“The Ball?” I questioned.

“Yep,” he responded, reaching across me and opening the door to his car.

“You didn’t tell me anything about going to the Ball,” I stated.

I had no intentions whatsoever of going to the Valentine’s Ball. Going out with a stranger on Valentine’s Day was a huge deal for me itself. I wasn’t going to go to a romantic dance with floating heart-shaped balloons and soppy love songs.

He shrugged. “I’m telling you now and I would love it if you would accompany me.”

“I’m not really in the mood for it,” I told him. “It’s a surprise that I actually came for dinner with you.”

“I’m going to pretend that did not hurt,” he said.

“No!” I replied quickly. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just-I’m not the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day.”

“Well, then it’s up to me to make this day special enough for your liking,” he said with a warm smile. Noticing my hesitation, he added, “Please.”

I sighed. “Fine, but if I don’t like it, I’m going to leave.”

“You will like it,” he assured me. “After all, you are with me.”

“Quite confident, aren’t you?” I mused out loud while getting into the car.

He shot me a wink after shutting the door and made his way to the driver’s seat. On the drive to our school, we talked about a lot of things. One thing I loved about talking with Seth was that our conversations were not awkward at all so far. I felt like I could say whatever I wanted to and not be judged by him. Even if he did judge me, I don’t think it would bother me that much.

Entering our school, Seth parked his car in the car park and we made our way to the Dance. While we were silently walking, Seth slyly snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. My instant reflex would have been to wiggle away but I was too stiff to do anything. I didn’t object and quietly continued walking.

We entered the gym, where the dance was held, together. Few girls smiled at me while the rest raised their eyebrows dramatically and gossiped with one another. I simply ignored them and kept my eye for Kyla. She was meant to be here with Derrick after their dinner.

The gym was decorated quite decently actually. There were huge curtain-like materials attached to the ceiling meeting in the center to form an almost dome. The only obscene thing was the center-piece which happened to be a fountain. Who in the right mind decides to drop a fountain with water right in the center of the dance floor?

It looked plain weird as everyone danced to electronic songs around it but I guess it would look better when there were couples dancing around it on slow, mellow songs.

“I’m already bored,” I told Seth as he guided me through the crowd toward an empty table.

“We just got here,” he exclaimed, pulling out a chair for me.

“Fine, fine,” I agreed. “I’ll co-operate.”

“You make it sound like a school project that we’re working on,” he commented.

I rolled my eyes at him and looked around me. When my eyes landed back on him, I caught him studying my face. He didn’t seem embarrassed about it one bit. Instead, he continued staring at me; his eyes wandering from one place to another. I raised my eyebrows at him but he raised his eyebrows back at me.

“What?” I asked. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

He lifted one shoulder lazily. “You have pretty eyes,” he complimented me. “Want a drink?”

“Um, yeah, sure,” I responded, not entirely sure what to say.

He nodded and got up to get us a drink. I pulled out my phone to text Kyla.

Hey, I’m at the stupid Dance. You here?

I waited for a few minutes for her response but I didn’t get one. I let my shoulders drop; could this night get any worse?

Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. It’s not that bad. In fact, it’s actually quite nice of Seth to put in all this effort to make this night special for me. I know many girls would die to have someone nice to spend Valentine’s night with. I turned to look at him waiting at the mini bar-like thing. He was handsome, I wouldn’t deny that. The way his sandy brown hair fell on his forehead, bringing emphasis his deep brown eyes would catch any girl’s attention.

He picked up two cups and made his way back to me carefully. I smiled at him as he sat down next to me and placed the cup in front of me. He slid his arm around my shoulder smoothly and brought his cup to his lips.

It’s okay. It’s just arm.

“Ava!”

I turned to see Kyla and Derrick. She glanced at Seth and shot a smug smile in my direction.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she exclaimed, sitting down next to us with Derrick.

“It’s all because of him,” I said, pointing at Seth.

“Wow,” Derrick said. “You’re good.”

Seth laughed and faked a bow.

“Don’t boost his ego,” I told Derrick.

“Excuse me?” Seth countered.

“Let’s go dance,” Kyla cut in.

“No,” I declined. “I’m not in the mood.”

“You’re never in the mood,” she responded.

“You guys go ahead,” I said with a smile.

Kyla looked at Seth and said, “You got her all the way here. I’m leaving it to you to get her on the dance floor.”

“On it,” he said with a grin.

Kyla and Derrick made their way to the dance floor while Seth put his cup down and moved his chair to angle at me.

“I am not going to dance, Seth,” I said before he tried convincing me.

“Why?” he questioned.

“Because I’m a terrible dancer,” I responded, taking a sip of my fruit punch.

“I’ll teach you then,” he said.

“That’s alright,” I said.

“Come on,” he whined. “How am I supposed to make this night worthwhile for you?”

“That’s the challenge, isn’t it?” I questioned.

“Fine then,” he said. “I’ll carry you to the dance floor.”

My widened as I choked on the punch. He wouldn’t actually do it, would he? He stared down at me with raised eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

“I really don’t want to,” I told him, sighing and watched his shoulders drop.

“Fine,” he gave up and sat back down.

I felt bad now. I guess I could dance with for one song. It wouldn’t kill me. But then I did tell him that I didn’t like Valentine’s Day or going to school dances.  

The song changed to a slow, romantic song causing the single people to avert the dance floor. Okay, it was just one dance, approximately 3 minutes.

I let out a puff of air and stood up. Seth’s eyes followed my movements as I offered him my hand. His eyes lifted up to meet mine.

“Come on,” I said and a small smile took over his face.

He took my hand in his and led the way to the dance floor. Since the lights were dimmed, I couldn’t find Kyla or Derrick anywhere. Occupying a spot on the crowded dance floor, he placed his hands on my waist delicately as I intertwined my fingers behind his neck.

I should’ve removed my heels, I realized as we began to move. Walking in them itself is difficult and here I am trying to dance in them.

I ignored that and lifted my eyes up to see Seth in the dark. He was looking down at me and as my eyes met his, he smiled at me which in an odd way, assured me. Slowly, his hands moved from my moved and slid to my lower back, caging me to his chest. His cologne surrounded me as I let myself loosen up a bit.

“You were waiting for a romantic song to come up, weren’t you?” Seth whispered, breaking the silence and making me jump.

“What, no,” I whispered back.

“It’s obvious, Ava,” he countered. “You refused to dance to the pumped up songs and the minute the song changes to a slow, romantic one, you suddenly want to dance?”

“Shut up,” I said. “I felt bad so I decided to dance with you. It’s just a coincidence that the song changed that minute.”

“Right,” he said sarcastically.

Just when I thought the dance was almost close to perfect, my right leg lost balance on the heel and I banged into the person next to me, who was conveniently right next to the fountain. In the blink of an eye, the girl fell into the fountain just as Seth tightened his hold on my lower back to stop me from falling.

Everyone stopped dancing and gathered around the fountain as a few people helped her out of it. I straightened up and did the only thing I could think of. I quietly made my way out of the group of people and left the gym.

Anyone else in my place would’ve apologized and helped her clean up but I walked off. How very nice of you, Ava.

Urgh.

I walked to the bleachers and sat there, staring at the empty football field. I didn’t want to go to this stupid dance yet he forced. I didn’t want to dance yet he forced me again.

This is what happens when I do stuff I don’t want to.

Well, he didn’t force you exactly. You agreed to all of it.

Shut up, I mentally said to myself.

“You’re just full of surprises.”

My head whipped around to see Seth standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets. How did he find me?

I turned around and shut my eyes in frustration. He walked toward me and sat down. We sat there in silence, staring at the field. Everything was going perfectly till the dinner. Once we came to this dance, everything started going downhill.

“I’m sorry,” Seth mumbled.

I looked at him from the corner of my eye. “You shouldn’t be. I’m the one who decided to wear heels, I’m the one who agreed to come here and I’m the one who asked you to dance despite knowing that I suck at it.”

“I forced you into all of it,” he said.

“That’s alright.”

“And you’re actually pretty good at moving your feet to the beat,” he said.

I laughed at the way he put it. “Subtle way of saying I suck.”

“Nah, you’re fine,” he said. “I’ve seen worse.”

I chuckled and pulled my knees to my chest, propping my chin on them.

“Are you cold?” he questioned and scooted closer, wrapping his arm around me.

“Not really,” I said but didn’t move away. Instead, I let my head rest on his shoulder.

 “Thank you for tonight,” I said after a few minutes. “No one’s tried so hard to make me feel special.”

“You’re welcome,” he responded and kissed the top of my head lightly.

My eyes widened a fraction but I decided not to react to that.

“You should go back in there,” I said. “There were many girls checking you out, I’m sure you’ll find someone who can actually dance.”

“I don’t need other girls when I’m sitting with one perfectly beautiful girl,” he said.

I felt my cheeks heat up. I shifted my head on his shoulder to hide my blush from him.

“Do you want me to drop you home?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Let’s stay here for a while.”

“Alright,” he responded.

A/N: Hello! Did you guys like it? If you did, make sure to that hit that star and leave a comment below! 
Have any of you had embarrassing incidents at a school event? I know I have :3
Oh! Who do you guys imagine Seth to be as? I was thinking of casting the characters and I really couldn't think of anyone as Seth. 

Dedicated to @DreamSingBlonde for the lovely cover on the side! Thank you <3