So She Dances (by nightowl1216)

Chapter 2: Outside Looking In

We had assigned seating at dinner? I couldn't just sit at a table by myself, looking like a total loner? I had to actually interact with people while I looked like this? You had to be kidding.

When I saw the name card next to mine, I wasn't sure if it was relief I felt or anxiety. Chloe Martin. She was the girl who gave me a quarter, right? I think she was in a couple of my classes.

My question was answered all too soon when the tall, slender, onyx haired girl took her seat. I barely even recognized her now that her short hair was dried and styled in a straight, sleek bob.

I offered a week smile as she placed her leopard print purse on the table.

She smiled back at me, albeit confused. She glanced down at my name card, then back to me. It suddenly registered.

"Oh my gosh! Isabelle. The girl from the showers, right?"

"Uh, yup, that's me."

She blinked a few times. "I didn't even know it was you! You look so different. Gosh, I'm so sorry!"

I tried to play it cool. "Nah, it's okay."

She looked me over, trying to take in my ensemble without being rude. "Isabelle, don't get me wrong, you look gorgeous, but what's with the fancy outfit? Come on, spill, what guy are you trying to impress?" she teased.

I laughed along with her joke, but I wanted to just duck under the table, never to be seen again. "It's a funny story, really. My roommate thought it would be hilarious to convince me that tonight was a fancy dinner where everyone dressed up. When I realized she was lying, I went back to my dorm, but it was locked and I didn't have my keys."

Chloe lightheartedly laughed. "Oh, no, you poor thing. You must be so embarrassed!"

Embarrassed didn't even begin to describe it. Marley was going to be so sorry she ever did this. I don't need anyone's help to look like a complete and utter dork.

"If it makes you feel any better," Chloe continued, "you really do look great."

At least Chloe was being nice and not making fun of me. I would have just died and become a homeschooler instead, leaving my dreams of attending Julliard behind.

Chloe glanced behind my shoulder and her sparkly blue eyes lit up. "Ryan!" She pushed her seat out without a moment of hesitation and planted a kiss on the boy's cheek.

Whoa. I had to do a second take at this guy I assumed was her boyfriend. Total cutie. Brunette, dreamy brown eyes, slightly taller than Chloe, yet in someway I couldn't describe, he had this nerdy air about him.

So far, all the boys here were seriously cute. What was with that? Is that why all the boys at my old school were so ugly and immature? Because all the hot guys came here?

"Hey, no PDA or else we'll get kitchen duty." He playfully pushed her away.

Her smile was wide and genuine. "I'll risk it." She nuzzled his nose.

Okay, now I was going to vomit.

I got physically nauseous when he sat down in the empty seat on the other side of me. I was going to be sitting in between a couple... Wasn't this going to be fun?

"I can't believe it's assigned seating and you got put at the same table as me. It's like a sign or something," she said so hopefully. "Oh, Ryan!" Chloe extended her arm out to me. "This is Isabelle. Isabelle, this is my boyfriend, Ryan."

"Wait, you two are dating?" I said in mock-surprise.

She nodded dreamily. "Uh-huh."

"That was a..." a joke. It was a joke. Chloe seemed so engaged in staring at her boyfriend that I didn't think I was going to get anywhere with her. "Nevermind. So, how long have you been here, Chloe? Ryan?"