Fireworks

I involuntarily ducked my head as fireworks exploded just above. I stopped weaving through people as my eyes watched in wonder at the beauty of blooming flowers in the sky. Someone bumped into my shoulder hard and I remembered that I had somewhere to be. I had someone to be with.

I turned on my mobile and searched for your instructions and remembered that you said you would be sitting somewhere near the lake. I hopped up and down, trying to see above people's heads. Everyone was so tall, it was unfair. Squeezing through tangled limbs of swimming alcohol, I finally found you peacefully resting on a picnic rug.

You opened your eyes and reaching out with one hand, you pulled me down beside you. I rest my head gently on your chest and closed my eyes. For a while, we said nothing, just simply listening to the chaotic collapse of the universe. I felt the rumbling of your voice as you spoke into my ear, 'I thought you didn't like me?' The question took me by surprise, I sat up and stared down at you with bewildered eyes, 'It's not that I don't like you.' You searched my wavering eyes, 'Then what is it then?' I looked away from you, unsure how to reply when what we had was so fragile. So easily broken apart. Like the fleeting moment fireworks lit up the sky.

'I like you more than I should.'

Second best

I weave through the crowds of mangled bodies.
People scream into my ears and their yells echo through the veins of my body. There is too much noise.
I can't concentrate. I can't find anyone. My eyes search for familiar faces. I can't find him. Enough yelling and pushing. You're not whom I'm looking for.

There.
There you are. We lock eyes through the mass of coloured heads. You reach for me through the tangled limbs.
Our fingers brush and we're together finally. With hands interlocked, we dance through the blur of strangers. It doesn't matter. They don't matter. You pull me in close, our bodies moulding into each other. You press into my collarbone and burn my skin. You leave your territorial marks all over my neck. You stare at me with your smirk, daring me to protest. But I don't.

Until I remember.

'Don't you have a girl friend?'

'I love her but I'm allowed to like you, aren't I?'

I don't reply. My answer catches in my throat. I don't know if I like the idea of being second best.

I don't remember Prince Charming to be such a prick.

Prince Charming

I stepped out of my small Mazda and adjusted my scarf while crossing the dimly lit street. The air was cold and my breath floated like will-o-the-wisps. I slipped through the rusty back gate and was enveloped by the booming sound of music and crashing bodies.

In the back half of the yard was a matted platform where boys clothed in black were performing near impossible acts of acrobatics. But this wasn't gymnastics, this art. Martial arts. I blushed as people started to notice me. I was never comfortable with being in the spotlight; especially when I was the only girl in the vicinity.

My brother nodded his head in my direction. It was his silent way of acknowledging my presence as he continued his training. The plan was for me to watch quietly by the sidelines but my friend James was never a follower of plans, 'ANNA!!!' I watched in horror as he yelled my name while running across the yard with Eriol behind him. They stopped short of collapsing on me and threw their sweat dripping shirts over my head. The boys laughed when I screamed in agony of the stench, 'Ahhhhhhh!!!! Gross, get your sweat off me! Go back to your training!'

James laughed as he picked up his shirt and skipped back to the mats with his weekly mission completed. I was now left with Eriol who was comfortably standing in the Winter night, topless. I flicked him a look, 'Hey Prince Charming, aren't you going to put your shirt back on?' He leaned over me and whispered into my ear huskily, 'I was under the impression that you liked staring at my irresistible naked chest.' I pushed him away while shivering at the slight touch, 'Just put your shirt back on.'

He smiled at me, 'Only if you're the one doing it for me.'
I couldn't help but let out a laugh, 'You, my dear friend have a really big head.' Eriol grinned openly and shrugged nonchalantly, 'Hey, I thought you already knew that, what with my irresistible charm.' He then tugged at my wrist and lead me into a empty training hall, away from the others. I looked up at him puzzled as he closed the door, 'Why are we in the training hall?'

'Because you're going to help me wear my shirt.' I sighed in defeat, I was never going to win against him. He leaned down so that I could fit the collar over his head. As he straightened up, he wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me closer to him. Eriol then pushed my back against the wall and I realised what he was about to do. He inclined his head and searched my eyes intently, asking for permission. Because, he was Prince Charming, he would never stoop to the level of forcing himself onto anyone.

But I wasn't ready.

I placed my hand gently over his lips and whispered, 'No.' He gazed at me with a look of confusion and hurt but didn't question me. I turned away from him, 'Sorry Eriol, you're moving a bit fast. There's still so much I don't know about you.' His fingers guided my face towards him again, 'I'm sorry. How about I take you to dinner tomorrow and give you the chance to become familiar with me?'

I smiled at him, 'You always have an answer to everything. Come on, we should head back. My brother's waiting for me.' So we returned outside with Eriol holding my hand firmly. I was about to leave with my brother when Eriol called for the attention of everyone that wasn't already staring at us. And our hands.
'Attention all losers! I officially have a date with Anna tomorrow!' Eriol beamed as everyone either screamed with excitment or groaned in disappointment. There were boys who to my suprise were visibly stone shocked.

I flicked an embarrassed glance at Eriol, 'You're so not charming.'
He replied simply, 'They're just sad they can't secretly admire you anymore.'