Make My Way

Chapter Seventeen

Stella's POV

Neil didn't knock the wall down. He climbed it, leaving his friends on the other side. He kept walking towards me and his friends started 'Ooo'ing at us. "Neil has a girlfriend!" a voice called from the back. I felt blood rush to my face and it got very hot. Neil was blushing just as much if not more.

"No. I don't," he said and my heart dropped. "But maybe I will by tomorrow." He turned to me. "Let's start this off right. Stella, will you dance with me?"

Before I had time to answer, two big hands pushed us together and onto the dance floor. I tripped over my own feet and full-on body slammed into Neil. The entire front of my body touched his. I cringed. I think we both felt a little more than we wanted to.

We recovered and I felt his hands on my waist again, just like earlier. My arms went to their places too, and it was like we were just picking up where we left off. I thought back to eighth grade again. Aria had had a similar experience with Blake. She had been walking out of the science room and Blake and another guy had been walking in. She tripped over the first guy and as she was attempting to recover, she ran into Blake, head on. I smiled.

I realized I had never actually given Neil an answer. "Yes," I said.

Neil's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "What?"

"You asked me if if dance with you. The answer is yes." He smiled.

"I've wanted to talk to you for a long time. In person anyway," he said.

"I have too. There's so much I don't know about you."

"Well, let's get to know each other then." I looked up at him, he was about four inches taller than me, and thought He really was perfect. "I'll start it off easy what's your favorite color."

It took me no time to answer. "Lime green." Which has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. "Biggest fear?"

"Heights." He said quietly. "What do you want to do for a living?"

"Acting. What is you biggest regret?"

"Not saying goodbye to my grandma in the hospital before she died."

I looked at him for a second and then said "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok I've gotten over it." There was a quiet pause.

The DJ made an announcement. "Okay guys, this is your time. Your big opportunity. If you have a girlfriend or a date, stand off to this side with them. If you're a girl without a boyfriend or a date, stand on this side. Other guys, stand in the middle." The groups formed and I found myself lined up next to Aura and Willow on the side of the dance floor. "Now, guys, look at all those single ladies! I know most of you know who you want to dance with. Someone is coming around with a box of ring pops. We're going to go down the line and I want you to take one and to do a fake proposal to the girl over there you want to dance with. We have picked a board of judges from over in the couples section." I saw Blake and Aria standing to the side along with a few other couples. They waved dramatically at the three of us. "Whoever does the best proposal wins!"

The song "All the Single Ladies" began playing. The game started. 6 people went and one got turned down. Poor Juan, I thought. Then it was Neil's turn. He opened his blue ring pop and stared walking right towards me. He got down on one knee and held out the candy ring. "Stella, will you dance with me?"

I took the ring pop from his hand. "You know what, I really like blue raspberry, why not."

I followed him over to behind the line of guys to wait. More and more guys proposed and there were only a few left. David walked over to Aura and tried to get down on one knee but nearly fell over. Not wanting to be mean, and seeing that there wasn't many guys left, she said yes. I cheered loudly as she came to stand next to me.

Julian was the only guy left but there were still six girls. He strutted, not over to Willow, but another girl. I saw Willow's face drop. When he did his proposal, instead of getting down one knee, he did something a little more.... original. He left his front leg straight and bent down low on his back leg, keeping most of his weight centered. He held out the same hand as front leg, striking a ridiculous yoga-like pose. Everyone cheered, seeing they had the obvious winner. Of course, the girl said yes. They faded the song out and played a new one.

I stood next to him and attempted to party dance. (I failed terribly.) "What are you doing after this?" I asked.

He looked at me, interested. "Nothing. Why?"

"Well," I hesitated before forcing myself to just spit the words out. "I'm having a party at my house and I was wondering if maybe you and Julian wanted to come."

"I'd love to. I'm not sure if Julian can though. He has a curfew."

"Okay, sounds great!" I almost jumped out of my skin in excitement. The song changed again. It was 'See you again.' Willow got excited and started singing. Everyone formed a circle. Willow was in the middle. A nice senior named Liam walked out into the middle of the circle and met her. They sang the chorus together and when the rapping started Willow backed off.

The rap battle began. He sang, "Damn, who knew?
All the planes we flew
Good things we've been through
That I'll be standing right here talking to you
'Bout another path
I know we loved to hit the road and laugh
But something told me that it wouldn't last
Had to switch up
Look at things different, see the bigger picture
Those were the days
Hard work forever pays
Now I see you in a better place (see you in a better place)"

Willow held her hands up in mock surrender as he held his ground. They circled each other as they sang the chorus together. Then it was Willow's turn.

"First you both go out your way
And the vibe is feeling strong
And what's small turn to a friendship
A friendship turn to a bond
And that bond will never be broken
The love will never get lost
And when brotherhood come first
Then the line will never be crossed
Established it on our own
When that line had to be drawn
And that line is what we reach
So remember me when I'm gone." They smiled at each other and Liam whispers something her ear. She grins.

The song ended and Willow came over to me. "Do you like him?" I asked under my breath. She held up her fingers, indicating a few inches. "Yeah...." I squealed in excitement. They would be so cute together!

"Go invite him to the party! Julian can't go anyway."

"Only if you come with me."

"Done."

We walked over to Liam and invited him. He smiled and nodded. I turned and stuck away, hoping something would happen. I crossed my fingers. Go Willow!