Chapter 14
'Could you just help me with this?' She asked, gesturing to her back.
Eleven walked up behind her, zipping up her dress. She held her hair up as his hands fumbled with the zip, and then she turned round. She was breathtaking, stunning, any remarkable word you could think of. He blinked as he took all of her in.
'You look absolutely beautiful.'
He moved in closer, wanting so much to touch her lips with his own. He held her round the waist, dipping her back just slightly and pressing a long kiss on her irresistible lips.
'You look so gorgeous.' He breathed, straightening her up.
'Thanks.' She said bashfully. Her eyelashes were long and bold, her eyebrows were perfect and her legs were flawless. The dress was blue and cut just above her knee, and which complimented her figure so well. She held her hair all to one side, and his first thought was 'sexy Bond girl.' He couldn't actually believe she was his, that such a beautiful creature would ever even go near someone like him.
'You look very dashing, too. Love the bow tie.'
He grinned. She pecked him on the lips.
'I'll see you down there.'
He smiled as he watched her go, shaking his head at the very thought of how lucky he was.
Adjusting the collar of his shirt, he checked on the others, and a few minutes later they were heading down the stairs to the hall, all of them dressed up in shirt and tie, even Twelve. Each of them had a girl on their arm, except Eleven. He wished at least he could dance once with her, but knew it wouldn't be possible. Of course people would notice. As they walked in, he scanned the room and there she was, standing by another teacher, a glass of wine in hand. He flashed her a smile, which she returned. Together they made their way to the food table, standing as a group as the music started thrumming through their hearts and the dance floor was slowly filling up. Ten was the first to offer Rose a dance, being the charming and gentlemanly person he was. They glided down the length of the hall, and Eleven smiled at how happy he looked with the blonde in his arms. He caught Clara staring at the pair too, and they exchanged wistful glances to one another. He wanted so badly to get closer to her. Nine rubbed his shoulder sympathetically as he took his own date to the dance floor. Twelve was busy eating, chatting to his girl about music. He watched his friends, drinking glass after glass of cider with the familiarity of a regular drinker. After all the slow songs had played and everyone came back to eat, the Christmas ones started. Eleven smiled at his brothers, and together they raced to the floor, jumping around like four year olds and singing along. It was like being at one of their parties again, feeling full of life and invincible. It was one of the best feelings in the world. They danced for four songs, waving arms in the air and creating their own rendition of each song with raucous singing. They stumbled back to their table, grabbing more drinks, eating more food.
By this time he was aching to talk to Clara, so he casually slid over to her side and started talking to her, nothing to arouse suspicion, but general conversation. Acting out this mutual talk they couldn't help but laugh, and as Clara secretly held onto his fingers, she leaned in and whispered, 'outside. No one will be there.'
He smiled, letting her walk away through the open doors to the grounds.
Five minutes later he walked outside too, meeting her behind a cluster of hedges. As soon as he reached her, she pulled him by the lapels of his jacket to kiss her wildly. He stepped in closer, prolonging the kiss and encircling her with his arms. They stared up at the sky, the moon shining down at them, Clara still holding into his lapels.
'We haven't got the chance in there, but we do out here. I've been wanting to dance with you all night.'
She smiled, her arms reaching up to wrap round his neck and his hands softly placed themselves to her waist. They began circling around the expanse of grass slowly, lit under the twinkling fires of stars. He whispered things to her, simple compliments and the repeated versions of 'you look beautiful' as he led them into a dance while pressing his lips to hers in the small enclosed space between them.
'We better get back.' She said, eyes closed against his chest as he gently rocked her from side to side.
'Hm, maybe.'
She smiled.
'That's what you always say.'
'It's because I want to be with you.'
'I do too, but for now, go enjoy yourself a bit more. I'll see you in bed.'
'Mm, keep the dress on. I'll enjoy taking that off tonight.'
She laughed, gave him one final kiss and watched him walk back to the building.
••••
The next morning, he woke up to find no one there except him and Clara. He rubbed his head in confusion, sitting up straight and observing the empty beds around the room.
What had happened last night?
And then it hit him. It had been the Christmas Dance, and they would have all gone up to the girls dorm instead of theirs, since him and Clara were there. He appreciated that they were still thinking about them and the safety of their secret relationship. Clara turned, groaning, and he laughed. Sinking back down he wrapped a long arm over her bare body, resting his head next to hers.
'Oh shit.' She suddenly said.
'What? What's the matter?' He leaned over her small frame. Her hands went to her head and he could feel her heart beating faster.
'I completely forgot.'
'What is it?'
She turned to stare at him.
'I think someone saw me come up the stairs to you're room.'
