CHAPTER 17

Gracie

The cord of the final note had been struck. The musicians pulled aside their instruments and took a bow. The swirling pattern of waltzing dancers stopped, to be replaced with applause. Gracie stopped in the midst of her own clap and looked to her partner. He was also applauding the musicians, shouting excited words of praise. She'd known Jack to be an avid fan of music, but she also hadn't seen him this enthusiastic about it.

Just a few minutes ago, while the two were waltzing, they talked about different aspects of their lives that they hadn't shared before. Gracie had learned so much about Jack during that one dance, that all their other conversations seemed insignificant. This was the one conversation that turned her on the most. She especially loved how he spoke of her beauty, how much they have in common, how much he longed to be with her, and their shared passion for the new holiday, Christmas. They were both fascinated by its bright, cheerful colors, and its traditions. Gracie's favorite tradition was mistletoe. She liked that you could show you feelings for someone with an impulsive kiss, and have an excuse to do so.

"That's my favorite part of Christmas, too," he told her, "I know we don't have mistletoe here in Sleepy Hallow, but I promise I will get you some. Even if I have to go through the forbidden woods,"

Jack had never promised anything like that before. Gracie thought. Going completely out of his way for someone else. I didn't really think that he loved me…that is, until now.

Like a bolt of lightning, Gracie felt an emotional jolt. Her heart began to race. Her blood shot to her cheeks. Her vision became fuzzy, but the image of the handsome, young man came in clear. Gracie felt like she was going to faint in his arms, or at least that's what she wanted to do.

Oh my god…I think…I think I'm in love…I think-no-I did. I changed "Jack the Player", to "Jack the committed". Wow, I did it! And people thought it wasn't possible. I'm really going to have the big fish. I'm going to be Mrs. Jack Skellington!-

"Gracie?" the man's voice broke Gracie of her trance.

"What? Oh, sorry. Thank you for the kind offer, Jack," Gracie told him with a bashful smile.

Gracie's sexual confidence in herself had vanished the moment she was struck by that emotional lightning called love. Feeling butterflies in her stomach was a new thing for her, and she didn't know how to act with them constantly fluttering around. However, she was a bit taken back when her partner's first happy expression all night suddenly turned glum.

"Jack, what's wrong?"

Right at that moment, the music had stopped, the clapping arose, and their waltz came to an end. During everyone's applause, Gracie took her partner's hand.

"I know something that will make you feel better," she said with a smile.

The man couldn't help but smile back when he saw her irresistible, plump lips draw back to display her glistening, pearly teeth.

Gracie led him through the crowd to outside. Everyone was too preoccupied in their own thing to notice the two slip out. That is, except for one person.