Althena Book 2

25. Dance

"THENA LOOK HERE." Flashes go off.

"QUEEN ALTHENA."

Cyrus pulls me closer to him, then guides me about half way to the door. "Is your dress good?"

I adjust it a little and make sure my leg is peeking at the slit. Then I straighten his tie. We smile for the cameras and try to let them get a picture. Then he steps back and straightens my dress where he was pressed against me. "I'm right here. Let them get you." He steps away a few steps and the cameras go crazy again.

"STICK YOUR SHOE OUT A LITTLE MORE PLEASE."

I smile at the photographer and do what she wants. After another minute, Cyrus puts his arm back around me and leads me in.

The locker walls are covered in black fabric. Trees and bushes decorate the hall. The trees are bent and come together in the middle of the ceiling. It seems like we're walking in a tunnel of trees and fairy lights. "My locker is behind there somewhere."

"The decorations are nice. I can't even tell it's the school I was in a few days ago."

"It does look nice. Lila said something about putting us on the decorating committee. I guess she forgot."

We get to the cafeteria and stop moving. "You're probably lucky about that. This is intense."

I nod. The cafeteria has half the tables set up. They are decorated with big bouquets of flowers in the middle. Tea light candles surround the flowers. Lanterns hang down over each table, giving a fire glow to everything. The ceiling has fairy lights hanging all over it.

The other half of the cafeteria is set up for pictures. They have 2 photographers taking pictures in forest backgrounds. Another 10 areas are set up for people to take their own pictures. Everything from an alter with hanging lanterns to a tunnel with flowers hanging off trees. They are unique picture areas.

He pulls me close. "We should have brought a photographer."

"I'm starting to think that too. This is beautiful."

"Let's get a picture while there's no line for him."

He has the most interesting backdrop for the picture. A tree holds a crystal chandelier above us. A fake waterfall is behind us. And it looks like we're standing on a dirt path. "I wonder if magicians set this up?"

"No. It's all props." He pulls me against him right under the chandelier. "I bet it will look amazing printed."

"Look right this way and smile." He takes a picture then makes us change places. "Stick your shoe out please."

Cyrus smirks.

"What?"

"He wants your leg out, but he can't say that. He's trying to show off more of the dress in the picture."

I giggle and fix myself. Then I pull Cyrus against me and we get a few more taken.

We get to the next photographer. It appears to be a dirt path again. But there are trees on both sides bent to make a tunnel. Lanterns light the path. It's a pretty backdrop too.

"Do you want one by yourself here?"

I shake my head. "No. We did that already. Outside."

"Can I get a picture of you with the hanging flowers?"

We get a closer look at the photo areas and take a few of each other. Then we end up with the food. "I didn't even see the food when we came in."

"Me either. That's weird. They're snacks." He hands me a cookie and a cup.

"Thank you, sir." I take a sip and nearly choke.

He tries it and laughs. "I'm not saying anything. But don't drink that."

"Yea, someone got some alcohol in the juice."

"At this point, it's more alcohol than juice. Don't they check it on occasion?"

"I guess not." I grab us each a bottle of water. Then we sit and eat cookies. "This is nice."

"It really is. I wasn't expecting half this. I've been to less decorated royal balls."

Lauren sits beside us laughing. "You said balls."

Cyrus laughs at her, then Lila and Clayton come over. "I've been looking all over for you. We're going to have to take pictures of each other. The photographers won't leave their f*****g backdrops. What have you seen so far?"

"This."

Cyrus points. "We came in from that hallway."

Lila nods. "Go see the gym. Then we'll take pictures."

"Alright, watch Lauren. Someone put alcohol in the juice."

"I'm fine."

"Cyrus said balls."

She cracks up laughing.

Lila laughs. "I see. Ok, go check out the gym."

I take Cyrus's arm and lead him to the gym. Then we get frozen in the doorway. "I am never joining a decorating committee here."

"I don't blame you."

There is an actual waterfall on the far wall. We can't see any of the seats. All the edges of the gym floor have trees that go to the ceiling. The gym floor is nothing but fog. The ceiling has hanging fairy lights, flowers, lanterns, and crystal balls.

"Thank you for coming to the enchanted forest dance. We hope you enjoy it."

He puts his arm around me and leads me into the fog area. Then he slow dances with me.

"Thank you for coming with me."

"Thank you for bringing me. Everything about this is amazing. You mostly."

I snuggle against his chest. He's warm and smells amazing. I open my eyes and Penn is standing in front of me. "Hi."

"I thought you would be with Drogon. I can wait until Monday."

Cyrus nods. "Good idea. Go check the juice."

Penn stares at him for a second, then takes off. "Damn kids."

I giggle and hug him. "Why did you tell?"

"Some of these kids are way too young to have liquor. It could hurt them. I didn't realize kids this young were here."

"I think it starts at 12 or 13. Whatever 7th grade is."

"That's too young." He twirls me then pulls me back against him. "I liked it better when you were cuddling me."

I giggle. "I was smelling you too. You smell good."

"You smell amazing." He kisses my head. "I could do this forever." He tilts my chin up with his thumb and kisses me.

I feel my muscles relax and tingles flow through me.

"You've kissed for 45 minutes. Let's go take pictures now."

"It hasn't been that long, Lila."

"Yes. It has. Come on. Your brother is babysitting Lauren and Amber, so I can find you. You can come back and kiss him more after pictures."

"Fine."

Cyrus laughs and pulls me against him as we walk back to the cafeteria.

Clayton looks over his phone at us. "Nice lipstick."

Cyrus wipes his mouth off and I fix mine. Then we take pictures of each other.

Half an hour later, I think I have 15 pictures with Cyrus at every picture spot. I have a couple with the girls.

"No. I do not want to take anymore pictures. And especially not with Clayton."

Clayton nods and rubs his eyes. "We don't want to take pictures at a dance together."

Lila gives us a dirty look. "Your mom would like it. Just go stand over there." She pushes us. "See, pretty trees. Now act like you like each other."

Clayton turns around. "I am not taking a picture with my sister at a dance."

"We have enough pictures. Let's try the juice again." I turn and stare off into space.

"YOU ARE TAKING THIS PICTURE. LOOK HERE." Amber jumps up and down.

"No pictures." Clayton flips around and crosses his arms.

I hear a click and put my hands on my hips. I glare at Amber. Then I hear more clicks. She cracks up laughing. "I got it."

"What?"

Lauren grabs Amber. "You 2 are the strongest people in Darkburn and you look like you're about to murder everyone in the picture." She tosses her phone at me and falls over, taking Amber with her.

I look at the picture and laugh. "We are so mad." I show him.

He smiles. "That is a neat picture."

Lila nods. "Nobody would ever want to piss you 2 off. Other than Amber. I guess she can piss you off and nothing happens. Get up."

"I can't. Lauren won't move."

"I'm trying. You keep kneeing me in the stomach."

"Well, get off my knee."

Cyrus and Clayton pick them up and put them on their feet.

"That's better. Thank you. Let's take pictures over there now."

Clayton and I yell, "NO."

Cyrus grabs me. "We're going back to dancing."

"That wasn't dancing."

Clayton nods. "Remember to fix your lipstick before you go home."

Cyrus smirks and pulls me away. He says loudly enough for Clayton to hear, "He's just jealous he's not fixing his."

I get a few more dances and kisses before we head home.