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I arrived at the location James's had attached, I glided my way through the crowd and ended on the dance floor, the vibrant hues of the lights casting a soft glow of colors around me.
As I moved through the crowd, I couldn't help but scan the faces around me, searching for James. His eyes had lit up when he saw me enter, but just as I was about to give up and look elsewhere, I collided with someone's solid chest, jolting me out of my thoughts.
Startled, I stumbled back a step before steadying myself, looking up to see who I had bumped into.
And there he was, James, with his mischievous grin and twinkling eyes, looking down at me as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
"You came," he said, his voice teasing and playful.
I couldn't help but laugh, the tension melting away as I met his gaze. "Sorry about that," I said, feeling a rush of adrenaline coursing through me. "I was looking for you."
James's grin widened, and he reached out to take my hand. "No need to apologize," he said, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. "I'm glad you found me."
"I was thinking," I began, a playful glint in my eye, "I think the past is overrated." I smiled, locking my gaze with his.
James's smile widened, and he held out his hand for me to take. Without hesitation, I reached for it, the warmth of his touch sending a thrill through me.
He guided me to a less busy corner of the dance floor. As a new song began to play, I couldn't help but express my enthusiasm.
Moth To A Flame.
"Ugh, I love this song!" I exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as the familiar melody filled the air.
I let myself be carried away by the music, swaying my hips to the beat as James mirrored my movements with effortlessly. We danced with an easy rhythm, our bodies moving in perfect sync as we laughed and joked together.
His hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer as we moved in harmony. Our gazes remained locked, sharing an unspoken connection that spoke volumes without a single word.
As we danced, our movements growing more intimate with each step, James leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper in my ear.
"You're a pretty good dancer," he teased, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.
I laughed softly, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "Well, I did have a great partner," I replied, meeting his gaze with a playful twinkle in my eye.
He grinned, his hand tightening slightly around my waist as he spun me gently. "I guess we make a good duo," he murmured, his eyes never leaving mine.
I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement coursing through me. "Yeah, I guess we do," I agreed, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
The music transitioned into a slow, sultry melody, I felt James's hand firmly grip my waist, drawing me closer to him. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as his eyes darted between mine and my lips. The tension between us was visible, and I could sense his nerves mirroring my own.
"Thank you for the dress," I murmured, breaking the silence.
"You're welcome," he replied, his smile warm and genuine.
Suddenly, he spun me around, pulling me against his chest as our fingers intertwined. I could feel his breath tickling my neck, sending shivers down my spine as our bodies swayed to the rhythm of the music.
Just as our lips were about to meet, a drink spilled onto my top. Elaine, offered a half-hearted apology, her annoyance evident on her face.
Refusing to let her ruin the moment, I maintained my composure, though my patience was wearing thin.
"Perfect timing, it was getting hot." I retorted sharply, my irritation bubbling to the surface. Elaine recoiled at my response, taken aback by my sudden assertiveness.
Sensing the tension, James intervened, his touch grounding me as he whispered in my ear, "Let's get out of here."
⋅˚₊‧ ★ ‧₊˚ ⋅
I waited nervously by the pool as James went to fetch his jacket. The memories of the accident flooded back, making me wary of the water's edge.
Suddenly, water splashed against my shoes, and I whipped around to see Cyril and his friends, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Knock it out," I snapped, my irritation clear.
"Hey, Iris," he called out, moving closer. He grabbed me, pulling me towards the pool.
Panic surged through me as I struggled against his grip. "No, let me go!" I yelled out, desperation in my voice.
But it was too late. I hit the water, the shock sending me reeling. Underneath the surface, memories from the accident flooded my mind, overwhelming me.
I could only think of one thing. My mother.
Then, out of nowhere, James was there, swimming towards me. He pulled me to the surface, and I clung to him, gasping for air.
"It's okay, Iris," he murmured softly, holding me close. I sobbed against his neck, the fear and panic overwhelming me.
He stroked my hair gently, his soothing words washing over me as I struggled to calm down. "It's okay," he repeated.
