Chapter Four
"We are whirling through endless space with an inconceivable speed, all around us everything is spinning, everything is moving, everywhere is energy."—Nikola Tesla
Lady swallowed down her tears and surprise took their place instead. The boy from earlier? She batted any moisture away from her eyes with a quick swipe of her hand.
"H-hello." She stuttered.
"What are the chances of us meeting like this? Crazy, right?" He said.
Lady nodded, speechless. He looked so different, dressed in a white vest and bow tie with a black tuxedo jacket buttoned down his lithe waistline. Lady blushed under his gaze, impart from his good looks but also from thinking of her previous, clumsy fall into his arms.
"Still shy, huh?" The boy smiled. "Here, maybe you need a proper introduction." He stuck his hand out to her, and Lady marveled at how long his arms were. "Names Tramp. Happy to meet you again, proper this time."
Lady tried to hide any trace of a confused expression on her face. What kind of a name is that? She wondered, staring at his outstretched hand with uncertainty. But then she remembered how quickly he had moved to catch her this afternoon, without any hesitation. Lady reached out stiffly and shook his hand, his fingers nimble, callous and hot. He stared deeply in her eyes when they touched and she was riveted. His eyes looked like they'd been carved from obsidian, blacker than a starless sky, where no light could possibly reach. But despite their darkness they were bright and acute with intelligence.
"My name is Lady Jackson. Pleased to meet you." Lady replied politely, and finally had to break eye contact.
"See, I figured you liked to do things proper. Pretty name too, it suits you."
Lady's flush worsened and she simply nodded her head in acknowledgement. Tramp looked her up and down and smirked in his crooked, breathtaking way. He looked like he wanted to say something but thought against it, and said: "Your friends abandon you then?"
Lady shuffled her feet and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Was he watching me? "Just for a while."
"Do you mind if I keep you company?"
She nodded.
Tramp took it as an invitation and stepped closer to her. "Gotta say, this isn't too shabby of a party. Though this is coming from someone who hasn't been to a rich type shindig like this before."
What do I say? Do I thank him again? I'm so confused why he's here. Wasn't he dressed like a lower class citizen before? Lady thought. She yearned to ask, with her curiosity burning like acid in her chest, but she wasn't brave or forward enough to do so. When Lady said nothing he continued. "I didn't expect the dancing to be so swinging either. You dance much yet?"
Lady felt the tips of her ears go scarlet and she didn't miss the mischievous slant to his mouth as he asked. He had to have seen her sad attempt earlier. "I'm not good at dancing."
Tramp's eyebrow shot up. "Oh, I don't completely believe that. You have to know a few dances, at least."
Lady looked at her feet. "Not a lot. The waltz maybe?"
"Alright, we can work with that."
Lady looked up at him suddenly, not liking the direction the conversation was going. He flashed a lopsided smile. "If they play it, I'll be the first to ask you to dance."
"Oh, no please, you don't have to." Lady said, going white with dread.
"I want to." Tramp laughed, clearly amused by her distress. "It's not everyday I get to dance with a high class girl."
"Really, you don't have to." Lady whispered.
"Sorry, Pigeon, I don't think I can let you off the hook." He shrugged, still beaming.
And as if fate were mocking her, the previous dance song ended and changed into a jazzy waltz. Lady groaned internally and wondered if Tramp had known it was going to be next. She turned to the dance floor with dread, and saw couples assuming their positions and dipping into the slow, sweet song. They were so close to each other Lady observed.
"You look like you're going to be sick." Tramp snorted. "Look, just put up with one dance and I'll leave it at that. C'mon it won't hurt you, I promise."
He put a hand through his slicked back hair and started walking to the floor, seeming expectant she would follow him. Lady stared at Tramp with his eyes forward, and thoroughly looked him over this time. His hair was so thick it could barely be repressed under the shiny layer of brilliantine he'd applied. But what really caught her attention was it's color. It was gray, like storm clouds, like the pelt of a greyhound, a similar shade to Jock's mustache even. Her eyes darted to his profile in shock. Is he older than I realized? But his features were young and virile, with a jawline like the edge of a knife. Was there anything about this boy that wasn't strange?
"You coming?" Tramp asked, turning and reaching his hand out encouragingly to her.
"Yes." Lady replied after a distracted pause. Tramp gently pulled her close and placed his left hand just below her shoulder blade. Lady awkwardly placed her arm on his shoulder with her hand on the back of his neck. His smoky forest smell, fused with cologne, came back to her and an extraordinary spark jolted throughout her body.
"You ready?" He asked brightly, taking her right hand in his and lifting them into position. Without waiting for an answer he smoothly guided them into the twirling throng and Lady scrambled to remember her footwork. She tried desperately to relax, but it was useless. There wasn't a part of them that didn't touch, their arms full with each other and their chests pressed close. Their noses would be inches apart if she looked up. Lady didn't dare.
"I knew it was a lie you didn't know how to dance." Tramp said, his voice brushing her ear. Up close she could hear the hint of an accent in his clear voice.
"I honestly don't know more than this." She admitted.
"Well you're doing beautifully." Lady stepped back on her heel, Tramp's foot followed and they spun together fluidly. "I don't know what you were so embarrassed about."
"I haven't danced with a...boy before."
"Not even that big fella you and your friend were with?"
Lady let out a coy, stiff laugh. "Elias? No, he wouldn't be caught dead dancing."
"His loss." Tramp said, and she could hear him smiling. Lady was still too abashed to look up at him.
"And I'm assuming you've had plenty of dances, with girls that is." She said quietly.
"Maybe two or three." He was still smiling. "But none as classy as you, Pigeon."
Lady went quiet and let yet another fit of bashfulness work it's way through her. She was painfully aware of his fingers on her exposed shoulder which felt a dull buzz of electricity. They took another synchronized step forward and swayed into another spin, Lady's dress brushing the backs of her legs.
"You know I gotta ask something." Tramp said. "Who was that dame that called for you earlier today? You know, the crabby old gargoyle?"
Lady blinked. An unladylike snort of a laugh burst from her lips. She couldn't help it. It was hilarious that he, a total stranger, had seen her aunt that way. Lady turned her face away to try and cover up her laughter. "That was my aunt." She choked.
"What's funny?" He asked innocently.
Lady shook her head. "Nothing."
Tramp leaned back a short distance and looked down at her. Lady accidentally met his gaze again, unable to hide her smile. He was smiling too.
"Ah, there it is, you can smile after all. I was starting to think you didn't like my company or something."
"Oh no, not all." Lady said, her smile dropping in horror. "I wasn't expecting to meet you again, I'm sorry for giving you that impression."
"Don't sweat it, I was teasing." He chuckled. "Relax, Pidge, you don't have to be so formal with me alright? I'm not gonna care about your social skills like everyone else here." Lady dropped her head back down, unable to handle his bright eyes, and let herself marginally relax into his arms. Their movements became seamless, and Tramp didn't lead as much as he had before.
"See? Much better." He murmured.
They stepped back together once more and spun through the other dancers like a single entity. Lady looked around and saw they had made a full circle around the dance floor. She thought she saw Elias looking at her with a strange expression but then he was lost among the crowd in a blur. It wouldn't surprise her if he was shocked, because Lady was equally surprised herself. Here she was dancing with a complete stranger and feeling somewhat...comfortable? This night can't get any more peculiar. She thought, bemused.
Tramp chuckled and Lady could feel how sinewy his shoulders were as he laughed."Your blonde friend is trying to get your attention." Lady looked up instantly and saw Ida across the way. She was still dancing, twirling with another boy Lady didn't recognize. She frantically motioned to Lady with her arm balanced on the boy's shoulder, her eyes curious and excited. Lady giggled softly.
"Who is that?" She mouthed, pointing at Tramp.
"I don't know!" Lady mouthed back with a helpless expression and hoped he didn't see.
"He's cute!" Ida said wordlessly and raised her eyebrows mischievously.
Lady gave her a withering look.
Ida grinned and gave her a thumbs up. Then she and her partner sidestepped away and were swallowed up by the crowd. Lady sighed and laughed, knowing what was coming for her later.
"She seems fun." Tramp commented, trying to hide a smile.
"Ida." Lady nodded affectionately. "She's my best friend. And she's never going to stop talking about this."
"Why's that?"
Lady ducked her head, her cheek brushing his suit jacket, as her affection for Ida made her forget to be formal. "Because I'm dancing for a change and with a partner." She said.
"Well I'm happy to be such an exception. Luck must be on my side tonight."
Lady hummed in response, not sure what to say. His flattery was so disconcerting, like a needle abruptly jumping a record, and it left her off kilter. Just what was he, handsome, debonair and from a different world? Lady's curiosity came back like a lance through her chest.
"Um, I wondered—" Lady began. "Would you—can I ask you a question?"
Tramp looked at her with a bemused smirk. "Sure Pigeon, shoot."
"What brings you to a benefit like this? I didn't expect to find someone like...well someone—"
"A dirt poor slum dog, you mean?" Tramp asked helpfully.
Lady gasped and shook her head. "I would never call you that."
"Nothing wrong with calling it like it is." He shrugged.
"Well, I'm just really curious is all."
"Pretty simple really, some of my buddies got connections here and they forced me to tag along. Gave me a monkey suit and here I am."
"Oh? Who are your friends? I wonder if I would know them."
Tramp chuckled darkly. "I'm not so sure about that. They're new to the scene so I'd be a bit surprised if you did."
"Well if you see them I'd love to—"
Boom!
An abrupt, deafening sound like a crack of thunder erupted through the house and sharply cut Lady off.
The entire room recoiled, like a rubber band snapped in two. The music stopped. Lady and Tramp froze along with the other dancers. A short second of silence fell over the room and it was just enough time for everyone to come to the same realization.
It was gunshot.
Tramp's arms fell away from Lady so quickly she jumped. The crowd shuffled and whispered anxiously in the lull left behind by the music's abrupt departure. Lady looked around uncertainly. Had she been wrong? Maybe it wasn't a gunshot after all? And then suddenly two more shots rang out and Lady knew better.
Pop!
Shoom!
The ballroom fractured. Screams rose up and burst into the round contours of the ceiling. Goosebumps bolted down Lady's arms and she was too astonished to know how to react. Tramp on the other hand jerked his head toward the sounds, his jaw muscles grinding and his eyes narrowed. The change in him was profound. As if he hadn't even existed, the casual boy with the stunning smile vanished. He was replaced with a flint eyed, muscle taut creature who stood like a tightly bound spring waiting to snap. If she weren't in a shocked state Lady would have been frightened.
Tramp swore under his breath. "Pidge, you gotta get out of here, now."
"That was a gun right?" Lady asked, trying to keep the hysteria out of her voice.
"Yeah it was." He said as he loosened his bow tie. Tramp walked towards the hallway, where the shots had come, and kept his flint eyes trained ahead. "Don't just stand there, get out of here."
"But what—"
"Go!" Tramp hissed through his teeth.
Lady recoiled and took a clumsy step back from him, fear hindering her legs like weights. People hurtled by them and she yearned to follow but her body wouldn't listen. In comparison Tramp fixedly walked through the blurred, fleeing figures with his shoulders tensed and ready. Lady stared with wide eyes. He really was from a different world. A world that looked as distant and alien as the moon. How had she been comfortable in his arms just moments before?
Lady squeezed her eyes shut and forced her mind to empty. Focus on leaving. One step at a time. She breathed through her nose, opened her eyes and quickly ran after Tramp as best she could in her heels. The only thing left to occupy the dance floor was abandoned hats on the wood grain and the flashing chandelier above them. Lady caught up to Tramp and was just about to pass him when he suddenly stopped her with his arm.
"Wait, I think—" He began.
Just then three boys stumbled into view from the dark hallway. One of them, a skinny brunette, was hunched over with his hand clutched to the side of his head, crimson streams dripping down between his fingers. Lady gasped.
"What the hell happened?" Tramp shouted, his voice ricocheting off the walls. Lady could only stare in dismay at the blood, her heart thumping like a snare drum. Somewhere in the back of her mind she registered the familiarity in Tramp's tone. Were these the friends he was talking about?
"Those bastards were waiting for us." A brawny dark haired boy said as they crossed the threshold into the rotunda. "We gotta move, Miles got bit."
"You idiots brought your goddamn turf war here?" Tramp demanded.
"How were we supposed to know they'd be here too?" Whined the blonde beside the injured boy.
"You don't get to be pissed cause you weren't even there to help!" The dark haired one retorted. "If you would just—!"
"Don't." Tramp snapped, jabbing his finger at him. "Don't start that shit with me. This is exactly why I don't get mixed up in your business."
They continued to shout at each other but Lady still couldn't tear her eyes away from the brunette boy's head wound."Is he bleeding?" Lady squeaked over their shouts. The one arguing with Tramp happened to notice and his dark gaze appraised her.
"Who the hell is that?" He scowled.
Tramp paused and glanced at Lady. "No one, you gotta worry about." He growled. He sharply turned to face her and put both hands on her shoulders. "Pidge, if you don't get out of here now you're going to get hurt ." He murmured, his expression stained and his voice low. "Quick before—"
Tramp dropped a hand from her shoulder and all of them looked towards a commotion in the hallway. Shouting, cursing and the scuffle of feet grew louder and then another boy with red hair burst into the room with a gun in his hand. Lady felt the urge to scream but the sight of the gun made her freeze up again.
"We gotta get to the car!" The boy exclaimed, rushing to give the unsteady brunette his arm for support. "I'm almost outta ammo!"
"Then why the hell did you all come in here, that's our only way out!" Tramp hollered, motioning to the hallway.
Another shoom! exploded into the air, tearing a scream from Lady's throat, and shattering a window behind them in sparkling projectiles across the floor. Tramp grabbed her by the wrist in the confusion and pulled her close. "You gotta hide." He hissed, looking around the room desperately. Lady was confused. Where could she possibly hide? She didn't have much time to think about it because another group, made up of six rugged boys, came bolting out of the hallway towards them.
"If you wanna live you'll stop right there, Mutts." One of them goaded. Tramp swore bitterly, and raised his hands up in surrender. "Stay behind me, and don't say anything." He whispered, looking at Lady with a strangled look of helpless fury.
Lady managed to nod. Tramp turned around to face their oppressors with his hands still frozen in the air and protectively placed himself in front of her. Once her eyes landed on his back, Lady let herself slip into the hysteria and terror that had been trying to devour her whole. The boys talked back and forth aggressively but she heard none of it. She placed her hands over her ears, and although Lady knew she was as far, far from alright she whispered over and over, to herself, to her parents:
"We're alright. We're alright."