CHAPTER TWENTY:
CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE?

THE DANCE WAS RAGING ON and all Hope could do was stand there awkwardly with a drink in her hand as she watched everyone dance with their significant others or with their friends. Hope was just waiting for Lilianna to make an appearance. They were originally supposed to go together, but then Josie had come to find her to let her know that Lilianna would show up later. She wondered why she had the sudden change of plans, but Hope decided not to question it and instead showed up alone, and all she wanted to do was leave.

Landon spotted her from across the floor. He'd like to consider he and Hope were friends especially after everything that they'd been through together. He could tell that she was waiting for someone, he was positive that it was the hunter turned vampire, but he didn't want to make any assumptions. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, carefully making his way over to the tribrid and offering her a small smile when she turned her head at the sound of his approaching footsteps.

     "You looked lonely. Thought I'd come by and give you some company."

     Hope managed a small smile. "Thanks."

     "Is there someone you're waiting for?" Landon questioned, turning towards the snack bar and grabbing a drink of his own before turning back around, glancing down at the drink and sniffing it, scrunching his face up when the stench of alcohol tainted his nose. Was he surprised that someone put alcohol in the drinks? No, absolutely not. This was a school full of supernatural teenagers that enjoyed underage drinking.

     Hope glanced towards the stairs that were void of people before looking at him and forcing another smile as she shook her head. "I was waiting for someone. I'm not so sure that they're going to show anymore." She finished her drink, placing the glass down before pushing her curled hair away from her face. "Which, if that is the case, I have no other reason to be here so I might just go."

     Landon frowned. "What? Don't go. Dance! It's a dance, people usually dance at these things." Hope raised an eyebrow at him. "Come on. One dance, and if the person you're waiting for isn't here, then you can go back to being anti-social." Hope looked at him and he motioned his hand towards her and finally she rolled her eyes and allowed him to drag her onto the dance floor. She stayed there and danced with him, laughing in amusement when he spun her around and almost tripped in the process of doing so.

     As soon as the song had hidden, a soft sigh fell from Hope's lips. "Well, I guess this is my que to leave. Thank you for the dance, Landon."

     "Anytime." He hummed, nodding his head before taking a step back. "But, uh, I wouldn't leave just yet."

Hope frowned, watching a smile pull at Landon's lips as he looked past her. This made Hope turn around and her breath caught in her throat. Lilianna Stark stood there at the top of the steps. A black dress covered her body, the sleeves of the dress were black lace and hung off her shoulders. The dress reached just to her knees and her hair was curled with a small waterfall braid placed in her hair. Her makeup was light and looked natural and her dark brown eyes shown in the lights from the dance floor. Hope watched her glance around at all the people, she could fear the fear that radiated from her because she'd yet to be around so many people and still have control of her thirst. Josie stood on the other side of her for reassurance and then Josie spotted Hope and gently nudged Lilianna.

The Stark girl turned her head to look at Josie before following her gaze and stopping when she saw Hope standing there, looking up at her with such admiration in her eyes that it made a smile crawl onto her lips. Everyone else in the room was invisible to her but Hope. She placed one hand onto the railing of the steps, carefully making her way closer and closer to Hope with each step that she took. They never looked away from one another, not even when Lilianna had taken that final step before she was standing right in front of Hope. All they could do was admire one another before Lilianna took it upon herself to actually speak.

     Her voice was soft as she spoke, and even though the music was loud, Hope heard her perfectly fine. "Sorry I was late. I had absolutely nothing to wear. You look breathtaking."

     "Me?" Hope questioned. "You look gorgeous. You are gorgeous."

     Lilianna had to force the blush away from her face, looking down at the ground as she smiled widely.  "Thank you." She looked up when a new song came on. A slow song to be exact. She rose an eyebrow in slight amusement, watching as Hope turned her head towards where Kaleb was controlling the music, rolling her eyes when she saw Landon and Josie walking away from him. Lilianna smiled before holding out her hand. "Can I have this dance?" Hope stared at her hand for minute before she nodded and grabbed Lilianna's hand and led them to the floor.

The lights illuminated them as they danced in the middle of the floor. They were the only ones in the room, they were focused only on one another, the warmth they brought one another. Lilianna took Hope's hand, spinning her, pressing Hope's back against her chest. Hope could feel her breath on her neck, she could feel her heart beating in her chest, she closed her eyes for a moment as she was leaned against Lilianna before opening her eyes as the Stark girl spun her back around.

     They stared at one another before Lilianna's whisper filled her ears. "Has anyone ever told you that you have the most mesmerizing eyes?" That's was all Hope needed before she could no longer restrain herself and instead drew Lilianna closer and pressed her lips against Lilianna's. Much to her relief, Lilianna kissed back.