CHAPTER TWENTY:
❝Decades Dance❞︎

THE DECADE DANCE WAS ADMITTEDLY ONE OF HARPER'S FAVORITE DANCES OF THE YEAR. The brunette smiled gleefully as everyone worked to set it up. Balloons were every where, decorations thrown about, Harper absolutely loved it. The hybrid carried a box filled with decorations in her hands, walking over to a group of witches, setting it down beside them before talking to them animatedly. She spun away from them, her smile fading when she saw Rafael jump, dropping a table when a balloon popped. She knew that he was struggling to adapt, she just wished she could help.

When she spotted Josie, she made her way over to the witch. Josie turned her head, chuckling in amusement when she saw the wide smile on Harper's face. "You look like you're enjoying yourself. I keep forgetting that you love this dance so much, is there any particular reason as to why?"

Harper pursed her lips for a moment before shaking her head. "No, not really. I've just always been a big fan of the eighties and nineties. When my mom was actually being a parent, she used to tell me about my grandmother's time back then before she passed away due to a car accident. Every thing I heard about, it always made me fall in love with it." She shrugged her shoulders when Josie gave her a slightly concerned look.

"Hey, Harper!" The sound of her name caused both teenagers to turn their heads. A pretty blonde with piercing green eyes made her way up to Harper. Harper and Josie exchanged a look with one another before turning back to look at her. Much to Harper's embarrassment, she hadn't a clue what the girl's name was. "Charlotte. Everyone calls me Charlie."

"I'm sorry―︎"

"Don't be!" Charlie waved her off. "I know that you can't remember everyone's names in the school. But, Harper, you're a really sweet person and rumor has it that you lean over towards the female gender. . . so, I was hoping that you would be my date to decades dance?"

Harper was caught off guard. She looked at Charlie and a part of her had to admit that she was absolutely gorgeous. Josie's presence suddenly became very noticeable. The dark haired girl was glaring at Charlie, but Charlie paid no mind to her. Her attention was sorely focused on Harper and what her answer was going to be. Harper thought about it for a moment before finally deciding that she needed to get over Josie, and if this was the first steps to completing that task, then so be it. She placed a kind smile on her lips as she nodded her head. "I'd love to be your date, Charlie."

Charlie's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Harper to actually say yes. When the surprise left her body, complete and utter joy took it's place. She smiled in excitement. "Great! Well, then, I guess I'll see you tonight." And then she spun on her heel and sped over to her friends, chatting excitedly. She was a vampire, Harper realized.

"Huh." Harper hummed, turning her head to look at Josie. She frowned slightly when she noticed the angry expression on the girls face. Cocking her head slightly, Harper reached out to place a hand on Josie's shoulder, but Josie brushed her off. "Jo? Is everything alright?"

Josie straightened her shoulder, fixing her grip on her clipboard. "I have work to do." And then she walked away. Harper watched her leave with confusion. She frowned before shaking her head, deciding it was just from the stress of organizing the dance, and headed off to help others finish decorating.

As night came and the dance grew closer, Harper struggled to pick out her outfit. She was stuck between an 80's styled strapless gold dress that reached to her mid thigh or a spaghetti strapped blue dress that reached to her knees. The girl pressed her lips into a thin line, holding one up to her body, and then the other. Finally, she grabbed the golden dress, throwing it on and pulling on golden shoes to match it. She crimped her hair, doing light make up before deciding this was good enough. A knock came at her door just as she finished, causing her to spin around and mutter a spell that allowed the door to open.

Charlie stood there, a way more exotic outfit on her body than what Harper had on. Suddenly, Harper felt too over dressed. Charlie stared at the brunette with awe, noticing her cheeks heat up in slight embarrassment. Taking a careful step into her room, Charlie shook her head slightly. "You look. . . breathtaking."

Harper looked up. "Not too overdressed?"

"Very overdressed. But this is coming from someone who'd rather see you without clothes on."

Harper's eyes widened, her face heating up even more. Charlie smiled at this before reaching out her hand. Harper looked at her for a moment before grabbing her hand, allowing the blonde to lead her down to the party that was already in full swing. A wide smile immediately fell on her face when she saw the exotic clothes that everyone had on. She glanced at Charlie before running to the dance floor, dragging Charlie with her and spinning her around twice. Charlie gasped in surprise but laughed loudly once she landed back in Harper's arms.

The two danced along with the crowd, and for once in so long Harper was actually enjoying herself without a care in the world. She didn't notice Josie's gaze as she watched the two before a small smile fell on her face and she turned her attention back towards her boyfriend, glad that Harper may have found someone.

The crowd cheered when the music changed and MG and Kaleb made it to the center of the floor, dancing and showing off their moves. The students all cheered for the duo and Harper smiled widely as she watched her friends just let go. And then they started to have a dance off. Charlie dragged Harper into the middle and MG and Kaleb cheered when the brunette joined them before more people were dragged in the circle.

As they continued to dance, Harper spotted Rafael standing by himself. She frowned slightly before turning her head to look at Charlie who was already one step ahead of her. "Go. Cheer him up. I've been meaning to talk to my friends anyways." Harper thanked her before making her way over to the wolf.

"Well, hello, Mr. Lonely." Harper greeted, causing Rafael to turn and look at her.

"Harper." Rafael smiled. "You look great."

"You don't look so bad yourself." Harper complimented. "Hey, I know you're waiting for Hope to show up, but in the meantime, come dance with me. You deserve to have fun too." He started to object but Harper wouldn't take no for an answer. Eventually, he caved in and allowed the girl to drag him to the dance floor. Almost immediately his mood got better as Harper told him jokes, made him laugh.

When a slow song came on, Rafael stepped back. "Thank you, Harper. But I think your date would like to have this dance."

She turned to look at Charlie who was patiently waiting. Harper turned back towards Rafael before standing on her tiptoe's and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "She'll be here." Harper whispered. Rafael nodded. She offered him one last smile before making her way over to Charlie, reaching out her hand and gently pulling the blonde into her arms. The two slow danced together, their eyes never leaving one another's.

"Harper." Charlie whispered. Harper hummed. "I'm going to kiss you now." And then she did. Harper felt her eyes flutter closed as she kissed Charlie back. One hand moved to Harper's waist and the other to cup her cheek as Charlie pulled the girl closer. Charlie pulled away, her eyes filled with lust that she'd only seen once before―︎in Josie's eyes the night they'd kissed. But they had never acted on it. "Do you still want to dance?"

"Metaphorically, yes." Harper whispered. The next thing she knew they were making it to Harper's room, slamming the door behind them as they made it to the bed, their clothes halfway off before taking it to the next step. Would Harper regret it the next morning? Maybe. But, she was glad that she could finally push Josie away from her mind and focus her attention on the blonde beauty that hovered above her. She needed to focus on the girl that actually wanted her, not the one that made her second choice.