The Unmatched Matchmaker

Chapter 13: The Dance - DAY 30 (December 13, 2014)

I don't think I've ever been this nervous before. I've always been so confident of myself. So confident of my actions and yet...

I sighed. I need to remind myself that Ryder and I are just friends and only friends. That we'll never be anything else but friends. Still, it hasn't stopped me from thinking that maybe, just maybe, I can be the one for Ryder.

A stupid notion, yes, but a notion nontheless.

I sighed as I fixed the final adjustments to my hair and makeup. If my mom and dad were here, I'd already be blinded by the flashes of their phone but since they're not here, I'm just grateful to keep my sight.

The elevator doors opened and I stood up from the couch immediately.

Ryder emerged, his eyes glued to his phone not once looking up.

"Hey, O'Con –" He glanced up and immediately stopped talking, giving me a moment to admire him.

His dark hair was styled, showing of his wavy locks. He was wearing a dark, black tux and adorned on his wrist was a golden watch. His dark blue eyes were wide in surprise and a smile adorned his lips. In other words, he looked gorgeous.

"Why don't you take a picture instead?" I teased him.

"Don't tempt me, Meg. I just might." He replied. I would have thought he was joking if not the seriousness in his eyes. "You look..."

I grinned at him as he struggled to find the right words to describe me. "Not bad?" I offered.

He shook his head. "No. 'Not bad' isn't good enough to describe you. You look beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."

I blushed as I took in his words. Goddamn is this boy smooth. But I couldn't blame him for thinkibg I looked beautiful. My makeup, though light, made me look mature. My dress shimmered under the light of the sitting room and my hair was side plaited into a fishtail braid. In other words, I look hot.

"Thanks," I replied, "you don't look too awful yourself."

He rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. Very funny. C'mon. Let's go before Kristen yells at us for taking so long."

~Time Skip~

By the time we arrived, the dance was already in full swing. People from both our school and our neighbor school were both having fun. I spotted some familiar faces from the crowd and in the dance floor.

The venue looked incredible. The roof was black with lights littered here and there to look like stars. Streamers flowed down from the sides of the room and chrismas lights adorned the columns on the sides. High tables were strewn here and there for when we eat and drink and just relax.

"C'mon!" Ryder yelled excitedly, immediately pulling me to the dance floor.

I laughed at his childish actions but nonetheless let him pull me along. I looked back and saw Kristen (in her light blue dress and gold heels) laughing and smiling with Carter (who looked dapper in his black tux). I tried to search the crowd for Dia but after an unfruitful search, I stopped.

Ryder looped his arms around me as a slow song started to play. The tempo started and I gulped nervously as we swayed side-to-side.

"Lemme guess," Ryder mused, "you don't know how to dance."

I looked at the floor shyly. "I really don't. I'm nervous I might trip and embarass myself."