The Ball

Jamison

Jamison let Ron finish tying his tie before he turned around. "What do you think?" He asked, looking at himself in the mirror. He was so at odds from the person he had been just four months ago. He would have sooner thrown himself off a bridge than willingly climb into the button up shirt, the pants and the vest. He had gone shopping with Jules after asking her to the winter dance. They had picked out clothes to match.

"Sure you aren't going?" Jamison asked Ron who had settled down in the chair near his desk. "They're selling tickets at the door."

"I'm sure. I'm planning on finishing this level of the game and then heading to bed." Ron was already reaching for the remote to the small TV in their room.

"Whatever," Jamison chuckled, grabbing the bouquet of flowers off of the table, "I'll see you tomorrow. Maybe."

He shut the door behind him with a click. Jules' building was just to the left of his, and her dorm was on the second floor, but it felt like the walk took forever. He waved and stopped for a second to chat with all the other students around the campus picking up dates, getting last minute things done, wandering to their rides…

He finally slid into her building and took the stairs up. She and her friends, and few of their dates were already in the hallway.

She smiled brightly at him. Her long dark hair had been swept back by silver flowers. The pink dress hugged her curves before pooling in loose swaths of fabric at her feet.The dress sparkled as she took a few steps towards him, twirling. "What do you think Babe?" she asked him, stopping in front of him, tilting her head up to look him in the eyes.

Something inside of him tightened at the sight of her. He kissed her forehead and whispered, "I think you look stunning." Indeed she did. He pulled her into an embrace, the warmth from her exposed back leaking into his hands. He let his left hand remain, gently rubbing her back as he stood back, Jules on his left.

She pursed her lips into a smaller smile and whispered back, "Can I have a real kiss now?"

It was Jamison's turn to smile, setting the bouquet of flowers on the table just within her dorm room, "Don't have to tell me twice." He cupped her cheek in his hand, bringing his face towards hers. He kissed her softly, then again, deepening the kiss. He could feel the gentleness of her teeth against his lips, and when Jules ran her fingers through his hair the second time…

One of the guys behind them whooped. Someone else whistled. Jules stood back with a breathless laugh. Her face was flushed. "You have lipgloss on you now." she giggled.

Jamison laughed, "Just had to ruin the moment." But the smile that stayed on his face, after he wiped off Jule's lipgloss, was one he hadn't had for a long while.

He looped an arm around her waist once more. "Shall we?"

Jules, her friends, a few of their dates who Jamison knew, piled into the limo. Michael and Annabelle had said they weren't coming so they were just waiting for Sean and Emma now.

Jamison settled back into one of the seats, Jules pressed up against him. "Kinda funny to be in the back of a limo instead of the driver's seat." he smiled to himself.

"I didn't know you drove limos." Aaron, one of the other guys in the limo said, his arm around one of Jules' closest friends.

"Not all of us can have millionaire parents Aaron." Jamison joked, "Some of us have to work for it."

"You can complain when you have to go to charity balls and events and kiss babies for hours on end. When you have to attend a few hundred meetings every month and sit in council meetings that go on for seven hours and speak of the most mundane issues." Arianna said with a laugh.

Jamison was about to give back a witty retort when the door to the limo opened and Sean and Emma came in, matching in their gray and blue clothes.

"You all ready to get going?" Sean asked with a smirk.

"We were waiting for you, dummy." Aaron said as the limo door was shut by the driver. It pulled out of the drive moments later.

Jamison clasped hands with Jules as they drove through the snow laden streets. She rested her head on his shoulder, listening to the chatter around them. "Ever been to a dance before?" she asked him, her voice just above a whisper.

"This will be my first," he said back, just as quietly, "Unless you count mosh pits at terrible concerts."

"Don't tease," she said with a smile. She ran a hand along his jawline. A finger of electricity ran down his spine, and he smiled as she drew her hand away. "You didn't shave."

He laughed aloud. "I thought you were going to be romantic."

"Serves you right, you do it to me all the time," she said with a simper, looking away.

He chuckled. She was correct though. "Fine, how about we agree not to ruin moments for the rest of the night?"

"You couldn't refrain from teasing if your life depended on it." She said, her lips a hair's breadth away from his.

Jamison leaned in to give her a kiss, but she whisked her head to the side, Jamison's kiss landing on her jaw. "If you wanted me to kiss you there, you could have just asked," he whispered into her ear again.

After a few moments the limo pulled up to a long paved drive, lined with lamp posts bedecked in silver, gold and blue banners. The school, and the kingdom's, colors shone over every surface they could have possibly decorated.

He could feel Jules' excitement radiating from her as they pulled towards the massive hall. She squeezed his hand, her eyes alight, her smile beaming. "I love to dance." she said more to herself than to Jamison.

Jules wasn't only a cheerleader, she was also skilled in many types of dancing, ballroom dancing being one. He had come to one of her rehearsals one time and had been completely shocked as he watched the way she moved around the stage. It was like watching a leaf gently float through the air, before gracefully setting itself onto the ground when she jumped into a twirl.

After catching him spying, Jules coaxed him into joining her ballroom dancing classes on Saturday afternoons. He had declined at first, but after hearing Jules explain that she would have to be paired up with another young man, he changed his mind quickly enough.

It turned out to not be such a bad idea with the dance coming up. He wasn't going to look like a total fool out there. Besides, with Jules as his partner, he doubted anyone would be looking at him when they danced.

As they wandered into the open ballroom, he couldn't help but swivel his head around. It was a cavernous room. The ceilings were covered in intricate designs overlaid with gold. The pillars around the room were huge pieces of polished stone etched with beautiful carvings of faeries and beasts and all types of flowers and trees. Paintings and ornate benches lined the outside of the room every single one resplendent.

"This is…"

"This is the Kingdom's official royal ballroom." Jules said, noting his awe. "Trust me, this high school dance is the craziest thing that will happen here."

Jamison looked around with a chuckle at the dance. Crazy indeed. A few couples stood by the long banquet table laden with all types of food, some were dancing on one side of the room before a large band with an assortment of instruments. Most were mulling around, chattering with one another. He chuckled, "I didn't know dances could be this tame."

"This is less a dance and more a ball. With the school's reputation to uphold they couldn't possibly allow us to have dances like those of the other school's around us." She rolled her eyes. "I would like to attend one, to see if it is truly as fun as it sounds."

"You know, they dance at house parties too," Jamison suggested, "I know someone who is having one—"

"Jamie you know I can't." she said, setting her hand on his shoulder gently, "I have other things to do and if my mother caught wind of it…"

He sighed. He knew. He knew she wanted to go to one. She'd tried to before, but had been found out by her parents and she had not been allowed to attend one since. Jamison made sure to go to parties only on the nights she already had plans, but he wished he could attend one with her. Just once.

"Would you like to grab something to eat? Or perhaps steal a dance when the next song begins?" he asked, smoothly transitioning to another topic.

"I should like to grab a glass of water, I'm parched." He held out his arm and she gladly accepted it, the two walking over to the table at the end of the room.

His eyes swept over the room. He waved to a few people as they passed, grabbing two flutes of what looked like champagne off of a table. He lifted an eyebrow.

"Not alcohol," Jules said back, taking one from him, "Just try it." she took a small sip from her glass with a smile.

He chuckled, but took a taste. He'd been expecting a small sour bite like the champagne he had once tasted, but not this. A sweet bubbling liquid coated his taste buds, so unlike what he was expecting he nearly spit it out. He swallowed it, barely with a cough, choking on the carbonated substance. "Jules, what?" he sputtered.

She covered her mouth with one hand, doubling over in silent laughter. Tears rose in the corner of her eyes, "Sorry," she wheezed out, still laughing, but more audibly. "I was not expecting that."

"I thought it would taste like champagne!" he protested with a laugh of his own, then coughing on what was left in his throat. Jules laughed harder, "This is fizzling liquid sugar with a fruity tang."

"Sparkling grape juice." Jules responded, gaining composure. She giggled again, trying to hold her laughter in. "I guess I should have warned you."

He tasted it again, more prepared. "Wow, that's sweet." He said as they wandered along the outside of the room, arm in arm. "I don't think I can finish that." he grew silent as his thoughts traveled far away, "You know… my half brother would love that. I once caught him trying to sell a day's worth of food rations for a can of soda," Jamison shook his head with a smirk, "He was crazy. Still is." he amended, "I tried to send him a letter, but I haven't gotten one back. He can read and write a little, so that shouldn't be the problem. Maybe I'll write to him again." he shrugged. "Sorry, that was supposed to be funny."

Jules smiled in response, different from how she'd done only a few minutes before, "Write to him again, maybe the letter got lost in the mail or something." She said sweetly, rubbing his shoulder once.

"Yeah, I'll do that tomorrow when I get up." He responded.

They walked around the room, exchanging idle conversation, funny little anecdotes and such before they stopped before the crowd of dancers. Jamison's heart stumbled a little as he watched the swirling colors in front of them reflect off of Jules' large brown eyes. She seemed so enraptured by it.

"Jules, did you… did you want to dance?"

"It is a ball," she responded, clasping a hand with his and laying her other one gently on his shoulder.

Jamison placed his hand on the small of her back, his heart fluttering as she shuffled a little closer to him. They fit so perfectly. His fingers intertwined with hers, his hand gently holding her close to him. He began to step in a simple pattern, only staring into her eyes, studying every detail of her face. When the last few bars of the song came to a close and the next song began…

He had practiced for this. He led her closer to the center. He recognized this one. Falling a fair distance from others he stepped to the right, rocking back with his left foot, Jules stepping towards him, before he stepped back to the left. He breathed through the rhythm, focusing on the breath they shared, their faces so close together. He wanted to lean in and kiss her. He ached to do so, but as the music reached its first peak, he set up to spin her in a perfect circle. She spun into his arms, her arms crossed over her chest holding each of his hands. She leaned her head on his chest where his shoulder met his neck.

He smiled, looking down at the dark haired woman he held close. She was wearing the perfume he bought her a few weeks ago. Emma had helped him pick it out for her. They swayed for a few more measures, the step pattern now as natural as breathing. He set his foot up, his knee right behind her, before she dipped backwards, his arms easily holding her up.

He didn't have to see to know she was smiling. He'd had a difficult time with that for almost the duration of the time they had begun to dance together. She gracefully flowed back onto her feet, resuming the simple footwork from the beginning of the dance.

His heart pounded harder, his face began to flush. Something he had debated telling her for a while crept to mind. Jules was so perfect. She was kind, and caring. She was headstrong, but never obnoxious about standing firm. It was all done so gently, so sweetly.

"Jamison? What are you doing here?" He remembered showing up to her dorm the time she said she was sick with a blanket and some snacks.

"I don't get sick, so you don't have to worry about infecting me." he'd scooped her up in her mini pajama shorts and oversized t-shirt, setting her on the plush couch of the living room she shared with a few other girls.

He'd tucked her into the blanket, pulling her onto his lap. She turned on the TV, pulling up a popular video streaming application. And if she wasn't perfect before, she certainly was now."Want to watch a thriller? Don't freak out, but I find them a good way to totally chill out. And before you tell me how strange that is—"

"It's cute babe. And you're in luck, because this movie," he hit play on the one she'd stopped at, "happens to be in my top three."

He shut his eyes against the colors of the ballroom and closed the gap between them, kissing her briefly, "Jules I— I love you." He finally blurted. He tried not to panic, his eyes darting from her gaze, to the floor, to their hands…

She stopped dancing, and stood so still. He thought he might die as she stared into his eyes for one agonizingly long moment. He couldn't read the emotions flickering across her flawless features. Did he ruin it? Was it too soon to say—

She grabbed his chin in one of her hands, tilting it down towards her. Her thumb caressed his jaw before she finally spoke, "I'm so glad you're good at making first moves." She pressed her lips against his swiftly, her hands stopping the gentle circles, turning into a hard grasp. He grabbed her wrist, pressing into the kiss. One of her arms swept over his shoulder, her fingers digging into his back. "I love you too," she breathed, before he pulled her back towards him. Her mouth parted slightly, and a little breathless noise escaped her lips.

He stepped back with a sly smile, "there's a hedge maze outside, if you wanted to continue this away from the eyes around the room." He could ignore the stares coming from all around them, but he knew Jules had hesitations.

"Baby it's snowing," she replied, one hand still against his face. He couldn't concentrate with her slim fingers making tiny movements all around.

"There are heaters all through it," He said, his voice low enough that it was almost a growl. He took off his jacket, putting it over her shoulders. "Are you in?"

He'd never been happier to hear the word yes.

As casually as he could, he linked his arm with hers, guiding her towards the double doors they entered through. Only, he was no longer gaping at the building. He tried to look straight ahead to avoid tripping down the staircase in front of him, but he kept casting glances over at Jules, who seemed not to notice somehow.

He smirked at the sight of her wearing his coat, many sizes too large for her. Though it dwarfed her… he tilted his head to the side. His heart fluttered and he couldn't quite place why he loved seeing her in his coat. She had one hand in his, her other one gently rubbing the fabric of the coat along the seam.

The snow was gently fluttering from the sky, barely even a flurry. The flakes landed in Jules' hair, sparkling alongside the tiny metal flowers in the light from the hall. Their footsteps crunched along the white gravel drive as they wandered towards the hedge maze.

The entrance was covered in delicate fairy lights, and evergreen boughs with the colored ribbons. They stopped beneath it, Jamison's hands moving to her hips. He pressed his thumbs gently against her skin, tugging her slightly closer to him. She had to tilt her head up to see him.

"Now what?" She asked him, her hands rubbing circles on his forearms.

Laughter deeper within the maze interrupted them. Footsteps crunched in the gravel.

Jamison sighed and let his hands drop to his sides. "I knew privacy was too much to ask," he laughed humorlessly. Of course somebody else would have the same idea.

"Maybe we should head back." Jamison said with a little reluctancy. Someone might notice their absence anyway. Neither of them moved.

"Did you have plans after?" Jamison asked as they sat on a bench just outside the maze watching a pair of newcomers arrive at the dance. "There is a restaurant outside of campus that is staying open late exclusively for students after the dance." he offered, rubbing her hand with his thumb.

Jules sighed heavily. "I'd love to, but my parents are taking me home for the winter holidays tonight actually." Jamison's look must have conveyed enough because she continued, "I know, I asked them to wait a few days. I wanted to finish the last week of classes, but apparently they want to fly all the way out here and then home in a matter of twenty-four hours, but who am I to judge?" She let her hands drop.

"Can I meet them?" Jamison looked over and knew he asked the wrong question. "Hey, hey what is it?" He gently cupped the side of her face with one hand, turning her to face him. Her lips were etched into a frown, no trace of her brilliant smile from earlier.

"I really don't think that's the best idea." she laughed nervously, fidgeting with her fingers. "They're just really not the most accepting people sometimes if you know what I mean."

Something hit him in the chest. Hard. Fighting his wince he just smiled and kissed her forehead, "Hey. I get it." He tried to keep his tone casual, unconcerned. "If they aren't ready, or you aren't ready, it's fine. I was just curious."

She seemed to relax a tad bit, but something still lingered. Jamison had gotten used to it; The glances, some whispered words. Most kids shied away from pranks or teasing after a video of him sparring had hit the online newsletter. Many had been accepting of him though. More than he'd expected. It took only a few weeks for this place to become his new normal. Sure Gisa's mother had threatened to ruin everything, but he had always lived in the moment and tried to look away from it. And Gisa had fixed it. He knew that some people would never give them that second chance like the prince did. Perhaps Jules' parents were some of those types.

Jamison put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. As long as she trusted him, and he never betrayed that trust, nothing else really mattered to him.

"You're flying back tonight then for certain?" Jamison asked her for the tenth time in a row. "You're missing all the times we get to goof off in classes now that finals are done. You'll miss the fair and you won't get first pick on classes for next semester—"

She put one finger to his lips, hushing him. "Babe I told you this wasn't my decision. You've convinced me. I'd love to stay." Something like a mirthless laugh came from her lips. "My parents just have a huge tradition over the holidays. They ended classes much later this year than last year."

"I wasn't here last semester," he protested, holding both of her hands in his. They stood on the drive waiting for the limo to bring them back to their dorms. A few other couples who came with them milled around nearby. He wished so very badly to disappear into that now vacated hedge maze.

Jules traced his gaze and shook her head. "It's not even a month. I'll be back before you know it Jamie." She tapped his nose.

Jamison pouted, batting her hand away, "You know I don't like that name. Plus a month is basically forever. What am I supposed to do while you're gone?"

Jules rolled her eyes, but he could see the smile that was trying to hide. "I promise we can video call for as many hours as you like. We're only in a little bit of a different time zone, but you stay up until ungodly hours anyway, so that will be fine." Her features softened as she saw how much it really was bugging Jamison, "Baby, I'll be back before you know it."

As the limo pulled up, Jamison slid an arm around her waist. "You know. It was a good last night to spend with you." He paused, "Before you leave me forever."

She laughed, swatting his shoulder with her hand, "It's only a month you baby!"

The ride home was filled with everyone's incessant chatter about the dance, but Jamison was content to wedge himself in a corner and watch Jules. She threw her head back, laughing so hard he could see tears in the corner of her eyes. She waved a hand to emphasize a point she was making, spilling Aaron's soda all over him. Her hands flew to her mouth, but a giggle escaped nonetheless.

Jamison let himself smile slightly. He was going to miss her so much. A month wasn't a long time, she was correct. But everyone would be off campus for at least a week around the solstice. Only himself, Gisa, Ron and Emma would be on campus for certain. There were other people who stayed, but not many. And nobody that he knew well. Sure Ron was good company, and he was sure they'd meet up with the girls. Gisa would probably dye his hair pink with whatever new spell she was working on by accident and they'd have a great time. But he'd miss these nights most. Where he'd see Jules light up and make him want to give everything for her.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to maintain a stoic face as they pulled up to the courtyard by their dorms. This would be it. She had her bags all packed by the staff while she was gone. The goodbye would be short and sweet as she didn't want the security team her parents sent to see him. He supposed he understood.

"Hey look there's a whole escort here." Sean said, pointing to a caravan of black vehicles. "Did the king decide to show up to his son's dorm room or something?"

Jamison looked over to Jules whose eyes were wide. She looked over to him, panic strewn on her features. His brow furrowed. "My parents came." She whispered to herself more than him.

Jamison looked over to the caravan. The vehicles were nicer than he'd ever driven. Ever seen even. A few well dressed people emerged from one car, obviously a security team, and took up positions around a vehicle in the center. "Jules, who are your parents?"