Finding Anamaria

Chapter 12 - To The SnowNight Dance

It is December 15 and the day of The SnowNight Dance. Ashton and Gretel have been hanging out since after his birthday, Maximus and Anamaria are still going out whether to the movies or studying. The rest of the people are doing what they always do which is studying and going out, just like about everyone's hobby. Ashton gets dressed in a grey tanktop with a sweater and sweatpants with Nike's shoes. Today he is going to do some aerobic training with Gretel. He needs to go outside and breathe the fresh nature air. It's about time he decides to take a jog. It is Friday but there isn't school since every professor is helping to set up the ballroom for the dance tonight.

Ashton waits outside of the field for Gretel to show up. Gretel shows up with her hair up, wearing a sports bra covered with a sweater, yoga pants, and nike's shoes. "Ready to jog?" She gives him a water bottle. "Sure." Gretel bites her lip looking at him "Race ya! She starts running and laughs. Ashton runs after her slowly catching up. Oh come on. Is that the best you got?!" "You'll see." He starts running faster and passes her. "Oh that's it!" She starts running as fast as she can and smiles while running. They were both running around the woods, not far from school. It was a 2 laps jog. Neither of them stopped running.

Gretel beats Ashton and she's the first person to get to the field. "That wasn't bad." Ashton says as he catches his breath and takes a sip of water. "It was a really nice jog." Gretel sighs and drinks water as well. She sits down to lay down. Ashton smiles sitting next to her, then lays down. They both look into each other's eyes and smiles. "Do you have a date to the dance?" Gretel scoffs and shakes her head "No one would ask me to the dance. Why did you ask?" "Well I was actually thinking of asking you if you wanted to go with me?..." Gretel gets up and looks at him smiling "Seriously?" "Yes of course." Ashton says as he gets up. "I didn't expect you would ask me." "There's no reason why I wouldn't ask you. You're really cool. Gretel smiles at him then looks at her water bottle. So what do you think?" She smiles at him kind "Yes, I would like to go to the dance with you." "Great! Ashton stands up and helps her to stand up too. Tonight at 8:00?" "Yeah perfect." "Awesome, I will be waiting by your dorm. I'll see you later." Ashton smiles and starts jogging back to school. Once again, Gretel caughts herself smiling about him. Could she possibly really have a crush on him? That is a question that will eventually be answered soon.

It is 7:00 p.m at night. Maximus smirks at Ashton seeing Ashton get dressed very casual with a tux, fixing his hair, and putting on cologne. As soon as Maximus finishes putting on his tie he asks "So who's your lucky gal you're taking to the ball?" Ashton smirks as he finishes buttoning his long sleeved white shirt "Gretel. I'm taking Gretel." Maximus smirks "Ohh..I see.. he winks at Ashton Are you glad you're taking her?" "Yeah she's nice and Ashton smiles at the thought of her while tying his tie very wonderful." Maximus smiles "That's great to hear. Maybe you both might have hope. I know it may be too soon but, I think you should give Gretel a try." Ashton finishes tying and looks confused "You mean as in date her?" "Yeah..You are staying here and the two of you have been hanging out lately. Why don't you try to go out with her? Who knows. Maybe she might be the greatest thing that ever happened to you." "Maybe.." Ashton thinks to himself. "Exactly. What do you have to lose? If she rejects you then, you will find someone better. That's a promise." Maximus smiles, grabs his coat, and leaves the dorm. Ashton sighs and continues to finish up.

30 minutes have passed and the dance doesn't start till 8:00. Gretel paces around the room looking nervous as she starts to look for a necklace to wear. Anamaria rolls her eyes and sighs "Gretel relax." "I can't! Ashton will be here any minute and I don't know what necklace to wear. Nor what shoes!" "Here let me help you out." Anamaria helps Gretel sit down with she looks for nice shoes and necklace to match with Gretel. Gretel was in a ocean blue dress with black outline. Anamaria is wearing a white dress with glitter and black outline as well. Both girls look very lovely. She was waiting for Maximus to arrive. While waiting, she decides to help Gretel. Luckily, Anamaria found a pair of black heels and a crystal clear thin necklace. Gretel sighs in relieved "Thanks Ana you're the best!" She quickly hugs Gretel and someone knocks on the door "That must be Max! Fix your hair and goodluck! You look gorgeous! I'll see you there okay?" Anamaria quickly hugs Gretel and leaves the dorm to go to the ball with Max.

While Gretel brushes her hair and finishes curling it, Ashton is on his way to go to her dorm. She takes a deep breath and puts on some lipstick. Ashton looks at the door, slowly pulling out his arm, and knocks on her door. Gretel glances back at the door, stands up, and walks to open the door. Ashton smiles when she opens the door "Hey..Wow! You look amazing!" Gretel smiles blushing "Really?" "Of course!" He chuckles and smiles at her. "Let me grab my bag and we'll be heading out." He nods and patiently waits for his date. Gretel grabs her bag, turns off the light, then locks her door. Ashton pulls out his arm in a curve form and smiles "Ready?" She smiles and puts her arm around his arm "Ready." Both of them start walking down the stairs arm in arm heading their way to the SnowNight Dance. This was Gretel's first date with Ashton.

Moments later, they arrive in front of the ballroom and enter. The room was filled with shandeliers hanging from the ceilings, snow falling from the sky, and crystal branches by every corner. Gretel gently softens arm with her thumb and he smiles back at her. Although she may feel butterflies in her stomach, she can tell it was going to be more than an amazing night. Seth glances at Ashton and smiles at him proud. "Hey! You finally made it!" "Yeah man! Why not?" Ashton chuckles at Seth and Anamaria goes up to Gretel with Maximus holding hands. "You made it!" Gretel smiles at Anamaria and Maximus knowing they are happy together. "Yes I did." "Well then what are you waiting for?! Lets dance!" Gretel giggles and Anamaria drags her by the hand to the dance floor. They both dance with Beatrix and some other people from the school. Ashton notices Gretel isn't by his side and smiles looking at her dance with his sister. Maximus goes up to Ashton "So have you thought about what I told you?" "Yeah I have.. Ashton keeps smiling glancing at Gretel I'm going to give her a chance." They both high five and Maximus gently gives Ashton's shoulder a pat.

One of the Professor stops the music and talks on the mike "Alright everyone sit down..sit down.." Everyone goes to find a table and sits down. Gretel giggles and goes to Ashton "Sorry about that.." "It's okay. Lets sit down." He pulls out her chair, she sits down, then pushes her back in while he takes his seat. The Professor waits for everyone to settle and begins speaking "We are here to promote the SnowNight Dance which we have every winter. We did change the place a little, we hope you enjoy the ballroom because your professor's helped putting this up for hours! Everyone cheers and claps. Dinner is ready, we will start closing at midnight and we hope all of you enjoy the night. You all deserve this after hard work. Have fun everyone." Everyone once again claps and cheers.

Some people start standing up to get food. Ashton stands up to ask Gretel "Do you want fruit punch while you get your food?" Gretel nods "Yes that'd be great." She smiles to get food with Beatrix and Anamaria while Ashton goes to get a drink for both of them. After everyone sits down, they start eating pasta and talk a bit. Gretel looks at Ashton, then slowly places his hand on top of his and strokes it. He looks back and holds her hand smiling. Anamaria notices and smiles "Hey Maximus why don't you come to dance with me?" She winks at Gretel and Maximus sees why she asks and smiles at Anamaria "Glady!" He holds her hand walking Anamaria to the dance floor. Ashton breaks the silence between them "How are you enjoying this dance so far?" Gretel smiles "It wasn't a mistake that you asked me to go with you." They both continue to stroke each other's hand and a slow song "Be The One" by The Fray starts playing. "Do you want to dance?" Ashton asks offering his hand out to her while he stands up. "Yes!" She holds his hand and he starts walking Gretel to the dance floor.

They stop walking in the middle of the dance floor. Gretel wraps her arms around his neck while her gently places his hand on her waist and they start swaying to the song. Gretel smiles at the thought of them actually being close together "I'm actually having a great time with you.." Ashton smiles "Me too Gretel..me too." She smiles then slowly lays her head on his chest while he leans his head against hers as they sway to the song. Gretel thinks to herself: "The answer that I have been asking myself has finally came to me. I made my mind.. and the answer is yes..I do like Ashton. However, it's not just a crush, it's something that I have never felt before. I like Ashton more than I thought I ever would." Both of them stand in the middle of the dance floor dancing while having a great night together for the first time.