She had always hated these types of event. At the best of times, she never felt remotely pretty in comparison to other girls she passed in everyday life, but when she was forced into a situation where it was almost a compulsory aspect of the event to make yourself as beautiful as possible, she knew she didn't even begin to compare. She stood at the edge of the dance floor, couples swirling past her with as much grace as an autumn leaf falling from a great oak tree. The various dresses floated past her like waves gently gliding onto a beach.
He couldn't find her anywhere. Girls were swooning over him, but he dismissed them politely then carried on his search. He had to find her.
She wouldn't dare dance; knowing her she'd fall. Not that anyone had asked her to dance anyway. Her head was down, attempting to conceal herself away as much as humanly possible, trying desperately not to look at the other females in the vicinity, all of whom she considered significantly more beautiful. Her hair was tied back in a pretty bun, two gentle, auburn strands hanging down, framing her delicate face. The deep blue of her dress matched her sapphire eyes, and the gems along the bust resembled the stars that hung above them in the night sky. She'd begun to wonder why she even came; she was simply stood in the grand ballroom, her confidence eroding more every second, and she'd been attempting to keep away from the gaze of a certain someone all night.
He spotted his target. She seemed to have been avoiding him, but now, he'd finally managed to locate her. Sliding past one of the hall's giant marble pillars, he made his way toward her. He'd half expected to see her in the arms of another and was both relieved and slightly disheartened to see her stood alone in the corner of the dancefloor, clearly not realising the beauty that she held. He saw it, and, wait, so did the guy staring at her from across the room at the snacks table. Crap! No time to lose.
She was surprised when he came over. He'd made a real effort it seemed; his usually dishevelled hair was, for once, actually combed, and he wore a sophisticated black suit with a matching bow tie. Hey, why was the guy by the snacks table glaring at them?
He extended his hand and she looked at him with a look of both suspicion and hope. He didn't need to say any words; a simple raise of his eyebrows and a look that desired confirmation was enough for her to take his hand.
She felt her face turn red at the contact and her eyes fell to the floor as they had earlier in the evening.
He felt his face flush, but he couldn't take his eyes off the stunning girl before him, as he gently lead her onto the dance floor.
She couldn't believe what a good dancer he was. He was far more elegant that most of the men on there, something she'd never have expected from the clumsy child she once knew. She was on edge; waiting for the moment she'd trip over him and land flat on her face.
He couldn't believe how amazing it felt to dance with her. Her beauty outshone every girl on the dance floor, something he'd never had thought he'd say as an ignorant juvenile, when his feelings for her lay deep within him, unnoticed.
She was sure she misheard him.
He saw her surprised expression and he knew she'd heard him correctly.
She refused to believe her ears.
He said it again, this time, looking her directly in the eyes.
She echoed his words, joyous tears crystallising in both their eyes.
He smiled lovingly at her.
She knew it there and then; she wasn't afraid of falling anymore.