𝐼𝑛𝑘 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡

Chapter 15: Dance

I hear the chime of the bell that's attached to the diner door and can sense that she has finally arrived. I could practically feel her sunny presence.

"There's my favorite person!" She takes a seat across from me and Jd with a big smile on her face as she sets her purse down next to her.

"How's my Mac a Ronnie beeeeen?!"

I smile back at her feeling pure joy run through my body as I hear that goofy nickname that I hold dear to my heart.

"I've been doing well, how are y'a Heather?"

"Oh I've been well, just doing me as always. So, you gonna introduce me?" She wiggles her brows a bit as she looks over at Jd.

I let out a giggle, "Heather, this is Jd. Jd this is practically my sister, Heather."

"Greetings and salutations Heather. Nice to finally meet y'a. Veronica has told me lots about you."

"Has she? Well I hope it's all been good things."

"Oh of course it's been! Honestly I don't think I have anything negative to say about y'a."

"Aww Thanks Ronnie."

We smile at each other as the waitress takes our order.

Me and Jd order a chocolate shake to share and Heather orders a strawberry one. We all then order our burgers and begin the wait for our food.

"Okay, so I have an idea...an idea for a grand party!"

Me and Jd exchange glances clearly questioning the 'grand' part of the sentence.

"Grand?"

"Oh Yeah! Im going to have a masquerade ball at my house!"

Jd stays quiet even though he is as shocked as I am at news. Probably even more shocked considering he doesn't know about Heathers fortune and mansion.

"Y'know that one big ball room that came with my house? Well I never use it and we've always wanted to have a big grandiose party before soooo..."

"Wow, Heather that sounds...amazing! I'd love to go I mean we've been dreaming of this since we were freshmen." I look over at Jd and give him a face that screams 'please say you'll go.'

I know he isn't one for big dances, especially ones like this, but I'm hoping he will be there with me to be the one who'll whisk me around the dance floor in elegant sways and turns.

"I'll go. This seems important to you."

Yes!

"Thank you so much!" I kiss his cheek and he smiles a bit as a hue of blush appears on his cheeks.

"We will definitely be there."

"Great! Now, I've invited some other friends but I'm sure you'll get along with them. They are all very kind people so don't worry."

I give her a nod as the waitress arrives with our food. She places it in front of us and I can't resist immediately taking a sip of the shake which then turns into a chug once I taste how good it is.

"Woah Woah Woah slow down, you gonna save some for me?" He raises his eyebrows at me a little as he chuckles.

I pull away from the straw, "Sorry, it's so damn good though. Here."

I position the straw towards him and hold it in place as he takes a sip.

"Your right about that one. I might have to steal it all for myself now."

"I'm always right and you are not going to be stealing that under my watch."

We both giggle and I can tell Heather is watching our interactions with a caring smile. She always loves to watch couples. When we would hang out she would people watch couples and comment on the good and the bad she saw. It could get real entertaining I have to admit.

-

After hugging Heather goodbye and leaving the 50s designed diner, Jd and I head back to my apartment.

We get in the door and set our things down on the counter like his wallet and my purse. We place our shoes by the door and turn on a few lights.

Recently, he's been spending the night or coming over for a bit during the day. He can't stay extremely long though since his German Shepard, Baudelaire, needs taken care of.

I can't wait to see Baudelaire one day. I find it charming that he named his dog after a poet.

"What would you like to do tonight?"

"Hm, well I think that we should practice for the dance. We need to be the best dancers there."

He gives me a look.

"Oh come on, please?" I give him puppy dog eyes to be extra and we both end up laughing at them.

"Okay okay fine I'll dance with you but only because I love you."

I give him a hug and a kiss.

"I love you too, thank you. Now let's try and figure out some ballroom dances shall we?"

"We shall."

-

Holy shit, ballroom dances are challenging. Memorizing and trying not to step on toes or turn the wrong way is more demanding of a task than I thought.

I think we have stepped on each others toes 40 times now and we have definitely messed up some turns.

Every time though, we'd laugh and get right back to it. I know this wasn't his cup of tea so I'm glad he isn't completely hating it.

After, I would say, 3 hours we have learned 4 dances. Don't ask me how.

We each grab a cup of water and drink the cold liquid. We were both exhausted from all the choreo and slumped on the couch side by side.

"I think we did very well."

"Oh yeah we were practically perfect."

The sarcasm in his voice makes me chuckle and I take the remote in my hands as I push the button that turns on the black screen in front of us.

We decide to order food and he stays for awhile before he says he needs to go home to take care of Baudelaire.

He bids me a farewell and the door shuts behind him as he takes his leave.

I turn off the lights in my apartment after cleaning up and change into my silky blue pjs feeling satisfied with the day that is now ending.

Tonight I dream of extravagant dresses and dances that are held in the gold gleaming hue of a ballroom.