Can I be your favorite?

Chapter 4: The Moon and Stars

Anika's POV

"I am so drunk right now", hooting and cheers accompany my statement. Shit, I think I said that out loud. Swaying on my feet, with a half empty bottle in my hand, I use the walls to guide me... where the hell am I going?

I shrug, who carrrrres? Life feels amazing right now. I have this amazing buzz going on... and something's missing. Lazily, I tap my finger to my lips "Hey Ricardo. Do you know what went missing?" I ask him. I repeat the question when I get no response. More silence continues. So, I turn around looking for him. Where is that guy? 

Ah shit... that's right! I was looking for him. That's what was missing. "Rrrrricardo-dodo. Wherrreee arrrreee you? Come out, come out, wherever you are" I slur my words, as I walk towards the staircase, bumping my shoulder against the wall. My heels get caught on one of the steps when I reach the staircase. I go sliding down; Bump, bump, bump, "Down I gooooo" I exclaim. Once I reached the bottom, I stand up, my ass on fire. I rub my ass "Well, that's a convenient way to go down the stairs. We should do that more often" I say to no one to particular.

The party downstairs was going full swing. Lights flickering, music vibrating through the entire house. I head towards noise, finding a makeshift dance floor, two large speakers were placed at either corner of the room, blaring out music. I sway to the rhythm, standing at the entrance. The song playing right now was one I have never heard of before, truthfully not my taste but it matched the vibe of the party. I take another swig of my beer as I scan the crowd for Ricardo, when a slender hand creeps across my waist and drags me into the crowded room. Turning my head towards the stranger, I realize its 'Ping pong girl'. "Ping pong!" I exclaim, "Have you seen my beer?" I ask. She laughs, "You mean the one in your hand?" I gasped shocked. "Sorcery! Witchcraft! You must burn at the stake!" I shout over the music. She laughs harder. "Don't worry darling, I'm already hot enough without the burning wood" she says winking at me. I giggle. "Now watch me make your beer disappear!" She waves her arms in front of me dramatically. Enchanted by her animatic gestures, I don't notice her swipe the bottle from my hand. "Hey! That's mine!" I pout and whine, reaching out to grab it. "I think you've had enough for the night. Do you have anyone, sober, that you know who can take you home? "She asks slightly concerned. "Nope" I reply, popping the 'p'. Watching her sigh brings a smug smile on my face. A feeling of accomplishment washes over me having annoyed the only person here who cares for me. "What about-" 'ping pong girl' starts to say when a familiar tune reaches my ears.

 The song 'Jalebi Baby' by Tesher began to play on the speakers. I gasp. "Oh my god! This is my favorite song!" I exclaim, grabbing my dress with both hands, I run on to the dance floor. I vaguely remember seeing 'ping pong' sigh shaking her head before following me. Seeing us running, people move away before they end up in our collision course, forming a circle around us. Slowly and dramatically, I extend both my hands out, swaying my hips to the beat. I clap my hands to the rhythm and twirl on spot, my dress following me. 'Ping pong' joins in, grabbing my hand she twirls me and circles me around her. She lets go my hand and places her back on mine as she shimmies down and rises back up. I follow her lead, laughing. Our audience, hyping us up. Everyone joins in during the second chorus, dancing and singing at the top of our lungs. 

I feel a strong hand wrap around my arm during the middle of the song. The owner of the arm glares down at me. "Ricardo!!!" I shout out, excited, "I finally found you. Dance with me!" He shakes his head and gestures to leave, setting me with a hard stare. I frown. Shaking his hand away, I cross my arms. "Dance with me" I say again with a pout. He gives me an irritated look, like one a parent would give their toddler who just threw a tantrum. However, I stand my ground and glare right back at him. No way we are leaving now, not when I'm having so much fun. Both of us have a staring competition in the middle of the dance floor where people are constantly bumping into us. I guess, Ricardo realized that I wasn't going to leave or change my mind as he sighs and places his hand on my waist, dragging me closer to him, while placing the other arm on his bicep. He takes my free hand and holds it up. I look up at him, confused, my eyebrows furrowing, as the beginning notes of 'Senorita' by Camilla Cabello and Shawn Mendes start to play on the speakers. He leads me through a series fast step, moving us backwards and forward, then he twist his hips away from mine. He lets go of my waist, and I spin out of his arms and lean out my free hand. He spins me back in and we pick up the pace. For the second time that night, people parted for me while I danced what seemed to be a rip-off version of the tango. When he lets me go, I grab my flowy dress swish it left and right. Chants of 'Anicardo' followed us as we move to the beat. Huge smiles are plastered across our faces as we continue to dance to the song. The last notes of the song begin to play, Ricardo pulls me back into his arms and pulls my left leg up by the knee, my dress hiking up exposing my thigh. He tips us down, striking a dramatic pose as the song ends. Hollers and shouts echoed around us, cheering for us. Both of us were panting hard, exhausted but elated. Ricardo places his forehead onto mine, as we begin to laugh.