The Dance Recital
(Author's Note: I deleted my old Firefly story because I hated it and got no reviews. Seriously, It was REALY awful. I hope this one it better. It is in my opinion. I have now edited it for typos)
It wasn't that Simon had any particular aversion to going to his sister's dance recitals, but at the age of fourteen the young man was able to think of many better things to do with his time. He had a project for school due in one week that he was only halfway done with, and his newest medical journal had just come in.
The atrium of the hall was large and warmly decorated. Parents in fancy clothing were mingling in the center of the room, chattering and telling embarrassing stories about their children. Siblings of the dancers were standing around with bored expressions on their faces, among them the sulky Simon.
He was standing next to a wall, slightly separated from the crowd, periodically taking glances at his watch. There was some sort of delay in the beginning of the performance.
"I should have brought a book," thought Simon, sighing.
As if on queue, a beautiful, dark haired girl walked up him. She leaned against the wall and groaned, slipping off her elaborately detailed shoes. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the wall, reveling for a moment in the relief. Cracking one eye open, she glanced at Simon, who was looking at her with a quizzical expression on his face.
"My feet are killing me," She explained. "I'm Inara, by the way."
"Simon." he responded. He extended his hand. When she did not take it, he allowed it to drop to his side. "Okay," He murmured under his breath. Her eyes were once again closed. "Nice shoes." He said, attempting to start a conversation. He looked at her outfit for a second.
"Are you a companion?" Her eyes snapped open.
"What! I'm only fifteen!"
"So why are you dressed like that?" Simon retorted.
"I'm in training. I'm not a companion yet."
"Obviously," he said under his breath. Unfortunately, she heard him.
"What's THAT supposed to mean!" she said, turning to look directly at him.
"Well, companions are supposed to be proper, and considerate. And able to keep their shoes on for the whole evening." He sneered.
"Even if I was a companion, I wouldn't need to be nice to you, seeing as you aren't a paying customer. And never will be. You're far to conceited to ever be able to attract a companion."
"You think that I'm conceited? It's a shame. I was trying so hard to hide it"
"INARA!" called a voice from the crowd. Inara quickly slipped on her shoes. As she ran into the crowd, she turned back and stuck out her tongue at Simon. He grinned back in response.
Simon turned away from the retreating girl and looked at his watch once more. The crowd began to move in the direction of the door. He joined them, planning to find his family once he was inside the hall. He half hoped that he would be able to find the girl, Inara, as well.