CRUEL SUMMER

12: Sober Thoughts

THE NEXT morning, Olivia tried her best to act normal, like nothing had happened last night- however, she was on the verge on tears all morning. The girl had completely forgotten about the dance rehearsal today, and forgotten to bring a date.

Belly questioned, "Do you know where Conrad was this morning?"

Via couldn't find any words to reply, as her eyes darted around the hall which was filled with the Debs and their partners. Belly stood alone next to her, and Via didn't know who she had asked- she pressumed it was Cam... or Conrad, or Jeremiah.

"Hey, Livy?" Belly repeated, snapping Via out of her trance, "Are you okay? You kind of zoned out."

"Yeah, uh, fine." Via smiled slightly, and Belly knew it was fake. She continued, "I think Connie went-"

"Attention, everyone." Paige interrupted, "Please welcome our Debutante waltz instructor, Miss Covington, all the way from Miss Convington's School of Ballroom Dance in Newton."

"Thank you, Paige." The old woman smiled, "As you all know, the waltz is the most highly anticipated part of the ball. So, please join your partners now... and we will begin with fundamentals, starting with the box step."

Via's heart dropped, looking around at the Debutantes partner up and start practicing the waltz. Via felt frozen on the spot, her heart racing in her tightened chest.

"Hey." Nicole walked up to the girls, "Where's your escorts?" She looked at Belly, "Weren't you gonna ask Cam?"

Belly explained, "Um, six margaritas kind of ruined that plan."

"I actually counted seven." Nicole smiled, before looking at Via, "Did you eventually ask anyone?"

Via stressed, "No, uh, I didn't, I-"

"Hey, that's okay." Nicole reassured, "You two can just partner up today, but please make sure you bring your escorts for the big night, okay?"

Nicole left the two girls who stood awkwardly in front of each other. Belly was the first to move, placing her hands on Via's hip, before holding her other hand. Olivia internally panicked, before placing her hand on Belly's shoulder.

The girl's started stepping backwards then forwards in a rhythm to Belly's counting, which Via couldn't focus on. She loved dancing with Belly, but couldn't keep her mind off her hand on her waist.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Belly blurted out, as they continued stepping, "You seem, like, tense or something."

Via hesitated, "I'm, uh, just worried about finding an escort. You know?"

"You don't have to be worried about that." Belly reassured, before moving the hand on her waist and placing it on the girls stomach- where her anxiety was. Belly hummed, shutting her eyes tightly as if she was some kind of witch casting a spell.

Via chuckled nervously, "Belly, what are you doing?"

She grinned, opening her eyes, "I'm getting rid of all of your worries."

Via hesitated, "Remember you said about us going to the ball together? I mean, I totally understand if you want to ask Cameron or someone."

Belly replied, "I was actually thinking of breaking up with Cam."

"Really?" Via questioned, as they danced, "Why?"

"I don't know, uh, there's no fireworks." Belly explained, "So, maybe we should go together, as friends. Unless you're going to ask someone."

"No, uh, im not." Via chuckled, a grin appeared on her face as she giggled, "Cool."

The moment was interrupted by the classical music changing into So Pretty by Reyanna Maria. Jeremiah stood at the entrance, a flirtatious grin appeared on his face as he started dancing to the beat.