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I can’t let tonight get to me.
I can’t let my night be ruined by Roman.
So, I let loose. Even with the gnawing in my stomach and the ache in my heart, I dance with Travis.
Because that's what I'm meant to do.
I might be a ballerina at heart, but I can still twirl, jump, and dance like the rest of them. We dance until we're sweaty, hot messes. Until my waved hair is flattened into a sheet and strands of hair stick to my temples.
Travis's clammy palm wraps around my hands and he spins me around and around until I'm dizzy. I giggle, stopping in place until the world rights itself.
And my eyes connect with Roman’s as he stands in the front doorway.
My heart lurches at the sight of him. Standing tall and too old to be in middle school. His suit presses nicely and curves around each muscle and bone in his body. He looks around the room, and I can tell from the look on his face that he's looking for me. He's scoping me out between each and every person, his eyes weaving like my mom crochets her blankets.
I duck a little behind Travis, pressing my hands to his chest. "I'm thirsty all of a sudden. I'm going to grab some punch."
"Oh. Let me. I could use some too. I'll bring some to our table."
I dodge Roman's eyes as I duck down and tiptoe around people. All the way to the table where Nora is already sitting down, looking bored out of her mind.
"How's it going?" I ask once I reach her.
"Wishing I was literally anywhere else in the world," she groans.
I sigh. "I know. I saw your brother."
Nora nods. "I know."
My eyes widen. "You saw him too?"
She shakes her head. "No, he's standing right behind you."
My jaw drops and I turn around, seeing him stand behind me. He looks so tall, so strong standing there in his suit. So much like an adult, and I suddenly feel like a small child who's about to get in trouble.
"I told you to wait for me," he mumbles.
"I told you I was going to the dance with Travis." At that very moment, Travis decides to make his appearance with a cup of punch in each hand. He blanches when he sees Roman, faltering in his step a moment before he continues his walk up to us.
"Roman. What're you doing here?"
Roman blinks in slow motion, like that's by far the stupidest question he's ever been asked. "I'm here for Luna."
"Uhh…" Travis looks between the both of us.
"Heard you were running your mouth, Schwinn." Roman says, taking a step toward Travis.
Oh, hell no.
"Roman, stop." I stand up at the same time as Nora does. She knows her brother, too. The tone is his voice makes the hair on my arms stand up.Terrifying.
"I didn't say anything, man. I swear."
Roman takes another step toward him, brushing by my side without a second thought. "I don't like people talking about me behind my back. Got something to say? Say it to my face." Roman slaps his chest, this being the very angriest I've ever seen him.
Roman doesn't get angry. Roman gets irritated, he gets annoyed, but Roman never, ever getsangry.
"Let's dance." I pull Roman away, because I'm scared more than anything he's going to punch Travis, and that will just get him into trouble.
