TOMS POV
"Tom you seem on edge" Ellis said softly, as everyone walked to the ballroom, taking some plates to the kitchen, we both stayed to help clean up after dessert.
"Really?" I said, grabbing four plates while she grabbed the glasses. She knew me so well, so well to know something was bothering me. She gave me a look, she wanted me to cut the bullshit. "Okay, look," I began, "Lilly and I used to date, it all started when I kissed her when we were kids, I was her first kiss and blah blah and for me it was just a kiss- in the moment, but she took it really personally" I shrugged rolling my eyes.
"Tom" Ellis stopped me, "it may sound stupid to you but for guys a kiss is just enough to say you kissed a girl, or whatever, but for a girl, especially a young girl a kiss means so much more, it's more personal" she flicked me on the forehead.
"Ouch" I rubbed the spot, trying to defend myself, "anyways" I began, "long story short she got super obsessed especially when I broke up with her, another girl moved in and we hung out twice before she stopped seeing me- Ellis, Lilly was so mean to that girl because she talked to me that, that girl moved" I said raising my eyebrows. "I- I just don't want her to do anything to you" I rested my hand on the table.
"Tom, nothing she says or does is going to make me move away" she chuckled, her thumb softly rubbing my cheek. "You're stuck with me" she laughed lightly, kissing me softly.
••••
"Would you like to dance?" My grandad offered his hand to Ellis, she smiled, "id love to" and off they went. The ballroom was ridiculously big, but my grandmother loved to dance and insisted the room be made for parties and dances. Everyone was dancing softly to the music, Harrison and I stood in the back, my little cousins clinging onto us, standing on my feet as I danced with each. I couldn't help but watch Ellis, keep and eye on her, earning a small tug from Maggie, "oh I'm sorry Maggie, my bad" I smiled, and her mad face lightened into a soft smile.
After an hour of babysitting my little cousins so they each had a chance to dance with me, I stood up straight, with a sigh, mainly to stretch out my back. Where did Ellis go? I scanned the crowd, looking for her familiar smile.
Approaching me, she smiled, biting her lip as she reached for my hand. "Damn" was all I could say when she laced her fingers around my collar, straightening it while creating strong eye contact.
"Can we dance" she laughed lightly, pulling me towards the crowded dance floor. "Fuck yes" i nodded my head, gripping her waist.
Swaying to the music, her arms hanging loosely around my neck, as I held onto her waist. The ballroom had lights now that it was practically night, some faint lights cascaded around the room. Occasionally as we danced, she nibbled on my ear, sucking on the top and bottom slowly and secretly, enough to keep me in a trance. Glancing up I watched as Lilly stood across the room her arms folded as she glared at me. Shooting her a wink, she flipped me off, walking away. My attention, though, was focused the whole time on the praises being whispered in my ear.
"Oh my gosh I love this song!" Ellis smiled, staring into my eyes. She was so beautiful, so amazing, just humming the words as she laid her head on my chest. There was a constant longing to be right by her side. It was moments like these that I wish I had a mental camera to take pictures of her smile, for now they remained memories.
She was warm, just hugging my body closely as she hummed along to the song. My chin rested above her head, feeling a sense of responsibility to keep her safe no matter what. "I'm gonna go run to the bathroom, wait five minutes and then meet me there" she cooed into my ear, causing my heart to flicker.
