Chapter 2: Traitor
Before I start, I wanted to thank everybody who set up alerts, reviewed, favorited, all that fantastic stuff! You guys are amazing, thanks for following the story, and I hope you like the second chapter as much I loved writing it!
Before I start: some of you are going to want to kill me for the turnout of this chapter, but I hope you love it anyway! Don't worry, the cliffhanger's going to be resolved soon. (She may seem like a traitor now but things will get better, promise)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Virals. If I did, I'd be the happiest girl alive, but I don't, which means I'm not. I'm still pretty peppy though. :D
And so, on to the story!
One glance around the ballroom- gorgeous as always, this time with a stunning gold-and-silver theme – was enough to send my senses blasting into hyperdrive. The Tripod was standing in their own isolated little corner, giggling and snickering amongst themselves; Jason was leaning against an intricately carved banister, his handsome face brightened at the sight of me. But after him, one by one hostile faces from around the lavishly decorated ballroom turned and scorched me under their fiery glares. Every inch of me longed to run, dig a hole, and hide in it. Forever.
I turned so I could conceal the inevitable.
SNAP.
I rummaged frantically through my purse in search of sunglasses, practically shoving them onto my face to hide the golden glimmer of my eyes. I scoured my mind for excuses.
I went to the eye doctor today. He put some sort of drops in.
The lights are too bright.
They're prescription. More stylish than wearing my regular glasses everywhere (total lie. 20/20 over here)!
Ugh! None of them made sense. I'd have to wing it.
Jason strolled up to me, sparkling cobalt eyes scanning me from head to toe, admiration starting to shine in his enthusiastic gaze. "Wow, Tor."
"What?" It came out harsher, more intense, than I meant it to. "Is there something wrong?" I was overreacting. Oh well.
"Nothing's wrong. You just look… amazing, Tory."
Despite myself, I blushed, scolding myself at the thought of crimson heating my pale, freckled cheeks. "Thank you." Feeling the need to say something nice, I complimented him in return. "You look nice, too."
"What, this old thing?" he grinned, pretending to brush dirt from the shoulders of his midnight black tux, probably imported from Europe judging by the modern, clean cut and custom-tailored fit. He leaned in. "Don't tell anyone, but it's my dad's."
"Well, we can't have that secret getting out, can we?" I giggled before I could stop myself. What are you doing? I demanded of myself. Flirting with Jason Taylor? Was I looking to get pummeled by Ben?
Whoa, whoa, whoa. How did Ben even get into the equation? I mentally slapped myself, regained my composure, and beamed at Jason, who seemed thrilled as he returned the smile. I can like, or dance with, whoever I want to. "So," I said slyly, "Now that all our secrets are out…" I almost choked on how ironic my words were.
"…shall we dance?" Jason finished, offering me a graciously extended arm.
"I thought you'd never ask." I wound my arm through his. I'd graduated to mentally punching myself.
SNUP.
Much to my delight, the flare died out as Jason led me to the center of the ornate granite floor, and I admired the flecks of quartz glinting among the glossy black. "Wait," I told him, untangling my arm to remove my sunglasses and stuff them into my bag. I tossed it in the vague direction of the stairwell and settled into dance position, Jason's hand resting on my hip, mine resting on his shoulder. As if on cue, the music launched into a lively foxtrot – did that dance bring back memories – and I followed the steps with ease, twirling out, curling back in, half-expecting Chance Claybourne to sweep by like he had the last time I danced with Jason. But I never lost my partner, and the second song started before we could even pause for breath.
"You're a great dancer," he murmured as the beat escalated. I could see Madison, Courtney, and Ashley all whirling across the floor with their own partners, their movements silky smooth and effortless as their designer dresses fluttered like butterfly wings with each twirl. I spun out from Jason's arms and curled back in with a finish flourish as the soon ended for a break.
"I don't know about you, but I'm starved," Jason groaned, heading for the tables heaped high with food. He grabbed a plate and was filling it before I could even cross the floor.
"Of course you are," I quipped. I mentally knocked myself out. Stop leading him on! But the longer we danced, the more I wondered – was I really leading him at all? Even if I was I couldn't bring myself to break the truth to him, not when we were both – against all odds – having fun.
The music restarted; but this time, the quick step of the foxtrot was replaced by a smooth, easy song – one of my favorites from the musical Wicked – and the couples paired up and returned to the floor for the first genuine slow dance of the evening. Some were skipping out in favor of the lush buffet.
"Come on, Tor," Jason said softly, gently grasping my hand and trying to tug me back to the floor. "I know slow-dancing's your secret hobby."
I laughed. "And I know eating's yours."
"Thought it's not that secret," we chorused, chuckling at his expense.
"But seriously, come on. What do you say?"
I poked out my tongue. "Fine."
I let him drag me back out. The lyrics of the song danced through my mind, and as we fell back into position, I sang them softly, tone-deafness forgotten. "I've heard it said…" my voice seemed impossibly loud and I strained to soften it. "That people come into our lives…" Jason simply gazed into my eyes and I smiled as the words softly left my lips and breathed into the silence. "For a reason, bringing something we must learn…" His hands fell to my hips, where they were supposed to be, and my arms rose on their own to drape around his neck. We swayed gently to the music; I kept singing, somehow landing the notes, all too aware of Jason's warm gaze locked on me, blue eyes glimmering with captivation. Time seemed to slow around us; I knew Madison was undoubtedly eyeing us – me – with envy. Slowly, murmurs spread through the room, and the other dancers stopped, eyes falling to us as I kept singing, kept whispering the words as if under a trance. Jason's stare was becoming mesmerizing and I struggled not to get lost in it, determined not to stumble over the last lyrics. "Who can…" I braced myself for humiliation; the next note was difficult for a pro soprano, let alone me. "Say…" my voice swelled to the challenge, and I heard the collective sigh as the sweet note echoed in the soaring dome of the ceiling. "If I've been changed for the better, but…" I smiled softly as I sang, thinking of Hi, Ben, and Shelton, of Cooper and Mom and Kit. I closed my eyes and sang, "Because I knew you…" Surprisingly, someone else in the audience's voice rose to kindly sing the echo. "Because I knew you…" And then I took a breath, gazed into Jason's face, and sang the last beautiful words of the song. "I have been changed… For good."
As soon as the last gorgeous traces of my voice faded into silence, Jason's face dipped to mine, and I tipped my chin up close the distance. Our lips met – thoughts spiraled out of control in my mine, things resembling oh crap and traitor – but in that moment I couldn't have cared less. I heard Madison's indignant squeak of outrage; Ashley comforting her, and then… a sharp intake of breath, an exhale of resignation. The slightest creak of somebody leaning against a railing.
"Well. What a lovely finale."
I broke away from the kiss, eyes widening in disbelief as the whole room swiveled to see who had spoken. But I already knew.
The one meeting our stare was none other than Ben Blue.
Well! Wasn't that a crazy chapter! Please REVIEW – I will write faster, I promise! And by the way, I have invisible, imaginary, virtual strawberry shortcake for the first person that's able to correctly guess the name of the song from Wicked and the two characters that sing it!
Hope you enjoyed, and happing reading! :)
PS: I know the chapter was supershort. Sorry!