Arranged

The party.

I squirmed a bit nervously in my saddle on the way to the village square. Having confidence in your own room is one thing, in public around others is something entirely different. Once arrived I took a deep breath and dismounted my horse.
"Looking to make a special entrance I see." I turned and smiled "me special ? Please not one person has noticed my absence while you are here" Yesenia laughed politely and held out her hand as I finished tying up my horse. "Come your mama keeps looking around to see if you've arrived". I gently took her hand and followed her to the party. The town square had been decorated beautifully with garlands of flowers and candles that cast a warm glow everywhere. I couldn't help but smile as I looked around. "I'll let you attend to your parents Julieta" Yessenia released my hand and glided away before I could respond at all.
I walked over and said hello to my mother who seemed both surprised and proud of my new look. I sat next to her and held her hand quietly, realizing the stress of what was to come in mere days had caught up to me now. "Why don't you find a partner to dance with. You should enjoy yourself tonight. Don't think about tomorrow" I shook my head and pleaded with my eyes for her to let me be, but her sharp eyes did not soften.
I stood and walked around quietly waving to friends and saying polite hellos to neighbors. Avoiding the new attention I seemed to be getting from some of the men. What was the point of it now ? I was getting married soon . I sighed realized that my mother was completely right and that there would be no point in torturing myself . I decided I would have some punch and then start talking to my friends. I reached the punch table and was sipping a glass when a hand was held out before me. "May I have the honor of a dance señorita?" I set my glass down and looked up at the handsome stranger. I nodded shyly and took his hand. We took our place on the dance floor as the music began and the strangers arms were around me in mere moments. "I suppose you don't remember me" i shook my head "no sir, are you from a town near by ?" An amused smile spread across his face as he twirled me along " No I'm actually home from distant travels Señorita Navarro" "Is that so?... who gave you my name?" The stranger chuckled and smiled down at me "I should be upset with you for not recognizing your fiancé Señorita  but, I find it absolutely impossible to be cross with you when you look so beautiful in the candle light"  I froze mid step and as my feet suddenly felt like lead. "Don't worry, I was just teasing Señorita Navarro." I began moving along with the mans gentle leading but could form no words "I hope you're alright, you didn't look up once the whole ceremony and I could feel your hands tremble" i gave a small nod and looked around at anything to avoid meeting eyes with him. "Are you so unsatisfied with your match that you still refuse to look at me?" My eyes snapped up and immediately locked with his "I- .. I'm sorry, Please forgive me.. I am terrible at making conversation Mr..."
The man smiled as we continued to twirl about
"Arias, Eduardo Arias" I smiled politely. "Mr.Arias"
"You're very beautiful" my face flushed and I looked away again. "Thank y-you" the music ended and Don Arias kept his hold on my waist and hand until the next song began. "I heard that you spend your days teaching in the school house" my stomach churned as I replied "yes, I love the children and the town lacks a formally trained teacher so I have been assisting" Don arias smiled down warmly before carefully dipping me "I think that's lovely of you" my eyes shot back up to Mr. Arias 's and me smiled and before he could reply was  interrupted
"Excuse me," Eduardo turned to answer the speaker "may I cut in" I smiled at the old man , thankful for the escape "of course Don Dominguez for you there will always be a dance" Eduardo chuckled "I will go say hello to some friends then, enjoy yourselves"  Don Dominguez and I danced as best as we could considering the height difference but it was fun all the same. Everyone knew he was as kind and sweet as he was short and clumsy. Eventually the song ended and everyone clapped and I took this as a chance to escape my new partner. My poor toes had been stepped on so much I had a light limp. Still I was happy to have gotten away and found an empty chair to rest in for a moment. "You know Don Dominguez always looks forward to dancing with you every time there is a party" I looked up and smiled awkwardly having been caught off guard and staring at the dancers "Hello Alejandro" Alejandro tipped his hat politely "you know you're the only girl in this town that smiles and who accepts happily?" I frowned for a moment and glanced back at the dance floor, Don Dominguez was now dancing with Nicolasa who seemed to be counting the minutes till the dance was over. "I love dancing with Don Dominguez, despite the squished toes... he's very gentle and very witty" Alejandro smiled the same handsome smile he always had that made the corner of his eyes crinkle . I sighed and smiled back. "You seem different tonight, are you okay?" I stood and pulled my shawl tighter around myself "different...."
Alejandro gently swiped his thumb across my cheek  and chuckled "you look like Yessenia and the other girls" I took a short breath and looked away. Somehow Alejandro always knew how to say the wrong thing at the right time. "Are you alright ..." I nodded and smoothed out my skirts looking around for Eduardo " I ...I think you should find Yessenia. You haven't danced with her yet have you ?" Alejandro shifted his weight on his feet "...no"
I looked back at him "well she seems to have been looking for you so I won't take up anymore of your time Don Robles-" "I want to dance with you Julieta"
I scoffed and for the first time looked at Alejandro with  actual annoyance "dance with me ?....Alejandro you're my friend. We've been friends since we were 5 and you haven't asked me to dance even once since the day you met Yessenia ... not on my birthday, not for New Years not for anything... why now?" Alejandro looked at me silently for a moment and held out his hand "because every time I tried to ask you, I lost my nerve"
I looked at him for a moment  and gently laid my hand on his "you're lying" Alejandro lead us to the floor as a slow waltz started "I'm not a liar Juli" I rolled my eyes "every man lies Alejandro, some about where they've been all night, some about debt, some lie about intentions and some lie for sport" Alejandro'set his hand on my waist "why would I lie to you ?" "Why would you be nervous to dance with me ? I'm your friend and besides you dance with women all the time. I'm just another woman-" "I don't see you as a woman Julieta. You're just ... you-" "I'm not a woman?" I scoffed "is that why you laughed at me earlier? Because suddenly to you now I look like a woman?" Alejandro sighed exasperatedly "that's not what I meant Juli-" I pushed his hand off my waist and    Wrapped my shawl around myself "it's okay... enjoy the rest of your night Don Robles...and I hope yours and Yessenias match is a happy one." I gave a brief curtsy and went off away as far as I could from him ignoring his calls.
I spent the rest of the night dancing with Eduardo, ignoring the looks from both Alejandro and Yessenia.
Avoiding either one until the end of the final dance.
"My my little Julieta has become popular with someone hasn't she ?" I frowned at the snarky tone Yessenia spoke in "I hope you had fun too Yessenia"
"You couldn't get enough attention tonight could you"
I was taken back by her boldness and wanted nothing more to silence her just once. I remembered all the times she had talked over me, pushed past me, ignored me or backhandedly insulted me in our youth and all the times I had just taken it to keep the peace. No more.
"No Yessenia, I did" "did what?" I sighed
"I got all the attention you've had the past 19 years in just tonight. It was more then enough." Yessenias eyes widened in outrage "if you'll excuse me then, I wish you a goodnight....you may have back the worlds attention tomorrow" I turned away and joined my family before she could say anything. I smiled and chuckled quietly as I waited for my family to finish saying goodnight to their friends. "Leaving without goodnight trouble maker ?" I laughed and held out my hand "You're the worst girl I've ever met Julieta Navarro" I smirked "And you are the most horrible boy I've ever met Eduardo Arias" my cheeks flushed as Eduardo took my small hand in his own and gently brought it to his lips for a kiss "Good Night"
I nodded shyly and curtsied before being helped into the carriage. I smiled and waved as the carriage began to be pulled away. The nights party had proven to be the perfect distraction .