--/
-O-
-/
The dance was hot and crowded, women and men pushing past each other to the bar as even more couples strutted their stuff-----or in most cases, lack thereof----on the dance floor. Most of the women seemed uncomfortable, their movements stiff and awkward. I shook my head. When you wore a dress cinched as tight as was fashionable, you had to expect some discomfort.
Meanwhile, Glory twirled across the dance floor, paired with first one man, then another----all were vying for her hand. And with good reason. Besides having mastered each new dance skill Mother gave us, she was also one of the most beautiful girls there.
Only a few others could compete on her level, one of whom seemed unusually wrapped up in her dancing partners. As though forgetting the rest of the world, she clung tightly to each man fortunate enough to accompany her, gazing up at them, her thin fingers holding surprisingly strongly to their arms.
I watched.
Strangely, though her footwork appeared faultless, no man chose to dance again with the pale girl in red. Each in turn bowed before making their exit, either to the bar, or to another prospective partner. She looked slightly more unhappy at each one, until her pretty face was set into an almost-scowl. Glancing over at my sister, her frown deepened. Glory’s smile lit up the room, brilliantly outshining the girl in red. As her twin, I knew it was all a facade, but the men were attracted like moths to a flame.
I caught the pale girl’s eye as she turned, and instantly her smile was back. She really was a pretty girl, small and fine-boned, almost delicate-looking with big green eyes. Glossy black hair fell down her back, wavy and so dark it shone with blue tints in the light, her deep-cut crimson gown accenting perfectly pale skin. I returned her smile, slipping though the crowd to her side.
“Might I have this dance?” I murmured as the band struck up again, raising her hand for a polite kiss.
02-Dec-2008 18:31:01
