Ivy smirked as she merged into the crowd, slipping her way through the bodies after Chase and Anne like a snake through water. As she moved she felt eyes lingering on parts of her-her seemingly tiny waist (a properly tailored blazer does wonders), her sharp fox eyes, her hair sitting in perfection atop her head. Really, it would be hard for them *not* to stare. She was at the very front of the crowd when she danced. >>><<< Panting, Ivy pushed open a door to the outside, her face sweaty and hair feeling looser than it was before. She tucked a piece behind one ear and made her way beneath a lamppost on the edge of the parking lot, clicking open a pocket mirror and pulling out her makeup bag. It was beginning to slip up from the thrum of gross, sweaty bodies, and Ivy wouldn’t be caught dead looking anything less than her best. And clear-headed, of course. Chase had offered her a drink that she had adamantly refused. She was their driver, and she was hot-headed, not stupid. She had just put her small makeup bag back in her purse whenever her phone let out a ding. She opened it to see a text from Emma. She smiled. ‘Are you at prom rn?’ Another appeared not a moment later. ‘I think I’m gonna head home, i can just walk if you’re at the dance’ She typed back a quick response. ‘how far from the house r u?’ ‘Not far’ Came the reply. ‘I’ll be safe’ The tanned girl smiled at the text, before jumping at the sound of the door to the gym closing behind her. Turning around, her heart skipped a beat when she saw Tyler. He looked just as surprised to see her, and glanced guiltily over his shoulder, as if wondering whether or not it was too late to head back inside. He licked his lips nervously, coming closer and pushing his hands deep into his pockets. “Hey, Ivy.” She studied him for a moment, lips pursed. He looked, well, quite nice in a suit, actually, which was dreadfully embarrassing to admit. He was also sweating slightly-no doubt from his own dance with Claire-and the warm almost-summer breeze tugged teasingly at his hair. “Fancy seeing you here.” Her smirk grew as she watched him smile, glancing shyly up at her. “You don’t usually go to dances.” “No, I don’t.” He came to stand beside her as they both turned their eyes out to the lot, and beyond that the street, the occasional car passing by. Ivy crossed her arms and leaned against the lamppost, hoping that the boy wouldn’t look over and see her tomato face. Her side was burning from where he stood next to her. He was so close. Ivy snorted, tossing some stray pieces of hair back with a swish of her head. “Well what do you usually do on dance nights, then?” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tyler chuckle and smile at the ground. “Usually I’m at Claire’s house, or she’s at mine. We just watch movies together and hang out. Eat popcorn.” Ivy’s mood soured at the mention of the small girl, and her smirk turned to a frown. “Emily or Chase will sometimes come over, too. But this just..” He turned his face to the stars. “This is our last high school dance. Felt too important to miss.” Ivy felt her body relax as she subtly looked at him beside her, his eyes seeming to study the stars as if he was looking for something, anything. Or maybe just to keep from looking at her. Ivy finally pulled her eyes away from the boy to glance over her shoulder whenever the humming echo of the first slow dance oozed from the building. She smirked, jerking her head towards the doors. “Well, you might wanna get back in there to show your girlfriend a nice first dance.” “Would you be coming back inside, too?” He asked, turning to look at her beneath the lamppost. “Uhm,” She glanced away, feeling her face heat once more from his intense eyes on her. “I dunno, I might-” And then his hand was in her face, held palm up in front of her. Ivy almost jumped in surprise, eyes shooting up to his, where a crooked, adorable grin lay on his face. “If not, we could always continue the dancing out here.” Ivy was in shock for a moment, feeling like a giddy school girl as she eyed his hand. And, she supposed she was. Was he asking her to dance? Jeez, she didn’t think she had ever *slow* danced before. She wasn’t completely sure she knew how. But, slowly, a smirk snaked its way back onto her face as she took up the invitation. Who cared if she messed up? It was only Tyler. He was too sweet to make fun of her for it. “But we’re both wearing suits. Who’s gonna lead?” She teased as Tyler gently pulled her to his chest, making her heart flutter. She felt him chuckle against her. “I know how much you like to be in charge, but maybe let me lead the way on this one.” And then he swept her into a dance.
At first, Ivy almost regretted not wearing a dress. It would have been beautiful to see it twirl, the moonlight reflecting off of its green silk, flashing dramatically at every turn. It would’ve been long, wrapping the pair in delicate waves of tulle or chiffon or satin, the fabric dancing and moving with them at every step. It would’ve fallen seductively low at her chest as she twirled, the light of the stars and lamppost fighting to cast her figure in the most beautiful light, shadows leaping across the ground beneath them as the music from inside echoed through the frozen night. Instead, she was wearing a suit, and terribly high heels. She was covered, too-from her heel all the way to the base of her neck. It really wasn’t like her-most of her everyday outfits showed more skin than she was at the moment. Was she not feminine enough? Too tall? Did he notice her broad shoulders like she did? “What are you thinking about?” Tyler asked, his eyes gentle as he studied her face, twirling her under his arm. Curse this boy who could make her confidence waver this much without batting an eye. Curse *her* if she’d ever let him know it. “I don’t think I’ve ever slow danced before.” She simply said, smirking as she took a turn turning him. She saw him push back a smile before she let him take the lead once more. “Well then, I’m honored I’m your first.” Grinning, Ivy let go of her insecurities and let her prince spin her into the night. >>><<< It felt like they had been dancing for hours, and no more than a few minutes at the same time. Ivy had stumbled over her heels only once. Tyler had simply chuckled at her clumsiness without saying a word. Somehow, the flourishes and twirls had died out, the song had changed, and she and Tyler were barely swaying to the music, her eyes closed and cheek resting against his chest. It felt strange, but nice. With his arms wrapped around her, she felt safe. Ivy let out a sigh as they finally came to a stop, lifting her chin after a moment to look into his forest eyes, eyelashes fluttering. “I-..” Anything she was about to say died on her tongue as she stared into his eyes, suddenly unable to look away. The stars reflected in their beautiful hazy depths, and she felt her throat bob. Was he looking at her the same way she was looking at him? Her pulse jolted as his fingers brushed her face, gently tucking a loose strand of dirty blonde hair behind her ear. She could’ve sworn his face was closer than it was a moment ago. And then closer, closer.. Ivy felt her heart leap in her chest and her eyes widen in alarm. She was going to push him away, but was interrupted with a kiss. >>><<< Claire watched, hand over her mouth and tears in her eyes. She watched as Ivy seemed frozen in surprise, her body stiff and eyes wide before Tyler pulled away. Neither of them saw her. Of course they didn’t, though. They were too wrapped up in each other. Staring too deep into each other's eyes, faces red and panting. They were too entranced with each other beneath the light of the moon, hidden away in their own secret world, where she didn’t exist. Too enamored and eyes catching every slight detail in each other’s faces: the sharp line of Tyler’s jaw, the dark cast of Ivy’s eyes, the way her neck sloped elegantly and disappeared into her dress shirt.. For a moment she could only stare, hoping that someone would push someone away, that they’d realize how *wrong* this was. “I-I’m so sorry Ivy. I shouldn’t have-” But then her lips were back on his. Tyler almost stumbled at the force, and then he was kissing back, holding her fiercely, like that now he had her he’d never let her go again. The same way he had in so many of Claire’s dreams that she denied had any meaning. She had seen enough. Turning as tears burned their way down her face, she pushed her way back inside. >>><<< Ivy didn’t know where to put her hands. She eventually settled for running them through his hair, and couldn’t help but feel a glint of satisfaction at Tyler’s shiver. He, of course, was as gentlemanly as ever, keeping his respectfully at her sides-though part of her wished he’d let them wander. Joy was blooming inside of her chest, and eventually they were both grinning so hard they couldn’t keep kissing, and broke apart with content sighs. Ivy giggled as she stared up at the boy in front of her, arms wrapped around his neck as he stared down at her. Eventually, he licked his lips, face an adorable shade of pink as he glanced to the side. “Uhm, that-that was nice.” Ivy snickered, placing a last peck on his lips before a horrible, terrible, awful sound interrupted the moment. Her temper flared as she stepped away, fiddling through her small bag and pulling out her blasting phone. It was her mother. Of course. Ivy rolled her eyes and canceled the call, shoving her phone back in her bag. There was no *way* she was going to let her mother ruin this moment she was having. Cont. in comments <3
