The Hooded Girl (on hold)

||Chapter 31||

Tate

Once the formalities are over and everyones put their wallets away they open the dance floor for the last dance "May I have this dance" Sergio says extending his hands "I'd be delighted" my mother says taking his hand "Meet me at the car Tate" she says smiling at me before being whisked away.

I shake my head as I watch her walk hand in hand with Sergio. I sit at the table a little longer to collect my thoughts when I feel a tap on my shoulders. I turn to see Liv standing with a huge smile before "I'm sorry for hiding from you before I thought you were a bully like mayonnaise" she says with a frown I look at her wondering why she called River Mayonnaise when that had absolutely nothing to with his name "It's alright I'm glad we're buddies again Liv" I say smiling down at her "Wanna come for a dance with me pweaaase" she says blaring her teeth at me "Of course princess" I say standing.

I look around seeing her mother smiling from their table. Lily and James Karmichael who would've thought. They stand as well probably going to enjoy a dance of their own. I couldn't help but notice Elena was missing from their table.

I follow Liv who was dragging me to the dance floor. I notice all the other students had left besides a few who were standing watching the dance. Liv takes my hands and steps side to side "I'm gonna tell the truth cause Cece says its good" Liv says looking up at me. That's rich coming from Elena considering she hadn't told me any of this "I just danced with you cause Tyler came to our table and i though he was going to ask me to dance but nooo" she says rolling her eyes "He asked Cece to dance because she's prettier than me" she says blowing air from her nose trying to be all mad and stuff "You're beautiful too Liv that guys an idiot" I say wanting to make her feel better "Yeah he's a big idiot I thought he thought the skittle were M&Ms and put them all over his sundae but when I corrected him he said he knew they were skittles and he liked it like that" she says shaking her head "Digusteen" she says mispronouncing disgusting. I laugh at how adorable she was as we dance to a thousand year by Christina Perri. "So since she took my bf I took her bf" she says giggling to herself "I'm not her bf Liv" I say with a small laugh "Yes you loveee her" she says making fake kissing noises "Well I'm not her bf" I reply "Then who's her bf is coleslaw her bf?" She says raising a brow. I realise she was talking about Cole "I'm not sure you'll have to ask your sister" I reply "Is River her bf?" She asks. I'm confused when she calls him River "You mean mayonnaise?" I say with a smile "No Mayo isn't her bf it's a secret shhh" she says putting a finger to her mouth "I thought River was Mayonnaise?" I ask confused. She doesn't reply as she stares past me "Silly boy" she says shaking her head completely ignoring me "Some boys are silly my brothers silly" I say joking to cheer her up "He is silly cause he's a bully and Cece hates bully's" she replies "Speaking of Cece where does she live does she live with you Lily and James?" I ask wanting to clear things up completely before I asked Elena about it "Well if shes my sister then of course she lives with me mommy and daddy but daddy's always at work" she replies "And your dads name is..." I pause allowing her to reply "My dads name is James and my mommy is Lily like Harry Potter" she says swinging our arms "Oh" I say realising Elena actually was James Karmichaels' daughter "I want to dance with him" she says slouching "Your dad?" I ask "No not my dad HIM" she says widening her eyes. I look behind me to see Selena smiling and taking to a little curly haired boy "Well why don't we go over there and show him what he's missing" I say crossing down to her "Sounds good" she says nodding her head and dragging me closer to them.

We sway side to side and I spin her a few times before the little boy cuts in "excuse me can I cut in" he says tapping my thigh "Ask the lady" I say gesturing to Liv "May I" He says trying to be formal "I guess" Liv says attempting to play it cool. They end up dancing together leaving Elena and I partner less "Do you..." she begins her sentence "Id love to" I say finishing for her. I take her hand and waist in my hands and begin swaying with her.

I had so much to ask her about what happened with River? Who the hell was Mayo and why didn't she tell me about her parents. But nothing. Her appearance was distracting and so was our dancing. I didn't want to ruin the moment with talking I just wanted to enjoy it. She was for some reason shying away from me continuing to look down "Elena" I say her name softly cause her to look up at me "There you are" I say with a smile. She smiles back softly continuing to look at me "Are you enjoying yourself?" I ask as I lead her hips. She nods her head softly. It felt like it was just the two of us moving in slow motion "I'm done" I say accidentally saying let slip out "Done what?" She ask smiling at me confused "Keeping my distance" I say dipping her "Good" she says as she comes back up clinging to my chest.

We sway with her head on my chest as the song comes to an end. I try my hardest not to shake my head disappointed at the song ending. If it were up to me the song would never have ended and we'd stay like this for the rest of the night. I had a feeling she felt that too considering the song had been over for the last minute and her head was still rested on my chest. Just as I think that she lifts her head
taking a step away from me. She lets out a small breath of air with a small smile "Mr Kerrington" she says curtsying to me. "Ms Melroe" I say not wanting to call her Ms Karmichael it felt weird I felt like she wasn't Cecelia Karmichael with the private island she was just Elena Melroe the girl who was too clueless to realise her own beauty.

We walk side by side engaging in small talk as we meet up with my mother and Sergio "Sergio's offered me a ride home we're going for dinner" my moms says letting me know "Cecelia dear I'm so glad you two found each other you guys were gorgeous on the dancer floor" my moms says placing her hand on Elena's upper arm "I'll see you tomorrow for school Ms Cecelia" Sergio says smiling at Elena "Actually if you don't mind could I take Elena to school tomorrow?" I ask "If that's alright with you?" I say looking to Elena she nods her head probably not having a good reason to decline "If it's fine with Ms Cecelia...I mean Elena then I guess it's fine" he says nodding at Elena causing my moms eyes to widen "Elena?" My mom says pointing at her "Yeah sorry that's my middle name Tates just so used to calling me that " Cecelia replies with a polite smile "So you're the famous Elena here I thought my son was-" my mom cuts herself off "Nevermind" she says with a smile "Elena such a lovely name it suits you" she says nodding at Elena "Well goodnight you two" Sergio says giving Elena a hug "Take care of her" Sergio says shaking my hand firmly "Night darling don't let this one bother you two much" my mom says hugging Elena causing Elena to laugh "Like he said take care of her and yourself okay" she says kissing my cheek "Bye" she waves as they walk down the steps "Did you want to grab something to eat I'm not sure if you ate in there?" I ask not wanting her to go home without eating first "I had some chocolate in there" she replies "and I'm so tried but I'm also hungry" she says yawning "Great my cars on hold in the lot if you wanted to come with me?" I offer wanting to make sure she got home safe "I Uh..." she looks around "I'd love to" she smiles as she continues to look around "Let me just call my mom" she says taking her phone out.

📱

"Okay yes I will it's just a..." she hesitates looking up at me as she's on the phone with her mom "a friend of mine" she says turning away from me. I smile hoping that pause meant what I thought it meant " Tate the one who picked Liv and I up-" she suddenly stops talking "Oh okay...see you at home...love you too" she says ending the phone "You ready" I ask as she puts her phone back into her purse. She nods her head and we walk to the car.