Next Door

Dancing

"Come on, let's do it!" Ashlyn encouraged. "It'll be fun."

"I didn't know there would be opportunities to dance here..." Big Red said nervously. "I just thought it was music."

"I know."

"I suck at dancing."

"So? We were gonna dance at prom, weren't we? At least a little? It's fun." She smiled.

"You really want me too?"

"I think we'll both like it." She nodded. "We've danced before, you don't have to be good at it."

"Fine." He gave in. She smiled, making him do the same. "I guess it will be fun."

"Yes!" They stood up. She grabbed his hand and brought him to the open space they could dance on. They started slow dancing, Big Red constantly stepping on her feet or bumping her.

"I'm sorry!" He frantically apologized each time.

"It's fine honey." She smiled slightly. He stepped on her foot again. "Ouch." She muttered under her breath, pulling her foot away.

"It hurt this time? Sorry!"

"No, no, it's alright." She shook her head and kept dancing, trying to lead him.

"You sure you wanna do this, I keep hurting you?"

"I want to." She nodded. "We really don't have to though—"

"No, you want to. I'll keep trying."

"Oh, thank you." She smiled.

"Yeah, of course." He stumbled.

"Woah! Look, let's sit." She grabbed his hand and sat back down across from him.

"But it's what you want to—"

"I'd also like you to stay standing up." She interrupted him. "That would be nicer."

"I'm sorry." He apologized, feeling guilty.

She leaned over the table and kissed him. "Please don't be. I'm not making you do it, I just wanted to try." She sat back down.

"Okay." He nodded, smiling shyly.

"You ready to go?" She tilted her head.

"Ready when you are."

"Me too." She shrugged. "So yes?"

"Sure." He nodded. He took her hand and she stood up, before they both walked out.

"Thanks for tonight, it was really nice." She said, getting in the car. He started driving.

"It was." He smiled.

"You seem off, hon, is it the dancing thing?"

"I guess. I just wish it could've been... extra special."

"Come on!" She was on the verge of whining, wanting to quickly cheer him up. "It was. It was amazing, and so were you. I like dancing, yeah, but... this is gonna be so cheesy—"

"What is?"

"I like dancing but I love you." Ashlyn said, almost at a mumble. "Overused but I mean it."

He held her hand. "Love you too Ash." He grinned. She beamed, able to tell he was happier.