“Excuse me, would you like to dance?”
These are seven words she never dreamt would come out of Max’s mouth. She has been admiring him from afar at every fundraising ball this year. Up until now he has kept to himself. With his chiselled face, impeccable dress sense and well-groomed hair, he has been the one mystery she has been trying to unravel. When she wasn’t fulfilling her own duties at the ball she would take any opportunity to glide by his table, trying to catch his eye or overhear some of his conversation, usually which is taking place between him and his less-handsome brother-in-law.
These seven words continued to ring through her head as if time had stopped still.
Despite being jammed between others she started to rock back and forward at the thought. She imagined how it would feel to be swept around the grand dance floor with him embracing her, just like how Tarzan holds Jane when swinging through the jungle. Every other girl would look at her in awe while she felt his breath on her neck, swaying to the gentle melody.
She felt dancing with him was well above her class like she didn’t belong but she wouldn’t care. The echo of his voice softly whispered into her ear would calm her nerves at the thought of everyone gazing at them.
He would tell her he is proud of how hard she has worked to be there. And it is this hard work which has brought her to this exact ball, she had earned her spot unlike so many others there.
The people around her started to fade into the distance, and she imagined her and Max were the only people there.
It was a feeling she had never felt before. It was like she was dreaming.
The thought of needing to take care of her ill mother, her hard work to put herself through university, and her one room home all seemed so small now.
She was at peace.
“What do you think you’re doing Jane?”
Another seven words brought her back to room.
“Unless you’ve won the jackpot, you better get these plates to table eight and stop daydreaming about the dance floor,” screamed her boss from the kitchen door.
She took one look back at the dance floor where Max was blissfully dancing with the beautiful, fashionable young lady she heard him ask to dance.
While transitioning between her daydream and reality she didn’t notice a spilt drink until it was too late. Her body twisted around much less gracefully than she had imagined herself when dancing. Her inner peace was ripped from her. She saw Max’s face turn to her direction as she let out a little squeal, but it was too late. Her tray went flying.
She would never be a part of this circle. All she could do now was close her eyes and wait for the sound.
BANG.