Star-Crossed

ch.9

Vanellope gently looked up and let her eyes get lost in the chandelier above the dance floor. A million thoughts raced through her mind. She heaved a silent sigh and let her mind delve into what she had been wanting to ponder for a long time now. Before she could forbid it once more, she felt as if her inner code began to rewrite itself. The only person she wanted in this moment was Ralph. The only midnight kiss she wanted to share with was Ralph. She wasn't going to let Rancis take that away from her, though he had already stolen a part of her first dance. Vanellope looked back at Rancis and figured this night couldn't get any worse. She shook her thoughts of Ralph away, knowing that thinking about him and longing for him like this wouldn't make the night any better. She inhaled a sharp breath and wiped her mind free of Ralph.

"Are you alright?" Rancis snapped her back into focus. Vanellope blinked a few times and stared at him with an innocent smile.

"I'm fine, sorry, I-I have two left feet when it comes to dancing," Vanellope smiled sheepishly, looking down at their feet, "This is just, new for me."

"That's ok," Rancis smiled as he tugged Vanellope closer. Vanellope widened her eyes and looked at the space between her and Rancis, or lack thereof.

Vanellope took a deep breath and looked out to the crowd again. She spotted Taffyta. She had a bit of a shocked look on her face and Candlehead quickly began whispering in her ear. Vanellope resisted rolling her eyes. She knew the girls would not let her live this down. Vanellope glared at Taffyta, who still looked stunned. Vanellope raised her eyebrow at her and slightly shook her head as if to question Taffyta's expressions. Vanellope suddenly tensed as she could feel Rancis's hand slowly travel down her backside. She opened her mouth to quietly protest but was immediately stopped.

"Excuse me," came a deep, caring voice from behind Vanellope.

Vanellope's eyes widened as she glitched for a second, causing Rancis' code to jerk around by accident, unable to control it. A chill shot up her spine as she tried to pin point exactly why that voice sounded so familiar. She quickly let go of Rancis and turned around.

"Ralph," Vanellope breathed, she gaped a little with a smile. She cupped her hands together just under neck and scrunched her shoulders with girly glee.

"Sorry to butt in, but I can take it from here," Ralph said softly and kindly to Rancis, who was frozen solid, Ralph inhaled nervously to continue, "That is, if this beauty will have me."

"O-of course," Vanellope stuttered before looking back at Rancis, she almost felt a pang of guilt in her heart as she gazed at Rancis's annoyed face, "Is that, okay Rancis?"

"I guess one dance wouldn't hurt anyone," Rancis snapped deeply and slyly as he held his hands behind his back and slowly sunk away.

Ralph ever so gently took Vanellope's hand in his and hugged his hand and arm around her waist as best as he could. Vanellope melted into him with ease as she gladly put her hand on his shoulder. Vanellope could hardly breathe. She gazed up at Ralph with girly adoration and surprise. Ralph kindly looked back at Rancis, sincerely smiling.

"Thank you," Ralph said to Rancis with a confident, sheepish grin. He then averted his attention to Vanellope as the two seamlessly melted away from Rancis. Ralph's facial expression was soft and innocent. Vanellope shook her head and heaved a shaky sigh.

"R-Ralph, everyone said you weren't coming," Vanellope stammered, still in shock. She looked down at Ralph's chest and noticed he was wearing a sleek black tux with a pretty cream and teal flower in the chest pocket, matching the flower in her hair. Vanellope blushed and glitched just barely, her code showing red in between the usual blue. The two swayed methodically. He carefully led her; they kept their gentle rhythm, not a single step faltered or fumbled, much to her surprise.