UNO Cards

S A R A

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I've always deemed myself a happy girl, but tonight, I feel something else: fulfilled.

Our hands don't leave each other's as Vivaan and I make our way back to the main area of the backyard, where literally every single person who was inside now lingers. The faint sound of music can be heard drifting through the air, drowned out by everybody's laughter and voices as they move around, half-dancing but mostly giggling. For some reason, it feels like ages have passed since we've been gone, even though it probably hasn't been more than ten minutes.

Ally is at the center of the dance floor, twirling gleefully with Rohan, the two of them probably having forgotten that her parents are literally upstairs. Seeing the two of them brings a sense of contentment to my chest, as it always has, but as I glance down at my hand, I'm filled with joy, too, joy that says becoming like those two isn't a dream anymore.

When Ally sees me, she shouts, "There she is! Rohan, there's Sara and Vivaan!" Then her eyes fall on our clasped hands, and she jumps and lets out a shriek that makes half of her volleyball team jump in fear.

I see Vivaan step back a little, uncomfortable at all the sudden attention that seems to be given to him, and his hand loosens from mine not-so-subtly, still hanging together yet seeming to lose some of the magic that was just bubbling between us. I tell myself not to be sad; Vivaan may seem happier than I've ever seen him, but he's still the same boy I've always known--a little shy, a little sullen--and that's alright. Sure, the way our hands grow looser and looser does leave me with a slight sense of unease, but it doesn't matter, because I still like him and he still likes me and now, Vivaan Rathore is both my best friend and my boyfriend.

Clearly worried, Rohan spins around to look at us as we approach him. Then he double takes, and his jaw drops.

"No. Way," he says.

Ally jumps up and down, wringing her hands before she leaps and throws her arms around me.

"This is the best birthday gift ever," she exclaims, and when I glance over at Vivaan, even he's smiling at her reaction.

Rohan grins at me and slaps Vivaan's back. "I can't say I called it," he says, "but I can say that you're grown up, Vivaan."

Vivaan scowls a little, but then a small smile returns to his face, and I can feel him gripping my hand just a little bit tighter as he mumbles something to Rohan. I give it a small squeeze, smiling back at Ally as I look around and feel like I'm floating.

Another song begins to play, the notes intensifying into a melody that makes the crowd ooh and begin to dance more gracefully. Ally tosses her hands onto Rohan's shoulders and giggles, spinning around with him as the lyrics cascade through the air.

"You two should dance!" she shouts before the two of them disappear between the others, delight visible on her face.

I stand there with Vivaan, watching as Ally and Rohan slowly become a distant blur of white silk and shrieks and leather jackets and pure elation. I've never been much of a dancer, except when Ally forced me a couple times, but the thought of dancing with Vivaan, becoming one of those twirling couples doesn't seem too bad.

I look up at Vivaan, wondering what he will think. There's a nervous expression on his face, though, almost uncomfortable, and I remember his dislike for any sort of spotlight--the way he tells his dad and I not to come to his games; his hood pulled up over his hair almost half the time I see him; his hand loosening slightly from mine when Ally announced that we were dating--so instead of asking him to dance, I hold up our joined hands and smile.