Chapter five

Aurora looked around the ballroom, to the towering pillars at near the walls, surrounded by flowery gardens. To the decks that also had numerous patches of gardens. What impressed her most was the beautiful ceiling, completely made of glass with only gold strips to hold it together.

Aurora, still looking around, was being directed towards a group of tables with people. She looked back down towards the people and saw then all waving the group of the four over. Dean, Jem, Dawn and her all took a place at a nearby table. Dean whispered in her ear, "Do you mind if Jem and I take off to get some drinks for us?"

Aurora who had taken her attention off the group and was again looking up towards the ceiling at the stars looked back down at Dean and told him it was fine. Aurora watched as Dean and Jem walked over to the table filled with drinks and food then looked back towards the ceiling.

"So… Aurora, how are you tonight?" Dawn said, trying to make conversation. Aurora had forgotten that Dawn was there and was startled by her voice and nearly fell off her chair but caught herself. "Oh… I'm… I'm fine. How are you?" Aurora said still sort of embarrassed.

Aurora looked at Dawn and blushed. Dawn was giggling at her. "Your kind of funny, you know! We'd make great friends!" Dawn said still giggling at Aurora. "Oh, umm… heheh, I guess so! So, how long have you been here for?" Aurora said trying to stop blushing and giggling.

Aurora looked over to the table where Dean was and saw him chatting to what looked like some fellow SeeD members then looked back at Dawn who finally managed to control her giggles. "I've been here since I was 10! I went to Trabia Garden for 3 years prior to that then my parents decided it would be better for my just to go to Balamb because I wanted to become a SeeD." She said.

Aurora looked at her, sort of impressed. "Oh, you came here to become a SeeD? Are you?" Aurora waited for Dawn to answer, but her attention was on Jem who seemed to be making an ass of himself over near where Dean was. He was making some lame joke about blondes.

Aurora didn't notice that Dawn was looking at her now then Dawn started to answer and Aurora turned back to her. "Haha, Men! They're all the same." Aurora nodded while beginning to giggle. "Umm, no. I'm not a SeeD yet; I'll be taking a test next week. I've taken my written test but I still have my field exam, it'll be a synch!"

Aurora nodded; her face became straight again. "Aurora, why are you here?" Dawn said more seriously. Aurora thought for a moment, she knew she couldn't go telling Dawn what she really was, but she didn't want to lie either. She knew she had to though in order to keep her identity a secret from Dawn, hopefully Dean wouldn't say anything. "Umm, I'm here to visit my aunt, Aunt Quistis." Said Aurora.

"Wow, you're the Headmistress' niece!" Dawn exclaimed. "That's pretty cool!" Aurora thought for a moment, she regretted that instantly. She knew that sooner or later Dawn would find out who she was, hopefully she wouldn't know about her being a sorceress!

Aurora snapped out of her train of thought when she saw that Dean and Jem had made their way back and sat down. "Looks like you two have been acquainted!" said Dean happily. "Well that's good!"

Aurora watched as Jem whispered something into Dawns ear and she giggled and they got up and walked towards the dance floor and began doing an extraordinary dance. Aurora watched as her black ankle length ballroom dress covered with a black and gold glittered sheer cover swung elegantly around her. Her hair that was short and curly before was now put in a tight curly bun with strands hanging loosely around.

Jem wore what looked to be a uniform, the same as Dean's. Aurora figured that it were the SeeD uniform because many of the guys in the ballroom had similar outfits on, dark blue with gold trim. The SeeD symbol planted nicely on the chest pocket.

Aurora turned her attention to Dean who was staring at her then turned away quickly and looked up at the stars. "It's beautiful, isn't it. All those stars." Dean said whispered, as if afraid he may break the glass on the ceiling. Aurora looked up and nodded then looked back towards the dance floor then back to Dean.

Aurora stared at him for a second then looked back to the dance floor. The next thing she knew Dean had her by the hand and was saying, "C'mon, we're going to dance!" Aurora's eyes bulged as she tried to break loose from his hand. "Dean, I can't dance, I'll make a fool of myself and you!" she hissed in a whispery voice. "Oh C'mon, be a sport, Aurora!" he said.

Aurora saw that there was no getting out of dancing so she just walked behind him as he found a place on the dance floor and turned around to face her. Without saying a word Aurora stood and watched Dean as he lifted her arm and out it on his shoulder then put his hand on her waist. He then took her other hand in his and began moving back and forth.

Aurora stumbled a couple times and laughed and Dean tried to teach her the steps. After what seemed a very long time of bumping into the other dancers and having them scowl them and her stumbling back and forth she was finally getting it and she loved it. They moved back and forth across the dance floor as if nobody else was there, only them and the beautiful ballroom.

"You're a natural, Aurora." Dean whispered to her. Aurora smiled up at Dean, him being much taller; he was 6'0. They continued dancing until the song ended and they stopped and stood on the spot and waited to see what the next song was.

Over the microphone the person running the songs said the next song would be a mega oldie from over 25 years earlier, written and performed by a pianist in love. A beautiful piano solo soon filled the room and a voice that almost came from heaven flowed through the room.

"I know this…. My grandmother…. This is her song!" exclaimed Aurora who was thinking back to a few years earlier when she stumbled upon a tape with this song on it in a trunk at her house. Her mother had told her all about her grandmother and how she fell in love with a soldier that she believed to be lost. The soldier, being her grandfather, Laguna, Squall's father. The song was "Eyes on Me"

Aurora looked at Dean and smiled as she saw him looking at her. "May I have this dance?" said Dean bowing towards her holding out his hand. "Yes you may!" said Aurora giggling and taking his hand as they slipped into a hugging position and danced slowly.

Aurora looked up at the stars and saw a shooting star and wished, (" I wish that I could always be as happy as I am now") and then she put her head back on Dean's shoulder and looking around the ballroom to see Jem and Dawn dancing happily together also.

"This is a beautiful song, Aurora. Did your grandmother really sing it?" whispered Dean. Aurora took her head off his shoulder and looked deep into his eyes. "Yes, it is beautiful… my grandmother must have really been in love, y'know." She whispered back. Aurora still looking into his eyes saw him smile.

"You know, Aurora. I'd like to tell you something, but don't laugh!" Dean said. Aurora nodded and waited for him to reply. He looked up into the stars then back down into Aurora's eyes. "When I first saw you, I had my eyes on you. I think I feel in love!" he whispered softly and raised his hand and played with her hair a bit.

Aurora stared back into his eyes, shocked, but completely happy and thrilled. Before Aurora could say anything Dean bent his head downwards and kissed her. Aurora smiled and opened her eyes and looked into his. "I think I fell in love too, Dean. I've never met anyone like you." She whispered.

Aurora looked at him some more then put her head back onto his shoulder and closed her eyes. She thought that she was the happiest person in the world at that moment, as they danced the night away.

Aurora looked at the clock and saw that it was 11:30 and she almost screamed. She had completely lost track of time while dancing with Dean, and being so happy. She had promised her father that she would be back by 11, she was already late!

Aurora was still dancing with Dean when she looked back to him and told him that she had to leave and told him that she had promised to be back by 11 and was late. Aurora was upset that she had to leave but knew that she had to, right away. She looked at Dean, who looked upset but understanding also.

Aurora began to take off but Dean held her back and asked her if she wanted him to go with her but she told him that she wanted him to stay and have a good time. Dean looked upset again but kissed Aurora on the hand and let her go.

Aurora half-walked and half-jogged and when she got to the ballroom door she glanced back at Dean who was now talking with Jem, he smiled at her and she smiled back then left.

Aurora reached the dormitory hall at 11:40 still half-walking/jogging and stopped near the window to catch her breath. She walked over to the window and looked out into the horizon. The garden was set to a drift and they sat floating. Aurora's attention, however, was onto something in the distance.

A gleam of light was shining, not very big at all but shot straight up into the sky. It was purplish blue. Aurora stared at it some more then it disappeared. She figured that she was seeing things since she was so tired so she just walked to the guest dormitory room.

Aurora creaked the door open and saw both her father and mother sleeping so she slipped in and closed the door, then slipped in her room and closed the door quietly. She got into her pajamas and went to bed.

As Aurora lay, thinking, she stared out the skylight at the stars then saw the purplish blue gleam of light. Aurora raised her head off the pillow slightly then the light disappeared and Aurora closed her eyes tight.