16 | Roller Skates and Disco Lights

There was an event being held at Sk8rWorld—a dance party with a DJ and everything. The rink was lit up all around with colorful disco lights, and loud retro music blared from wall-mounted speakers.

"Woah!" Everett unsteadily pulled himself up to his feet, "These are more rolly than I thought."

"The roller skates?" I grinned. "Yes, that must be very unexpected."

He glared at me. "It's harder than you think, Clementine. I'd like to see you try."

I stood up and easily skated a small distance forward before doing a half-spin to face him.

His eyes widened as he gasped. "You didn't tell me you were a total rollerskating pro!"

"I'm hardly a professional. You've just gotta center your weight," I advised. "Come on."

Everett clutched the bars lining the edge of the rink with both hands, slowly straightening himself out. He moved forward inch by inch, still holding on to the bar for dear life.

"Just come to the center Everett, I'll help you out."

He looked a little pale. "No this was a bad idea; I really can't skate."

"Why would you suggest a skating rink if you can't skate?"

"I don't know!" he wailed, "I thought you'd be worse at it than me!"

I laughed, pulling one of his hands away from the bar. He gripped my hand so tight that his knuckles went white and my heart started beating at double time.

"Give me your other hand," I said.

He hesitated but then shakily moved away from the wall, staring at his feet the whole time. "I swear Clementine, if you drop me...."

"I won't drop you." I momentarily detangled one hand to tilt his chin up. "Hey, don't look down."

Everett lifted starry eyes to meet mine. The disco lights danced across his face in neon streaks of blue, pink, and green, lighting up his hair in flashes of colour. I caught my breath as his pupils sparkled in a million wavelengths of reflected light.

"You feeling okay, Clementine?" he murmured softly, "You're looking a little red."

"It's just allergies," I managed to get out, my cheeks heating up even further at his soft, sweet voice.

"I'm starting to think that you're just allergic to me."

My jaw dropped as I tried to stammer out a reply. "I'm not-it's not—"

He smiled and the world came to a stand still. My heart slammed so hard against my ribcage that I was sure he heard it too. His fingers interlocked with mine as he searched my face, midnight eyes glittering with a billion stars.

The lights dimmed to a soft amber glow, casting long shadows on the ground. The music slowed to a seductive pace and a lilting voice filled the air. I recognized the dulcet tones of a romantic love song playing through the speakers. From the corner of my eye, I saw the DJ giving me a thumbs up. He then winked and put on the most shit-eating grin imaginable.

I cursed the man from the bottom of my heart.

Everett's eyelids were half shut, his pupils dilated as he gazed at me, but he still didn't make a move. My other hand was still cupping his face. It would have been so easy to just lean in right then and kiss him.

I could brush my thumb against his cheek and tilt my head closer. I could wrap an arm around him, pulling him in. I could let my hands get tangled in his curly hair, twisting my fingers through the silky locks till they were beautifully wrapped. A million scenarios whizzed through my mind till I was dizzy enough to feel drunk.

But I was frozen still for so long that the song ended. I let my hand slide from his face, stepping back till the sweet smell of caramel was out of range. Everett blinked, looking dazed. The DJ shook his head in disappointment and switched to a lively beat.

The moment shattered, and I regretted it that very instant.

A stunned silence blanketed around us, heavy and stifling. Everett started to speak but then bit his lip, turning it pink. His eyes went wide and then averted their gaze. I let out a shaky breath as he moved away from me, letting go of my hand.

"Wa-oh!" Everett flailed for a moment with nothing to hold on to, and his skates gave out from under him.

I grabbed his arm again as he started to fall, my own eyes widening in surprise. "Sorry!"

"Clementine! You said you wouldn't let me fall!"

I laughed awkwardly. "I didn't realize you'd be...that bad at skating."

He glared at me. "Rude."

"I mean, I just thought you had practice," I quickly amended, "You're always skating around the cafe."

"Am I?"

"Um...yeah, when you're taking people's orders. Sometimes you skate around the kitchen too." I paused. "Which is very dangerous, just so you know."

A sudden smile lit his face, so bright and beaming that it completely overshadowed any awkwardness left over from earlier.

"Alright, fine. I guess I'll give it another go then, since I'm apparently such a natural." He grinned.

We skated for a while more and Everett laughed the whole time. I spent the entire time staring at him and wondering how he could be so relaxed after what had almost happened.

"Clementine, look!" he said, "I can stand on my own now!"

He spread his arms to the side for balance as he held his pose. He was shaking like a leaf. I placed my fingertips on his forearm, pushing him lightly.

He immediately fell on his ass.

Everett glared up at me from the floor and I couldn't stop the chuckle that erupted from me. He retaliated by grabbing my leg and yanking me down on top of him.

"Hey," I yelled.

Now it was his turn to snicker. I quickly scrambled to my feet as my cheeks caught fire. I eventually had to help him up too as he tried and fell over several times.

"Wanna get some ice cream?" Everett asked as he finally balanced himself, "I'm a bit tired of falling over now."

"Oh, but how could you ever tire of that, Everett, you're a professional," I teased, "I think you've invented new ways of falling down."

"Yes, yes I'm sure you found it very fun."

I laughed. "Sure, let's go get ice cream."

We skated over to the ice cream stall. Well, more like I skated and dragged Everett along.

He sat cross legged in front of the ice cream display, pulling off his roller skates.

"Woah they have so many cool flavours!" he exclaimed, "What are you having, Clementine?"

"Uh, maybe vanilla?"

He stared at me, aghast. "You're having vanilla?"

"What's wrong with vanilla?" I asked, a little perturbed.

"But they have a candyfloss-bubblegum-marshmallow flavour," Everett said, pointing at a lump of congealed rainbow colours.

"That looks disgusting."

He pouted cutely from his spot on the floor, his hair a mess and his shoes lying beside him.

"You wanna go return those while I wait in line?" I asked, "It's pretty long."

"Yeah, I'll take yours too." He paused. "In case I'm not back in time, can I have the candy—"

"Yes, you can have the rainbow thing."

I watched Everett as he walked away. Well, he half skidded; he can skate quite well without the shoes on. His curly head of hair bounced up and down as he wove through the crowd, shifting between every colour of the rainbow as the disco lights danced across the black locks.

As he disappeared from view, another familiar face took his place. She stood right in front of me, looking just as shocked as I felt.

Jenna.

Like if you guessed which song the DJ played!

Hint: the video's added to the beginning of this chapter xP