Chapter 2: First Dance?

A/N: A twist on the ever-popular "Fancy Ball" fic. Trust me, it's not like the others, not that there's anything wrong with those.

One day your boss gets sick of you, and he schemes to get you out of his hair. The next day you find yourself in a dance hall full of strangers. Not a familiar face in the crowd. Well, except Susan, that kooky librarian with the pet squirrels. But I try to avoid being familiar with her.

It all happened yesterday: "You'll have fun, Winry," he said. ". . . Lots of kids your age will be there," he said. Mr. Garfiel stops at nothing to get his way sometimes.

So there I was at the event. I'd found the "kids my age", who were, by the way, not my age. Adults don't seem to get it, do they? I'm fifteen. I have nothing in common with 11-year-old Gabby or 10-year-old Adrienne. But everybody under 20 must all be the same, right?

Conversation was far from compelling; it consisted of Gabby's food allergies to everything, and Adrienne's obsession with everything equine.

However, I didn't seem to have much choice in company. My tablemates and I appeared to be the only ones in the room under the age of fifty.

That's when he approached me. I saw his hand as a ticket to freedom, so I took it. I smiled to the girls and shrugged as though I had no control over the situation.

As we danced, he introduced himself as Jason. I looked down at my hands in his two flesh-and-bloodhands and I began to regret my decision.

I tilted my head down and noticed his sneaker-clad feet. I found myself imagining those sneakers to be black combat boots.

I turned my focus to an ambiguous, nondescript portion of his shirt. Maybe if I didn't look up, he could also be wearing a blond plait instead of floppy black hair. If I refused to meet his eyes, they could be gold instead of dull brown.

The song ended.

"What did you say your name was?" He asked.

I lifted my head. His eyes were still brown.

"I'm Winry," I replied. He smiled.

The music resumed, as did the dancing. I was becoming too aware of Jason. Too aware of his presence, of his hand on my back. Aware of his appearance. He was too tall. Too skinny. His smile was too handsome. Nothing was comfortable.

When the second song ended, I tore my hands from his neck.

I only mumbled, "sorrydontfeelsowell," in one rushed breath, before I sprinted back to the table. I just couldn't take dancing with him any longer. I sat down next to Gabby. Have I mentioned just how much I love this table?

The younger girl, Adrienne giggled. "Why did you dance with that boy?"

Well, when you put it that way. . .

"She danced with him 'cuz he's real cute. You're too young to understand. Right, Winry?" said Gabby.

"No, no, no. No, he's not cute. At all." I replied.

Gabby stared off into the crowd. "Those big, brown eyes and his perfect hair. . . And so tall . . ."

"Well you can have him," I offered.

Both girls giggled.

A couple moments later, Jason approached with drinks in hand.

"Hot apple cider?" He placed the glasses in front of us. "I thought it might make you feel better, Winry."

"Thanks," I said.

"Hi!" Gabby smiled theatrically. "You can have my cider, I'm allergic to nutmeg!"

Is that what a pre-teen pick-up line sounds like?

"You're a really good dancer!" Gabby batted her eyelashes for good measure.

"Looks like you've got a fan," I chuckled.

Jason winked at me and then turned to Gabby. "Would you give me the pleasure of having the next dance?" He was sweet enough to humor the girl.

Adrienne crinkled her nose as Gabby took his hand.

"Of course!" Gabby said.

Jason smiled at me as he walked Gabby to the dance floor. Gabby looked so petite next to Jason. She stepped her little feet onto his shoes.

Gabby was right, Jason is cute. When he's dancing with somebody else.

Oh, and as it turns out, Adrienne was also right. Horses are pretty amazing. Did you know that horses typically sleep only about two and a half to four hours in a 24-hour period? The automail I could make if I only needed two and a half hours of sleep. . .

Anyway, I discovered something that night: I'll never be satisfied until I dance with Edward. So in the meantime, I've learned to enjoy watching others dance.