Chapter 2: Don't Stop Me Now

Peter and Gamora's engagement party was small but lively, filled with good music, great food, and even better people. After finishing a slow dance with her fiancé, Gamora made her way over to her sister, who was sulking in the corner.

"You know, Nebula. This is a celebration, you're supposed to be having fun!"

"I am having fun." Nebula responded flatly.

"Standing at the edge of the party, looking miserable and not talking to anyone? That's fun?"

"Okay, no. But this party isn't supposed to be about me, anyway. What does it matter?"

"You're my sister, Nebula, and my bridesmaid. I want you to enjoy yourself! Why don't I get you a drink or something?"

"That's alright." She responded dismissively, just as an upbeat pop song began to pour through the speakers.

"Oh, this is Mantis's favorite song! How about you go ask her to dance with you?"

"No!" Nebula exclaimed, blushing when she realized how harsh that came out.

"I think I see what's going on." Gamora said smugly. "You like Mantis, don't you?"

"Of course not. I mean, I like her…as a person. She's very nice, and pretty, but I'm…"

"Too proud to put yourself out there?"

"Am not."

"Prove it then. It's not like it's a slow dance. It would just be two friends, having fun together. Nothing romantic."

"I…"

"Hey Gamora?" Peter called. "The caterer just called. He had some questions for you."

"Be right there, hun!" She called back, before turning back to her sister and gently squeezing her hand. "Just think about it, okay?"

Across the room, Mantis sat at a table sipping her drink, lazily spinning her tiny umbrella. She kept sneaking glances at Nebula, who seemed to be looking at everywhere but her. The music sounded like white noise in her ears as she sighed.

"You're not dancing, Mantis?" Asked Drax, pulling up a chair next to her with an overflowing plate of hors-d'œuvres. "I thought you loved this song."

"Oh I do! I would just feel really weird…dancing alone."

"I'm sure there's someone here who needs a partner."

"There's actually someone I had my eye on."

"Who?"

"Nebula." Mantis said shyly, allowing herself another look at the corner of the room. "But she seems like she's in a bad mood. I wouldn't want to bother her."

"Nebula's always in a bad mood. Don't let that stop you!" Drax encouraged.

"I don't know…"

Too late. The song had already changed to something Mantis didn't recognize.

"Maybe later?" Said Drax sympathetically.

"Yeah. Maybe later." She sighed again.

A few songs later, Gamora and Peter went up to the DJ's booth and took the mic.

Everyone turned to look at them (except Mantis and Nebula, who both tried to sneak a glimpse at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking, then turned away blushing.)

"We just wanted to thank you all for celebrating with us tonight." Peter said to the crowd. "This party was a huge success, and we're so glad you all could come."

"Now, we're going to play the last song of the night, so we'd like all couples…"

"And prospective couples…" Peter said, getting a laugh from the crowd.

"To join us in the dance floor."

"Hit it!" Called Peter, as he took Gamora's hand and lead her to the center of the room. The DJ took back over, putting on a familiar beat of drum and guitar.

"I must've been through about a million girls…"

Nebula watched them as they danced, Peter's arm wrapped around Gamora's waist, their free hands intertwined. The way they looked at each other, with such adoration and wonder, made even her smile.

A gentle tap on the shoulder pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Nebula?"

She turned around and saw Mantis, a shy smile playing on her lips.

"Would you like to dance with me?"

"I'd love to." Nebula responded.

Mantis took her hand, taking a moment to look back at Drax, who gave her an exaggerated wink and a thumbs-up. She blushed before turning to Nebula, who wrapped her arms around her neck.

"You are nervous." Mantis stated. "Worried I'm going to step on your feet?"

Nebula shook her head, and smiled for the first time all night.

"It's not every day get to dance with a beautiful girl."

Mantis returned her smile, and stood up on her toes to kiss her.

God, what a rush. Mantis thought. If touching someone gave her a spark of that person's emotions, a kiss was like an explosion. A beautiful, goose-bump-inducing, perfect explosion. Not bad for my first kiss.