Heartbroken

Chapter 25: Milo

 My breath was shallow and my face warm. I held Allegra's hand in mine, my other on her waist. Her hand rested softly on my shoulder, and though it was a light touch, I could feel it all the way through my suit. Her dress swished around our legs as we stepped to the rhythm of the music, and a smile lit her face when she accidentally tripped over her own foot. I heard laughter, bright and cheerful, and I realized that it was coming from me. Though shocked, I didn't stop, loving the sound as Allegra started laughing. Soon we weren't even following the steps, but spinning each other around and laughing like maniacs. People stared, but we didn't care. The song ended, and I led Allegra off the dance floor, snorting, tears in our eyes.

"Thanks," she gasped in between breaths, wiping her eyes. I nodded, hunched over with an arm wrapped around my stomach.

"I didn't know it could hurt that much," I arched my back, finally calming down. Allegra smiled.

"Welcome to life, Milo,"

Hearing her say my name sent a tingle down my spine, and I pretended to still be recovering from our laughing fit, but I was really recovering from something else. Mercy ran over to us, almost spilling the drink in her hand.

"Want some?" she held the cup out for Allegra, the red liquid sloshing even more.

"No thanks," Allegra declined, pushing it gently back to her.

"Suit yourself!" I hadn't noticed it before, but Mercy had stuck a straw in the glass, and it kept hitting the sides every time she moved. She sucked on it, bouncing away. Allegra smiled as she watched her sister disappear behind a couple.

"So what have you been doing all night?" she turned to me, her eyes sparkling.

"Hiding in a corner and running away from girls who want to dance with me."

"People wanted to dance with you?"

I sharpened my gaze on her. She laughed nervously.

"It's just... you're a bit – "

"You're intimidating, Chans," Ingot appeared behind us, slinging an arm over both of our shoulders. "And judging by the way you were staring at her, I think she would agree."

I looked back at Allegra, feeling bad as she stared to the side, holding her arm, uncomfortable. I opened my mouth to say something, but Ingot interrupted me.

"But it could be so much worse," she continued. "I dated this one guy who – "

"We get it, Ingot," I rolled my eyes. She withdrew her arms from our shoulders.

"Nevermind, it just got worse."

I sighed, and Allegra put a hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

"Do you think this is funny, Contessa?" Ingot looked furious, but when you looked in her eyes you could tell she was joking.

"Ooh now we're using my last name?"

"I only reserve last names for the worst people,"

"Hey!" I said as Ingot turned to poke Allegra in the side. She squealed and ran behind me as if I was a shield. All I could do was stand there as they ran around me, laughing and throwing fingers. I was hit multiple times, but something stopped me from stopping them. Seeing Allegra happy was worth the slight annoyance. But I did stop them when I saw my father dancing with Mercy. The crowd of people cleared the center of the floor, so all we could see was them. I didn't think that I could be happy because of my father, but here I was, smiling as he danced with Mercy. He had finally done something that I was proud of, and for once I thought that he deserved this.