Hope and Faith

Chapter Fourteen: Single No More.

I enter the hall and how colossal it is catches me off guard. Justin showed me every bit and alley of the school, but never crashed into the hall.  He aforementioned this place transforms into heaven whenever there is a party and even though I haven’t seen how it normally looks, I can’t help but agree. The chandeliers are enormous protruding from the ceiling like ripen fruits dangling from a tree.  Contraptions jutting from the roof releases snowflakes on the dance floor adding to the magic of the enchanted night. Every girl wears her dress tonight. Looking like a mistress in her own castle.

April leaves me to explore the place myself. I thought Justin would be waiting for my appearance at the gate, or by the dance floor but I was wrong. I move around only to collide with a couple making out.  I blush and bolt away.  I run into Sofia and Thomas, but she feigns not paying attention and once again I go unnoticed.  I shrug and stride toward the bar.

Justin sits on a stool gulping a couple of shots like the entire world waits for him. I crawl onto a seat next to him.

“You look ravishing!” He exclaims spreading his arms around like for a hug. He eyes my dress. The bartender turns to me and corroborates.

“Thank you.” I say. “Both of you.” I add quickly. I look away hoping Justin won’t notice my splotchy red cheeks.

“How is your hand?”

“It’s improving.” 

“Your parents didn’t ask?”

“My mother did. April saved my ass fibbing about how I missed a sharp edge at school.”

“Does April even know what happened?”

“No. You told them I was pulling you out of a fight remember?”

He smirked lopsided.  He takes my hand without asking if he is allowed to causing my heart to jump to my throat.

“May I have this dance?”

I reluctantly agree.

He leads me to the dance floor. He pulls me closer and wraps his arms around my waist. I fight for my breath. The fact his arms are around me chokes me. And I fetch for any remnants of Oxygen.  I can feel him smelling my hair. I engulf my hand around his neck and pull him further towards me. I notice April from a distance. We lock eyes for a second before she raises a thumbs up.

As we sway in circle with the harmony, I open my eyes and skim the people around us. Yes, East Coast High, I am dancing with Justin Perl. I submerge my head in his shoulder, shut my eyes and the world, and inhale his perfume. It transfers me to a world, only we know about. 

“I am sorry!” He apologies as he slips over my dress. I say it’s okay and pull him closer again.  When I reclaim my position on his shoulders, I pull off immediately and stare at the door. It was him. The one who murdered my father. The one who mangled my life. Stephen Morgan.