Prologue
She could hear it. The pounding of her own heart over the loud music playing in the background for the dancing pair on the stage. She clasped her clammy hands together, fingers interlinked, and held them close to her lips. She was feeling it, the overwhelming feeling she had everytime she stepped up to the stage, in front of a large crowd. The tingling of nerves, the rush of adrenaline, the seemingly-unlimited energy flowing through her, the strong beats of her heart.
She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
She could do this.
She would do this.
Determination and courage refueled, she opened her eyes to see another pair of eyes staring back at her. His partner raised an elegant brow, a glint of amusement showing in his eyes.
"Nervous?" He asked.
Nerves calmed upon seeing him, she exhaled and gave a bright smile. "I'm fine."
He tilted his head to the right and smirked. "You sure?"
Her smile widened when she saw the familiar infuriating smirk. This guy in front of him changed her life, changed her path, changed her beliefs. He reminded her of who she was, who she could be, and who she wanted to when she was lost. He reminded her of the feelings she once lost, helped to find the motivation and rekindled the passion she thought were both already gone, and made her reached for her dreams she once had. He thought her how to forgive, to believe, to forget, to remember, to love and be loved, and to actually live once again.
The man's eyebrows furrowed when he saw her jade eyes glistening with unshed tears. She frowned at her. "Oi, don't cry now."
A tear slipped and she immediately wiped it away. She laughed hoarsely, voice full emotion. "Who the hell is crying?"
"Language." He scolded lightly. Seriously, the guy have even found the time to notice her language now of all times. "Shh.." He held her close, strong arms around her lithe form. "Get ready, we are next."
She nodded and sniffled one last time. He let her go and cupped her face with big warm hands, big like her father's and warm like her mother's, and found that she was composed once again.
From the background, the music ended and they could hear the host speaking once again. Then they heard their pair being called to the stage.
He met her eyes, his gaze penetrating through the window of her soul as if searching for something, then finally gave a small smile when he found whatever it was. He pressed his lips to her forehead and held her hand as they walked toward the stage. "Let's go."
She raised a brow when he felt that his hands were clammy, too. "Who was nervous again?" She teased.
"Hn." He looked back at her with an amused look and a smirk. "That's excitement."
She laughed softly as they were engulfed by the bright light when they exited the backstage and appeared in front of the cheering audience. Her eyes briefly scanned the crowd and saw their families and friends that always supported her and her partner. She appreciated them dearly. Because of them, they were where they were now.
There was a short silence. Bright jade eyes full of life met amused determined dark eyes. Then the first note of the music was heard, the first step was made.