The Enemy's Dance

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We entered the college ballroom hand in hand and I could already feel everyone's stares. I avoided people's gaze as I was so nervous about this. I could swear that I heard my heart beat boom boom but I couldn't do anything about it. I slowly tightened my grasp on her arm and she turned to me and whispered, Hey, it's going to be alright. Just walk like you own the place. I closed my eyes and took three deep breaths before finally calming down and walking making sure the click of my heel was heard as I took each step. I suddenly gained the confidence to let go of her hand and I found myself just following the tune to the music and moving my feet to the beat. I held the sides of my gown gently like how a princess would do and caught up with everyone I knew.

Everyone welcomed me and we talked for hours before the slow dance kicked in. I looked around to find Rochelle but she was too busy just talking to many other people here. I casually let myself sit in one of the chairs pulled in the corners and caught my breath just admiring the effort to put up a huge ball like this. Just as I was drinking a glass of water I spotted Astrophel walking towards me. Astrophel and I used to be in the same school for years and for some reason he decided to study in the same college as me too. It was annoying actually. He and I are high school enemies. If I were there in dance, he'd be there too just to compete with me.

He had to be there everywhere I was. And when I asked him about it, he'd just reply with a, It's fun competing with you. I feel like I've found myself a perfect match to compete. Besides competing with me, he'd also pick on me for the littlest things. Once he took the only pen that I use to write with and said, Sorry, I forgot to bring mine. And I had to borrow Siera's because Rochelle wasn't in my class that day. What a jerk.

Astrophel in his blue suit that matched his eyes, pulls his hand toward me and asks, May I have this dance with you, princess?

Is he mocking me? I would never have a dance with him and he knew that. Don't leave me hanging. He says with a stupid smirk on his face. I roll my eyes. I have already danced enough, Astrophel.

He pulls back his hands and leans towards me to tuck in little strands of my blond hair under my ears. What if I told you, you look beautiful tonight? I couldn't feel my heart anymore. I gulped and tightened my lips.

No charm of yours is going to let me get up and dance with your dumb arse. He laughed. What's this feeling? I'm not used to feeling like this towards him at all. This is not right. Something's off.

It's just a dance, you silly girl. Come. He stretched his hand again and I reluctantly agreed this time. He twirled me out of the seat and pulled me close to his body. I found my hands on his body and God was it hard there? Did he work out? Shut up, Narcissa. You don't need to know that.

He slowly and gently placed his left hand on my waist and my cheeks turned bright red. Was he always this handsome? He let out a chuckle and whispered, You're looking like an idiot. At least pretend to have this dance with me. I slowly nod unable to form words. Wh-where should I-um-I stutter for the first time in front of him as I eye my hands that were still on his-I-don't-want-to-believe-it-but rock-hard abs. He smiled and instructed that I place my left hand on his right shoulder and my right hand on his left hand. Everyone gasped around us since they knew we never got along.

We danced matching the rhythm and 1-2 to the left and 3-4 to the right. He locked his eyes on mine and I tried every time to look away but he was making this harder for me. He suddenly pulls me closer and says, Never knew you felt this way about me, princess. What was he talking about? Did he hear the fast pace of my heartbeat? Was he simply picking on me again? How was I supposed to answer this? With sarcasm?

I was so confused so I let out a, What do you mean? He leans close to me as if he was going to kiss me but he just whispered in my ear, Don't act stupid, princess. Shivers went down my spine. Did he have to be so close to me? I looked anywhere but his eyes and avoided his gaze and mumbled, I don't know what you are talking about. He laughed and suddenly said, I'm afraid I have to drop you.

DROP? What was I thinking? I knew something like this would happen. He was never nice to me. Why would he be nice now? I stood there in silence and closed my eyes ready to embrace whatever he meant by DROP me. He twirls me thrice and moves in squares before he finally drops me and I pant. Everyone applauds and before I open my eyes to know what was happening and why I didn't feel the floor at all, I felt his lips on mine and I didn't back away. He pulls me straight and continues kissing me. Forgetting everyone else in the room, I tighten the kiss by bringing my hands to his hair. It was only when I could hear everyone's phone clicking pictures, I open my eyes and push him off.

Narcissa, I- I was sure my heart skipped a beat turning my stomach into a swirl. He had called me by name before but today felt somewhat different. What is it that you really want, Astrophel? You fight with me. You pick on me. You and I are meant to be-He walks closer to me and pulls out my hand-Lovers. He finishes. I'm sorry I keep hurting you but the truth is I have only had eyes for you since the beginning and I didn't think you'd feel the same way so I pretended to not like you to be with you. All those years when I was picking on you, it was all because I love you, princess.

My heart's pace quickened. I hadn't known he felt that way. Everyone around us stood in silence as he stood there with a sincere apology in his eyes mixed with a little of something new. Love.

This is too much to take in. I slowly breathe and giggle.

He left me no choice now. I love you too, my prince.