Chapter 9: Lady (Alex's POV) I looked around, trying to see if I could spot a bathroom. I just wanted quiet for a minute, my heels were also killing me. "Which way is the bathroom?" I asked. "Down that hall to the right," Carter replied. "Thanks," I said before excusing myself and walking over there. As I expected, the bathroom was huge and there was even a little couch in it. I sat down and knocked my heels off, leaning against the wall and sighing. "Damn these stupid parties," I mumbled before standing up and looking at myself in the mirror while I ran fingers through my hair and kept it in check. My hair is long, like waist-length long, so straightening it took a while. I checked on my makeup again, reapplied some lip gloss, slid my heels back on with a few lovely curses, and then headed back out. I opened the door and was walking down the hall when Clark blocked the hallway. Not that I know his last name, because it isn't Reed as Carter said, but even if I did, I couldn't bring myself to respect him enough to call him Mr. Whatever his last name is. I did not like him, he creeped me out. I tried to simply push past him but he mirrored my steps and kept in my way. "Can I help you?" I asked with the fakest smile possible. "You look very lovely, Alex," he said, "Very lovely." He took a step closer and instinctively I took one back. "Excuse me?" I chuckled awkwardly when I should have kicked him in the balls. "What are you doing here? Away from the party?" he questioned. "I was using the ladies' room," I answered. "Of course, a lady has needs," he sneered. "Right, that need is using the bathroom. And you don't look like a lady to me, can I ask why you're here?" I questioned. He stepped back with a chuckle and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Very well, I was just taking a stroll around the place. It's been a while since I last came here," he said. "Enjoy the night," I said before slipping out of there as quickly as I could. "Fucking asshole," I mumbled under my breath while turning around to glance at him as he stared very shamelessly at my retreating figure. I turned around and crashed into someone, almost knocking their drink over. "I am so sorry!" I gasped. "It's all right," he chuckled, "Are you all right, Alex?" he asked. "Yes, Mr. Reed, I'm sorry, I wasn't minding my step," I gave him a small sheepish smile. "Well that's all right," he said before he was called over by some other guests. I continued walking back over to Carter who was still in the same spot, still looking bored to death, still sipping on champagne. "I thought I said no more champagne for you," I said while taking his glass and placing it on the nearest table. "I'm bored out here," he sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "We still have two hours till midnight," I replied, standing beside him as we both stood in the same position, watching people wander around. He sighed again, his shoulders slumping. Judging from everyone else here, we're all supposed to be standing like we're from the royal family. Back straight, chin up, chest out. I poked his back until he stood straight again. He turned to me with a blank look. "Stand straight," I shrugged. "You stand straight," he retorted. "I'm not a Reed," I smirked. "Not yet," he winked. I rolled my eyes before standing straight and linking my arm with his. "Wanna dance? It kills time," he shrugged. I left my clutch on the table and walked with him. "Now that you can dance," he gave me a pointed look, "Please do." "What is the routine?" I asked while chuckling. "No partner switch like last time, but yeah, there are two routines," he said. "Which are?" I questioned. "The first one is normal slow dancing, your body will know when to turn when to step back and everything. But the other one…" he trailed off, leaving me to look at him questioningly. "It's a little fast," he said. "How fast?" I inquired. "Fast, but you should be fine." I stared at him in confusion. "Well, I'm the best dance partner you can get. I'm also the youngest one here so I can move my body," he smirked. "Right," I said slowly and unsurely. The music kept playing, we kept dancing and then the music stopped and the older couples started stepping away. "Ready?" he chuckled. "No," I said while noticing that we were in the middle of everybody else. He smirked before placing one hand on the small of my back before pulling me close until I was pressed against him. I gave him a blank look but he simply winked at me before he began moving and my body automatically fell into step with his and followed his rhythm. When he would step forward, I would step back. When he went right, I went right. When he let go of my waist, I would know to extend my arm and roll myself in. When he'd pull me close, I would know to move my hips with his. I would also know this is not normal to be doing with someone who is basically a stranger. But it's dancing. People dance with strangers all the time. Everyone was grinning and breathing heavily by the end while whoever wasn't dancing applauded. This felt intense. I laughed while we both took a step back before everyone dispersed around the room. "Oh, my God. That was a lot," I chuckled while sitting down at the table where I left my purse. "I know, I can't believe they do this every year," he said while taking his suit off and rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. I glanced around instead of looking at him, which seemed a little harder than it should have until he spoke up. "Do you wanna take a little break from the party?" he asked. "Sure," I said. He held his hand out and then led us up the stairs and snuck us out of the party and into a different room. I observed the room and concluded that the room was his. Mainly from his lacrosse equipment sitting in the corner. "So, this is your room?" I asked while sitting at the edge of his bed as he handed me a water bottle. "Yeah," he answered while placing his blazer on his desk chair and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt before sitting beside me. "I can tell," I said while cracking the bottle open. "What gives it away?" he questioned. "The lacrosse equipment," I laughed. "Right, of course," he chuckled. ◆:*:◇:*:◆:*:◇:*:◆ I was standing there waiting while Carter went to tell his dad that it was midnight and I had to be home. "Leaving so soon?" I turned around and saw Clark. "I have to be home," I answered without sparing him a glance. "I hope to see you around," he said before disappearing into the crowd. I rolled my eyes. Did he not feel ashamed of being such a pervert? Carter nodded before turning around and walking over to me. "I'll drop you home. Come on," he offered. "You don't have to. I can manage," I smiled. "Please let me. I can get out of here even if it's just for five minutes," he chuckled while leading us out. Obviously, it didn't make sense to drive, so we were walking but the second we stepped out of his house, I stopped and took my heels off. "I don't think that's a good idea," he said while watching me. "I can't walk in them any longer. Four hours in heels is enough for me," I sighed while holding them in my hands while we continued walking in a comfortable silence till we reached my house. "Thanks for coming tonight. It helped a lot," he said once we reached the front steps to my house. "Anytime. Plus, it was kind of fun," I shrugged. "And I'm sorry about Clark. I know you must have been uncomfortable," he said uneasily. "It's okay, you didn't do anything," I replied. "Right. Well, goodnight," he smiled. "Night," I smiled back before going up to my door. I went in and up to my room where I could see him looking up at my window before he began walking back. I honestly felt bad knowing that he would have to be there by himself with no one to keep him company. If it wasn't for the heels. I contemplated it. It wasn't like I was tired and wanted to sleep anyway. So I threw those damn heels back on and went back downstairs and out the door. "Carter!" I called out. He turned around and walked back over to me. I linked my arm with his and he looked at me, confused. "Someone has to keep you company for the rest of tonight, might as well be me." . . . .