Chapter 5: Prince-cess Charming??
[Danielle's]
The ball became less boring since I met that familiar stranger's face.
What could she be doing here—or rather, what was she doing there in that shoe shop?
Choose Shoes. That was the name written boldly outside the store. Yes, I'd noticed it. And that wasn't the first time. All our shoes were from there. They sell expensive brands—royal shoe brands?? At a place like that??
It didn't make sense, but somehow that's where most of my shoes came from. Or is there a bigger branch somewhere??
Okay, fine—even if they sell royal shoes, is that enough to get an invite to my once-in-a-lifetime Quinceañera??
The clock hands gradually clicked away while my thoughts drove smoothly—until I heard the trumpet blare.
"Time for the Prince and Princess to take the dance floor!"
The announcer said.
I wonder why he's yelling while using a microphone. Don't these people know how tech works??
I looked over at my beautifully adorned brother
He wore the dress better than he should, but hey—we agreed on the swap.
I took the lead, as the Prince, of course. I bowed my head, with my left hand bent behind my back and my right also bent, signaling a classic "can I have this dance" gesture to my brother-princess.
He's had plenty of practice pretending to be me and learning princessly etiquette, so of course, he knew exactly what came next.
He curtsied and placed his right palm on mine.
I led him to the middle of the ballroom, and our dance did the rest of the narrating.
...
Slowly, people joined in, enjoying being the Prince Charming to some Cinderella.
I hope no slippers slip. Heh.
Time flew. Songs changed. They were now playing [Canción de la pelota], and the dance required us to switch partners.
I particularly looked forward to this. I'm no freak, but yay—I get to hold waists in public.
Swaps were made a few times. The girls all tried to start weird conversations and kept complimenting my looks.
So boring.
Switched again. Eyes met.
Eyes locked.
I looked straight into her eyes, but couldn't help noticing the freckles around them.
It was her!
This was the part of the song where we were meant to hold position for a while before switching back to our original partners.
What are the odds.
"I thought Nikke Windforce was your favorite shoe brand,"
she commented, glancing down at my royal loafers with diamond pieces on them.
"Ohh, yeah - God forbids a gir...*coughs* guy tries new things?"
"I knew it was you. I couldn't possibly miss those dots in your golden pupil."
I never realized I had any dots. I guess I'll check afterwards.
This was the first facial commentary that amused me, maybe because it was new. All the other girls told me the same tired compliments.
Boring.
"So, what are you doing here?"
she asked, in an attempt to break the silence.
No stupid questions...just stupid answers, I guess.
"I'm the reason there's a 'here' at the moment. The question makes more sense directed at you."
"Well, apparently we'll be seeing each other a lot more than usual, Daniel."
She winked, saying it in the cheesiest tone that made my tummy twirl.
But my question was still unanswered. And my curiosity? Always gets the best of me.
Wrong timing. The key change in the music signified we were going back to square one.
I always found my brother interesting, but I was more intrigued by the mystery girl I had just danced with.
Can't believe I still don't know her name.
And what did she mean:
"Well, apparently we'll be seeing each other a lot more than usual..."?