March 16, 2016
Dozens of tables covered in black cloth were set all around the hotel's ballroom, but they left a large, open area for the dance floor. Elegant, silk draperies hung all around the walls of the room, and each table had an elegant piece of a glass figurine in the center. A stereo played both fast and slow songs whether people were dancing or not. The end of the ballroom had a small stage set up with a podium draped in red cloth, and a small microphone stood on top of it.
Daniel was dressed in his best suit, and his hair was slicked back very neatly. His bowtie matched the suit, but his shoes were uncomfortable.
They're just new, he thought.
Daniel's friend had invited him to tag along in going to this charity event, which was for children with leukemia and other childhood cancers. He didn't have anything else to do, but Daniel cared about kids and it was for a good cause; so he agreed to it.
"Daniel," his friend nudged him, interrupting his thoughts, "a slow song just came on."
"What's your point?" Daniel asked.
"Why don't you go ask one of them to dance?" His friend was pointing to a group of girls standing and laughing by the punch bowl. "Branch out and start a conversation."
"Why?" It was annoying when his friend sounded like he was playing matchmaker.
"Just go."
Daniel exhaled out of annoyance, but he pulled himself together once he stood up.
As he began walking, he examined each of the girls in the group. Three of them were Asian, and they're dresses were gold and silver. One girl looked Hispanic and wore a black dress; and another was African who wore a navy blue dress and large gold earrings.
The Caucasian girl, however, seemed to stand out the most. Her golden hair was curled in perfect ringlets, a strand of it held back with a sparkly barrette. He could easily see her blue eyes from the way her ice blue dress made them pop, and her skin was smooth as silk. She was quite a beauty, but she seemed no more than seventeen years old.
"Hi," Daniel greeted the group in English, nervously.
"Hello," one of the girls replied.
Taking in a breath, he turned to the blonde girl and asked, "May I have this dance?" Shyly, he held out his hand.
With a smile, the girl took his hand, and Daniel escorted her away from her friends.
The girl slipped her arm through his as they strolled to the dance floor, and Daniel felt his face get hot. He knew he was blushing, but he did his best to keep his cool.
Slipping an arm around her waist, the girl placed a hand on his shoulder as their free hands held each other.
"Daniel," was all he managed to slip out in an attempt to begin a conversation with her.
"I'm sorry?"
"My name," he corrected himself. "It's Daniel."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Daniel," his dance partner chuckled. "I'm Sophie."