The Soot Princess [Hiatus]

18-One More Dance

Eevon- North St. Orphanage

His name ricochets through my head. The prince isn't in check with reality.

Someone tapped the microphone for attention. I turned to see the Queen on the stage. "Is everyone having a good time?" she asked.

Several people said yes in the crowd. I didn't say anything.

"Well, that's great! We will be soon closing the ball, please make any last minute donations at this time. Since I haven't seen in the much of dancing this evening, I thought I would spice it up a bit. Everyone grab a partner, someone you do not know very well or at all. That includes all of you kids, too!"

I groaned a bit.

"There will be three dances, you will switch partners after each one. Does everyone understand? Good!"

Everyone moved around. I backed myself against a wall. No one asked me to dance. That is perfectly fine with me.

I see lots of people dancing and twirling as the heavy rhythm carries me with it. My hands beat against the wall in time with the drum, a older gentleman picked up a plate of cookies and walked my way with it.

"Would you like a cookie, miss?"

I randomly pick one from the plate. After I take the first bite, as the delicious flavors swirl in my mouth. Only then did I realized that I didn't eat lunch or dinner! I missed both! I hastily took a few more.

He returned the plate back to its original position. "Why aren't you dancing? I thought young people like you liked parties!"

"I wasn't asked," I responded.

"You have a smudge of dirt on your noes. Here, let me get it." He whipped it away with a handkerchief.

The song ended and the man went to find his own partner. I'm left alone again. Everyone switched partners and a new song was about to start. I shoved the last part of the cookie in my mouth.

"Could I, please, have this dance, Eevon?" the prince popped up and asked looking sincere.

At first, I wanted to decline, but then I brushed the cookie crumbs off of my fingers and took his hand. I don't know why, maybe because I'm bored or... I don't know! I looked away and said quietly, "I... I will."

He led me out onto the dance floor. I stopped. Should I really do this? The last time I did something similar was a few years ago. I made a fool of myself. The prince grabbed my shoulder, jerking me back into reality. I stare into his deep brown eyes. They are much nicer than the rest of him.

"You said you would," he said.

I hardly nod. The prince guided my arms around his waist. My heart is pounding so loudly and I feel like I'm shaking. I don't know what will happen. What if he... He places his arms around me, he squeezed me. I hugged him back and buried my head in his chest. Maybe, I'll be okay; just this once.

The prince rocked me back and forth. It calmed me down some. A tear leaked out, followed by a second. I haven't cried since I was little, now I'm all waterworks. Why am I crying? Uggh! They come out silently, that, I am glad for.

The song ended and Dean started to let go. I don't want him to see my tears yet. I held onto him tighter. Prince Dean did the same in response.

"Would you like to tell me what you were going to say to me before when we were talking?" he asked.

"I don't think you want to hear it. I'm glad Janice stopped me or I may not have a head." I chuckled at the serious possibility.

"I didn't mean it."

We dance in silence for a while until he tries to talk again. He must really like the sound of his own voice.

"I don't get you," he said in my ear.

"Oh?"

"One minute you want me to go away, the next you say, stay, stay, stay," he explained.

"Me and people don't mix well... It's complicated," I ended up telling him. I don't quite know how to put it into words.

"It always is and you know, I'm not much different," he spoke softly.

"You are..." I lifted my head from his well built chest. I bet look terrible.

He wiped the leftover tears away with large hands. I pulled back under his touch. He is powerful and I am the weakling. I knew it.

"We are very different," I said. "You have a loving family, that cares for you and an awesome house! I, I might as well be the homeless beggar on the street corner, that no one cares for. We are no where near the same," I expressed the point blandly.

I walked away. I wanted to say stay, but instead I said go away. I think I made the right choice. He will forget about me by tomorrow anyway.

The ball has ended, the others are waiting, and it is time to go home, before someone gets hurt.

:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Hmmm... What will happen? You try to predict! Has she met her prince?

And for some reason I rhymed a lot.