
"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you just drank a shot of diluted jealousy. Envy. You shouldn't just go downing sins left and right peanut, you have to be careful."
You stiffened while he continued emptying the liquid and stared at him in shock.
"Sins?!"
He shrugged as if it weren't a thing of concern and looked at you questioningly.
"Haven't you been to the bar yet?"
"No, 19 says I shouldn't go."
62 laughed at this and shook his head.
"Well, I can see why." You stared in awe and slight fear at the other fluorescent colored liquids while 62 sighed. "Hey, don't get any ideas. I know it's addicting, I sort of got into it when I first came here. After awhile though, I figured it probably wasn't a good thing to drink so much of it. It's relieving to have our inner thoughts, emotions, feelings, and wants revealed, but it sort of freaked me out to think that those things could potentially control me, you know?"
His words washed over you and you looked down at your hands as he tossed the last two shots of liquid out so neither of you would have access to them any longer. You were slightly trembling, and your eyes widened when you realized... you had enjoyed the sensation of jealously. Your mind had been given a revealing buzz, and you knew how easily you could fall prey to the feeling.
You shivered slightly at your own thoughts while 62 moved all the empty shot glasses to the side so a waiter could pick them up. In the corner of your eye you noticed other gold tiers sipping on the different colored shot glasses. They seemed content, and you noticed different emotions leaping through their eyes for small instances before subsiding once more.
You were pulled out of your thoughts by the feel of 62 suddenly grabbing your hand, and you whirled his way incredulously.
"Hey. Show me that handshake again, or more morse code maybe? Just until they finally give us our food."
Your hands stopped trembling under the familiar feeling of 62 holding them and you breathed out in confusion.
"Sorry... yeah. Let's do that."
He smiled and you were able to forget everything else as you turned eagerly towards your friend and busied yourself with distractions.
~~~
The food came to your table soon enough, and when it finally did... you had looked at it in horror. It was most certainly the finest quality of foods, but the portion size?
62 acted as if the small serving was normal and you watched as he placed the linen surrounding the silver ware in his lap and properly used the utensils to cut into and eat the food. You tried to copy the motion to the best of your ability, but it turned out you weren't so cut out so proper eating. After three rather large bites, you had already eaten everything.
You looked down at your empty plate in shock. The flavors and quality danced across you mouth in a way that made you crave more, but... you had already eaten it all.
62 looked over at you in amusement while you silently wept at your misfortune in coming to the event.
"Already done, peanut?"
You whirled his way with a fire in your eyes and crossed your arms, ignoring when the napkin fell from your lap.
"That was enough for like... a bird! Come on, let's leave and see if 19 will get us something at the truck." You were gripping onto his arm pleadingly but he had to shake his head.
"Sorry, we have to get through the scheduling. I have to know when I preform these next ten days and tell the ringmaster my plans and stuff."
He almost immediately caved to your crestfallen expression then, but tapped your arm as he came to a sort of compromise.
"After," he assured you with a smile, you brightening at this. "Let's go after. But maybe not to your truck. I value my fingers after all, and I don't want them going into a fryer."
"Bet," you spoke in excitement, hopeful for filling snack food and a funner time with 62 than just sitting at a nice table with stares and soft music surrounding you. He parted his lips to say something else but was interrupted by the sudden sound of a voice in a mircophone filling the covered patio.
The ringmaster was standing in the middle of the dining area, and it seemed as if the whole area went silent under his presence. The shadows around the gazebo fell still as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he spoke vibrantly, "May I have your attention."
He already had it.
"It's time for the scheduling. If you don't know the drill, I'll call your number. I may ask for a demonstration, then I'll assign you a day. Let's begin. 28!"
A woman sporting a leotard and sparkles littered against her face and in her pulled back hair stood abruptly upon hearing the call.
"28," She proudly repeated the number scrawled against her neck, "Trapeze."
The ringmaster seemed to magically pull a clip board from midair and peered at it for a moment. You didn't know how someone was supposed to demonstrate trapeze in a fancy gazebo, but the ringmaster's next words answered your question.
"No demonstration needed," he concluded, "You are on day 97." The woman took a seat and you listened for the next number to be called. "02!"
A man that sported a purple suit and had curly black with gray streaked hair pulled back into a man bun stood up and bowed to the ringmaster.
"02. Juggling."
"Demonstration please," The ringmaster spoke while pulling bowling pins from mid air and tossing them to the man. Your eyes widened at this and the entertainer caught them flawlessly; tossing them into the air in repetitive patterns as more and more pins were added and put into motion. Your mouth flew open when he called for people to throw random objects.
Soon with the bowling pins, he was also juggling plates and shoes. Indeed he was a performer, and he returned all the plates and shoes to their original positions before catching the pins and bowing. The other gold tiers clapped while the ringmaster nodded. These people were talented.
You felt small, and even more so when you noticed the look in everyone's eyes. There were about fifteen gold tiers, and each had different skills that were unique to them. However, although they clapped for each other, you couldn't help but notice an air of hostility to the group. Unlike the bronze tiers that felt compelled to look out for each other and sympathized with others, these people... were in a competition.
You felt it as it built and you noticed it in people's eyes. When 62's number was called, you noticed this air rise. Some of the performers had been told they wouldn't be preforming within the next 10 days, and you could tell how frustrated this made them. Now it seemed as if this frustration was projected on the youngest entertainer that was winking at you as his number was called.
"Watch this," he spoke smugly, standing up so everyone was staring at him. Light danced off his earrings as he held his head high. "62. Contemporary."
"Demonstration please," the ringmaster spoke, and 62 winked at you once more before leaving the table to stand in the middle of the area. You scoffed and rolled your eyes but couldn't help a smile. By now you were used to watching him dance, but even then you still couldn't help but watch in awe. His movements were so... beautiful. It was what he was meant to do.
You recognized the look then in the other entertainer's face. You knew it all too well. Jealousy. And yet, when he finished, they all drew their faces into forced smiles and congratulated him. How fake these people were. You remembered that when you had first met 62, he had been grabbing snacks for the other gold tiers. Was it a favor or had they persuaded him to with nice smiles, talking behind his back when he sweetly agreed to go run the errand?
"You'll be on day 100."
62 grinned and returned to your table, you pointedly elbowing him as he breathed a bit heavily from the strain of the dance.
"What?" he teased.
"Show off," you tisked, he laughing before you were both pulled out of your own world by hearing what the ringmaster spoke next.
"And our new duo! 79 and 62."
You both froze, 62's face showing confusion and yours shock. He hadn't expected the both of you to get called, but under everyone's stares you were both forced to slowly stand up.
"62, contemporary," he repeated, and he looked at you while you didn't quite know what to say.
"Um... 79, contemporary." You didn't sound sure or secure in your response, and you stiffened upon hearing a few laughs from the other tables.
"Excellent. For those who don't know, these two young performers will soon be making their debut as something rare to the Between. A dancing duo. A couple, if you will."
You flushed under everyone's gaze and badly wanted to sit back down. Unfortunately, the ringmaster then spoke words that made your body freeze once more.
"Demonstration, please."
You looked at 62 with wide eyes as he tried to calm you with his own. He as well hadn't expected the predicament but had to soothe your sudden panic. You had yet to preform in front of anyone.
"I barely know the choreography!" You hissed as he took your hand in his and hesitantly led you to the middle of the room.
"It's OK," he responded, "let's just do what we know. It's just a demonstration."
You couldn't even protest under the stare of the ringmaster and the feel of 62's hand squeezing yours comfortingly. You felt the metal of his rings against your skin as you met his eyes and the familiar presence of his hand on your waist occurred.
"Just follow my lead, don't look at anyone else. It will be OK," he spoke in a light whisper of assurance. He could feel you trembling, but it slightly subsided when you looked up at him. This was your first time dancing in your new dress and in front of people. Even if it would only be for a few seconds, you still felt insecure and unprepared.
However, 62 was familiar. Dancing with him felt familiar. The redness against his face as he held you close to him in your new appearance wasn't... but he was. When he began the dance, you followed.
Trying to block everyone else out, you focused on he that was familiar and his lessons as your feet moved in the correct patterns and you let him lead you in the motions.
Soon you were spinning, and he caught you before moving on further into the waltz. You were at the point to where you had stopped learning, and you froze before 62 somehow managed to play off the end of the short snipit of the dance.
It was over. People were clapping. You broke away and looked to the floor. You didn't want to see the looks of the gold tiers on you and 62. The ringmaster clapped, and you looked his way in surprise.
"Excellent. You're coming along well, 79. So well in fact that... I'm putting the two of you on day 105."
Your mouth fell open upon this sudden news and you looked to 62 praying he would know the answer to fix the problem. Didn't the ringmaster agree to not rush you? That was in 9 days!
"Sir," he piped up with a nervous bow, "With all due respect that's sort of soon and-"
"You don't need anymore time. Time is precious here, and so is entertainment. I'm pleased with 79's progress, so I'm sure it will go fine."
You yourself parted your lips to speak up under the fearful beating of your heart that occurred with the information of the time crunch, but he interrupted you.
"And that concludes the scheduling. See you at the show in an hour where 88 will be preforming, and have a nice night."
With that, he vanished. You blinked wondering if you had even seen correctly before everyone began shuffling about to leave the event. Workers began cleaning and the shadows seemed to fade away. The other entertainers slowly began taking their leave as they silently left the patio.
You looked at 62 who was nervously threading his fingers through his hair.
"That's in 9 days," You spoke with a shaky voice.
"I know."
"I don't think I'll be ready!"
62 paused before looking at you. You looked scared before the dance and now... but while you were dancing you had preformed almost perfectly. Your eyes held fear but your body had known what to do.
"You will be. Don't worry, we'll work hard."
You sighed at this and let your shoulders drop. They ached along with the rest of your body as you bit your lower lip. How much harder would this work be? You could barely take what you had been through so far. Through this though, you managed to clench your fists in determination. You could do it, and if you kept it up then 62 and you would soon practice in the main tent.
"How about going to the food truck then? Ready to go?" He brought up the enticement of what you had been excited for earlier, and at first you nodded eagerly. As you began walking out of the gazebo and away from the gold hotel though, you suddenly stopped walking and looked down at yourself.
62 noticed your missing presence and looked back in confusion. You were staring at your dress with your lips pursed tightly.
"Something wrong?" He questioned while tilting his head and you quickly snapped your gaze back to him.
"Oh," you spoke nervously. "It's nothing. It's just that I don't think my attire is so good for walking through the Between. Where are my old clothes?"
"Probably in the washing room," 62 informed you, "Usually it takes a day to get the clothes back to you. Don't worry, I can give them to you tomorrow at practice."
You looked at him in horror.
"What?! But... that means I have to sleep and work in this dress?!"
The thought of working in the food truck in the pretty red dress made your anxiety flare for two reasons. For one, you didn't want to ruin it. For two, you didn't want to appear in front of your workmates in such a manner. As you fretted, 62 seemed to be looking off in thought.
He came to a conclusion and beamed as he caught your attention.
"Stay right here," he instructed, taking off and leaving you blinking in surprise as he disappeared from your field of vision in the dark night.
His heartbeat pounded from the aftermath of dancing twice and running as he approached the gold hotel and flung the large double door open. After entering the elevator, he clicked the floor that held his apartment and waited in slight impatience as it slowly ascended to the desired level.
The doors were soon open and he was flying down the carpeted halls as he fished for the key to his room in his pocket in anticipation. The hallway was quiet and eerie as he inserted and turned the key in the lock.
If the hallway had been considered eerie, then his room was an entire other thing.
It was cold and dark before 62 flickered on the light that flooded the extremely spacious and empty area. There was a silence to it that was haunting, but like usual he fought past the feeling of his room and focused on one thing.
He made his way to his walk in closet back in the bedroom, but before he could fling the doors open, he froze.
A chill had run down his spine upon the sudden feeling of a familiar... presence.
Taking his lower lip between his teeth, he hesitated before letting his head hang with a sigh.
"I know you're here." He spoke out, pointedly not looking back knowing what he would see. Silence greeted him. "I told you to stay out, but since you keep coming back... just know I'm not scared of you. I'm busy, so stay out of my way."
And with that he opened the walk in closet and tried to ignore the chills that refused to stop along with the knowing that he was being watched. He shook his head and looked around the room full of clothes that had been picked out to fit his style.
There were tons of options, and although he wanted to pick things out that he knew you would look good in, he knew you were slightly impatient and wanted food. 62 smiled at this and bit his inner cheek trying to picture you in his clothes.
The thought made his cheeks flush for a moment before he quickly dropped what was entering his mind and instead grabbed a few random things. They wouldn't fit you right of course, but they would do.
The only difficult part now would be getting you to accept them.
Like usual, 62 was up for the challenge and smiled as he gathered the clothes in his arms and exited the closet. He didn't look up and ignored the presence in his room as he pointedly left the empty suffocating feeling to return back to you.
~~~
I love the small cute Between Footsteps community <3 As much as I'd like this book to do well, I also love the small cluster of people reading and interacting with each other. It's super fun and I stan. A lot happened and was introduced in this chapter lol and I apologize once again that my chapters are so long. Thanks for staying with this book! I'm still trying to find a good picture to represent 79's dress lol, so bare with me. Until next time! <3