a dance?

Six - Valerio

Six - Valerio

"OW!" The man yells, making everyone trying to help him flinch. The woman, who I think is his wife, sighs. She walks away from the chaos next to her husband and whispers something to my mother. My mother nods, and the woman brushes past her. "I don't think you understand the word SLOWLY!" the man's voice growls. One of the people helping him, gave up and left for fresh air. A small glass couldn't have been this much pain. "You're making a scene Arnold." His wife's tone is undisturbed, she bends down- lightly pressing a pack of ice on the wound. "That's all you care about, making a scene!" He snaps at his wife. That doesn't sound nice. No one gets themselves involved. Only he would know the pain behind the glass.

"You're a nice man, I believe in you." I can hear Renee whispering delicately within my ear. I get closer, to the man in front of me, so close that my feet take a turn away from him and go straight towards my family. Luna has her arms folded, most of her body weight leaning on her left foot. My mother is making sure not too many people crowd the man in pain. "Your father is over there, dabbing some antiseptic onto the wound." My mother unfolds, Luna clearing her throat. I don't know what that is about, but my eyes are focused on my mother. "Have they removed the glass from his leg?" I inquired.

"Laura says the glass is out, but Arnold still won't budge." My mother continues. Laura must be Arnold's wife. Luna still has her eyes on me. I mouth a "What?" towards my sister. She just smirks and I am pretty sure she's aware of my cluelessness. "Mama, I am going to try and see how I can help alright?" I say, glaring at Luna before letting my heels walk away. I can hear my mother tell my sister, "Look how much Rio has grown? I am so proud of him." My sister can't help but agree.

My father notices me and waves "Son, I am glad you're here, could you please get the first aid kit." I walk closer to my father, "Hello to you too Papa," My voice allows my father to continue. "Ah, hello son-" He doesn't look at me, as his fingers are occupied with cotton. I smile fondly at my father, no matter what happens, he's always so peaceful. The way he deals with things, he deals them with care. I should learn from him. "I shall go bring the first aid kit papa," I let him know. The wounded man's wife, called Laura adds - "Could you please bring some more tissues as well, there's still some wine under the table." I nod and take away.

Before I leave, Luna catches hold of my arm and pulls me aside. "I can't believe you asked Renee to dance with you!" She cheers, she is so proud of me for taking a risk like this. "Is that why you glared at me like that back there with mama?" I sigh, it's making sense now. Her smile grows even bigger. "Mhm," Her eyebrows doing that dance when she's rooting for me. "Did something happen between you two?" She gets to the point.

My first instinct is to scratch my neck, as my face turns into a crimson red. That's all it takes for her to clap and hug me tightly. I let her imagine whatever she wants to because I don't even know what I see Renee as. All I do know is that she's intriguing and attractive. She makes me feel good about me, and she was able to bring out sides that I didn't know I had within minutes. I want to see her again. I imagine her waiting out in the crowd for me, but I want to know-

"Did mama and papa see anything?" I ask eagerly, her lips does this smirk, the kind that makes me wanna say 'stop the suspense' "Fortunately, no- when they asked me about you, I said you were busy dancing with one of the guests," My eyebrows curve down, "I mean, they don't know about Renee." She breaks it down. I am relieved. This is all I wanted to hear. Now that that's settled. I changed the subject to Jasmine. "How did the surprise go?" "Her worries disappeared as soon as she saw me emerging from the flower shop with the bouquet of her favorite flowers."

I love it when Luna talks about the people she loves, her number one priority is Jasmine. Their story is one of a kind and would always keep me at the edge of my seat. Luna travelled to the other side of the world, just to see her fashion show. Jasmine showers my sister with love that she deserves, and the fact they make each other happy with the little things is all that matters to me. Despite all that, when my sister mentions 'flower shop' my first thought is Renee. I only met her tonight and she already makes my head fuzzy.

"We don't want to be late, do you see any first aid kit?" It turns out I get better and better with moving on from subjects. "Yeah, it should be near the tissues." She lets me know, pacing towards the restrooms with me. She enters the female while I enter the male restroom. She comes out with the first aid kit, and I come out with some tissues. Luna is undoubtedly over the moon tonight, she's more in love than I'd ever seen her. Or is that me?

Whilst pacing back to the grand hall, we exchange the first aid kit and tissues. We both nod at each other like we're going to commit a crime, as Luna strides towards Laura and passes on the tissues. Laura's eyes flick towards me, and notices the first aid kit in my hand, and flashes a smile with gratitude. Luna flashes a thumbs up. I bow and walk towards my father. "Ah, thank you son," My father stands up and gives me a pat on the back, showing his fatherly smile. I give him the first aid kit, and my father bends on his knees. He opens up the box and closes it within a blink of an eye. The man, who's called Arnold sighs in relief as soon as the bandage is fixed on the wound. "Thank you, Carl and Valerio." He expresses his gratitude.

Arnold tries to get up, but Laura comes to the rescue. Everyone disperses, and moves on. The grand hall looks immaculate, like no spill had occurred.

I glance back at the edge of the dance floor, and can't spot Renee. "Hold on," I say to myself. I hope my eyes don't fail me. I reach the edge of the dance floor. Renee's actually not here. She's gone.