Through The Rabbit Hole

Chapter Six: Ryan

The trip back to my room was interesting, to say the least. The furniture was up and about, cleaning, humming, and preparing for who knows what. I went to the guest room as instructed to change into my best clothes. They weren't actually my clothes, but what was in the closet and fit me. After admiring myself for some time, I went outside of my room to wait for further instruction. Furniture bustled past and sang about becoming human again. I didn't have a chance to think about where we were plot wise because Lumiere had walked up to me.

"Oui! Monsieur! We must get you ready!" he prodded my leg and led me down the hall to where the Beast was getting ready. The hallways and rooms were much nicer and cleaner, based on how many objects were running around cleaning. Even the outside was prettier with the trimmed hedges and fountains. Inside the room where Beast was, a coat rack was cutting his hair. Once finished, a wardrobe came up and started to size him for some clothes and Lumiere directed me to be sat for a haircut.

"Uh, I don't feel comfortable losing anymore I the hair I have," I joked. Lumiere laughed and insisted that was nonsense. After my impromptu haircut, the wardrobe went to fixing any mistakes in my outfit and tidying up my hair.

"Tonight is the night," Lumiere gushed, pointing at the rose seated on a small table. My eyes went wide before I realized that the most romantic part of the movie was supposed to be happening. And Alyssa would be there.

"Uh, hey i don't have to go, right?" I could've sworn my face was beet red.

"Don't worry! I'm sure the lady will appreciate how you look," he tried to reassure me, it just made it seem like I had a thing for Alyssa and that it was obvious. I mean, I did kind of have a thing for Alyssa, but I didn't want to be so obvious a candlestick picked up on it! I didn't have a chance to protest as I was quickly pushed out the door with Beast. We were guided to the end of the hall to the top of a staircase, and I barely had enough time to process Alyssa tripping over her dress. Her gorgeous, flowing dress. And not only that, her hair was styled into an intricate hairdo and her face was flushed with embarrassment.

"Walk much," I snickered as Alyssa and Belle walked closer to us. Alyssa didn't have a comeback, which I accounted towards the fact that she was more worried about tripping in the heels. Beast took Belle on his arm and guided her down the staircase. I didn't realize it at first, but I was expected to do the same. I coughed a little before offering my arm to give Alyssa some balance on the way down. She accepted reluctantly, knowing her it was due to her independent manner, and joined me on the descent down the stairs.

Belle insisted on dancing with Beast, so we proceeded towards the hall. Music kicked up almost as soon as we entered and singing filled the room. The hall was huge and had a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Beast and Belle started to dance and I looked at Alyssa. She was trying to look busy by messing with the ruffles on her dress and shifting her weight from side to side.

"Uh, hey, do you want to dance?" I offered, to which she accepted quickly. We trailed to the center of the room and I guided her hands to my shoulders. I rested my hands on her hips and showed her how to move her feet along with the music. After a few minutes she had eased up and was closer to her normal self, despite me stepping on her toes a lot.

"Hey, dance much?" I assumed the snarky remark was deserved by my insult earlier. We laughed and danced about the giant expanse of floor, shooting light jabs here and there. I looked up at one point and saw Belle resting against Beast. The candles were dimming as a slower song started. Alyssa didn't notice until I looked at her with eyes of slight fear.

"Uh, yeah, so," I muttered intelligently. Alyssa laughed a little before slowing our dance down to the beat. "I like your dress."

"Great conversation starter," she snorted. Her loud attitude conflicted with her charming appearance. I felt sort of sorry for any guy that would fall for her thinking she was quiet and submissive like most girls. She was wearing a beautiful dress, though. It was a shimmering turquoise and had a similar pattern to Belle's, except that it was slimmer."Do we really have to talk?"

"Well, unless you want this to be awkward, yes." Her smile faded and she became meek again.

"Why would this be awkward?" she asked. Oh no. Why wouldn't it be awkward? I so badly wanted to say that, but I knew the tension between us since we've met was about to break. "It's not like there is anything romantic between us." I knew by her tone of voice she was testing the water. She wanted to sound confident, but it came out wavering slightly, giving away the fact she might hope for more. Now was the moment.

"What if I thought there was?" I questioned in a cool tone. He eyes widened and her face quickly switched shades of red. She didn't break eye contact with me and soon our dancing came to halt. Without any voices of refusal to my question, I leaned in closer. "I don't know about you, but I think I feel something."

I hadn't meant for it to come out that cheesy, but I needed something to fill in the gap before kissing her. I could hear her gasp before pressing back into my lips. There was a moment where it seemed nothing was moving. Everything was still and I was happy. Until she pulled away, muttered "bye", and left me standing alone on the dance floor. The music had stopped and the furniture was staring at me with shock. It seemed Belle and Beast were gone and I was alone in my own messy pile of feelings.

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AN: Okay so this part was shorter than normal. Idk if I should add more or not. It feels like I could maybe move some from next chapter to this one, but I'm not sure.