Heart don't Fail me Now (open)

[Kayla Alejandro]

Kayla was never one for dancing, she was so awkward and the heels didn't make it much better. Not only that but she didn't know many people at the school yet, so she didn't have a group to go with, let alone a date.

Something in her was slightly disappointed. She was the type of person who still believed in true love and romantics. She liked the fantasize about being swept off her feet. (She watched too many romantic-comedy anime). She wished someone would take her hand and ask her to dance, but she was happy hanging back by the refreshment table.

She took a small sip of her punch, watching as couples filled the floor. One hand ran through her hair, held back in a headband, the unusual soft, curls running through her fingertips.

Tonight would be fun. The atmosphere was right, it was Valentine's Day, and now all the dark haired teen had to do was summon the courage to ask someone to dance. If the mood died out, Kayla could boost it back up again.

Then a thought occurred to her. maybe she could manipulate her own emotions? But, that wouldn't be the same would it?

Kayla took a deep breath. One step, then another. Don't seem nervous. Relax. breathe! She hesitantly approached someone and asked, more like blurted.

"Hi, I'm Kayla. Do you want to dance with me?"

[Stephen Paulinski]

     Stephen walked away from Camila, clenching his teeth and fists. So, she wants to make me jealous, is that it? Stephen thought angrily, controlling his breath so his arms would not burst into flame again. I’ll show her…

     Stephen scanned the crowd. He took a deep breath and looked at his charred jacket sleeves. You know what? he thought, calming himself, This is not worth getting angry over. Camila wants to have fun and flirt with some other guy? Who cares? It’s not like we’re dating or anything… 

     Stephen felt a pit form in his stomach. He knew that Camila was not just innocently flirting. She was doing it to get to him. Why? He had no idea. He just knew one thing: he was not going to let her win.

     "Hi, I'm Kayla. Do you want to dance with me?"

     The sudden shout made Stephen jump slightly. His hands briefly flashed with orange fire before extinguishing. He turned and saw a small girl standing before him. She was cute, like a little child. Stephen smiled at the sight of her. She radiated pure happiness. She looked at him questioningly with big, dark blue eyes, a hand running through her midnight black hair. His heart melted at the sight of her almost inhuman amount of cuteness.

     Stephen flexed his hands as they scabbed over and healed. Once his hands had completely healed, he gave Kayla a little wave. “Hi, Kayla. I’m Stephen.”

     It took a moment before the girl’s question fully registered in Stephen’s brain. “Do you want to dance with me?” Stephen smiled as he formed an evil plan.

     “Sure, Kayla!” he said, giving her a charming smile and offering her his hand.

     Stephen smirked. You wanna play, Camila? he thought venomously, Well, then… game on.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Stephen's Tux

[Kayla Alejandro]

She had actually asked someone, Kayla Alejandro had actually asked someone to dance. The accomplishment itself was huge for the normally shy and quiet girl. She was still in shock that she had actually managed to ask him! Nervousness began to take over e very part of her being, seconds passed like hours as she waited for an answer.

She had no idea what the boy would say, he was one of the only people who seemed to be alone at the dance and he seemed nice. He was handsome too. What if he turned her down? then she'd just look like an idiot! What if he had a date? Then she'd look like she was trying to steal someone else's bf which she definitely was not trying to do! There were so many outcomes. But, there was no taking back the offer now. She braced herself for rejection.

She blinked a bit, peering up at him through dark and heavy lashes. Did he just say yes? YES! Kayla felt a waveof relief wash over her, something that could easily be sensed due to her powers. Kayla couldn't hide her joy. Not that she wanted to, anyhow.

A faint blush appeared at the smile as she took his hand. "Its very nice to meet you, Stephen." She replied as the two made their way towards the dance floor. Maybe tonight would mark a change.

----
Kayla's outfit

[Stephen Paulinski]

     Stephen smiled nervously at the sight of Kayla blushing. No girl had ever blushed when he had talked before. He was always the kid at school who focused on his school work and never really talked with girls. Whenever he did, though, he always got a raised eyebrow or an “Aw, isn’t he cute smile” in response. A blush… now that was unexpected…

     Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Stephen began to regret his decision. He did not want to hurt this girl, just have enough fun with her that he would attract the attention of Camila. He turned his head, and saw Camila still talking with that guy. His cheeks burned with jealousy as he saw her laughing in response to something that idiot had said.

     That sight was enough to strengthen Stephen in his mission.  Giving Kayla his best Casanova-esque smile, he walked beside her towards the dance floor, still holding her hand.

     Once the couple had reached the dance floor, an upbeat tune began to play. Stephen stood on the floor motionless for a few seconds while he came to a realization: he could not dance for his life.

     He rubbed the back of his head and gave her an embarrassed smile. “Ummmmm,” he said, letting out a nervous chuckle, “I just realized something. I can’t dance...”

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Stephen's Tux

[Kayla Alejandro]

She was still in shock, Kayla couldn't believe he had said yes! Most guys just stared at her awkwardly, she made things seem nervous and embarassed. She had this shy demanor and it wasn't exactly something many guys found interesting, to say the least.

Kayla didn't pick up on his nervousness. She hardly ever did, despite being an emotion manipulator, Kayla could sometimes be slightly dense, especially when she was nervous herself. A song she recently heard began playing in her mind. For the first time in forever, she could be noticed by someone! The thought was a daunting one, but at the same time, it made her smile.

She watched his gaze, be drawn to somewhere else in the room. He seemed nervous. She tilted her head ever so slightly. Was he staring at someone else? Was something wrong with her? Did he regret saying yes?

Kayla giggled a bit at his clear nervousness. "Neither do I...I was hoping you knew!" she said with a blush. "Lets just let the music move us." She said with a small smile, her hips began to sway,twirling a bit to the upbeat song, her dress moved with her in a sparkly display. She just hoped she wasn't making a fool of herself.

[Stephen Paulinski]

     Stephen smirked when Kayla began to twirl on the dance floor. It was not that she was a bad dancer, it was just that she was so genuinely happy and trying to have a good time he could not help but smile.

     The girl’s silver dress sparkled as she swayed her hips. The skirt flipped about, casting little points of lights on the floor below her. She looked something akin to a disco ball; a really cute, really happy disco ball.

     He stepped up to her. “You can’t dance, huh?” he said playfully with a raised eyebrow. He let out a little chuckle. “Liar,” he said jokingly.

     Stephen began to sway awkwardly. “Me on the other hand?” Stephen began. “I can’t dance for my life, and that’s the Gospel truth...” Stephen let out a nervous laugh before flashing Kayla another smile.

     Kalya was so uplifting to be around. He had forgotten his original mission. As Stephen stood dancing with her, he began to think of ways to begin a conversation with her. Kayla was so uplifting to be around. Whenever she spoke or moved, Stephen could not help but smile or laugh. She just seemed genuinely happy to be alive.  Stephen hoped that he could make a friend out of her by the end of the night.

     “So,” Stephen shouted over the loud, booming music while he bobbed up and down to the music, “How long have you been here?”

[Kayla Alejandro]

Kayla grinned in response, blushing a bit at his comment. Kayla couldn't dance...she wasn't graceful she just moved to the music and she had fun and that was what mattered right? Though, she would admit that she was still slightly embarassed. She just hoped she wasn't making a complete fool of herself

"just wait, I'll be stepping on your feet at no time." She said with a wink. Her happiness at this moment was literally radiating off of her. She took a risk and now it looked like it was paying off, Stephen was such a nice guy. Stepping out of her shell, maybe it was a good thing after all. Maybe it was time that she stepped out of herself and actually felt things and enjoyed emotions rather than lock hers away behind a mask of fake joy.

"Me? A little less than a year. Yourself?" She asked with a small tilt of her head. She blocked out the memories of her arriving here. She wouldn't let them damper her good mood, she wouldn't let that nightmare come back, not now.

[Stephen Paulinski]

     Stephen chuckled at Kayla’s statement. “Please,” he said with a big smile, “You’re a fantastic dancer. If anyone’s stepping on someone’s feet, it’ll be me.”

     Dancing with Kala, all the feelings of anger and betrayal had completely evaporated. He did not know what is was about her. Was it her bubbling personality? Her sparkling dress? Her smile? All he was sure about was that, being around her, all of the negative feelings he’d been harboring had suddenly disappeared. Kayla was so much nicer than Ca- No. He was not even going to think about her. For the first time since Stephen arrived at Ashford, he was happy to be around someone. He was not about to ruin his time by thinking about her.

     “Me? A little less than a year. Yourself?” Stephen felt a cold twinge in his heart. He did not know how he knew, but he somehow knew that he had broached a touchy subject. Stephen gave a small shrug, “About a month.”

     Stephen tried to figure out something to say in order to change the subject. “So, um...” he began. At that moment, the music changed from loud, booming party music to a quiet, slow, romantic number. Stephen slowly stopped dancing. He stood awkwardly in front of Kayla, scratching the back of his head and giving her a smile.

     “Pff, slow songs, am I right?” he said, trying to make light of his sudden nervousness. He blushed as he formulated his next sentence. “So, um...” He offered her his arms. “Care to dance?”