The day of the mixer finally arrived. Andrew cursed under his breath all day long. How under appreciated he is. How easily his friends can talk him into giving up his free night as a favor. Darien was supposed to help with him, but he was called in for an emergency at school, so he had to leave mid set up. Balloons and ribbon were all over the place. Darien offered to cater before he left, but Andrew strongly denied that suggestion. They are a diner and it would look bad that they did not serve their own goods at the event.
As always Serena and the girls arrived early to one get in free and two help where Andrew needed, but Andrew was still on edge that this was Darien's idea and he left him to handle it alone. He did everything he could to be supportive of Darien's school needs, but he was also concerned that on a night like this, he was going to miss out again, pushing him back to step one.
As the night when on, Serena found herself in the same situation she had been through many times. Her friends all with their significant others. Her alone just watching. She watched all the couples dance. She saw as crushes connecting. She gushed as others her age took the leap of faith and asked strangers to dance. Despite her heart aching, she just smiled, looked at the time and just counted the minutes until it was over.
She offered to help Andrew serve but of course he declined. She wanted to do anything at this point just to pass the time away.
She exhaled. "I guess I will get another cup of punch..." She whispered to herself as she looked at her empty glass. She put the cup on the counter and hopped off the stool she was on, grabbing the cup before she walked away.
"Uhhh hell S...Serena!" A voice called from behind her.
She composed herself, counted to three, and turned around. "Hi, Alan." She forced a smile, as her stomach turned in digust.
"So I see you're just standing here...wanted to see if maybe you wanted to dance?" He look a half step forward, trapping Serena between him, the counter and the stools.
"As always Alan thank you for offering, but I am going to have to decline." She tried to wedge her way through, only for Alan to put his hand out to block her.
"Come on Serena... it is not like boyfriend you keep talking about is going to care."
"Alan, I just don't feel like dancing."
"That is a lie you love to dance."
"I am not just mooding it today okay? And look Alan, you fan club is waiting behind you, go as them." Serena pointed to the girl watching them like hawks.
"They are not who I am interested in." He put his hand on her waist. "I can show you an amazing night. One that your so called boyfriend, if he is even real at this point, cannot."
"Alan... hands off please." She wiggled his hands off of her.
"Serena, I would treat you like the queen that you are, I would never leave you the way this invisible boyfriend does."
She sighed, not in any mood to dispute his accusations or get into a conversation that would mentally and emotionally scar her anymore. She left her cup on the counter and pushed right through him. "I can't do this." She sat there long enough, she made the appearance she needed and she took pictures with enough people to show she was there. Now it was time to go home. If she was going to be alone, she wanted to at least be in her pajamas and slippers on the couch alone.
She walked around looking for her friends to tell them they she was leaving. She hated this part because they would always beg her to stay. One time she avoided this part and the girls let her have it the next day. The believed friends who arrive together should always either leave together or is aware of when the other one leaves. She continued to scan the room. She never understood why this part was so hard. Their significant others towered over everyone in their class, they should be easy to spot, but when you're barely seeing above the crowd to begin with, a giant can be missed if they are far enough.
She continued to move through the crowd. Holding tight to her purse and her sweater. The sea of people was endless.
Then out of nowhere fingers tightened around her wrist, pulling her back. She shook her head. Rolled her eyes. "Alan I said I was going to get into this with you..." Her voice dropped and her heart fluttered as she she turned around. It wasn't Alan, not by a long shot. "Darien." She whispered.
He just smiled. Pulled her into him. Wrapped her arms around his neck and put both hands around her waste. He leaned over. Closed his eyes and kissed the top of her head. He took in a deep breath. Something about her scent always brought a calm to him day. His arms around her waist tightened.
"What are you doing here?" She whispered.
He kissed her forehead again. "I am so sorry I am late. Something came up for school."
Serena pushed herself off of him. Looked deep into his eyes. "Is everything okay?"
He pulled her back to him. "Yeah...but I don't want to talk about it right now."
Maybe it was still the shock of him being here, but Serena's movement was stiff, her feet and hips moved but her upper wasn't. No matter hard he held her close. Her back was arched as if she was trying to put distance between.
"Move along with her." He could here the group saying. "Do not over think this." They would add. "Let her body guide you." Suddenly a rush annoyance pulsed through his veins. This was not what they said this would be like. How could he get her relax and just enjoy the night with him. Should he twirl her sound like the couple to his right were down? Should he attempt to dip her like the two on the left. "You will know when she does not want to dance, you will feel it." Is this what they meant? Should they just stand here until she is ready? What would they tell him to do? What does he want to do? What would she want to do?
Partially defeated, he groaned internally, rested his head against hers, turned it in just slightly, and softly kissed her neck, right below her ear lobe. It must have been a trigger spot, because within seconds, he could feel her body becoming less tense. He kissed her again. The arch in her back released and now they were chest to chest. One more kiss and her head slowly turned towards his. No over thinking, just watching her queue, he caught her lips with his. He moved his hands up her back and pulled her in as close as he could. Her arms wrapped tighter around his neck.
Not wanting to break their connection, he finally had to to catch his breath.
"What is going on?" Serena whispered as he kissed her forehead. "Am I dreaming?" Her arms unwrapped from around his neck, and slowly moved down to his chest.
She could feel his head shaking no.
"This has to be a dream." She whispered closing her eyes. "This isn't like you. You don't dance."
He kissed her forehead again.
"That me was about to lose you and I cannot allow that happen."
She tilted her head back. His eyes glossed, and a tear streaming down his face. She moved one hand up to his cheek to wipe his tear. "I told you I wasn't going anywhere."
He leaned in to kiss her again. This time his kiss was deeper. He pulled away, rested his forehead on hers.
"Darien, this isn't you." Serena whispered. "You hate dancing."
"I don't hate anything that brings me closer to you." Another peck on her lips.
She tilted her head, moving her forehead from him. Their eyes locked.
"I am so sorry I left you alone all those time. I am so sorry, I was not the man you deserved. I almost lost the best part of you. Your joy, your passion, you love. Just your overall presence." He kissed her cheek. "You being around brings so much to my day...I took you for granted, and I am so sorry."
He kissed her again.
"I love you." He whispered. "And no you are not dreaming." He pulled her in for a hug, put one hand in hers, pulled away from her and spun her around in circles.
When she finally came back around, her face expressed nothing but shock and surprise. "Where did you learn to do that?"
Again pulling her close to him. "I am not sure." Another peck. "But I really wanted to try it, so I did." He just shrugged. "I am just glad we didn't get tripped up." He teased.
"You're stupid." Serena smiled lightly pushing his shoulder.
He came right back. "I have been for sure."
The remainder of the night was just the two of them swaying to each other, with kisses in between. Whether the music or fast or slow, they stayed the way they were.
Originally this was part 5 of his plan, but events that occurred earlier in the day, made it step 6. He knew he would get some push back, so to avoid ruining the moment they are in, the new step 5 would wait, and he will keep enjoying step 6.