So this is what having fun is, Ellie thought. She did nothing but stand by the refreshments table and watch as guests danced and mingled around her.
After her and Craig's "grand entrance", he was quick to depart from her. Said he'd catch up later and he swore he'd save her a dance. Ellie didn't seem to mind at first, until she realized he had been gone for almost an hour. Not that she was jealous or anything, but she would've liked to be acknowledged once or twice throughout the night instead of standing alone at a party like this, looking like a dateless loser.
She caught a glimpse of him a few times around the auditorium; mingling with the guests, doing some promotional interviews with some entertainment moguls. The only time she really saw or heard him was when he was being praised by Kem on stage. But since she wasn't a very tall person and the guy in front of her was practically a giant, she couldn't see much. Ever since, she remained by the table, watching other people enjoy themselves.
"Hey lonely girl," came a voice. "You seem down."
For a minute Ellie thought it might've been some cute, college guy, coming to rescue her from boredom…but part of her longed for it to be Craig.
"Well, I-" Ellie started, and then she saw who it was. Kem. He excitement faded immediately.
"Hey," he said, coming to her side. Ellie had been receiving some unwanted looks from him throughout the night. His presence made her itch.
"Hi, Kem." Ellie rolled her eyes.
"So, why aren't you out on the dance floor?" He said doing a little dance that was completely off beat to the music that was already playing.
"I don't really dance," she plainly replied.
"Such a shame. Looks like you've got some moves." Kem looked her up and down as she were a piece of meat, and he'd been hungry for days. Guys like this pissed Ellie off on so many levels it wasn't even funny.
"Hmm…uh, not to be rude, but…please leave."
"Oh c'mon. Just trying to make good conversation. It's hard to not wanna get to know you."
"We just met an hour ago."
"And ever since I've wanted to get to know you." He moved slightly closer to her.
"Sorry. I can't, I'm kinda here with someone else." Ellie inched away from him.
"Craig? The last time I saw you two together, you were making an entrance. Not that hell of a one, but he was quick to leave you. I mean... if you call that a date you must be having a lot of fun right now."
"Well, I'm not." The redhead replied sternly, folding her arms.
"You should be. Wanna dance?"
"No."
"Yah sure?"
"Yes. I'd much rather keep the punch and cookies company than you." Ellie shot back, slightly glaring at the producer.
"That's cool. I like a girl who likes to drink…" Kem chuckled.
"Please leave." Ellie rolled her eyes once more. It was taking every ounce of her not to throw a cup of punch in his face.
"Say, when was the last time you saw lover boy anyway?"
"Why?"
"Just wanna know." Kem smiled.
"I don't know. When you were kissing his ass on stage."
"Hmm, that must've been, what, 10 minutes ago? Last time I actually saw his face, he was getting acquainted with a friend." Kem leaned in to whisper to Ellie. "A blonde girly friend."
"He wouldn't do that," Ellie quickly retorted.
"Hey, I'm not saying anything." Kem held up his hands. "Just make sure the next time you agree to be someone's date…it's actually a date."
"Go away please," Ellie shivered with anger and frustration.
"Aren't you just a little bit curious to see if I'm right?"
…
"You do realize I don't really know you?" Craig panted.
"Yeah. So?." The girl said, kissing his neck and stripping him of his tux jacket.. There wasn't much move around space since they chose the backstage prop cupboard for their little rendezvous.
"And you do know…I have a date." Craig said, coming back for air after another kiss.
"Yeah," Heather murmured, biting hard into his neck.
"Um, are you a vampire?" Craig uncomfortably giggled.
"No, I just really like to bite." She said. The girl pulled the top buttons of his shirt apart and started back to his lips. Craig closed his eyes tightly, taking in Heather. Kissing her harder than ever.
Closing his eyes seemed to be the only thing that made him believe the girl was Ellie. Though the room was pitch black and Heather might've very well been Kem, nothing could take his focus off of her. Closing his eyes, picturing himself kissing Ellie was much better. But then he saw that quivering lip, that look of disgust she'd give him if she ever knew he was hooking up with some random girl he'd just met. Right then and there he knew he couldn't go through with it. It was clear he couldn't pursue his feelings for Ellie, and he knew he had to get over her, but this wasn't the way. He pulled away from Heather.
"I'm sorry I can't." he said.
"What?" Heather was in disbelief.
"I can't. I'm here with someone."
"So am I." she started back at his lips but he moved away.
"I can't. Okay. No." Craig let go of her and buttoned his shirt. He began feeling around for his jacket.
"Just like that?" Heather said, she sounded as if she could smack him in the face at any given momen.
"I'm sorry."
"No, you're not sorry. You're an ass…probably gay too." The disgust was heavy in Heather's voice.
"Just leave. Okay?" Craig demanded still searching for the tux.
"Whatever." Heather stormed out of the cupboard, the door slightly closed back behind her.
"Here it is." Craig whispered to himself, grabbing the bundle that was his tux. He stood up and left the closet. Ellie stood right outside, her arms folded, that look of pure disgust across her face.
"El-" he started.
"Save it. I hope you had fun." she stormed off.