Music To Dance To {Open}

Jace entered the magnificent ballroom, the room was massive - especially since it was empty. His footsteps seemed to echo and rebound off the cavernous walls. The room was bathed in the mid-day sun and the heavy purple velvet drapes hung by the widows, tempting him - he wanted so badly to close them. He sighed and continued walking across the gleaming marble floor.
He hadn't come here to dance, in fact Jace was a hopeless dancer and did not want to relive those days. Instead he had come here for a much better reason. The small wooden stage on the other side of the ballroom beckoned to him, on it sat a grand piano for live entertainment and such. He smiled to himself and climbed the steps deliberately slowly, listening to every creak and groan of the wood. He dropped his backpack on the floor with a thunk and circled the glorious piano, feeling the even texture of the ebony polished wood and the smooth touch of the ivory keys. He tapped an A minor. It had been so long since he had played piano, he was self taught of course, his parents had had a piano and he played it whenever they were out.
He sat down on the bench and familiarized himself again with the notes, using his scales and arpeggios to get used to it. He faltered after his warm up, wondering what he should play, he knew that this time of peace and quiet wouldn't last long. He tapped a few keys thoughtfully then began to play a song that he knew by heart.

I feel my life slipping but strangely I don't care,
All I see is the flames reflected in your eyes
Burning bright, you are my life
Give me one last chance to make this right

Dancing in the rain was never the same
Under the street lights it was never the same
With the music’s beat it was never the same
Never the same until I found you

Take this broken dream
We’ll never be the same
Taste these lips of lies
And finally know the truth
Whispering promises wither around us
We are the life
In this forgotten world

The world is dead and coated in poison
But you are the cure,
Catch your breath in this crushing embrace
Know that you are here

The notes drifted and swirled in the room and Jace smiled happily, he had missed this.

Shay had been wandering the hallways once again, still trying to get used to the feel of the school. There were still a few rooms she hadn’t bothered to explore the other day that she wouldn’t mind checking out. Besides, there was nothing better to do at the moment, so why not go on a little adventure? Maybe even meet someone… Even if Shay wasn’t much of a people person, she was trying to become one, trying hard to make friends and let herself trust others again.

She walked along the long stretch of hallway, slowing down as she heard the faint sound of music drifting towards her. She frowned, unsure of where it was coming from. Her strides become longer and faster, following the sound of a piano. Finally, she came upon an unfamiliar entrance.

Shay grimaced. I haven’t seen this room before. She stood there for a few seconds, debating whether to head inside or not. She let out a sigh and walked inside the grand empty room, eyes widening in amazement. It’s huge! She looked around slowly, trying to capture it all. I guess this is the ballroom… She thought, taking a few steps into the room.

The sound of a playing piano echoed off of the walls and flew into the hallway behind her. Her gaze followed the sound of the music to the large piano to a small wooden stage at the other side of the room. There at the piano was a man playing the song. Shay simply stared at the guy, her face blank with no emotion shown.

Jace hadn't heard anyone enter the room and continued with the piano tune.
Hey
Jace couldn't help it he jumped, jarring the keys as he did so. He winced at the ugly sound that they made, and then he rounded on Dylan. "Jesus! Give me a heart attack next time will ya?" Dylan just looked bored - as usual. Jace sighed and turned back to the piano, tapping out 'Minuet' without the chords. "What is it now?" he asked adding in the correct chords with his left hand.
Nothing. Just felt like having someone to talk to.
Jace sighed "and it didn't occur to you that i might want to be alone?" he didn't know why he was bothering to ask, he already knew that answer. Dylan never thought about it, he just appeared, it didn't matter what he was doing or how important it was. Dylan grinned in response.
Of course it did. I just ignored it. Also, I thought you might want to know that you have an audience
Jace hit the wrong keys for the second time in about a minute. He winced again and turned away from the piano, stopping his playing altogether. He spun round and his eyes took in the whole empty room. His gaze stopped at the door. A stranger was standing there, just standing but still he couldn’t help but freeze. He couldn’t help it. He just wasn’t a people person, how ever much he may wish otherwise.
Come on, stop being so tense, just relax for crying out loud! You may have some issues but god surely the whole trust problem doesn’t go that far
Jace shook his head and didn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure why he didn’t respond probably because Dylan knew how he acted and knew that his barb wouldn’t work. Though there was always the fact that he would look pretty crazy, no one could see Dylan so it would look like he was talking to himself. Dylan kicked him, hard. “Ouch” he hissed through gritted teeth.
Then say something! Stubborn jackass
Jace ignored him and cast his eyes back towards the stranger, it was a she, that much he could tell. He could also see the carefully expressionless face. He relaxed slightly, he knew that face, he made it all the time; this girl wasn’t very social either. He grimaced as Dylan kicked him again but otherwise did not acknowledge it. Instead Jace turned back to the piano and started to play ‘Toreador’ it was one of his favourites though he didn’t know why.

Shay was little startled as the guy suddenly jumped in his seat, messing up the song. The mistake on the piano was loud, and she jumped a little as well. What made him do that, now? Then the guy looked as though he was talking to someone, but it appeared no one was there. He was talking to himself.

Shay felt a little uneasy now, her arms folding across her chest. Sure, there were some pretty interesting people here at the school, but this guy just seemed plain odd. He kept talking to the unseen person, but started playing again. The music bounced off the walls again, making her shiver a little. The ballroom seemed to add a touch to the simple music, making everything sound amazing in her ears.

And then, once again, the guy hit more wrong notes, making her jump again where she stood by the entrance. They guy looked up from his piano playing to glance at her. She could feel her cheeks start to burn with embarrassment. She could feel her head flood with excuses as to why she was just standing there, watching him play. Wow, I feel like a creeper now. She thought, grimacing a little. She waited for the man to ask her why she was there, or to tell her to go away. Or at least to say something. But the words never came. He just went back to playing his music.

Shay’s eyebrow’s nit together in a frown. Why won’t he say anything to me? She considered leaving, just walking out of the room and leaving the guy to his peace, but she couldn’t seem to. She stood there for a few seconds, frozen in place. Then it was decided.

She started to make her way over to the stage, even though she knew she wanted to leave. Just do it. Maybe he’s nice… Shay sighed as she reached the stage where the guy was playing the piano. She got herself onto the stage, making her way to the piano. She stopped a couple of feet away from the piano and the guy, standing there awkwardly.

“Sorry if I bothered you at all… It’s just… I-uh…” Shay looked around the room, as if searching for the correct words to say. Honestly, she wasn’t sure what she was doing. She could feel her face redden with embarrassment. Great, now he’s gonna think I have issues or something. She sighed, closing her eyes partway. “You’re really good at playing,” she said softly, looking right at the piano.

Jace was just nearing the end of the song when he registered that the stranger had moved and was standing next to the piano. Thankfully he didn't jump. “Sorry if I bothered you at all… It’s just… I-uh… You’re really good at playing,” Jace stopped playing. He looked up at the girl and blinked.
Say something, twit
Dylan wasn't too happy with him and he'd only been in silence for what - a second? Jace ignored him but did as he had said. "Erm... thanks" he said uncertainly. He tapped out some random keys and turned back to the stranger "do you... um... play?" he asked motioning to the piano. He felt pretty awkward, he had left his dorm in order to avoid company but obviously some one had other ideas - not that he minded so much, he was getting used to doing this. Since arriving at Foresta he had discovered that it was very hard to be alone and had forced himself to get used to the idea of friends. He glanced up at the ceiling, it was weird the way it was painted to look like the night sky but he liked it – it gave him a sense of fresh air.
And your name...?
Dylan suggested. Jace shook his head, but only slightly so that it was barely noticeable. It struck him that this girl probably thought that he was crazy he was talking to himself just a few moments ago... well at least that's what it would look like to her. He sighed, he would never get used to the whole 'I don't see anyone' thing; it just didn't make sense. Why could he see ghosts? Or more to the point why couldn't other people? They were there just as solid and annoying as normal people so there was no reason at all why no one could see them. Even animals could sense the damn things. He turned to the piano again, running his hand over the keys. “I’m Jace by the way” he said not making eye contact and still staring at the piano. He still felt uncomfortable but he was getting better and better at not showing it. He ran a hand through his hair and he slid a hand to his lighter – it was pretty much instinctive now. When ever he was around anyone his lighter would seem like a sort of safety, he didn’t get why he felt secure with it but he wasn’t going to argue.
Hey, do you know how to play home sweet home? It’s probably my favourite
Dylan interrupted his thoughts and Jace focused. He nodded and turned back to the piano, playing the notes from memory.

Shay felt slightly uneasy, but then again, she always felt uneasy when talking to someone new. She just needed to get over the fact that not everyone around her would end up hurting her in the end (or her hurting them). They guy in front of her seemed nice enough, a little odd, but everyone here at the school seemed at least a little odd. He was a bit socially awkward, she noticed - though, she definitely was too, so she didn’t let herself judge him on it. She sort of understood in a way, he just wasn’t the type that talked to many people. An outsider, misfit. Like her, in a way. Even if people never really understood why she stranded herself away from other’s communication, the difference from her to others wasn’t something people could see, or something like an ability like the many others in the school. She liked to call it a curse, because that’s exactly what it was. Something you couldn’t see or notice, or even control.

Then the guy had asked if she played at all, motioning to the piano. “Me? No way. I can’t play for shit,” she said,. She tried to act as casually as she possibly could, trying to hide her uneasiness from the stranger. She let out a small laugh, trying hard to make it come naturally, but it didn’t come out the way she wanted it to.

The stranger mentioned his name, Jace. It’s a nice name, Shay thought, sort of zoning out for a second. She mentally slapped herself for zoning out, concentrating on the guy again - Jace. “I’m Shay,” she said, pulling out a fake smile as usual. People never really noticed how fake her smiles actually were, how forced and practised they were. They were perfect little fake smiles, almost the real deal. They came naturally to Shay, nowadays. It was just easier when no one had the reason to worry about her.

Jace started playing another song, one she knew. Home Sweet Home. She remembered listening to it as a child, her neighbour used to play it and the music would sink through the walls into their house. She would lie in her bed at night while her neighbour would play numerous songs, Home Sweet Home one that the musician seemed to play quite a lot. It was one of the very few memories of her childhood that were pleasant. “I like this song. I used to hear it a lot when I was little.” Shay said aloud without a second thought to it.

“I’m Shay,” Jace smiled slightly "nice to meet you" he replied, still playing the piano.
“I like this song. I used to hear it a lot when I was little.”
Tell her she has good taste
Dylan prompted, smiling. Jace shook his head slightly, so that it was barely noticeable. Dylan rolled his eyes but didn’t comment further. Jace smiled to himself, Dylan may like this song but Jace didn't have anything to relate it too. As far as he was concerned he had never had a home - his parents had of course done all they could to cement that feeling in him - and he probably never would either. His home was where ever he was at the time and you could never call some of them sweet, in fact you couldn't call most of them sweet. He idly wondered where Dylan had lived and how bad - or good - Shay's own past had been. He changed to a D-minor key, preferring those notes. "If you don't mind me asking... what are you here for? I mean at Foresta" he asked cautiously, he figured once he knew he could explain why he had been talking to himself - at least then he wouldn't sound crazy.
Jace finished the song and launched into another this time, ‘Für Elise.’ The room seemed cavernous when it was empty, the bar was abandoned and as was the buffet table.
Nice isn’t it?
Dylan said looking around the ballroom
imagine what it would look like when it was all dressed up and ready to use.
Jace nodded, he could see it in his mind – though he wouldn’t like it half as much if it was full of people.
Beautiful people with beautiful dresses danced across the floor, led by handsome men in tuxes. A swinging beat was played by an orchestra on the stage and the bar was thriving. The night sky on the ceiling looked extra bright and the stars winked and smiled at the elegant dancers. All looked perfect.
Jace blinked, he didn’t want to be here, and he knew he was watching something that would happen in the future. At the centre of the dance floor everyone crowded together, gasping and shouting for help. Jace was pushed closer to the scene. A young girl, younger than everyone else there, was collapsed and bleeding from a stab wound. No one was watching the doors and a man in his late thirties slipped out. Jace watched him go. He had a feeling that this was going to be one of those times when he could do nothing.
Jace was yanked back to the present; he took a shuddering lungful of air. Dylan watched him carefully as he wiped the traces of sweat from his forehead. “Damn it” he muttered.

Shay let herself drift a couple of steps closer to the piano and Jace, until her hand was rested atop the grand piano. She could feel the sounds’ vibrations run through the piano’s body and up her arm. It was somewhat of a pleasant feeling, Shay guessed. Most of the uneasiness that she had when she had entered the room had disappeared and she could feel herself relax a little more.

Then Jace asked her why she was at the school. That’s when Shay felt herself plunge right back into the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She hadn’t really told anyone of it, except for the school’s teachers and other important authorities at the school. She didn’t like the thought of telling people of what she could do - what she was. She was ashamed of it, even scared of it. It was the biggest reason she couldn’t ever allow herself grow close to someone, she couldn’t watch another fall apart in front of her eyes because of her.

She was a drug, a lover’s heroin - an addict’s nicotine. Of course, not everyone got severely addicted to her like others, it had something to sexual attraction or something, that’s why James or any people who were simply ‘just friends’ weren’t so much affected. But she still didn’t like taking the risk, still in fear she would corrupt another’s life because she let herself go.

“Uh, it’s a little hard to explain… I don’t even totally understand it myself,” Shay said uneasily, her arms crossing over her chest again, imagining an invisible wall between her and Jace. What would he think of me now? Not that she could really care too much of what a stranger would think, she didn’t know him well enough to be hurt of his rejection. “I’m sort of like - uh - a drug to others, I guess.” She squeezed herself, all her muscles tightening. I really don’t want to talk about this… I really don’t want to…

“But no worries, it’s like connected to sexual attraction or something… And it takes time… Like I sort of said, I’m like a drug, and you don’t just get addicted to something on the first try. It takes some time for someone to get -” Shay paused, What’s the right word for this? “- addicted.” She let out a large breath, one that she hadn’t noticed she had been keeping in.

Shay hadn’t noticed Jace muttering something or zoning out of the present. She had been too busy staring up at the starry ceiling, thinking over her little speech, waiting for a response.

Jace hesitated briefly as Shay moved closer to him, it made him more uncomfortable but he continued playing, forcing his fingers to keep moving over the keys. He pushed the thoughts of the vision aside, hopefully there wouldn’t be a repeat – there shouldn’t be. “I’m sort of like - uh - a drug to others, I guess.” Jace raised his eyebrows, waiting for the explanation for that.
“But no worries, it’s like connected to sexual attraction or something… And it takes time… Like I sort of said, I’m like a drug, and you don’t just get addicted to something on the first try. It takes some time for someone to get - addicted.”
Addicted? Cool, there’s something you don’t see everyday
Jace ignored Dylan and frowned, addicted? he didn't like the sound of that, then again he wasn't about to walk away... Wait, what if that was the effect taking place? as soon as the thought entered his brain he threw it away in disgust. It was just his paranoia talking. It was making him feel dizzy just thinking about it. It must be hard living with that he thought, celebrities were always complaining about how they never knew if their friends were their friends because of who they were or their money - Jace always thought that it was just a way to get more publicity and have a chance to complain - he couldn't imagine how Shay must feel. Her actual ability probably meant that she didn't know if people liked her because they liked her or her power. Jace could only imagine how frustrating that must be. "That must be difficult to live with" he said sympathetically, his hands still moving expertly over the piano keys “I mean it’s hard enough to find someone you can trust without complications being added.” And he meant it too, it was hard to find a good friend – which was exactly why he wasn’t about to just leave in the middle of this conversation.
“Erm… by the way… what you saw before when I was… um… talking to myself… it erm… was actually a… um… ghost” Jace stuttered, he was always surprised at how many didn’t believe him when he told them this even though they were all ‘different’ too. Please don’t think that I’m crazy he thought to himself wondering at the back of his mind why he cared. He felt himself getting more and more anxious, his song finished “so…? Do you have a request?” he asked, filling the silence with his echoing voice.

Shay swayed a little, uneasy. Well, that was it. She had never really told anyone until now. It felt a little nice, letting someone know. It put a little bit of weight off her shoulders. But, even after that, she couldn’t look straight at Jace. She was a bit afraid of his response. What if he wouldn’t talk to her again? She didn’t let her thoughts wander much, she couldn’t let that happen.

And then he said something. It wasn’t disgust or anger, it sounded more like pity. Shay dared a glance at Jace, a little surprised. Though, now that she thought about it, not all people would have a bad impression on her. There would still be people who could somewhat accept her. She felt a little better.

Jace started to mention something else. Wait… He said ‘ghosts’ right? Shay felt a little taken back. Really, she knew there were things out there, people with special powers all along, but ghosts? No, she had never believed in ghosts. She had always been that one person always looking for a logical explanation to everything.

But, here Jace was, saying he was talking to a ghost. She doubted he would lie to her, even if she didn’t know him too well. Why would he just lie about something like this? Unless he was a real joker type of guy, but he didn’t really give off that vibe. So Shay just shrugged, believing him. There were shape shifters in this world, people with strange powers, mutations, so why couldn’t ghosts exist?

“Ghosts. Cool,” Shay said, but then regretting it. Now that she thought of it, if you were seeing ghosts everywhere, it would be a little creepy. Like walking into the core of a horror film and having to live it everyday. “Though, must get annoying. I would hate to see ghosts everywhere.”

She tilted her gaze up to the ceiling, or as it looked, the night sky. It was a beautiful touch and Shay could find herself spending hours in here a day. Her gaze shot back to Jace as he asked her for a song request. “Uh, I’m not sure. I don’t know too many songs played on the piano…” She felt herself blush, how could she not know any songs? Really, her mind was just blank, and she couldn’t think so straight at the moment.

Jace studied Shay’s face out of the corner of his eye. Her expression was carefully blank but her eyes told him a little, at first there was shock then disbelief and Jace stiffened slightly, instantly on edge. However then came acceptance and he relaxed again. “Ghosts. Cool... though, must get annoying. I would hate to see ghosts everywhere.” Jace nodded. "You have no idea" he muttered quietly, so that only Dylan could hear. Though the ghost only grinned at him.
“Uh, I’m not sure. I don’t know too many songs played on the piano…” Shay replied, answering his question and he shrugged, playing random notes and stringing them together. “Just tell me when or if you think of one” he said with a quick grin. He was used to trying to make people feel comfortable with him and he knew a grin here and there, even if it was slightly fake, relaxed most people – though some people just became suspicious. Smile! It makes people wonder what you’re up to the old saying flitted through his head and he couldn’t help the corners of his mouth turning marginally upwards.
Stop smiling like that… it makes you look creepy
Of course, that only widened Jace’s smile. He didn’t answer the ghost back though – even when people knew about his ‘gift’ it was still rude to start having a conversation– or in his case an argument – in front of them. Not to mention that most people found it immensely creepy. People just couldn’t get to grips with the whole ‘ghosts are real’ concept, just because they had never seen them didn’t mean that they weren’t real – which was ironic coming from him since he was always making fun out of those who believed in god, to him the entire idea was ridiculous. Jace had once met a leprechaun and since then he hadn’t just assumed that anything didn’t exist – well except god but that was another kettle of fish.
Silence
Dylan commented. Jace stopped playing and sat back on the bench running his hand through his hair. “So… what brings you to the ballroom…” he trailed off and motioned to the piano “you can obviously tell what I’m doing here” he continued with a smirk. Then he turned back to the piano and started playing again, ‘Take the Floor’ by Go: Audio, but this time he hit the keys only lightly, so that it was quieter.

“Well, I was just sort of wandering the school. It was getting really boring just sitting up in the dorms. And, well, I heard you playing. Just wanted to check out what was happening in here.” Shay smiled a little, slightly comforted by Jace’s own smile. Though, it looked a little creepy and suspicious, but she tried not to think much of it. Overall, it was comforting, and it made herself feel more at ease with him. She felt as though she could end up trusting him later, if she did start getting to know him better. He seemed nice and truthful, if only for that moment.

She was a fool, she knew. She always fell for simple kind gestures and an impression that people could care for her, that she was safe with them. People would use her then, would use her trust against her. It became a game, a game she knew she could never win.

And she tensed when she realized that moment she noticed herself starting to trust him, if only a little. The smile disappeared from her face and her expression grew somber. She backed up a step, leaning away from Jace, but tried hard not to make her sudden distance noticeable.

She never really told anyone of her trust issues, or any of the problems that she drowned herself in - self pity, constant depression, low self esteem, no self respect. She didn’t like the idea of opening up to people, especially after people using her trust against her earlier in her life.

She felt a long bit of silence drag on, only the sound of the music echo on. “Er, I’ve never been in this part of the school before. I actually never even knew they had a ballroom here. It’s quite beautiful," She said, the words spilling out of her mouth, helplessly trying to put her old thoughts behind and ease up again in Jace’s presence. Though, she wasn’t sure it would happen again. At least, not today. “Do they hold any dances here? That would be quite nice. I can just imagine…” Shay trailed off, trying to imagine it, but just couldn’t. Her thoughts swirled around other things than exquisite dances and formal clothes.

“Well, I was just sort of wandering the school. It was getting really boring just sitting up in the dorms. And, well, I heard you playing. Just wanted to check out what was happening in here.” Jace grinned, that sounded like something he would do. Well except for the fact that he wouldn’t have heard anyone playing – he would have had his headphones in, they were practically permanently attached to his ears. As he continued to play the silence grew kind of awkward and he was suddenly very aware of it. He racked his brains for something to say but he came up blank – other than the stupid questions, ‘what’s your favourite colour?’ and the like. Jace noticed the sudden tension in Shay, having felt it a lot himself over the years. He also noticed the slight yet large distance she put between them. It would have made him feel more comfortable earlier but now he had gotten used to having her there he couldn’t help but think that he had done something wrong to make her suddenly not trust him. He tensed himself then forced himself to relax – it was probably the silence, he was growing more and more self-conscious with every minute. He sighed softly, under his breath; he was pretty much kidding himself.
You alright? you look… funny
Jace nodded at Dylan’s unusually concerned remark. He didn’t know why he was letting this get to him, it wasn’t as if this was the first person who had rejected him over the years – he had learned to live with it. His piano tune switched tempo, he hammered the keys and the mournful sound echoed in the room. It filled the silence well but he abruptly stopped, getting quieter, but the song didn’t change from its sombre air.
“Er, I’ve never been in this part of the school before. I actually never even knew they had a ballroom here. It’s quite beautiful," Jace nodded, agreeing and glad that it was no longer silent – he had been about two minutes away from asking Shay her favourite colour; he mentally shuddered. “Do they hold any dances here? That would be quite nice. I can just imagine…” Jace’s eyes unfocused as he imagined it – transported back to what he had seen. “Yeah, they hold dances here” he said with a smile “they’re spectacular” he continued, in his own world, without thinking he changed tune on the piano again, switching to a slower but more upbeat song – the kind to dance to. “Everything’s perfect” he whispered.

Shay smiled. Spectacular…Just, perfect, huh? She wouldn’t mind seeing one. Or even going to one. It would be an amazing experience, she knew it. She would be able to dance the night away, feeling beautiful in a formal dress and maybe even led along by a handsome boy. Maybe it could be just like in those movies, elegant woman dressed up in beautiful old dresses, swaying back and forth to live music, their feet moving briskly along the floor in high heeled shoes. She could be a princess for a night and dance with all the princes, just let the night take them away.

“I would love to go to one someday,” She whispered back, swaying a little to the changed song. It seemed like a faraway dream, going to a dance like that. Maybe that’s just what the dance was like, a dream. Maybe that’s how it was perfect. Well, whatever it was, it was a dream to her. It was a fairytale to her.

Her gaze drifted over Jace, stopping at his eyes. “Maybe you could take me to one someday?” She said, a little dazed. “… As like, friends I mean.” She stumbled on her own words, blushing a little. Wow, I feel like an idiot now. She quickly looked away from Jace, her cheeks burning with embarrassment now.

Honestly, she wouldn’t mind him even taking her as a date to any dance. She couldn’t help it, she was just a huge flirt, even if sometimes she denied it. She was just a flirt, usually very unaware even if she was flirting. And guys usually always fell for it. Most of the time she wondered why she even possessed her power, she didn’t need it to lure guys back to her, she could already seem to do that on her own already. But, she really couldn’t allow anyone in her life who were more than just a friend, she couldn’t watch more people suffer because of what she was. But people always seemed to break through that wall that she would build between her and people, and she would become vulnerable, and her power would eventually just take over another relationship.

Jace was lost in his own world, though his fingers never hesitated on the piano, but was snapped back to reality by “I would love to go to one someday.” Jace smiled and glanced at Shay “yeah… I wouldn’t mind seeing one myself” he said softly. He didn’t know if he would like to actually go to one. He wasn’t sure of he would enjoy it, the dressing up just wasn’t him but maybe with the right person or people… he shook his head lightly, clearing his thoughts and tuning back into actuality.
“Maybe you could take me to one someday?” he heard Shay say and he blinked, hesitating over the keys before continuing his playing. He frowned, him? Take her to a dance? He would normally have laughed but Shay sounded serious.
Is she serious? Is she… hitting on you?
Dylan’s mouth was open in shock and he sounded incredulous. Jace wanted to snap something back at him but the truth was he was just as surprised as he was. He wasn’t used to this sort of thing for all he knew this could be her way of saying ‘I have no other friends so you’re my only option’ he shook his head again.
“… As like, friends I mean.” Jace let out the breath that he hadn’t actually known that he had been holding. Friends. That was okay. “Yeah…” he started “that’d be…” he searched for a word “…great” he finished, feeling rather stupid. Great? How lame was that word? He sighed softly, so quiet that he knew Shay wouldn’t have heard it, he could feel his cheeks heating up and prayed that he wouldn’t start fully blushing – it was too noticeable. He wondered if the school would even hold a dance whilst they were there. He knew that they had had them in the past and of course the future but would one be organised soon? For some reason he didn’t doubt it.
Well, friends. That explains it a bit more
Jace smiled at the confused looking ghost. He enjoyed Dylan’s company and bewildering ways, it made him feel better if he felt the same – knowing that he wasn’t the only one. “As friends” he repeated, again changing the tempo of his song. He finished the tune quickly but didn’t start another. Instead he put down the heavy wooden key protector and turned a little on the bench, making himself comfortable away from the piano.