stevie hopkins
- february 8, 2018 -

MY HANDS FIDGETED BY MY side. This dress didn't fit right or feel right. I pulled up on the top, trying to get it in a position that I liked, but nothing seemed to work. It was awkward and uncomfortable with this damn boot.

            Chelsea's hand rested on my shoulder, "You really need to relax."

            "This place is so fancy," I said, moving the strap around again. I should have worn a floor length dress like all the rest of these women. I didn't exactly know what I was getting into when I said I would help with the auction, but neither did Ethan.

            He looked just as uncomfortable in his vortex suit and tie and I did. He kept adjusting the tie as if it were slowly choking him. Not exactly flattering him by any means.

            I gestured to the dance floor, "I mean, look at these people."

            Chelsea laughed. She pointed across the way to a man in a three-piece suit and trimmed beard, "That guy there, his name's Andy. He's a short order chef at The Blue Goose Diner."

            She then pointed to a beautiful blonde woman in a floor length, powder pink dress. She hung tight to a handsome man in a suit with short, black hair and bushy eyebrows, "That's Elisha and her husband Max, they run the Sunshine Bakery. They're just ordinary people, like you and I. No one you need to impress here, trust me."

            I breathed out a sigh. She was right. I didn't know these people. I'd probably never really interact with them again.

            "Excuse me." Chelsea and I turned, coming face to face with a redheaded girl. She had these big, square glasses and freckles covered her skin. Her red curls were barely held back with a single clip, but a couple around her face still escaped.

            She smiled and I felt myself smile as well, "I was just wondering if you knew where we could check in. My friends and I volunteered to help." She gestured behind her and that's when my smile dropped, but only a little.

            One girl had long black hair, caramel skin, and a frown on her face. Her dress was long, black and sparkling, but that didn't seem to do anything for her sour mood. The other had champagne blonde hair, her hands were covered with rings, and she wore a baby blue dress that made me wonder how on earth she could possibly breathe in it; however, it was the boredom on her features that was the most apparent.

            This redhead looked like she was the only one in the group that actually wanted to be there. She stood in a red dress that almost matched her hair, but it sparkled. She paired it with these silver hoop earrings and a long necklace.

            "Actually, that's with me." Chelsea smiled, holding up a clipboard, "What are the names?"

            "Januarie Robinson, Victoria Stinson, and Elena Kruz."

            Chelsea scanned through the list with her finger sliding along the paper, 'There you are. Looks like you guys are under basket organization and distribution."

            She pointed towards the back of the building, "People drop off their baskets over there. Your job is to organize them on those tables and then distribute them after the auction is over."

            The redhead smiled, "Sounds easy enough."

            "It really is. I'll let Jackson know you guys are here now. Luna should be over there somewhere. Find her and she'll show you the ropes."

            The girl's smile widened, "Thank you so much." She turned back to her friends and they lit up when she walked up to them. They chatted away and laughed.

            "See," Chelsea nudged me with her shoulder, "it's easy enough."

            I laughed to myself, but that's when I noticed. I hadn't touched my dress the entire time. I looked at Chelsea and I shook my head. How did she do this? How did she interact with all these people and make it look so effortless?

            It was like an entirely new language. She knew it so fluently and there I was struggling with something as simple as the alphabet.

            "What now?" I asked.

            She laughed, "Come on."

            We slipped through the tables. Her hand in mine while she led the way. She stopped a few times to talk. One couple looked at our interlocked hands and gave us a pointed look. I tried to pull mine away, but her grip tightened to keep it in place.

            The entire time she nodded, but the smile on her face was stiff. It was forced. I could tell by the small dimple at the edge of her lower lip. I'd only seen it once before. However, it was clear as day to me now. I squeezed her hand three times and her shoulders relaxed a bit.

            I politely ended the conversation and moved us farther through the tables. When the couple was behind us, her smile dropped, but she didn't say anything.

            I pulled her around one of the walls and into a tight embrace, "Screw them," I whispered into her ear. "They don't deserve even a second of time in your thoughts."

            She nodded, but wrapped her arms around me just as tight. I pulled away, but only so I could look her in the eyes. There were those feelings again. Stirring deep in my stomach. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and let myself smile.

            "I like you, okay. So, don't let that gaze tell you anything that isn't true. I think you're wonderful and perfect just the way you are."

            She laughed, "I'm surprised you could say all that."

            "I had to do a little searching to find the right words, "I chuckled, "I've had them in my head for at least a couple of weeks now."

            She smiled up at me, "Thank you."

            "Come on, let's get you back out there." I grabbed her hand and interlaced our fingers. I'd be damned if someone was going to make her uncomfortable at her own even. She didn't deserve that. We didn't deserve that. No one does.

            The auction seemed to go well. The club made more money than they thought they would. I'm not surprised with the people in the group. They were extremely magnetic. Pulling you in, making you feel comfortable; as if you've just always been a part of their lives. They were easy to like.

            People filtered out as the day went on, but there always seemed to be something to do. I stood at the side of the stage, finally able to take a break, and watched the people on the dance floor. They seemed to be having such a good time. I wasn't a dancer. I had two left feet and about as much rhythm as a broken record.

            "Hey," Chelsea walked up beside me. Her eyes followed mine to the people moving across the floor, "Would you like to dance?"

            "Would I like to do what?" I snapped to look at her.

            She laughed, "Would you like to dance with me?"

            "Oh," my gaze found the floor quickly, "I can't really dance. I've tried. It's really bad."

            "That's great," she grabbed my arm and dragged me with her onto the floor, "then I won't be the only one looking like a complete and utter idiot."

            "I don't think anyone would believe you to be an idiot. Even if you tried."

            She pointed at me and winked, "Ah ha, but you haven't seen me dance yet."

            Starting out with what looked like a robot on the fritz, Chelsea then went into something I hoped was supposed to resemble the Egyptian. Either way, I busted out laughing. Here was a girl that could do practically anything she put her mind to, but there she was struggling with something I did. My smile couldn't get any wider than it already was.

            She was such a dork. I didn't know if she was actually bad at dancing or if she was doing it for my benefit. Either way, it was sweet.

            She stopped, panting slightly, "You're not going to make me do this alone, are you?"

            "No," I shook my head, "I guess I can't now, can I?"

            I moved slowly at first, but it didn't take us long to start laughing and flinging our arms around. We danced like lunatics and we didn't care. We didn't care at that point if people stared and raised their brows. Because this was us. This was our night and no one could take that from us. At least not at the moment.

            That moment was infinite. We were the very definition of forever.