"Stop staring."

Nuffink jumped, startled by his sister's sudden presence. "I'm not!"

"Yes you are." Maisie giggled. "But she looks beautiful, so I'll cut you some slack."

"Gee, thanks." Nuffink rolled his eyes, smiling lightly. Maisie was right. Carmen did look beautiful, dressed in a royal blue gown with gold earrings and a necklace that rested just below her collar bone. She hugged the wall on the opposite side of the room, watching everyone dance and play.

A solid punch landed on Nuffink's left shoulder. "Hey!" He turned to glare at Maisie. "You're supposed to be the nice sister."

"Quit whining and go ask her to dance." She giggled. "She's been waiting on you all night."

Nuffink glanced from Maisie to Carmen a few times before replying. "And how would you know that?"

She shoved him away from her and into the crowd. "Just go, Nuff! Ya big baby."

"Alright, alright I'm going!"

***

"mmph-Conrad.." Zephyr mumbled against his lips, placing her hand on his chest.

"Yea?" He said in between kisses. His hands moved from their resting position on her hips to wrap around her, holding on tight. When Zephyr didn't respond he stopped, looking down to see her face had changed dramatically from a minute ago.

She looked anxious now. Upset, even.

"I'm-I'm sorry." He stammered.

"No, no it's okay, Conrad. Really." She dropped her head down, gazing over to the nearby trees. "It's just that..."

Conrad tilted his head, trying to prompt the rest out of her.

"I.." Zephyr's heart pounded. Oh, what had she gotten herself into now? She hadn't meant to let it get so far. It was just that Conrad felt so good.

Everything about him from the way she could talk to him to the way his lips felt against her skin. Now what was she supposed to say? 'Sorry! I know I led you on but now I changed my mind!'

"What is it, Zeph?" His voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"I can't do this." She blurted out. "I'm sorry. I am. I didn't mean to-"

"Zephyr-"

"-lead you on or anything. I swear I didn't. I didn't think it through I-"

"Zephyr!"

"What?!

"Stop apologizing. Please." He said.

Zephyr sighed and put her head in her hands, bringing her knees to her chest.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure?"

Conrad swept an arm up and down her back, trying to comfort her. He felt bad about her reaction and almost felt as though it was his fault. Was it his fault?

"How come you let me kiss you if you didn't want me to?"

"It's not that I didn't want you to kiss me, Conrad. I liked it. I just...the rest was too much at once for me. And I should've said something before. I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you? Too scared? Because I swear I wouldn't get upset about that. I'm not like that."

"No, that's not it."

"Then why?"

"Because...what if you're that guy?"

"What guy?"

"That guy! The one who pretends to like you and pretends to care, when really all he wants is to get in your pants. I'm not trying to stereotype you-I'm not. But if that happened to me I don't think I could handle it. Especially if it was you."

Zephyr looked up at him, waiting for an answer, but he remained silent. She sighed and turned away. "You're mad."

"I'm not mad." He said quietly.

She turned to face him again.

"I'm just sad you have to worry about that. Look, Zeph. I know I'm popular and I give off...that vibe. But I wouldn't do that to you. I have no intention of ever being that guy."

"Can we just go back to the party?" She asked.

"Of course."

Zephyr smiled when she walked in and saw her brother dancing and displaying a wide smile. It felt good to see him happy. She looked over and spotted her parents dancing too. Everyone was. Even Maisie had found a dance partner, she noticed.

"I don't suppose you like to dance?" Conrad queried.

"Actually..." she blushed. "I think I would enjoy that very much."

"Oh really?" He smiled. "Well then, my lady-" he bowed dramatically, holding out his hand. "The honor is all mine."