Fallen (Fallen 1)

“This is . . .” I was at a loss for words.

“I’m glad you like it,” she said. Diana had been doing everything in her power to cheer me up. She was happy if she only got a small smile from me for her eff

orts.

She got into the limo behind Danny and Mason. That left Isaac and me next to each other. We sat down and the driver closed the door.

Diana watched me from the corner of her eye. I knew she strongly disapproved of Isaac for some reason but I could also sense conflicting emotions in her; she wanted me to be happy for a night and have fun. I gave her a weak smile and she beamed back at me. I was trying and that’s what mattered.

Danny and Mason didn’t seem to be too excited about going. No doubt Diana had begged them to go. I knew she struggled with the fact that besides her family she really had no friends. Except for me.

I glanced over at Isaac. From his stiff posture I deduced that he was on edge.

I glanced out the window at the city passing by us. Seeing Rome at night was wonderful. I had never seen a more beautiful city.

The limo pulled up to the Grand Hotel Plaza where the dance was being held.

Some students were outside laughing and smoking. They all stopped and gawked when we got out. We headed inside the hotel.

The hotel was historic and beautiful. It had a majestic quality about it. A timelessness. We headed to the ballroom. I was shocked by the beauty of the room. The room was all gold. Even the ceiling. For the dance everything was decorated in pale blue, silver, and white. It was so elegant it shocked me. I would’ve never guessed that this was a high school dance.

We found a table and sat down.

I finally took in Isaac. He was in a tuxedo with his hair slicked back, just a little blue showing. He still wore his lip ring. I had to admit he looked good in his tux.

“You look good in a tux,” I said.

He laughed, “Yeah right.”

“No really you do.”

“Thanks,” he said sheepishly color flooding his cheeks.

“Let’s dance,” he said standing and offering me his hand.

“I don’t dance.”

“Come on,” he said.

“No,” I said gently pushing his hand away.

“Ky this a dance and at a dance you do this thing called dancing.”

“I’m a really bad dancer,” I said.

“So am I,” he said nudging me with his hand.

“Fine,” I replied giving in seeing as I obviously was going to lose this argument.

When we finally made it to the dance floor the song changed to a slow dance. Isaac dragged me into the crowd. He put his hands on my waist. They were warm and comforting and I realized that I felt safe with him.

He started swaying back and forth awkwardly to the music. And I sadly, made a fool out of myself by just standing there.

Isaac grabbed my arms and put them around his neck. He laughed when I sill stood still as a statue.

“Ky, just dance.”

“But I don’t know how.”