THE LAST DANCE

Six

"Do you need a scarf?" Karina asks me as we both stare at my reflection in the mirror.

"No. What will be the point of wearing this expensive necklace if I hide it with a scarf?"

"Genius. Promise me one thing."

"That I won't drink?"

"No. That you will take care of yourself."

"You know I will."

"You're planning on making out with a random boy."

"Allen is not a random boy. He's the first guy that I've ever come into contact with, held a conversation with. It's just a kiss, Rina. Relax."

"And you have to do it tonight?"

"Opportunities come once."

"Fine. If you need me, don't hesitate to call me. I'll come to pick you."

"Won't you be with Blake?"

"It doesn't matter. I'll be there if you need a ride."

"Thanks."

"I'm leaving."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

I close my eyes then I take a deep breath. I graced plenty of such events when my father was still alive but I never attended any of them with a guy who I consented to. My father always chose my dates, and they all turned out to be total assholes. They were definitely from classy families living in high end estates so they acted like they owned the universe. I couldn't hold a conversation with any of them because they made me feel sick, and I always got away from them the very first opportunity that I got.

The point is, Allen will be like the first guy I'm willingly showing up with in public.

I straighten my dinner dress with my hands. I lost a bit of weight at the rehab but the dress is still a fit. It flows all the way to my feet, and only the tips of my painted toes are visible. I'm wearing a set of gold earrings that my Dad bought me on my eighteenth birthday and a matching necklace. I bet that he two pieces of jewellery cost more than my entire college fee.

My father never shied from spending money on me. Sadly, I can't say the same about Blake. Their relationship was always strained.

I'm expecting the doorbell to ring but instead, I hear the almost familiar thud on the balcony.

Classic Allen.

I walk to the balcony door with a scowl and I pull it open. He's standing there with his hands in his pockets and he is f*****g smiling.

"What are you doing?"

"What do I look like I'm doing, Alisha?"

"Trespassing?"

"No shit."

"The front door is functioning." I say coolly. I have to find a way to make myself immune to his smiles.

"That's good to know."

He even manages to make a smug face.

"Allen, you can't keep doing this."

"Doing what? Smiling?"

"No. I mean, if there's a way to stop smiling then you should definitely do it. However, I'm talking about you using the balcony as an entrance."

"Sorry ma'am."

I laugh. He's annoying as f**k.

"You're trespassing, and that's a criminal offence."

"I hope that you alerted the relevant authorities. Can I come in?"

"No. Jump right back and use the right entrance. I'll see you in a few."

"Come ooonnn!!" He yells just before I bang the door closed in his face.

A minute later, the doorbell rings. I pick my bag and I take one last deep breath before I pull it open.

He's standing there, all charming and smiley, and he looks breathtaking in the black tux.

I eye him up and down.

"Long time no see."

He laughs.

"Come on. We're getting late."

I jerk my hand away when he tries to hold it. I might be planning on kissing him and all but I'm not about to let him hold my hand. We're not at that level of close yet.

We don't talk at all in the elevator and when we get to his car, he duly opens the door for me.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" He asks the moment we're on the road.

"Nothing. How about we just play music, huh?"

"What do you listen to?"

"The rolling stones."

He scoffs.

"Really? No one listens to that. It's not 1960 anymore. You taste in music is crap."

"I know."

I'm aware of him checking me out.

"Let's talk about you working at the bar. I find it a bit weird."

"Why?"

"A bartender who doesn't drink? How do you even know the difference between the alcohols?"

"I used to drink. A lot. I'm recovering. I just left a rehab and now I'm doing community service, to pay for my sins I guess."

"You're like nineteen. When did all that drinking take place?"

"For starters, I'm twenty. It's a long story that I don't want to talk about with a random boy."

"A random boy? That hurt me-" he points at his heart, "right here. Seriously, I thought we were sort of hanging out."

"Because you sneaked through my balcony a couple of times?"

He grins.

"Among other things. Did I mention that look amazing?"

"It's just the makeup."

He turns to stare at me.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's the truth. Eyes on the road, young man."

"For a person who is not scared of serial killers you really are scared of death."

"I'm not scared of death. I'm scared of dying; the process."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

"No, dumbass. It's not the same thing. I wouldn't mind dying but I don't want to experience the process, the torture, the feeling of my soul leaving my body. If I had to die peacefully in my sleep, then I'd totally agree right away."

"Alisha, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"You need to talk to someone. A therapist. I can recommend one. He's a great friend of my Dad, and he's like the best shrink ever. He'll help you."

"I'm not insane." I reply, thoroughly offended. " I don't need a shrink."

"You're suicidal."

"The last thing I'll do on earth is killing myself."

"I hope that's true. My Mom tried to commit suicide once. She told me it was horrible."

"What? What happened?"

"It's a long story. She slit her wrists open in a bathtub. Her plan was to bleed herself to death. She was in college then, and it's my Dad who saved her. I think that was the beginning of their love story."

"That's not romantic at all."

"I know, but he saved her life. He is her hero." He smiles when he realises that the mood is getting a bit gloomy. "I can be your hero if you let me."

"Is that what you said to Amanda when you first met?"

"How do you know about- s**t. Adam is an asshole. He didn't have to mention Amy."

"It's not his fault that I read your texts. Why was he so worked up about you breaking up with her anyway? He was clearly pissed."

"Adam has had a crush on Amy for as long as I can remember."

"Oh. And you just dated her?"

"I was already dating her when they met. Stop making that face. He didn't want to take her from me or anything. It was just a stupid crush, and all he wanted was me to treat her right. It's only natural that he was mad when we broke up."

"Why did you break up with her?"

"What does it matter, Alisha? She's not here right now. Talking about my ex is not the plan I had for tonight."

"Fine. What's your plan?"

"Just hangout, dance, donate some money for that charity organization, blah blah blah."

"I don't have money."

"It's okay. Don't panic."

I let out a sigh as I lean back on my seat.

"Don't open the door. I'll do it." Allen tells me the moment he pulls up across the street from a big ass mansion. There are at least a hundred cars parked out here and they are all grand as f**k. I fix my hair one last time before Allen opens the door and we walk towards the building together.

"My father used to be invited to this event every year."

"Used to?" Allen inquires as he offers me his elbowed arm. I instantly sling my arm through his. It's protocol.

"Yeah. He's dead."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"If he used to be invited here then there's a slim chance that he's acquainted to my parents. Mr Maxfield, the founder of the organization, is my dad's friend and business partner, and he's married to my aunt. The girl I was seated with at the club last night is their daughter."

"You're one of those rich kids, aren't you?"

He glances down at me.

"That's irrelevant. Come, I'll introduce you to some people."

His cousin Alton is here. I haven't seen him since yesterday when he was moving in. He's very much like Allen. They're both cocky and nice, and they are funny. A little bit.

When Allen asks to introduce me to his parents as a friend, I hastily say no. Like, hell no. I'd rather stay in the shadows.

I stay close to him the better part of the night. When time comes for the dance, I shift my feet a bit nervously. I can dance just fine but again, it's been a year since I became an alcoholic and had to be locked away at a facility for six months. I can't be sure that I won't stumble around.

Allen's phone chimes and he fishes it out of his pocket. He reads the text with a tiny frown before he leans to whisper in my ear.

"I'll be back. Give me a minute."

"Allen, wait!"

"We have the last dance. That's like three dances away. I'll be back before then."

He gets off the seat and walks out of the venue. I watch him until he disappears, then I turn back to watch the couple waltzing on the dance floor. The guy paid a small fortune to get the girl up there.

The song comes to an end and a new couple gets on the dance floor. Allen is not back yet.

The next couple gets on the dance floor, then the next...

He's not back.

The MC stares at the crowd with an air of importance.

"The last dance goes to Allen Johnson and Alisha Williams. A very beautiful duo. Please do us the honours and grace the dance floor."

Where the f**k is he?

There is a gentle tap on my shoulder.

"Hey?"

I whip my head around.

He's back. Thank God.

"Where is your bow tie?" I ask him as I get to my feet.

"Um..in the car. Come on."

I give him my hand and we walk to the dance floor together.

As I step on the raised floor, I notice the strange and amused look that Alton is giving us.