Summary: All summer you have waited for one thing. Conrad asking you to dance with him at Susannah’s grand ball. Instead, Jeremiah did and left you alone. Will Conrad be there?
“Y/n, why are you alone?“ You did not need to turn around to know who it was. It was Conrad. It was always Conrad who somehow showed up in moments like this.
„Conrad!“ you gasped, suddenly verry verry speechless, while turning to face him. Your eyes must have looked like they were falling out. „Yeah it’s me.“ He chuckled. He was smiling!
“What are you doing here? I thought you would stay at home?” It was the only question you could come up with at that moment.
„Why would I?” he asked taken aback. His voice a bit quieter than it was before, eyebrows furrowed.
“Well I thought since you were so weird and distant this whole summer you didn’t want to spent time at Susannah’s ballroom dance.” You stated. At this, his features completely fell, suddenly he looked hurt, nearly as if you had hit him. And in this moment, you truly felt miserable.
„ At first I didnt want to..“ he shiftet closer to you, whispering. „But i wanted to see if everything is alright.“ It was more like a question and you didn’t know how to answer. His hands came up to holds yours but he then let them fall against his sides. You noticed it though.
„Oh yeah of course..” you paused. Your cheeks were turning red. “Jere left to get us drinks maybe 15 minutes ago and i can’t find him.“
Conrads eye’s popped open. He clearly was shocked at that. For a moment he didn’t do anything and then, suddenly, he reached his hand out to you. „Would you like to dance with me?” He requested. His face now stoic. It wasn’t really a question more like something he demanded, because you couldn’t say no. Not when it was what you wanted the whole time. And he knew. So you reached your hand to take his.
“Of course.” You assured breathlessly, now smiling. It came out like a whisper but he heard you nonetheless. And then you two were dancing. Conrad was dressed in a dark blue Suit. You had never seen him wear this one but it did suit him. He looked so dreamy. It also was nearly the same colour as Jeremiahs which made you asume that Susannah had picked them especially for tonight. And since she had given you the dress you were wearing, stating that it just was right for this night you couldn’t help but hope that she had matched your clothes on purpose.
“Have you seen your brother by any chance?” You asked now, reminded of Jeremiah’s sudden leaving. At that Conrad swayed you both into another corner of the dance floor.
“Maybe there was something he has to do. Toilet or something” Conrad answered briefly, not seeming to care very much. But you could feel that Conrad knew exactly what was going on. Did you ask anything further? No! He wouldn’t tell you anyway.
„Maybe“ you agreed. But he wouldn’t have left for the Toilet and taken so long, you thought instead. “It’s nice that you look after him,” You told him honestly.
„What do you mean?“ he now locked eyes with you. Furrowing his eyebrows. It was what he always did. He always was concerned for everything and everyone. The wrinkles between his eyebrows a permanent reminder.
“I mean,” you took a breath. “You came here even though you didn’t want to.” Clearly he was here for belly or Jere. Maybe even Susannah. „And you know with Jere‘s “habits” and all,” you made sure to emphasise the word “habits”!
“It’s just nice that you take care of him.“ You rushed, smiling genuinely afterwards.
“Oh..” He said, seeming to understand what you meant. “I wasn’t for him you know?”
“Right, I forgot Belly is here too. She was dancing with Cam Cameron 10 minutes ago.” You chimed. “They seem to have found each other.”
“I know.” The corners of his mouth were rising and then he chuckled. Wow he really did say a lot this evening you thought sarcastically. But you wouldn’t lie and say this wasn’t most he had talked to you all summer.
“Have you had a drink?” He asked now. The look of concern back on his face. Why did he never break the eye contact? And why does he always have this look of concern on his face? You really did feel like you couldn’t stand this eye contact anymore.
“No. I never drink.” You whispered, afraid that saying it louder would make him go and get you some water and stop this dance. But you could have sworn that he was holding you a bit tighter after, and he didn’t make any signs on letting go of you.
“I know you don’t. I meant real drinking. Water or something else non alcoholic. Although I did think Jere was getting you two a drink, if I’m honest.” He said this so nonchalant that you didn’t really realise he was grinning all along.
“And he would do that,” he added after a while of complete silence. Then you two were back to: just staring at each other and dancing together. Conrad moved one of his hands and put a strain of hair behind your ear. It was only then, that you realised, how close you two actually were. You had put your arms on his shoulder and his remained on your hips. You two were in the middle of the dance floor now. Conrad having apparently moved you from the side during your conversation.
“So your’e alright then?” Now he was the one to whisper. And when you replied with a nod, his concern was washed away and turned into a pleased smile. “Good,” he answered.
This was why you loved spending time with him. It was so peaceful and made you feel so very loved. It also made you aware that this would probably be the only night Conrad would be this loving, since he was so different this summer. You had to hold onto this side of him. For as long as you could. Or for as long as he would show you this side.
