Free Falling

er. It came with an advantage and a disadvantage, the advanta

ly criticized me every se

going to a dinner party at some

"Well, fairy godmother, why don't you do some of your bippidy-bopp

nder from his position on my couc

stopping at her place and heading straight for the venue. I was currently hovering

the rate I was drinking, I'd be making dashes for the restroom every five minutes. Bu

ease, socialize. I beg you. You m

old your

en piped up, "what's up with Jo? Is she lik

lair for social stuff. At least there's one

fferent scene. Manhattan was wild-it knew it too-and although I had to do a lot of adapting, I liked it here. Na

ck at it now, I just ran. I was coming from a place with memories I wanted to forget and what better way than to start afresh

h my hair and make-up. A little over thirty minutes later, I s

arents were at work. In one particular memory my lips were thick with my mum's red lipstick with my face caked in white foundation. I had a difficult time balancing on her hee

yes lighting up at the sight of me. I caught the wide grin

s at that party will be able to h

d elegant. It bore a plunging neckline because Ingrid was going berserk about me showcasing my bountiful assets, and ended just above my knees. A black

ioned it in front of me, several clicks going off. He inspec

gushed, swatting my hand at

m buzzed. "A car just ar

, I'll be

o my apartment and drown in all the pendin

tairway leading up, I struggled to subdue the overwhelming feeling of amazement that clearly glazed my features as I took in the setting. The ballroom was truly grand, cascaded i

d introduced me to the faces she was already familiar with. Each person held a title and I felt a bit odd to be s

full room. I didn't expect this much people. Some ling

e waiters, my attention drifted to the front of th

n round and her eyes lit up as a stunning woman dressed tastefully in a blac

her the day I was at Genevieve's. She was his mother. She was elegant in the way she carried herself-large, hypnotic cat eyes t

prised y

irées, but Finn always insists I attend m

d. "It's always a pleas

e's R

is thing. Eager to pursue acting.

es a strong will to go

She turned to Genevieve. "Ah, well I better go welcome the

She leaned closer to me. "That's

g for Finn at the table Octavia

recognised her as the girl Ingrid and I found on the internet. Finn nodded at something said to him and as if he could sense I was staring, he turned and caugh

ling girlfriend beside him. She was even more beautiful i

k a second for me to realize he was talk

de him. "Aunt, Amanda, this i

ved into a hushed conversation with her, liv

ardless of all the countless compliments I'd received tonight, h

letting my eyes take in his suited appearance. Great

er to speak with them and I drank more of the sparkling win

ainment-a solo singer who Genevieve told me had been flown in specific

ingested in the last hour and squirmed as I excused myself to use the restroom. I caught a woman dressed in uniform standing by the entrance and curtly

button, I walked out to the sink and washed my hands, gazing at my self in the huge mirror. I was still ver

er and newfound confidence, walking t

n of one of the voices. Slowly, I peeped around a corner and saw Fin

Finn's voice was cold, agitated and I

or whatever it is, isn't working. I can't keep up this act anymore. The arrangement is

t is going so well and I will not let you screw it up with your bullsh

ere, eavesdropping on their conversation that was obviously

is stupid city. Fix this with my parents and their

ld see me and hurried back to the hal

okay?" Gen

managed a smi

them referring to? And did

determined steps eating up the floor and whispered into Octavia's ear. Her face paled immediately. Her expression then melted into

ent he was headed for my table. My breathing stopped when his eyes

ow in fr

tstretched upwards. His eyes were darkened, a tell tale sign of

cce

my ribcage as it hammered wildly, accompanied with the anxiety that lodged itself in my throat. People par

e for the main performance. And I couldn

tention was trained on us, the music halted. It was then I was hyper aware of the

sort of rebound? Was he dancing with me only because Hail

f my back, sending an involuntary shiver coursing through me. The other found my han

this?" He rasped, a b

ow dance, or else I'd be the biggest screw up in

ful for the dance lessons I was forced to take as a child. The

c exuding from the instrumentals. Everything else in the background faded away. The people.

stood what it felt l

n whispered. He was a good head-

een us. With the way his eyes focused intently on me, fleeting do

e, I said, "It hasn't

of tune and cursing myself. Luckily Finn was able to

" He lips curved slightly in endearment,

with

. It was time for a spin, and taking in a huge breath, I slowly spun twice on my toes before his hand found its way back t

it was impossible to breathe. The hall erupted into a round of applause, camera flashes going off. Finn drew me up

smiled. And I

on the other hand stared into space in awe, baffled by his grace and charm. By the most ele

adow of a doubt-the