Entry 21: THE DANCE WAS…

Dear Diary, the dance was fantastic! I'll tell you what happened from the beginning….

Well, first off, I was feeling kind of lonely. See, no one (besides Toby) had asked me to go to the dance with them and I started to pout, but then I remembered that a true lady never pouts. So, I stood with a stiff upper lip! Professor Layton asked me whether or not I wanted to go, and I said that I did. He smiled and left the room. I was confused, but I soon shrugged it off and went to school.

Nothing excited happened at school. After school, I got an invitation though! See, Luke was sitting beside me, and Toby came again, asking whether I had made up my mind or not. I opened my mouth to speak, but Luke spoke first. He said, "Actually, Toby, she is going with me!" At first I thought that it was sweet, but then when I thought about it, it seemed as if he was just protecting me. So I felt really bad all through school (The dance was invitation-only, so I thought Luke just felt sorry for me and was sticking up for me).

The professor came out with a little card and passed it to me. He said that I wasn't supposed to open it until after the dance. I nodded and gave him a hug. As I was going to my room to change, Luke came out and said, "Flora, I didn't even ask you if you wanted to go with me. Would you like to go with me to the dance?" As I paused, he continued, "I just assumed that you'd go with me. So…will you go with me? I'd really like it if you came with me." I smiled and nodded and went to go change.

Clive drove us there and dropped us off, but he told us to stay by the door, so he wouldn't get lost trying to find us. We stayed, and then walked through together: Clive holding my left hand, and Luke holding my right. It was kind of loud music, but everyone seemed to be having fun. I was very uneasy, so I clung to Luke and Clive. I saw glimpses of people I knew from my classes, and we finally bumped into Elaine. I hugged her, and introduced her to Clive. She smiled when she saw Luke, and her eyes widened when she saw Clive. Clive smiled at her reaction and offered to dance with her. Elaine smiled, and they hit the floor.

Luke got me a glass of blue punch and I sipped like a true lady. We commented on the dance, on the partners, on anything possible. Finally, the dance was done, and Elaine talked Luke into dancing the next dance, a slow one. I smiled and sipped my punch.

Clive grabbed my arm and asked if I'd want to dance with him. Just for fun I told myself, and he led me out to the floor. We began to dance, and it was kind of awkward, sweet, and weird. Awkward, because Clive is twenty-three, and I'm fourteen. Sweet, because this was my first dance ever. Weird, because of all the rumors and whispers I could hear from the floor. Clive didn't seem to mind the rumors at all. He just concentrated on having a good time, which was important, I guess. It felt…safe I guess… being up close with him. He held me tightly, but wasn't exactly what I had imagined a dance would be like. The dance whirled by so fast, that it felt like only five minutes, (but at the time, it felt like forever). When he walked me back, he kissed me on the cheek! I was a bit surprised...I mean...he's CLIVE and he kissed me!

Luke came back laughing and Elaine was laughing so hard, that she had to sit down. The next dance started, and it was a peppy one! Clive didn't ask this time, but he dragged me onto the floor and started to "help" me dance. I was thankful for the attention, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to do dance this fast. After a while I got used to it, but I was feeling a little hurt that Luke didn't dance with me. After all, he is the one who invited me!

Finally, the last two dances before we had to leave arrived. They both were slow dances, and I danced the first one with Clive and then he said that he had to leave. I nodded and the announcer person announced, "OK now dance the last one with someone you hadn't danced with before.

Well, I had danced with Clive on just about every dance, and I wanted to be fair. Luke approached me, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Jacelyn and Toby coming this way. Luke asked me if I'd like to dance with him. All of a sudden, my hurt feelings were gone and thrown to the wind. Luke did care about me!

Luke grabbed my hand and led me to the floor, beside Clive and Elaine. I felt a little funny dancing with Luke, because he is a tad shorter than me, but after a while, I got used to it. He danced…differently than Clive did, though I couldn't put my finger on it… Luke smiled and asked how the dance was to me. I said that it was almost like how I pictured it. Luke said, "What's different?"

I said, "Well…I was thinking that there'd be more…lights, and ballroom music…but this is okay." Luke grinned and motioned to the music person. He nodded back, and immediately a strange song began. It was a sweet song, though I had no idea what it would be like.

Clive smiled and began to direct the music. After a few minutes, Luke's face was as red as a tomato. I understand why, see, Clive was directing "Kiss the Girl" (from Little Mermaid) Luke glared at him as Clive began waltz with Elaine and sing the song. I guess everyone knew it (besides me) because everyone but me and Luke were singing along. I thought the song was sweet, and surprisingly enough, at the end of the song, the lights went out, and Luke kissed me on the cheek! I was so shocked, that I turned as red as a tomato.

Luke said, "I-I-I'm sorry about that…" and he left to go get refreshments. Clive turned me around and grabbed Luke. We all headed outside. The stars were shining, and the moon sent its slivery beams down on the sidewalk below. It was a good night! And it wasn't over….

When we got inside Clive's car, I remembered the card from the Professor inside. Hurriedly, I opened it and read the glittery letters. I would like you to save the last dance for me. –Professor Layton/ Daddy My eyes started to tear up and Luke saw that I was crying. "What's wrong, Flora?"

I let him read the card, and he grinned. When we got home, Clive and Luke went to bed, but I went upstairs and put on my princess dress (which is only used for special occasions) and went to go find the Professor. He was in the study, waiting for me. I smiled and he smiled too. He took me in his arms, and turned on the music. It was Pachelbel's Canon (I had heard the professor play it often) and he bowed. I bowed too, and we began to dance. He led me just like how a prince would lead his princess…and when I thought about it, I guess I was Daddy's princess, and that thought made me feel so happy. He led me around the room, and twirled me at all the right moments. He never let go, and he always held me. This was the type of dance that I had wanted, and here it was, right in my Daddy's arms. Sadly, the dance ended and he sent me to my room to change.

I got into my purple pajamas, and he walked up the stairs and tucked me in. He gave me a hug, and said (while he was hugging me) "Flora, I hope you'll always be my princess. I love you, my dear." I told him that I loved him too.

I am so lucky to have such a good Daddy to watch over me and dance with me.

Goodnight!

Flora

Author's note: Hi! i hoped you liked it :) I'll explain a bit...see, Clive and Luke had arranged everything that night (if you don't believe me, remember Clive's charm and looks): The music and lights. Luke was going to play Beauty and the Beast, but Clive "accidentally" switched the labels on the cd's and played Kiss the Girl instead. I just thought it'd be funny if that happened and to see Luke's response. XD anywho...It was tough writing this part, because I had some rooting for Clive, and some for Luke...but Layton won! :)

Anywho, I'm thinking about making a sequel to this. Like make another New Perspective, but make it part 2: Freshman Year. Please Review and let me know what you think. I might not do it...but it would be fun!