Haden

Finally, the night of the party rolled around. Fun, right?
Honestly, I don't really like this but, it's what's necessary.
Apparently.
Mingling with all the people who had showed up, I came across my friends.
I had invited them and to my great surprise, all four showed up.
Nicola stood there in a clean, dark blue dress. She had brought David with her, much to my displeasure. If she liked him then there wasn't much I could do. There was another girl with them I realized in an instant.
Vira stood with Nick in an elegant rose-pink dress. Nicks arm was slung around her waist. They all seemed to be ok, although none of us really enjoyed formal events.
As I move closer, their conversation became audible.
"Dude what the heck did you do to your nails?" Jayden asked.
"What?" Nick spread is fingers showcasing the black polish that adorned his nails. Many little roses had been painted on the black base. "Vira did them. You like?"
"That's so girlish of you." Jayden scoffed.
"No." Nick shook his head.
"Yes, what kind of guy walks around with painted nails?"

"One that has balls." It was Nicola who answered Jayden's question. "But since you would never do that, I guess you don't have any."

The girl that was with them looked very offended. "Stop talking to my date like that!"

"Relax Sasha, it was a joke." Jayden smiled.
I couldn't help but laugh, marking my presence apparent.
"So, where's the girl?" Jayden tried to tease me to save himself from major embarrassment.
"What girl? The one in his dreams?" Nicola giggle, trying to roast me.

I glanced at my watch before turning my attention to the top of the stairs. Everyone around me followed my gaze and the room went silent.
"That girl." I said proudly to Nicola, in aw myself.
At the top stood a beautiful girl.
She wore a green dress with a white sash at the waist. Her red hair was pulled up into a bun with some hanging down in loose curls. As she began making her way down the stairs, the small white flats she had on peeked out from under her dress.
"Wow." Was all I heard from Vira as I made my way to the bottom of the stairs to fetch my lady.
I lead her around, introducing her to many people.
Most smiled at us and offered words of wisdom.
One man said "Never finish the chocolate kid. Never."
I found that amusing, but I kept it in mind.
My dad strode over to us. Leaving my mother in the crowd where she was happy to be.
"You look stunning!" He spoke softly to Ocean.
"You two are doing amazing." He winked slightly before disappearing again to find my mother.
The music had started playing softly and my mother waved us over to the dance floor.
The song was slow and gentle. I knew what I had to do, much to my dislike.
"Ocean, can I have this dance?"
The look in her eyes when I asked told me that she felt the same way.
I took the tiny hand that belonged to her. Pulling her into the middle of the dance floor, my one hand found her waist while the other clasped hers gently.
I led the dance to the best of my ability, seeing as Ocean was a very clumsy dancer. How she managed to stumble was beyond me.
Once the song had ended, we went back to socialize with people.
At least I did.
Ocean disappeared.

A couple more songs had played when I decided it was time to find Ocean.
I walked around before finding an almost deserted hallway.
To my great surprise I found both Ocean and Nick there.
"Hey Hayden." Nick greeted me with a smile.
"You really got lucky with the girl dude." Nick smiled a genuine smile before disappearing.
"Uhm." I stood there suddenly unsure. "Wanna head back to the party together?"
I tried to keep the nerves out of my voice.
Wait, why was I nervous?
Confused for a moment, I glanced at Ocean who nodded, letting out a slow exhale.
I took her hand, leading the way.
Once back in the mix of people, my parents and Mr. David's found us.
"Hello sweethearts." My mom greeted cheerful.
"Hi mom." I smiled. Ocean waves from where she stood at my side.
"My goodness, you really are a quite one aren't you?" My mothers comment startled me.
"Honey, Olive..."
"Ocean." Mr. David's and I corrected in unison.
"My greatest apologizes Ms. Ocean." My dad looked very embarrassed. "My memory is not what it used to be."
Glancing over I saw Ocean give him a warm smile.
"Anyway, as I was saying..." my dad trailed off. "Uhm, what was I saying?"
"Ocean has selective mutism." Mr. David's finished my dads thought.
Wait, selective mutism?
That's not what he said at first. Odd.
My mother clicked her tongue. "No woman is silent by choice."
"Anyway... uh how have you been Harry?" Mr. David's hastily changed the subject.
"Hayden." I corrected with slight distaste. "I've been alright."
The music changed and I made our escape. "Now if you will excuse us, we are going to dance."
Hearing this Mr. David's snorted slightly before saying to me, "Good luck."
I wanted so bad to glare at him, but I kept my composure.
I pulled Ocean onto the dance floor again, this time letting both my hands sit on her waist. Her arms wrapped themselves around my neck.
A full ten seconds later, Ocean stepped on my toes. I winced in surprise more than with pain. Ocean weighed nothing so it didn't bother me.
We weren't even halfway into the song when Ocean rested her head on my chest. I was taken aback by the gesture, unsure of how to react. I finally decided to just wrap my arms around her as we continued dancing.
Glancing down at the girl that was nestled in my arms, a warm feeling began to bloom in my chest.
She looked so adorable, where she stood. Her tiny height and her cute nose. The way the dress hugged the curves of her body.
My hands were pressed against her back, letting her rest comfortable against my body. Almost like she belonged there.
As soon as that thought entered my train of thought, I derailed it.
No way.
I can't think that.
No.
Just no.