Small Love

Chapter 8

My heart rate increased as I descended down the stairs. Jace was waiting in the den for me and I could hear the excited chatter of my family.

When my heels touched the wooden floors of the den everyone shut up and stared at me. I looked at them until someone broke the silence. It was a tearless and silent sob coming from my mother.

"Picture time!" Mollie called. The adults scrambled and broke out into more conversation, but Jace was still glued to his spot. Donna pushed him forward so he crashed into me. The last second, he steadied us both and held me in his arms. We stood there for the longest time, just gazing into each other's eyes.

"You look beautiful," Jace whispered to me.

"Thank you." I looked down to hide my blush. There was a tug on Jace's arm and we looked down to see Donna smiling at us.

"It's time for pictures my darlings." We both nodded and waltzed towards my moms giant Christmas tree. An original pine tree with twinkling gold lights, and unusual but mesmerizing gold or red ornaments.

Like the cliché prom pictures, Jace put his arms around my waist with my back pressed to his front and our faces towards the camera.

"Okay, we better go or we will be late, we do have a 45 minute ride into town." Jace said as he grabbed my hand and walked towards the door.

"Goodbye! Have fun!" The adults said in unison.

"Bye! Love you!" I shouted before the door closed. There were yells of replies and I smiled as we got in Jace's car.

"What time does the dance end?" Jace asked me.

"Nine." I answered and looked at the surroundings as we passed by. Jace started to murmer to himself about the time. He was probably just complaining.

There was no noise, and absolute silence. It was driving me nuts. Jace was never this quiet, and when I was with him, I wasn't quiet either. The air didn't feel awkward, just uncomfortable. Endless possibilities floated in mind why Jace wasn't talking. And number one was that he was regretting taking me to the dance.

"Milly." I looked over to Jace. "I've been trying to get your attention for 3 minutes now. What's on your mind?"

"Oh, nothing." I sighed. "I was just thinking." Even when I wasn't looking, I knew Jace rolled his eyes.

"Milly," Jace sang and grabbed his fingers through mine.

"Nothing's wrong, Jace."

"Milly."

"Jace."

"Milly."

"Jacen (Jason)."

"Millian (like Lillian)."

"I'm fine!" I yelled at him.

"There is something bothering you." Jace unlinked our hands and started poking me in the sides while repeating my name.

"Ohmygod first you wouldn't speak and now you won't shut up." I groaned.

"You're annoying." He told me.

I tried not to show how much it stung to hear him say that. "Well maybe you should've took someone else to the formal."

"Found your problem." Jace said. "Milly, I wanted to go to the dance with you before I asked. When you said yes I was thrilled. I was also happy that some other douche wouldn't take you and make moves on you."

His fingers were laced in with mine. I glared at him. Damn you for being smart, Jace, damn you.

"We are going to have a good time at this dance, okay?" He told me. I nodded. Jace smiled and placed a warm kiss on my hand.