Chapter 49
993 Words
I looked at my phone and saw the time was almost eight o’ clock. The school closes the event and venue at nine. My parents have set me to a curfew of midnight. But I wasn’t going to let the evening pass by having just one dance with James.
“You should really apologize to Sarah Lynne,” James remarks, seeing her small figure disappear into the crowd.
“I know. But maybe later. Do you maybe want to come dance again?”
“I’ve been waiting for you to finish resting, Charlotte,” he says, grabbing me off the chair and to the dance floor.
The song this time was a little more upbeat. But of course, the dancer that James was, it was no problem. We swayed to the beat. After, some moves were made out. I almost felt embarrassed having looked too basic next to him on the dance floor.
But James had a way with people. He always made me feel confident. His presence was my security bubble.
As the DJ plays a remix version of Avicii’s The Nights, I raise my hands in exhilaration. James follows my excitement and brings me closer to him as we both jump to the music.
It was a good thing that we were on solid ground. Other students followed the jumping beat and by the time the chorus arrived, we were all jumping our lives out to Avicii. Fun was an understatement of my evening.
About three songs passed with upbeat music. I had to catch my breath, but I was not leaving the dance floor.
The DJ finally decides to let us take a breather as he puts on a cool jazz song on play.
“Here’s The Cooltrane Quartet bringing you some sweet jazz music cover of Wonderwall,” he announces.
James held a smile on his lips that could never make me doubt he enjoyed the night. He inches closer to me, bringing my hands over his shoulders and letting his hands rest on my waist.
“I’m sorry I’m not as good a dancer as you,” I blurt out with a small laugh.
“Nonsense. You’re hopping was on point.”
“I don’t think I imagined tonight to go as well as it did,” I remarked, looking around at the wave of faces. I didn’t know, yet I was comfortable enough to be in a space that I knew.
“I never thought I’d have the courage to ask you out here tonight.”
“I don’t believe you for a second. You’re one of the most confident people I know.”
“It’s true,” He chuckles at my disbelief. “You are an amazing person, Charlotte. And I’ve always thought I blew my chance the day I stood by your side while Adrian trashed your spirits.”
“I’m glad you asked me out though.”
He smiles and we let the music fill the silence between us. Couples were the only ones left on the dance floor. I stared at James’ distracted expression and I knew he was overthinking something.
“What are you thinking about?” I demanded the truth in that instance. I didn’t want him doubting my feelings nor the amazing night we were having.
“Did Damien not really say anything to you?”
“I told you, he said I looked lovely, along with some hideous comment about my dress. But I retorted, of course. That was it. Why?”
“Nothing, I just,” He looks around again and I see his eyes stopped at Damien’s figure sweet talking some dumb blonde, whispering something in her ear which made her laugh. “He hasn’t talked to mom since they left the house. I don’t miss a thing about him. But mom feels otherwise.”
“He’ll come around when he’s ready,” I pat his shoulders to keep him focused on me and not the rugrat who always seemed to get himself in trouble. I didn’t need him ruining my night.
As I’ve mentioned before, James and Damien had a lot of history between them. About five years’ worth.
James’ mom, Olive, was a widow who lost her husband when James was still a wee baby. Some tragic car accident, from what I heard. A few years passed and she met Damien’s dad, who had divorced Damien’s mom. Long story short, they dated and eventually moved in with the Tuckers. Damien had all the charm and innocence he lacked today. About a year ago or more, some family problem complicated their situation. I didn’t know exactly what, as James wasn’t very public with those kinds of information. I was also too wrapped up in Adrian’s pinky finger at the time, to be honest. Damien moved out and went to live with his ‘shirty’ mom. At least that’s how she was always described by the people who knew her. She was also why his dad got custody of him.
Damien’s dad felt it best to let him. He was too hardheaded during that time, anyway. I don’t think anyone could have forced him to do anything. He and James had a pretty great relationship before everything crashed between them. They treated each other like brothers. Even for the four or five years they were together.
But after he left the Tuckers’, he cut off contact with James and his mom. James’ mom still worries about him, he says. But his hands were tied. He could basically push Damien in front of Olive to get him to talk and he’d still zip his mouth shut.
I think his mom is also part of the reason why James grew up hatred of Damien. He hated his mom’s downstated expression every time Damien rejected a dinner or a chance to talk.
I still don’t know what went down between them though. I’m sure it’s none of my business, though.
- Writer
