Don't you let it go.

The lingering question kept me up. Two am. Who do you love?

Claire Browning entered the party wearing a short simple dress. With a red lining on the top and botom, floral print design (white, with red flowers). It wasn't too flashy, but not too plain, it was just right. The length of her dress was a few inches above her knee, a thin straps on her shoulders. It hugged her body just right, not being loose or too tight.
Her long brown hair went past her shoulders, with small curls on the ends. Black wedge shoes, criss-crossed shiny straps over her small feet.

Music was playing, people dancing on the dance floor. Tables were lined up by the windows, people with cups in their hands drinking punch. It was in the middle of the day, and you could still see the sun out from the bright lengthy rectangular windows.

A familiar voice called out to her, and Claire smiled, taking her place on a chair, beside her group of friends.

"You look so gorgeous, Claire!" they exclaimed to her.

Her friends were also wearing party dresses, though mostly solid colours such as blue, purple, and black. You could tell that Claire stood out being uniquely different. They chatted for a bit, making conversation, sipping punch by the tables.

"Hey Claire," a smooth deep voice said behind her.

She recognized the voice almost instantly, but was hesitant to be sure.
Turning around she saw Michael Roberts.

"You look beautiful," he said smiling and taking her hand.

It was too good to be true. He looked absolutely ravishing in his suit.
She was right of course, it was too good to be true. She saw one of her friends behind him, seeming like she was pushing him towards her, or even supervising him to her.

She gave an small unattractive scowl, only noticeable to the person infront of her and herself.

"Thank you," she said taking her hand from him and turning away.

Claire took her cup of punch and took a small drink, putting it back on the table.

From her peripheral vision, she saw that Michael was still there.

"Um... so, how are you?" he said not quite nervously.

He's trying to make conversation. I wonder why. He probably wouldn't be talking to be if Gabby wasn't watching. Ugh.

"I'm fine, thank you, yourself?" she replied politely.

This was painful. So painful.

Michael took Claire's hand again and this time held it, intertwining their fingers.
It fit perfectly.

This was too much. Her mind and heart were fighting.

She wanted him to hold her hand. It felt so good, and so right. For Pete's sake, they fit perfectly together! Just like she always knew. She wanted it to last forever, for him to hold her like that all the time.
She looked at him after a few short moments. Letting go of his hand forcibly, she turned away from him again.

No. Why did I do that?

A sad look came over his face. Why did he have to look so nice tonight?

Looking at Claire for a brief moment, he looked at Gabby, the girl behind him, egging him to do something. Of course, she would. He would.

Claire didn't want that. She didn't want someone supervising on him, making sure everything he did was right. Was what she always wanted him to do. She wanted him to fight for her himself, not because someone told him to.

What was he going to do now?

Using her peripheral again, she saw that he was hesitating on what do to next.
Are you going to leave again? She thought ruefully.

Michael's hand was reaching for Claire's shoulder, to comfort her or maybe hug her. But then stopped mid-air as Claire turned away again, still sitting on the chair, crossing her shoulders.

Backing down, he just sat there. Like a clueless little boy waiting for something to happen.

She saw he wasn't going to do anything. Just like last time.

Claire stood up and left him sitting there. Her friends were still chatting, completely oblivious to what just happened in those few moments.

She knew that Gabby had her hands on her hips, yelling at him that he didn't do anything, him putting his hands in the air exclaiming that "She left."

He wasn't going to go after her.

~~~~

The next day was awarding. In a great marble hall, people were gathered around. Wearing fancy clothing, unlike last time.
Yesterday was just a small teen party. Today was a celebration.

The boys, wearing fancy black tuxes. Girls, long flowing ball gowns, with jewelry added.

Excitement filled the room. People were taking their seats on the big table, those who were presenting the medals there, with an empty seat beside them.

Those who weren't presenting, stood on the side of the room, waiting, and anticipating whether or not if they had won one.

People were called up, one by one, in between were applauds for them. Then they would sit down beside the person who had put the medal on them.

Claire walked in, late.
Her brown hair, looked lighter against the chandelier lighting. It was pulled up into a high simple bun. Small diamond studs on her ears. A white, flowy fabric flowed down her body.

Again, she stood out, looking differently. While others wore dark colours filled with decor on them, she was always the simple one. Silver heeled shoes, on her feet, she stood behind the last in line.

No one even noticed she were late, as those with awards were getting the most attention.

She looked around the room, then at the grand table. She saw that her best friend had gotten an award, in her light pink feathery gown. Her gold medal shone brilliantly. She was sitting beside Damian, the presenter of her medal.

Noticing the pattern... boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl...
It was curious.

Her friend, James was called, and Selena placed a medal around his neck. He proceeded then to sit bedside her.

More people were called, again, more applauds.

"Claire Browning!"

--

Claire ended up sitting beside him again.

A strand of hair fell across her face. She looked so beautiful. Just so beautiful.

Michael ignored it, just as he ignored her completely. Or tried to.
Fighting the urge to brush it out of her face, he just stared straight ahead into the speaker on the podium.

He kept a unexpressive face when he had put the medal around her neck. He didn't even pull her chair, but just sat down, letting her seat herself.

In the past maybe he would've loved to seat her, he always did.
But things were different now, she wouldn't even look at him, not that he saw.

Everything was messed up. And he wasn't even going to bother to try to fix it.
Why should he anyways? It wasn't his fault.

The annoying part was Gabby was always trying to get him to talk to her. Even though he didn't want to. He would've rather be flirting with other girls, even prettier than Claire. He was over her already. Over. They were over.

It's useless to bring back the past. Useless.

--

Claire fiddled with her medal, giving quick glances at Michael.
He was completely ignoring her.

He didn't even seat her like all the other boys did. Or looked at her.
Maybe once, when he was giving her the medal, but nonetheless, he kept his eyes straight ahead.

I made a mistake, she thought. Maybe I shouldn't have ignored him yesterday. Now he's ignoring me. All I wanted was for him to chase after me. To fight for me.

She knew that would never happen.

Claire wanted him to talk. Waiting, waiting. Talk to me!

Isn't the guy supposed to pursue the girl? Not the other way around?
But somehow Claire felt the need to do something. She wasn't just going to wait until he said something. They were sitting beside each other supposedly, and at the end of the table! They should talk. Or something at least.

Oh no. They just had announced that now the partners were going to dance. People started getting up and dancing, some just chatting and eating on the table, laughing even.

Will Michael ask her to dance? Or will she have to?

This is painstaking. Not fair.
He just stared ahead. Who was he looking at?

I bet it's that pretty girl in the tight hot pink dress. She looks like she's not even clothed.

Okay, she needed to break the silence. It was getting awkward now.

She remembered back then when there was hardly any silences. They were always talking constantly. And if they weren't talking, they were either holding hands or --

Enough about that.

"Michael?"

He only replied with a grunt. Wow. Classy guy, he is.

"Would you like to dance with me?"

Claire couldn't believe she just asked Michael to dance with her. She wanted to. She always has, but well, didn't want to seem like it.

Suprising her, Michael got up and took her waist. Placing her hands on his shoulder, she took his other hand and held it.

The music played beautifully. It was a myriad of lovely instruments that sung brightly.
She stared into his deep green eyes. He was so handsome.

They danced, a little awkward and slowly at first, only moving side to side on the first song.
But towards the next, he twirled her around like he used to. And she spun gracefully under his arms. She remembered why she had fell for him. She remembered.

They held each other's hand like they didn't want to let go. Like they wanted the moment to last forever.

--

The moment didn't last long. At all.

Shortly after the 2nd song a jaw droppingly gorgeous girl came up to Michael.

She had stunning blue eyes that sparkled like new crystals, long dark eyelashes that curled oh so perfectly towards the ceiling, with mascara no doubt, and a perfect figure 8 body.

Miss Hot Pink Dress.

"Hey there Mike," she giggled, "Can I call you that? Mike?"

Almost in an instant, Michael had dropped Claire on the floor, not even noticing.

"Sure," he replied cooly.

"Wanna dance?" her perfect white teeth flashed at him.

Without a word, Michael and miss body left Claire on the floor, getting ready to dance.

--

To be continued...

--

Yeah :) So that was story that came about as soon as I started typing. What do you think?

Oh and if you haven't noticed, the title and the first line are lyrics from a song.. I'm clever that way. haha.