Dance (Our Own Party)

We got back to the hotel, and the stress that had been building up the last few months faded away. We crashed, all of us, but especially me.

The next afternoon, I awoke. I honestly didn't realise how sleep-deprived I was until now. I still can't process the fact we won.

"You up now?" Darcy asked.

"Do I have to?"

"If you don't, how will you get ready for the party tonight?"

"Do I have to go?"

"It's not really official, so no, but as the winner, you should probably go. Besides, Marco will be there."

I got up and began to get ready.

"Darcy, help."

"With what?"

"My outfit."

She pulled a face, which suggested it would be a pain.

"Please," I begged.

She sighed.

"Fine."

A chill ran down my spine.

"No dresses," I quickly added. I had worn more dresses these last few weeks than I ever wanted.

She clicked her tongue.

"Fine."

Since it wasn't until tonight and wasn't as important, we took it easy and slowly got ready. Although it was supposedly contestants only, we were welcome to bring along a guest each.

Jet had decided to invite Darcy, or perhaps she invited herself on Jet's behalf. Since Marco was already going to be there, I didn't plan to bring anyone.

The afternoon passed quickly, and with Darcy's help, I got looking real spiffy.

She had me dress up as I did on my date with Marco: in a white shirt, shorts, and suspenders, although she added a black suit jacket to match.

Darcy left early to go meet up with Jet. Leaving me alone to kill time. There was only one thing I wanted to do. I set my alarm and went back to bed. Once I was convinced others would already be there, I trekked over to the hall.

Sure enough, when I rocked up, the party was already underway. I headed over to the entrance where security was stationed. As I went to walk in, they blocked me.

"Um, can I go in?"

"This is an exclusive event. Only those with invotes are permitted to enter."

"I'm invited," I tried to protest.

"You may have got an invite from someone, but unless you enter with a Solstice participant, you are not permitted to enter, sorry."

Oh, this again.

I sighed.

"Don't worry, he's with me," A voice called from behind.

I turned to face Marco. He looked dashing in his grey suit, which hugged all the right places.

"If he's with you, you may enter."

Great, so they recognise Marco, but not the winner of Solstice.

I think what little of my manhood died.

He leaned in close and whispered.

"You look amazing."

My heart began to race.

"Y-you do too," I replied flustered.

Marco took my hand and led me inside.

"Hey look it's Marco."

There were cheers. A few people approached him and patted him on his back, congratulating him on third place, all before they went back to partying. On the other hand, nobody said anything to me. I hoped it was because they had said everything the previous night and had nothing more to add.

A few people mumbled, "I'm surprised Marco didn't come with Blake."

I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed. Disappointed in everyone.

I could hear some cackling in the corner of the room as Jet was trying to hold himself together, clearly taking joy at the fact nobody recognised me. He was wearing a black suit that matched his black hair.

Darcy reached up and yanked him by the ear. She was wearing a pale pink dress. Her beauty matched that of a fairy. It only further justified why I shouldn't wear a dress. I would look like trash next to a gorgeous goddess like her.

I looked around to see if the other two band members were present. Sure enough, Noah and Jane were slow dancing on the dancefloor. They both looked gorgeous together, almost like a newlywed couple. To be honest, I wouldn't put it past Noah to propose. Either way, they seemed absolutely lost in each other as they slowly danced to the most upbeat Solstice techno song that did not at all blend to a slow dance.

On the other hand, Luca was on the other side of the dance floor where the food table was. There were pizzas around, but he had stolen an entire roll of garlic bread. Chomping on it like a koala chewing on some eucalyptus leaves.

Near him, Pete was dancing more in keeping with the techno song. I wasn't sure if he was invited, given he was on stage with the rest of us, or if Luca invited him. Either way, he was here as well.

One of Iceland's two representatives got up on the stage, microphone in hand. The music faded out.

"Does anyone know if Blake is coming?" He asked.

"I thought I heard he was coming," Albania's representative responded to him.

Jet was pissing himself, Darcy was eying him off, she may not know what exactly was happening, but she knew he was up to no good.

"Um... I have been here for a while." I commented, holding my hand up.

There was silence.

Everyone looked blankly at me.

There was almost complete silence; the only noise was Jet rolling around on the ground, pissing himself with laughter.

Latvia's singer approached me slowly.

"Are you actually Blake?" She asked.

I looked her dead in the eyes. Or perhaps my eyes were dead. I certainly felt dead inside.

There was more silence.

"I guess Blake is actually here," she added.

"Let's party!" Aina cried out. Once again, Aina came to my rescue.

The music started up again, and everyone began to celebrate everything we had done over the last few months.

My friends Sofia, Josh, and Aina approached. They had given me space the previous night. We hadn't spoken since our win, and given how well Aina and Sofia went and how badly Josh felt, I was worried they might hate me.

I was a little anxious to speak to them. They looked at each other.

"Congratulations on winning," They all commented in unison.

"Thank you everyone," I began to cry. "You all mean the world to me."

─── ༻ ☼ ༺ ───

End of Chapter 45