The music began slowly.
It wasn't loud or sharp—just soft enough to pull the entire hall into a single rhythm. Warm lights reflected off the polished floor as pairs of students started filling the dance space, some moving with clear confidence, others with hesitant steps.
I was standing beside Charlotte when she turned toward me.
She didn't say anything at first. She simply looked at me for a few seconds, as if weighing something unseen, then asked quietly:
"Would you… like to dance?"
I looked at her.
"I'm not good at it," I answered honestly. "I'll probably ruin the rhythm."
She didn't look surprised.
"That's fine," she said. "This isn't a competition."
I shook my head.
"I'd rather watch."
But she didn't back down.
"Nyx," she said, my name steady and calm. "Nothing bad will happen."
I hesitated longer than I expected.
Then I exhaled slowly.
"…Alright."
She didn't smile in triumph or show exaggerated excitement. She simply held out her hand.
I took it.
We stepped onto the dance floor.
At first… it was uncomfortable.
I didn't know exactly where to place my feet, or when to move. My body was trained for combat—fast reactions, sharp decisions—not for synchronizing with music.
I stepped a beat too late.
Then again.
Charlotte noticed immediately.
She didn't say anything, but she slowed her pace. Her movements became clearer, simpler. She didn't forcefully lead me—she gave me space to understand.
I watched her feet.
The rhythm.
The distance between us.
It felt strangely similar to reading an opponent… but without hostility.
Without danger.
As time passed, I began to catch the rhythm. Not perfectly, but well enough not to be a burden. Our steps grew more coordinated, even if they remained simple.
I stumbled slightly.
"Sorry," I said instinctively.
"It's fine," she replied at once.
It was an ordinary sentence.
But it eased the tension in my shoulders.
The dance ended without applause, without drawing everyone's attention—and that was good.
We returned to the table where Leander, Naira, and Oriana were waiting.
Naira was the first to speak.
"Honestly?" she said, leaning forward slightly. "You two looked great together."
Charlotte froze.
A clear blush spread across her face as she quickly looked away.
"Naira…" she muttered.
Naira laughed lightly. "What? I'm just telling the truth."
Leander smiled faintly.
"It wasn't a bad dance," he said. "Especially for someone who claimed he couldn't dance."
Oriana nodded without comment.
As for me, I said nothing.
There was nothing I needed to say.
A few minutes later, I felt the urge to step outside.
Not discomfort. Not boredom.
Just… the need for air.
"I'm going out for a bit," I said.
No one asked why.
I stepped onto the outer balcony.
The night was calm. The music faded into a distant murmur. I leaned against the stone railing, resting my arms on it.
I took a deep breath.
This place… wasn't bad.
But I didn't feel like I truly belonged here.
Footsteps behind me.
"Did you get tired of the party?"
I turned.
It was Charlotte.
She stood there for a moment, then sat beside me without hesitation.
"No," I said. "I just… don't feel like I belong in that place."
She didn't argue.
"Me neither," she said quietly.
I looked at her.
"I didn't want to come at first," she added. "But my mother insisted. She said I had to appear… at least once."
She smiled faintly—without cheer.
We sat in silence for a while.
Not an awkward silence.
The kind shared by two people who don't need to fill it with words.
"Should we go back?" she asked after a while.
"Yes," I replied.
We stood together and returned inside.
The music was still playing. The laughter louder. The lights unchanged.
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