Julian Everett's voice rang out clear and strong, hitting every note perfectly. His stage presence was captivating; he moved with an easy confidence that only seasoned performers possessed. The way he engaged with the audience made it feel like he was singing just for us.
"Do you remember when we used to dance to this song at your mom's holiday parties?" Ellie nudged me gently.
"How could I forget?" I laughed. "Those were some of the best times."
The memory brought a smile to my face—my mother bustling around the kitchen while this very song played in the background, Ellie and I attempting our best dance moves in the living room. It felt like a lifetime ago but seeing Julian Everett perform live brought it all rushing back.
As I glanced around at the joyous scene before me, I couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these—for friends who made life brighter and for unexpected surprises that added a touch of wonder to our everyday routines. Evergreen Hollow had its way of making even the simplest things feel extraordinary.
And tonight was no exception.
Ellie downed her hot chocolate and jumped to her feet. "Come on," she urged, grabbing my hand. "Let's dance."
"Oh, my gosh, no!" I protested, but she was already pulling me towards the makeshift dance floor.
Laughter bubbled up from deep within me as we joined the others, moving to the rhythm of Julian Everett's music. Ellie twirled me around with surprising grace, and I found myself losing any initial reluctance.
"Want to join us, Mr. Walker?" Ellie called out, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she looked back at Daryl.
"Hell no," he replied from the bench, his voice carrying over the festive noise. "I'm fine right where I am."
"I'm sure you are," she teased, her tone light and playful.
I couldn't help but laugh at their exchange. Ellie always had a way of bringing out a lighter side in everyone, even someone as guarded as Daryl. As we danced together, I felt the music pulse through my veins, each beat erasing the stress and worries that had clung to me all week.
We spun and swayed, our movements imperfect but full of joy. The world around us blurred into a kaleidoscope of lights and colors. It had been ages since I felt this carefree.
Julian Everett's voice soared through another chorus, and Ellie and I sang along loudly, our voices blending with those around us. My cheeks ached from smiling so much, and I realized just how much I needed this night—the warmth of friends, the magic of the holidays, the simple act of letting go.
"Look at us," Ellie said between breaths, her face flushed with exertion and happiness. "Dancing like pros."
"Speak for yourself," I retorted playfully. "I'm pretty sure I just stepped on your foot."
"You call that dancing?" Daryl's voice cut through the air again, laced with mock incredulity.
I glanced over at him to find a faint smile playing on his lips despite his words. There was something heartening about seeing him like this—relaxed enough to tease us from afar.
The song came to an end, and Ellie and I slowed our movements before finally stopping altogether. We stood there for a moment, catching our breath while laughter continued to bubble up uncontrollably.
"You know," Ellie said as we walked back towards Daryl's bench. "We should do this more often."
"I couldn't agree more," I replied honestly.
I caught Daryl’s eye. His eyes were already on me, intense and unreadable. My heart hiccuped again, an involuntary reaction to the unspoken connection that seemed to hang between us. There was something charged in the air, an electricity I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
The music continued to play softly in the background, but all I could focus on was him. His rugged features were softened by the festive lights, casting gentle shadows across his face. I wondered what he saw when he looked at me—if he felt the same pull that I did.
I took a deep breath and walked over to where he stood, each step feeling like it carried more weight than usual. Ellie, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, gave me a quick nod of encouragement before she drifted off to chat with some other friends.
When I reached Daryl, I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. The usual light-hearted banter seemed out of place now.
"Enjoying yourself?" I finally asked, my voice coming out softer than intended.
He shrugged slightly but didn’t break eye contact. "More than I expected," he admitted.
"Good," I said, offering him a small smile. "I'm glad."
There was a pause, the silence between us thick with unspoken words. I wanted to ask him so many things—about his past, about why he kept himself so guarded. But now didn't seem like the right time for those questions.
