Chapter Thirty-One #2
Damian takes a bite from his dish first and when he doesn’t drop dead, I figure it’s safe for me to take a bite. Mmm. It’s really good. I try to eat with as much etiquette as possible. The last thing I want to do is embarrass Harrington or Damian.
Speeches are made and everyone gushes about what a good person Principal Harrington is. They talk about the school and the scholarships and how she’s opened her school to the less fortunate.
“In fact, we have a student from the scholarship program tonight here with us,” the woman, who is her friend, says. “Why don’t you stand up?”
My eyes grow large. “What?”
“Go ahead, Sophie,” Harrington says.
All eyes are on our table. There’s no way I can get out of this. Damian wears a ticked-off look on his face, like he’s mad his mother is using me to make herself look good in front of all these rich people.
With shaky legs, I slowly get to my feet. Everyone smiles, nods, and claps. I give an awkward wave and grin before sitting back down.
“That was embarrassing,” I whisper to Damian as the woman continues her speech.
“Sorry.” He gives his mom a look, but she doesn’t pay attention to him. “She saw you were here and jumped at the opportunity to mention the poor, underprivileged kids who attend her school. Such a fake.”
“I mean, it’s not a lie. If not for the scholarship, I wouldn’t have ever attended HBA.”
“I know, but she didn’t have to make a public spectacle of you. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.” Smiling encouragingly, I place my hand on his. He glances down at it and his body heaves.
“I’m just stressed.”
“I understand and I’m sorry you have to deal with this.”
He rests his hand on mine. “Thanks.”
The last person to speak is Principal Harrington. She thanks everyone for coming, gives a special shout-out to her amazing son. Damian grunts at that. And she of course mentions the scholarship student as well. I guess it’s the only way she can explain my being here.
After the speeches and the food, the band plays the music loudly and most people get up to dance. Our table empties quickly. Damian’s mom doesn’t dance with anyone, but she goes from person to person, chatting them up.
Damian slouches in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. I busy myself with drinking more water.
The music is slow and the couples are dancing closely together. Some have their arms around each other while others are less intimate.
“Does your mom have a boyfriend?” I ask him.
“Nah.”
“Why not?”
He shrugs. “She cares more about the school than anything else.”
“Oh.”
We’re quiet. His gaze roams around the room, making a face like he’d rather be anywhere but here. He turns to me and I expect him to ask me if I want to get out of here, but he says, “Want to dance?”
“What?”
He tilts his head toward the dance floor. “Want to dance?”
Why is he asking me that question? I’d think dancing would be the last thing Damian would want to do.
He turns away. “Forget I asked.”
“No, I mean I’d love to. I’m just so bad at it. I’ll break your toes.”
He chuckles. “Pretty sure my toes will be okay.” He holds out his hand.
I look into his beautiful hazel eyes before swallowing and placing my hand in his. At once, I’m engulfed in warmth. Like I’m gliding, I stand and follow him to the dance floor. Damian doesn’t release my hand once, like he’s worried I’ll get lost in the crowd of people.
Some watch as he leads me toward the side, away from the people but still within their eyeshot. I can feel them gawking as Damian twirls me toward himself. He reaches for my hands and places them around his neck, then wraps his around my waist.
He searches my eyes. “You good? Is this okay?”
“Yes. How do you know to do that?”
“My dad taught me.”
I’m so curious about his dad. He clearly respects him, but he never talks about him. We’ve never really spoken about our lives.
As people continue to gape and try to figure out what’s going on here, they all conclude that Damian is being so kind to the scholarship girl and is giving her a magical night she’ll never forget.
It doesn’t even cross their minds that we’re friends.
Is such a thing unheard of in these circles?
Is someone like Damian not allowed to be friends with someone like me?
Damian bends forward, pressing his cheek to mine. “Don’t listen to them,” he murmurs. “I didn’t ask you to dance because I feel bad for you.”
He doesn’t say anything about the “magical night.” Is it possible he asked me to dance because he wanted to…no, that’s ridiculous. I don’t know why he asked me, but I certainly know it’s not because he wanted to give me a magical night.
I think?
No. It’s because we’re both in hell, that’s why.
His cheek is so warm, so perfect. I could stay here forever.
We sway to the soft music and I shut out everything around me. The stares and whispers and pointed fingers. It’s just Damian and me, sharing this moment that makes no sense but feels so right.
His body shakes a little as he chuckles. “You’re not stepping on my toes.”
Glancing down at our feet, I smile. “You’re right. Looks like I’m not such a bad dancer after all.”
Lifting his head, he winks. “Maybe you have a good partner.”
My cheeks and body feel so hot I wish I could jump into a bucket of ice-cold water. “Yeah, I have an awesome partner.”
He grins before replacing his cheek on mine.
The dancing continues for a bit longer before we take a break for dessert.
It’s a fancy cake that looks like it cost a million dollars.
I’m hesitant to eat it for a second, but then I dig in.
Oh my gosh! This is heaven. Damian smiles as he watches me eat the thing like I’ve never experienced anything good in my life.
Tonight might have been a little awkward with the whole scholarship thing, but at least I got to spend time with a nice guy and eat delicious food.
Since the meal is finished, most guests dance for the remainder of the night. Damian and I are in each other’s arms again, but this time we’re not cheek to cheek. We’re staring into each other’s eyes.
His features are so soft, which is vastly different from how they look throughout the week. He’s normally mad at the world, ticked off at everything. But now, he looks at ease.
We’re like in our own bubble, just staring at each her as if we want to ingrain this moment in our minds so we can remember it forever.
Of course the whispers from around us ruin the moment.
The people are still convinced Damian is being charitable to the less fortunate girl.
I bet the media will run wild with this story, but I guess that’s just how life is.
Harrington will want to make herself look good by using me and Damian.
What a nice touch to her party to have none other than the top student, who’s a scholarship student, attend her party.
Damian’s eyes scan mine. “What are you thinking about?” When I tell him, he scowls. “Yeah, my mom would use anything as a publicity stunt. I’m sorry I asked you to come.”
I shake my head, pushing myself closer so our chests are basically fused. “No, I don’t regret this one bit.”
His smile is crooked. “The food was worth it?”
“The kind non bad boy who made sure I was always comfortable and happy was worth it.”