The Last Dance
Leanne:
It was late, really late. The moon was actually shining, and it was a very weird coincidence that the night would've been so beautiful on the last night of the Spring Ball. The moon shone down on the nightly grounds that were perfectly dimmed for the evening. The first small grasshopper-sounds of the year had begun to appear and silvery lights came from the bugs' wings in the edge of the ball.
Leanne closer her dark blue eyes. In the dimmed light, her eyes seemed perhaps even more dark blue than usual. Her eyes were smoky and she'd chosen a simple black dress for her last evening. She'd chosen to wear her hair down, in curls. It fit her perfectly.
Leanne had had the time of her life. Spite the drama on the dance floor last evening, Leanne couldn't help but to feel that spite that she'd had the best time ever. Am I so selfish? Leanne wondered to herself.
However, no matter Leanne tried to give some of her attention to the drama that had unfold, she couldn't help but to feel the way she did. All she could think of was this moment, this evening. Last evening. No matter how many times she tried, she couldn't stop thinking of Cassidy.
And now, here she was, in his arms again. The last dance of the evening. It was all going to end. This little dream of hers. She knew it wouldn't last, how could it? She was who she was, and that was that. It still blew her mind that he'd asked her out, and she'd constantly had to remind herself that it was all because they were friends. Nothing more. It hurt to be near him, but then, it was also the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Leanne opened her dark blue orbs and looked up at Cass with a light smile on her lips. "Thank you for this evening. I really-," she paused, looking for the words she was seeking. "This is the best time I've ever had in my life," she said smiling. The sentence was not overdone, it was the simple, yet cruel truth.
Cassidy:
The ball was progressing to an end, and Cass felt that the ball had gone well for him. Nothing bad had happened between him and Leanne. His "mistake" of kissing her on the top of her head had not ended in a catastrophe but things didn't get any better either. Cass could not really guess what was going through Leanne's mind ... as such he was wary trying to move forwards or anything.
She probably thinks of me as only a friend, he thought to himself as they swayed to the music.
Thank you for this evening. I really-," she paused, looking for the words she was seeking. "This is the best time I've ever had in my life. A slight smile graced Cassidy's lips at her words. "You're welcome," he stated softly. His mood seemed to lower with each minute ... the ball would end and then things would go back to the way they had been ... sure there may be some differences from the Ball .. maybe a new couple that popped up in result of the event, couples that would probably not be together by the next month.
Leanne:
You're welcome. Leanne kept her small smile when a thought crossed her mind. Kiss him. She nearly fainted by her own idea. The timing seemed to perfect. Here she was, looking up at him while she had his attention. It was the perfect moment... and Leanne knew it. Kiss him, she thought to herself again. For a second Leanne was sure she was going to do it, but then she didn't.
The moment was broken. She'd taken too long.
Leanne looked away, leaning on his chest again. She was suddenly overcome by sadness. She was a coward. This was it. This was their last dance, the last night. Everything would go back to the way it had used to be once the night was over. Some things would probably be changed, like Dustin and Maia... but Leanne, well, she and Cass would probably stay the same. Just because she was being such a coward!
Leanne, you're so stupid! Leanne thought gloomy to herself. You always mess things up, she thought. Leanne felt a pain in her heart and a rock in her throat. She remembered the "kiss" last night. Cass had kissed her on top of the head. He only thinks of me as a friend though... Leanne pondered. It was a friendly "have a nice evening" kiss, she thought, convincing herself.
The sadness stayed in her chest as she song came to an end. Leanne didn't want to let go at all. This little flare of memory would probably always be remembered in her heart. And, as if she hadn't messed up enough, Leanne just couldn't keep her mouth. "Cass, I've not had many people that I could talk to, yet along call friends... but I think I can safely assume that you're one of my best friends," Leanne said looking up with a small shy, slightly sad smile.
As she realized what she'd said, her heart was even more saddened. There, now she'd said it. Of course, there would never be a chance for her ever again. She'd ruined it. If it hadn't been for the fact that she was around people, Leanne would probably have let her tears fall...
Cassidy:
As Leanne looked up at him after he had spoken he felt the moment as she had, although perhaps he was unaware of it. His mind was in turmoil ... to do it or not to do it. Would it wreck everything? If it did could he salvage the situation? If they couldn't be more, Cass didn't want to lose her friendship. If that was the only thing he would get from her he would savor it.
The moment had passed ... she had returned to her previous position of her head resting against his chest. Cass tried not to dwell on it. He would not be disappointed by so little of a thing. Vaguely he heard the music come to an end. However, he noticed when Leanne had looked up at him and spoke. Cass, I've not had many people that I could talk to, yet along call friends... but I think I can safely assume that you're one of my best friends.
It felt as if a stone had been dropped in his stomach. Best friend. Was that all she viewed him as. Cass swallowed his pride and his fears. Whatever happens, he would face it. If he lost her ... well ... he'd work to get her back.
"Leanne," he stated softly. "I'd like to be more than just friends with you," he continued into the same soft tone, his hand coming up to cup her cheek before he gave her a soft kiss on the lips. He pulled back after a moment, his eyes watching her face for anything ... anything ... did he ruin it all? Would this be the start of something new? What...
... just anything...
Leanne:
I'm so stupid! Stupid, stupid! Leanne thought. She was still so close to tears, but years of practice made her hold it all inside. She refused to look at Cass, as she was sure she'd ruined it. However, as Cass ever so softly spoke her name, Leanne automatically looked up. Her dark blue eyes lost and emotional.
I'd like to be more than just friends with you.
Time froze. Leanne couldn't breath. The only thing that moved was her heart, and it was pondering with such force the she was sure it would pop right out. Her legs felt like jelly, she felt like collapsing any second. It was a wonder she could keep herself standing.
Time moved again. Leanne kept her eyes open as she saw what happened. He cupped her cheek gently bringing the blush to her cheeks. Then, he kissed her.
A kiss.
A small soft kiss on her lips. Leanne felt like her heart had exploded, and instantly her eyes closed as he did so. The feeling spreading through her body was indescribable. It was a feeling she'd never had before. A feeling she could never place. Was it love? Could it be?
The moment seemed to last forever, yet end too soon. His lips left hers and Leanne opened her eyes. The blush stayed on her cheeks and her breath was quivering. If it hadn't been for the fact that she was in his arms, he wouldn't have been able to stand by herself.
Leanne's blue orbs just looked at Cass. She honestly didn't know what to say, or what to do. Had it really happened? Leanne couldn't remember. It was like she'd woken up to find the dream real. Leanne took a deep breath as if uncomfortable with her placement, yet made no effort in trying to get away. She had to calm down.
"I,-" Leanne begun to say, her eyes never leaving Cass'. Leanne swallowed. Don't screw this up! Leanne hissed at herself. "I can't believe you did that," Leanne breathed. Based on her shocked condition, it was hard to see whether she meant it as a god or a bad thing. However, her words had begun to flow, she'd found her speech. However, she was still as scared and insecure as ever.
"I just don't understand. Perhaps I'll never understand, I mean... agh! I just mess things up! You can't possibly want me, I, mean, I'm just gonna get on your nerves and then," she was speaking quickly and nervously. She'd never been so vulnerable before...
"I mean, look now, I'm just messing this up!" Leanne said, taking a deep breath, finally looking away. "You don't know how much I like you Cass," Leanne whispered the last part, she wasn't even sure he'd heard her.
Cassidy:
Cass felt as if his heart was in his throat as he watched the range of expressions that had flittered over her face. His heart was just pounding so hard and fast. He was trying to keep from his mind that he had not done the right thing. Cass refused to think that. He couldn't think that. That was believing he had no chance.
However, at the light blush over her cheeks and the catch in her breath seemed like good signs ... at least Cass hoped they were. He did not rush her to respond, however he couldn't help the uneasiness he felt. She hadn't slapped him, so that was also a good sign... Oh he wished she would say something!
I,- I just don't understand. Perhaps I'll never understand, I mean... agh! I just mess things up! You can't possibly want me, I, mean, I'm just gonna get on your nerves and then. I mean, look now, I'm just messing this up!
At her words, a light smile touched the corner of Cass's lips. "Leanne, we all mess up ... I been dreading that I was going to mess up this whole weekend ... especially a few minutes ago," he told her softly. "I kept dreading and wondering, did I just mess the brittle connection we currently? Can this wonderful girl possibly want me past a friend?" he continued weakly, swallowing.
When she turned her head away saying, You don't know how much I like you Cass. He gently ducked his head so that he could see her face. "Then likewise, you don't know how much I like you," he told her honestly. Cass glanced briefly around the dance floor ... he snaked an arm around her waist, "Lets go sit down," he then murmured to her softly ... the Dance Floor could not be a good place for this he felt... realizing where they were again.
Leanne:
Leanne felt the urge to run away. She was just being so silly that it was almost embarrassing. She was feeling stupid for messing up with her stupid words, and messing up because she was feeling stupid. It was all very complicated. However, at Cass' words, she calmed down.
Leanne, we all mess up ... I been dreading that I was going to mess up this whole weekend ... especially a few minutes ago. I kept dreading and wondering, did I just mess the brittle connection we currently? Can this wonderful girl possibly want me past a friend?
He'd been worried about this weekend? Leanne blinked.
He'd called her wonderful.
A true smile graced her lips where the touch of his lips were still lingering in her mind. Although trying to avoid his look, Leanne still couldn't as he leveled down to her. She looked at him from the corner of her eyes as he spoke again. Then likewise, you don't know how much I like you.
A warm feeling spread through her as he'd said that. She kept on smiling, the small blush staying on her cheeks. Seeing that Cass looked around, Leanne did so to, suddenly remembering where they stood. People were walking off the dance floor, and so should they.
Cass snaked an arm around her waist. Lets go sit down. Leanne nodded her head, as she honestly didn't know what else to do. Although, she was completely agreeing. The dance floor was no longer the place to be. Completely trusting Cass, she'd figure he'd lead them to wherever he would want to sit down. Smiling, she'd follow him.
