Studying The Star Crossed Lovers

❧Chapter 14☙

When you dance, I wish you a wave O' the sea, that you might ever do nothing but that.

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Claire's mother had called in her hairstylist, her makeup artist, her manicurist, her waxer, and her masseuse for the day. She had also forced both Claire and Annie to take the day off school to prepare for the ball.

Because of the antics Claire and Annie had spent the day lounging around, watching TV, stopping only to get a full-body wax, getting their nails done, and getting massages. Claire's mother, on the other hand, was panicking to make sure Claire's post-dance party would be perfect.

"Diane are you okay?" Asked Annie as the girls watched from the couch as Diane ran between the rooms while completely made up and in 6-inch heels.

"Oh, Annie you are just an angel. I am fine we just have had a little issue with one of the DJs canceling but I'm arranging another so it is no panic."

"Mum you know we don't have to have a party."

"Don't be stupid, Claire." Snapped Diane before she forced a smile onto her face. She then ran out of the room and off to fight with some assistant.

Diane ran back into the room quickly and hugged both the girls.

"I am sorry I was mean but I am just a tad stressed. You both know I love you, right?" The girls nodded and Diane grabbed their chins smiling. "I hope you enjoy it. Life is only worth it if you are both having a good time. Whatever you two need will be done."

"She has lost it." Whispered Claire when Diane had left the room.

"You know she loves you. More than anything." Claire nodded. Annie continued "Do you think she is sick?"

"Most certainly. It runs in the family I suppose." Both girls laughed both cuddling closer together, letting their attention return to the film in front of them.

When Annie and Claire walked down the stairs after finally pulling on their dresses. Both girls looked stunning. Their dresses were tight, their hair was perfectly done, and makeup had been expertly applied to their faces.

A professional photographer had been hired and he had dragged them around Claire's house in hopes of getting the perfect pictures before both girls were loaded into a luxury car and the pair drove to the ballroom their school had rented.

While Annie ran off to find Henry, Claire spent her time on the edge of her group of friends not entirely sure how to join the conversation.

Every person that passed by Claire would compliment her on how she looked or would simply look her over a few times as if trying to find a flaw. Claire didn't like it. She hated the stares and the way people picked her apart with their eyes.

Claire hated how when she had a pimple or looked tired everyone was disappointed in her for some reason. It was as if she was meant to be better than that. She was meant to be flawless. To be better than perfect.

"Do you want to dance with me?" Asked James as he looked down at Claire looking utterly bored at her table.

It was hardly Claire's first offer of the night. It was, however, the first offer she truly wanted to accept.

Claire placed her hand in James' outstretched one and he led her towards the center of the room that was a makeshift dance floor.

Claire felt someone grab her arm and she was yanked out of James' grip. She was pulled off to the side of the room where Claire could finally get a look at her attacker.

Of course. It was one of her father's minions. Just another boy who did as he was told. Another boy who thought they had a right to control her. To tell her what to do.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing? Dancing with James Dancy in front of all these people. Are you stupid? He is the fucking enemy." Claire then began to zone out. She had heard the talk before, many times.

When they were children both James and Claire were at a lot of events together. They were often to of the only children there.

There were always harsh words, quick slaps, and plenty of adult hands that would separate them whenever they were together. If they danced they were in trouble. If they snuck off to the kitchens to steal deserts together they were in trouble. If they were caught climbing trees together they were in trouble.

Stupid, silly, foolish, dumb, disobedient, bratty, and clueless. Claire had heard it all before. She was raised that every time she was with James Dancy then she would be in trouble. Get through the crowds of grown-ups Claire's eyes had always found his.

"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to be rude declining a dance." Convinced Claire with a smile and a well-placed hand as the boy led her back to her seat.

Claire gave it ten minutes before she snuck outside, the dance beginning to end.

"Meet me around the back." Texted Claire to James. She didn't care. She wanted to see him and she would.

It only took a few minutes before a town car pulled up next to Claire. She hopped in and was greeted with James, the partition rolled up between them and the driver.

A bouquet of flowers was placed in her arms and Claire smiled down at the stunning array of her favorite flowers. She breathed in the smell.

"You are quite the romantic." Smiled Claire as she placed the flowers carefully on the seat next to her.

"If only you felt the same way I do about love."

"What would change if I did?"

"We would have run off into the sunset together." Claire laughed at James' comments while he stared down lovingly at her. To him, she was an angel.

He hated looking at her during the dance. She was so made up. A fake smile plastered on her face. She wasn't happy like that. He liked her makeup-free, in normal clothes just looking like a happy normal person.

They were happy though, or normal for that matter. They had to be better than that. They had to be perfect to the people around them.

The pair got to spend half an hour together that night before Claire had to go host the party of the century while James went home wondering what he would do if he had her. If she was really his and he was really hers. It was only a silly dream though. James knew that and it hurt.