Strawberries And Crows (Canceled, For Now)

Part 6- The party

The heavy doors swing open and hundreds of Noblemen and women from across the county file into the ballroom.

I gulp, biting my lip.

Several people come straight up to Elizabeth and Richard, and Richard takes her hand in his.

Elizabeth side eyes me, a look in her eyes like disgust.

She'll have to do much worse that holding hands with him if she goes through with the marriage, though. But I won't tell her that.

Eventually, after several kisses on the cheeks from people who don't even really know Elizabeth or Richard, The band starts playing, and the guests are being escorted to their seats.

Right now, the dance floor is calling my name, but I'll have to wait.

My father stands and starts blabbing on about young love and stuff like that.

Yeah, young for sure. Elizabeth is sixteen.

I sigh.

He finishes off his speech and the guests and us people under the stained glass window are permitted to stand and move around.

At that announcement, I leap out of my seat. A few distant family members come up to me, apparently not aware of how much of a trouble I am.

I smile and nod, but in my chest my heart is pounding, and I feel like I can't breath.

I dash away to find Elizabeth, talking to some people our age.

" Elizabeth! " I call, strutting up next to her. " My father asked me to tell you this, but in our family it is a tradition to dance with your best friend. " I smile, so go find them and we can get started-- "

Elizabeth like her arm around mine.
" You are my best friend, silly. " she laughs, dragging me to the dance floor.

" I didn't actually expect that. " I say. " I'd thought you were popular, friends with everyone. " I explain.

" Popularity doesn't equal friendship. " she lectures me. " I've never clicked with someone before like I have with you! That's enough to make you my best friend for now. " she smiles, and we begin the dance.

" Y'know, traditionally this is done with a male best friend. " I explain.

" I don't have a male best friend. " she giggles.

" Did you get to the punch? " I ask, she nods in response.

I sigh, but I end up bumping into someone, who scowls at me. I make a dash for it, heading towards the door. It's so loud all of a sudden.

It's pouring rain outside, I can see through the stained glass window.

I puff, taking refuge near the snacks stand. " Yum. " I say, plucking a strawberry off a platter.

A suspicious person stands at the other end of the buffet, and I approach them
" Hello, are you supposed to be here? "
I mutter.

" Ah! " they yell, picking up a pile of sandwiches and dashing to the back door.

I hike up my dress and run after them.
" Stop that. " I yell. I pull on their cloak and push them behind the pillar.

I push their mask back and scowl.

" Of course it's you... "

(End of part 6)