dancing in the dark in the pale moonlight
When the young girl dismissed his brief but distracted apology, the boy’s ears perked up with surprise as she resumed talking to him. “Uh,” he mumbled before quickly scanning the ballroom for any sign of a mop of blonde hair—nothing came, he relished a tired sigh from his lips before slipping on an uncharacteristic smile onto his mouth before bowing his head with formality at the dark-haired girl. “I was waiting for someone, but now? It seems like it’s fruitless among this mass of bodies,” he chuckled before nodding towards the female’s attire. “You look nice.”
As the boy bowed his head towards her, she returned the formality with a small curtsy, a feat slightly difficult due to the form-fitting, mermaid-style skirt. “Thank you, you clean up pretty well yourself, too,” she replied with a smile, her eyes lighting up when he mentioned waiting for someone. “You never know,” she chirped, clasping her hands as she glanced around at the sea of colors and masks. “I mean, yeah, it does seem kind of impossible, but I could help if you want!” she offered. “Any specifics or anything?”
His green eyes moved across the room, the spread of vibrance and life incredibly pleasing to the eye. The corner of his mouth lifted into a half smile, marveling at the work the prefects had done. It was a truly beautiful evening. The light of the moon shining through the windows, the delicate sound of feminine laughter bouncing off the walls, the gentle reverie passing through the crowd. Scolding himself for not participating in the festivities, he tapped the shoulder of someone he was sure he’d never seen in his life, dipping his head and extending a hand.
Feeling someone tap her on the shoulder, she turned around, dark hair swaying and the edge of her gown swishing along the smooth floor. She smiled back at the young man in front of her before managing to question, “Wait, are you asking me to dance?” She hadn’t thought that she stood out from the crowd; there were other girls in much prettier dresses and much shinier masks than her. Taking his offered hand, she glanced up to his face, trying to place why he seemed so familiar. Except for green eyes and a mop of blonde hair, there was no tell-tale sign to who he was.
Something kept his feet firmly planted on the ground. He didn’t want to step in, he didn’t want to face himself towards the enthusiastic flush of students and staff. The euphoric feeling of excitement and happiness drained unfamiliarity within him. “Shit,” he muttered before turning around after blocking someone’s path. “Sorry, didn’t see you there.”
Swiftly maneuvering around the rigid, less than ecstatic young man, she decided she might as well talk to him while he was there instead of attempting to find yet someone else. “It’s fine,” she replied airily, waving his apology off with a slender hand. “I take it that you’re reluctant to actually enter?” she asked with a soft smile. She couldn’t have the more opposite reaction, excitement thrumming through her veins.
An obviously excited smile on her lips, she made her way through the ball, eyes flicking from the beautiful decorations to the masked figures around her. Making sure not to run into anyone, she took all the sights of what should be a perfect fairytale night of music and mystery. In her wandering, she ended up near someone who seemed to be alone. “Oh, hello,” she greeted brightly, figuring there was no harm in trying to talk to anyone, especially since identities were unknown.
