Reaching the Stars

A Ball to Remember

Kay slipt into the red satin dress. Pulling it up carefully, she begun to worry about Quintin. He was so nice, and yet there was still a line that she continued to draw between him and herself, but she didn’t know why she did it. She had been friends with him for such a long time, but even now, she still continued to lie to him.  

Kay jumped as her phone loudly vibrated, sending her heart racing miles. On the screen flashed a message from Quintin: wanna go out for dinner before the ball?

Kay paused and thought awhile before texting back: Really sorry Quinn, stomach bug tonight! >< Next time, maybe?

She couldn’t go. Josh should be arriving soon. Kay felt swarms of butterflies trapped in her stomach. She wondered whether it was from lying again to Quintin or from the feeling of the smooth satin between her fingers and brushing against her legs. Kay absolutely refused to wear heels, so she settled for a pair of shiny white ballet flats and to top her outfit, she clasped a silver-lined, black choker around her neck. She stepped back to gaze at her reflection. A surge of painful memories flashed before her eyes. She looked too much like her mother. A tear slowly meandered down her cheek and Kay quickly wiped it away, careful not to smudge her make-up. Kay wondered what her mother would say now, seeing her wear something like this for the first time. Would she be proud of her? Embarrassed? Disgusted? Kay hoped both her parents were happy together, where they were far out of her reach. It was her fault they died, anyway.

DING DONG!

Josh was here. A small smile brought her face back to life. It was show time. 

Josh was waiting outside under a large umbrella, the snowflakes glistening like crystals and drifting onto the transparent plastic. In that moment, he looked perfect - his black hair dancing with the wind; his white tuxedo; his penetrating amethyst eyes. He saw her studying him in awe and grinned. “Am I beautiful or what?” Giggling, she prepared to slap him on the arm but her arm went straight through as he looped his elbow through hers and begun walking towards a large beige coloured building, topped with layers of snow, ignoring her weak protests. Kay’s face turned seven different shades of red. “Everyone else on the street can see my awesomeness.” he said jokingly as pedestrians stopped and stared as they walked past in their formal attire.

Kay smiled slyly, “Everyone else but you.”

Trying hard not to blush, Josh boldly belted out the next line of the song, “Baby you light up my world like nobody else!”

“The way that you flip your hair makes me overwhelmed!” she sung, laughing hard.

“But when you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell, you don't know, oh, oh, you don't know you're beautiful!” they sung in unison, arms looped and their warm sides leaning onto each others.

“That’s what makes you beautiful!” 

Rays of moonlight illuminated the large chandelier, reflecting off the crystals and shining glorious light onto the moving figures of dancing women and men celebrating the Queen’s 50th birthday. Waiters were moving gracefully across the floor, serving guests silver platters and trays of refined looking dishes that Kay had never seen before. Tall glasses of wine were lined horizontally on a long table, free for all to drink, as the invitations specifically read ‘No individual under the age of 18’ but she felt no need to drink alcohol. After all, she did only turn 18 yesterday. A black cat, the Queen’s beloved pet, with piercing green eyes roamed the floors, slipping between the legs of unsuspecting persons and innocently tripping haughty guests that purposely stepped on his tail. Jumping onto a windowsill, she curled up and rested her head on her paws as she watched curiously over a particular dancing couple. She purred deeply, staring lovingly at Josh.