Promise

Chapter 11

The dance is decorated like a winter wonderland. Blues, white, silvers but no red and to say I stick out like a sore thumb is an understatement. Declan leads the way to our table. We both sit there awkwardly as everyone is dancing. I look around and Miles is nowhere to be found. I really need to talk to him about disappearing so much. I look over and see Declan looks distracted.

"What's wrong Declan?"

"I wish you would have told me you picked a red dress. I would have picked a suit to match."

"There's nothing wrong with what you picked."

"Seriously? Red doesn't go with white a blue."

" As a United States citizen I would have to beg to differ."  I laugh

"Seriously that's the best come back you got?"

"It sounded better in my head" We both can't help but laugh.

"Well In this case I can be an angel to your devil" Declan grins " how about a dance."

"Sure."

We both walk to the dance floor and a slow song is playing in the background. Declan starts talking about hockey that I lose focus to him and I see Miles enter the building. He is wearing a dark gray suit with a red tie and I would be dumb to deny that he matches me perfectly. Declan notices I am not paying attention and turns around and sees Miles.

"You have got to be kidding me? Is this some kind of joke?"

"What do you mean?"

"How perfect that you two match it's like you planned to embarrass me."

"Declan I wouldn't do that." I pleaded

Miles steps in between us. "May I have this dance."

I am relieved that Miles showed up whether he is the cause for the friction or not. Declan still has the wrong idea about us and it will be good to have some distance..

"Yes of course." I nod as he reaches for my hand.

Dancing with Miles was like second nature. I remember when we were kids we would practice every day planning for my wedding to Justin Timberlake.

"Thinking about us dancing?"  Miles grins

"How did you know." I ask I swear sometimes he can read my mind.

"Mel I just know you." Miles winks at me and I can't help but smile.

"You have a point there."

"Mel I have to tell you something but before I do I need to go handle something." Miles says looking in the opposite direction.

"What's going on Miles" I am starting to get concerned. What is he hiding from me?

"It's nothing Mel I will be right back. Would you like a drink?"

"Does it have to do why you keep disappearing or not showing up at all?"  I ask irritated

"Mel I will tell you everything but right now I have to go."

"Miles do you promise."

"I promise. I will even bring you back a sweet tea. Does that sound good?"

I nod and next thing I knew Miles went through the crowd of people out of the gym and into the hallway that leads you back to school. I stood in the middle of the dance floor for what felt like an eternity. I couldn't take it any longer I walked through the crowd and looked through the windows on the double doors and seen Miles and Declan. What are they doing? It seems like they are having a heated argument. Miles takes his hand out of his pocket and hands what looks like money to Declan. I watch as Miles begins to walk towards the gym and I duck and hide. I watch Declan put the money in his pocket and left the building.

What did I just witness? What is the big secret between them. I have got to get to the bottom of this. I storm through the doors catching Miles off guard.

"What is going on in here Miles?" I ask

"Mel let me explain." Miles walks towards me and I can't help but walk backwards.

"Yes please do. Why did you just give Declan money?"  I cross my arms demanding answers.

"I paid Declan for a favor."  Miles responses vaguely

"What kind of favor?"

"To take you on a date" Miles says looking at his feet.

"What do you mean?"

"The day in the cafeteria when Declan thought we were dating. I knew you were upset and I decided to talk to Declan about you."   Miles pauses.

"And?"

"Declan was all for it but for the wrong reasons. I paid him to treat you like a gentleman." 

"Well that worked so well. You knew how the first date went so well so why did you  keep up this charade?"

Miles is looking at his feet as he says "Declan said he would take you to the winter formal if I paid him and took a step back." 

"A step back from what?"

We both stood there as realization came to me. Miles had to take a step back from me.

"Me? But why?"

"Declan was threatened by our relationship. I wanted to be happy for you. I wanted you to have one night with the man of your dreams."

"This is all too much."  I begin to blink back the tears but it isn't working.

"Mel this was not my intention. After last week, I came to realize that I can't live without you and I sure as hell can't live to see you with a prick like that."

"That was not your choice to make!" I scream

I storm back into the gym into the crowd of people. The music is blaring and people begin to look fuzzy. I feel the entire room spinning and catch Miles holding onto me. I lose grip of reality and the last thing I remember is seeing Miles and it going completely black.