Something In The Mist (l.s.)

1

Louis' Pov:

Ballroom dancing – I adored it. I took a firm few steps towards the mosaic floor, soft classical music played in the background coming from a spectacular little band (full of violins, flutes, a variety of other woodwind instruments and a grand pearl white piano) – if I said so myself.

"May I dance with you Sir you look a little lonely?" a mid-twenties looking blond spoke with gentleness towards me, "Yes I'd take pleasure in dancing with you." I responded formally to her like my mother had taught me to do, I remember being little and hearing her lecture me saying "William if you ever want a wife you must be formal and polite – kindness is the way to a woman's heart!". I miss her overly exaggerated lectures, apparently, once you turn the ripe age of eighteen you are meant to know everything.

We made our way – hands entwined – to a vacant spot left of the mass of people slow dancing. I didn't wait too long before setting my hands about her dainty, narrow waist whilst she wrapped her arms delicately and rather femininely around my neck. Once our hands had took their rightful places, we stepped cautiously and slowly to the right starting to slow dance.  We moved gracefully to the soft tempo of the music – eyes directly looking at each other. I look almost invasively into her dark hazel eyes as if trying to find something – like treasure at the bottom of the ocean. There was something missing in her eyes like a puzzle piece. I looked over her shoulder (which was covered in a short cut cherry-red sleeve) and glanced somewhat tentatively around the room. Without looking, I spun her round watching every other couple do the same as if the domino effect had just taken place. As I spun her I caught eyes with a tall man to my right, he was clad in a lovely black blazer and pants, a light grey vest, a white-collared t-shirt paired with a black bow-tie (which was perfectly tied around his collar).  I stuck with ties as I could never get my clumsy fingers to tie a bow - tie properly – one of my many flaws. He looked back at me, his emerald eyes boring into my own bright blue ones. He not-so-subtly trailed his eyes down my neatly pressed suit. I felt my company chastely press her thin lips against my cheek, a slight trace of red marked where she'd kissed me, I looked down at her smiling kindly but not before catching the slight (barely noticeable) grimace the man in the far right gave at the new mark on my cheek. Odd...

An hour or so later, we broke apart from our dance and headed our separate ways. I headed over to the man who was still stood on his own, he looked like he could benefit from some company. "Hello," I said as I approached him, "I'm Louis but you can call me Lou." I held out my hand firmly, his hand engulfed mine as we curtly shook hands. "I'm Harold."  Harold...I liked that name, it sounded strong and even a little posh – dare I say so myself with my name unabbreviated. "Nice to meet you Harold." I smiled, I instantly adored the way his name rolled off of my tongue. "You too Lou." He smiled back at me, two dimples appearing as well as his pearly white teeth. "Do you want a drink?" he questioned politely in his deep, very gruff voice. "Yes please, I'll have a gin and tonic."

"Sophisticated...I like it." He chuckled lightly. We walked to the bar together. He ordered our drinks and we took a seat on the stools.