CHAPTER 5. COUPLES DANCE LIKE THE OLD DAYS
EMILY COOPER POV'
I raised an eyebrow, surprised he still remembered my nickname.
"Callan? What are you doing here? I thought you lived in Malibu now."
Callan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"I do, but my dad is a business partner of Richard Hollen's. We were invited to the gala tonight. What about you? I didn't know you were friends with the Hollens too."
I shrugged, taking a seat next to my mom.
"My dad works for Richard. We were invited to the charity gala tonight. It's for a good cause, so we wanted to support it."
Callan nodded, taking a seat across from me.
"That's really cool. So, how have you been? It's been ages since we last saw each other. You look... different."
I smiled politely, trying to make small talk.
"I've been good. Just busy with school and stuff. You know how it is. And yeah, I've changed a bit since middle school. We all do, right?"
Callan laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Yeah, I guess so. I've changed too. I'm not the same awkward kid I was in middle school."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Oh yeah? How have you changed?"
Callan leaned back in his seat, a confident smile spreading across his face.
"Well, I'm more outgoing now. I'm not as shy as I used to be. And I'm more into sports. I play basketball and soccer now."
I nodded, impressed.
"That's great. I'm glad you've come out of your shell. You were always a great person, even if you were a bit awkward."
Callan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Thanks, Em. That means a lot coming from you."
He leaned forward, his expression turning serious.
"So, what's going on with you and Christopher? You two aren't... together anymore?
I felt a pang of surprise, unsure of how much Callan knew.
"How did you...? "
Callan smiled.
"I have my ways. Besides, I know you two were close. I'm just curious."
I sighed, unsure of how to answer.
"We're just friends now. We grew apart, I guess. "
Callan nodded, his expression understanding.
"I see. Well, I'm sure you'll find someone else. You're a great person, Em. "
"Thanks, Callan. That means a lot coming from you. "
We chatted for a bit longer, catching up on old times. It was nice talking to Callan again, even if it had been a while.
As we talked, I couldn't help but notice the way Callan looked at me. It was different from the way Christopher looked at me, but it was still... intense. Like he was really interested in what I had to say.
I found myself feeling drawn to him, wanting to know more about him. And I could tell he felt the same way.
It was a nice feeling, being around someone who seemed to like me for who I was. Not for my bestfriend and his family status. Just for me.
___
Our conversation was cut short, when soft music played in the background.
It was those kind of slow romantic dances for couples.
Looking at the dance fall, I saw familiar faces, especially Christopher and Alessia and I couldn't help but find them a good couple.
They looked perfect together, like they were meant to be.
I felt a pang of sadness, but I pushed it aside.
I was happy for Christopher, even if he wasn't with me.
I remembered the way he used to look at me, the way he used to smile.
I remembered the way he made me feel, like I was the only person in the world. But that was all in the past now. He had moved on, and so should I.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I didn't want to think about Christopher, didn't want to remember what we had. It was over, and I needed to move on.
That's when I heard Callan's voice, low and smooth.
"Can I have the dance Mi lady."
I turned to him, my heart skipping a beat. He was smiling at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He looked handsome, charming, and kind.
I nodded, feeling a flutter in my chest. I placed my small hand in his, and he intertwined our fingers. His touch was warm, gentle, and sent shivers down my spine.
I looked up at him, my eyes locking with his. He was looking at me, really looking at me. Not like I was just a friend, or an acquaintance. But like I was someone special, someone he was interested in.
I stared at our intertwined fingers, small fragments of my past came back.
It was that of Christopher and I.
I remembered the time he had taken me to his private terrace, to teach me how to dance the ballroom dance.
It was a few months ago, when we were still... whatever we were.
We weren't officially together, but we were something. We had a connection, a spark that I couldn't ignore.
Christopher had taken my hand, his touch sending shivers down my spine. I felt like I was melting into his arms, my heart racing with excitement.
"Like this, Emilia,(his nickname for me)"
he said, his voice low and husky.
"You need to feel the music, let it guide you."
I nodded, trying to focus on the music. But it was hard, especially when Christopher was so close.
I could smell his cologne, feel his warm breath on my skin. I felt like I was going to faint.
But Christopher was patient, teaching me the steps slowly.
He was a great teacher, and I was a quick learner. Soon, we were gliding across the terrace, our bodies moving in perfect harmony.
I felt like I was floating on air, my heart soaring with happiness.
As we danced, Christopher told me about his love of ballroom dancing.
He had learned from his father, who had learned from his father before him. It was a family tradition, passed down from generation to generation. I listened, entranced, my eyes locked on his.
I felt like I was in a dream, a fairy tale. I was the princess, and Christopher was my prince.
We were dancing at the ball, surrounded by candles and flowers. It was magical.
I remembered the way Christopher's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck.
I remembered the way he made me feel, like I was the only person in the world.
He would whisper things in my ear, like how beautiful I was, how much he loved being around me.
He would hold me close, his arms wrapped tightly around me.
I felt safe with him, like nothing could ever hurt me.
But now, it was nothing but a distant memory. Christopher was with Alessia, and I was with...
well, I wasn't really with anyone.
I was just here, dancing with Callan, trying to move on.
I looked up at Callan, who was smiling at me. He was handsome, charming, and kind.
But he wasn't Christopher. No one was.
I forced a smile, trying to push aside my thoughts.
I didn't want to think about Christopher, didn't want to remember what we had. It was over, and I needed to move on.
So I focused on Callan, on the way he was looking at me.
He seemed interested, seemed to like me. And I liked him too.
He was fun, charming, and easy to talk to. Maybe this was what I needed, someone to help me forget about Christopher.
I leaned in closer, my body swaying to the music.
Callan's arm wrapped around me, pulling me in. I felt a flutter in my chest, a spark of attraction.
Maybe this was it, maybe this was my chance to move on.