Sorry, but I forgot to post yesterday. I completely forgot it was Friday.
Thanks for reading!
-CL
"Ugh, I'm never going to get it right," I grumble. I just stepped on Michael's toes for the hundredth time. "Sorry. I'm a pretty bad dance partner." Even though I've watched the video of the choreography many, many times.
Michael chuckles. "I'm just glad I'm wearing steel-toed shoes."
Michael is helping me learn the dance for the ball. There's a special dance that Ames suggested we do to a certain song. I agreed, thinking it wouldn't be that hard. But apparently it is.
The door opens and Ames enters the ballroom. "Do you guys want to practice with music?" she asks, waving her speaker and phone.
"We're going to take a break," Michael says, greeting America with a kiss. Annabella is with Marlee for the afternoon because Ames is Maxon's dance partner. I feel bad for making them split to help Maxon and me, but I don't want to deal with Maxon. "And no music yet. Bella can't even dance without it."
"Well, maybe the music would help instead of your off-beat counting," I say. Michael laughs. I glower at him, only making him laugh harder. "You forget who you're laughing at."
"Alright, Your Majesty," he says in a mock curtsey. I scratch my nose with my middle finger, but I can't keep the smile off my face.
"If you two would stop bickering like lovers," Ames says, glaring at both of us, "we do have a dance to learn in the next hour. The dance is in less than twelve hours."
I sober at the declaration. "Yes, you're right, Ames," I say, walking back to the center. "Michael, please?" Michael reaches the center again. "Should we try music?" I ask.
Before anyone can enter, the door opens. "Ames?" I hear a male voice call. No. Please no. But alas, Maxon walks into the ballroom, all done up in a suit. He looks so fucking hot…I must be deprived.
Michael starts dancing, not noticing Maxon. I trip, not ready, and accidentally knee him in the groin. "Ow! Fuck! Bella!" He sinks to the ground, groaning.
Ames runs over, kneeling down with him. "Shit. I'm so sorry, Michael. You just started dancing and then I tripped…I'm so sorry," I say quickly.
"I think that's enough dancing for today," Michael grunts.
"I'm so sorry, Michael," I repeat, ashamed. "Shit."
Ames helps Michael to a chair, having him sit. "Well, Maxon, since you're here, you can help Bella practice the dance."
"No," we both say at the same time. I cross my arms and glare at him. "What are you even doing here? Couldn't stay away from me?"
Maxon ignores me and walks to Ames. "Are you-"
"Both of you center. Now," Ames says, pointing to the center of the ballroom. I sigh and drag myself there, wishing that I already had the dance down.
Maxon meets me in the center, giving me a once-over. "Do you not like black?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips. I'm wearing a long-sleeved skater dress, but it hits my upper thigh. "Sorry for the disappointment."
"At least I'm dressed for the occasion," he replies, putting his hands behind his back.
"This 'occasion' didn't require my hair done or makeup, Maxon," I bite back. "I do need to get ready later."
"Alright, lovebirds-"
"Don't call us that," I shout at Ames. She just laughs.
"Let's get started. At least pretend you like each other," she says, queuing the music. "Lover (First Dance Remix)" by Taylor Swift starts playing. At least I know the song.
I curtsy and Maxon bows, reluctantly grabbing my hand. He pulls near to him, starting to sway. The orchestra reaches its peak, fading away for the piano to take over. We start to waltz. "Do you even want to go to the ball?" I ask, trying to get rid of the awkward silence. He dips me, and I slowly swing my arms up, bringing my hands to his face. His smooth face surprises me. "Oh, so you were here for me," I say.
"Whatever stokes your ego, Bella," he replies. He twirls me outward, making my dress flare around me.
"I have an ego? Says you, Maxon. You're the one who is dressed to impress for wandering around the castle," I say. He twirls me again, my arms following his. He pulls me in close, swaying again.
"I'm a king. I always need to look presentable," he responds, turning me and bringing my back toward his chest. We walk together before he spins me again and leads us into waltzing again.
"You didn't look very presentable the last time I saw you," I respond. "Did another girl break your heart?" I add fake sympathy to my voice.
A single laugh bursts out of him before he can cover it. He dips me and pulls me up, twirling me. "The only girl who has broken my heart is you," he says. He dips me again, making me gasp. I haven't been paying attention to dancing. I'm looking into his eyes when he says, "You can't look away from me, can you?"
I immediately drop my eyes and spin outward, his arm balancing me. "Yet I just did. Apparently, you can't keep your eyes off of me since you're noticing when I look at you." I put my hands on his face again, as much as I don't want to, and sway.
"Ready for the grand finale?" he murmurs. He places his hands lower on my hips, basically on my ass.
"The sooner I get away from you the better," I respond, smirking at his wince. He spins me multiple times, my skirt swirling. He pulls me close and puts his forehead on mine and the song ends. I realize how heavily I'm breathing.
"Woohoo! Bella, you did it!" Ames shouts. I realize that I didn't step on Maxon's feet at all.
I grin and mock curtsey to Maxon. I turn around and-
Maxon grabs my wrist. "You seriously can't keep your hands off of me, can you?" I tease. He pulls me closer to him and kisses me on the lips. I audibly gasp and he pulls away, exiting the ballroom without another word. I'm rooted to the spot with the feeling of his lips on mine. I touch my lips, tracing them. I'm really deprived. "Maxon," I whisper, realizing how much I miss him. But I quickly squash that feeling and rush to Ames to celebrate.
