Love Songs: Ryelsi

AN: Both movies have already happened!

EDITED ON 9TH APRIL, 2009!

CHAPTER TWO: One Slow Dance by Simple Plan

The winter dance had been highly anticipated by all seniors for months before winter had even arrived. Held on the last Friday before vacations, it was a formal affair – second in importance only to senior prom, at the end of the year. The decorating committee had chosen the theme of "moonlight magic" for this year's dance – the entire school grounds were drenched in moonlight, and the gym(which was the location of the actual dance) was softly lit by silver lights that created a shimmering effect. Only soft, romantic music was played. Ryan Evans, leaning against the wall closest to the gym door, wished with all of his heart that he didn't listen to his sister so often. It was simply embarrassing to be at such a romantic dance without a date. He fiddled with his fingers, glancing up every other moment. In one of these periodical peeks of everyone having fun, he was surprised to spot a familiar face, alone like him.

He traced her auburn curls with his eyes, stunned by her transformation. She wasn't wearing a hat today, for one – but then again, the student council had banned hats at school dances. Otherwise he too would have donned one. But besides that, her normally straight hair was evidently curled professionally and fell past her shoulders in soft waves. Her autumn orange dress was modest and actually had sleeves, unlike some of the outfits other girls were wearing – but they were gauzy, adding an almost ethereal air to her entire appearance. Her brown-green eyes were downcast, her wire-rimmed glasses had given way to a daintier golden pair and her hands were clasped. Ryan inhaled sharply, instinctively heading towards her; the girl of his dreams, the girl who was always in his thoughts these days. Kelsi Nielsen.

Kelsi looked up from her interlaced fingers to see Ryan Evans heading towards her. Something in her stomach fluttered madly as he approached her hesitantly, his eyes asking her permission. She smiled briefly and nodded, moving towards him as well. Her heart was thudding painfully in her chest as seeing Ryan brought up memories of Jason – Jason, who had decided she was better off as a friend and had broken it off with her just this afternoon. Tears pricked her eyelids but she refused to succumb to them, almost savagely pushing them back. She could see alarm in Ryan's eyes at her supposedly fierce expression and she softened her face, looking into his eyes and allowing a smile to curve across her face.

She saw him smile back and felt her heart stir slightly under its dull burden of hurt. She finally reached him and extended her hand for a handshake. Abruptly, though, she stepped forward to hug him at the last moment, relaxing into his embrace. She felt safe here. A slow song began to play, accompanied by faint strains of an electric guitar.

Ryan pressed his lips to her hair, squeezing her gently. "Hey Kels," he mumbled into her tresses, reveling in the sweet citrus-y smell that came from her. He pulled away gently to examine her at an arm's length, and noted the sadness she was trying to hide behind her smile. A puzzled frown flitted across his face – what had happened to her? She was shy by nature, an introvert, but she was always a positive person. He had never seen such immense sadness in anyone before. He tried to penetrate her shield of forced happiness and saw her flinch away, so he quickly averted his eyes.

Kelsi wrapped her arms around herself, smiling slightly at him. She hadn't liked the feeling his eyes had given her – like he was delving into her very mind, and she didn't want anyone to see her innermost thoughts. They consisted of angry, hateful things about Jason and a deep longing for someone else. She reached out to touch his shoulder, and his blue-gray eyes snapped back to hers. Her gaze asked an unspoken question.

Ryan offered his hand to her, bowing low. "May I have this dance?" he asked her softly, raising his head to study her brown-green eyes. She blushed lightly, placing her hand in his and nodding happily. He kissed her hand gently, pulling her closer to place his left hand at her waist, his right still clasping hers. His heart thumped excitedly, feeling her head rest on his left shoulder as her free hand crept to the other shoulder. The song's tempo increased minutely, but they continued to dance along slowly, simply enjoying each other's presence.

Kelsi lifted her head from its comfortable position on his shoulder to meet his intense gaze. She felt a shiver course down her spine, and it wasn't the unpleasant kind. She was unsettled by the depth of kindness in his eyes, and the warm glow of love that radiated from them. Goosebumps erupted on her skin, not only from the cold. Was it possible for him to feel so strongly for her? Kelsi Eden Nielsen?

Ryan guided her towards the exit of the gym. As she looked up at him in confusion, he had to suppress a smile – she looked so sweet and innocent with a bemused expression on her face. He lowered his mouth to whisper in her ear. "I think we should go take a walk on the beach," he murmured. She laughed softly. "Ryan, I don't think there's a beach for miles." She sounded amused. He shrugged, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Not true. There's one just a short drive away. Actually it's a lakeside, but we can pretend, right?" She looked resignedly up at him and smiled. "All right…"

He led her to his car, courteously opening the door for her. She blushed again and thanked him, settling down comfortably. He grinned at her and took his place behind the wheel, noting how the horizon had lightened a shade. Dawn wasn't far off.

The lake was small, as lakes went, but it seemed perfect to his eyes. His secret love ever since their summer before senior year was with him, strolling along the moon-dappled lakeside, her eyes and his on the horizon as it steadily turned pink.

Kelsi slipped her hand into his, feeling inexplicably comforted by the warm dampness of his hand. She wondered at the 'damp' part – it was winter, why was Ryan sweating so profusely? But she shrugged it off, resting her head on his shoulder again as they gazed at the sun rising. Without warning, Ryan turned and grasped her hand again, and they started to sway by the lakeside, dancing to their own slow dance.

His eyes found hers again, and he saw the deep heartbreak in them. He sighed softly. "Kels… what happened? Is it something to do with Jason?" She started slightly, looking down at her feet. When no reply came from her, his suspicions were confirmed. His heart ached with sympathy. "Oh Kelsi…" he muttered, drawing her closer and placing his chin on her head. "It's okay. It's okay, don't you worry." She nodded as tears coursed down her cheeks.

She wept quietly into his smooth black blazer, clutching him and pulling him closer and closer, as if afraid he would fly away if she released her grip. "He meant so much to me, Ryan," she cried softly, her eyes closed as sobs wracked her body. "But he didn't want me." She heard him whisper comfortingly – "Don't be silly, Kels. He loves you as a friend, you know that. He's just… just… Sssh, sssh…" She pulled away gently, her gaze suddenly passionate in the dawn light. "Or maybe," she started slowly, "he knew I felt something stronger… for someone else."

She saw him narrow his eyes incredulously. She closed the gap between them again and tilted her face upwards, her starry eyes meeting his. "For you," she whispered, hesitantly wrapping her arms around his neck. He placed his hands at her waist and leaned in to kiss her. As their lips met, their bodies started to sway to a distant melody.

Fin

AN: I didn't like this one much :/ But I LOVE this song! So I dunno, you guys tell me?