Fun Without Him

Good news was, Scarlet was would still be having fun without him. Maybe they could find some other friend activity that they *both* enjoyed?

Believe it or not, Scarlet *did* care about him, but not in the way he obviously wanted. At least the beginning lesson was half way over.

All the real dancers arrived in the last fifteen minutes. Normally she would've too. Scarlet snickered excitedly when she saw a few familiar faces, "Rich, Scott," oh she squealed when she saw her female friend in *such* a beautiful dress, "Awe Jasminnee!" She smiled at her friends after tackling all of them into hugs,"Awe you all look amazing~!"

Scott scoffed and popped the collar of his black button up. "Duh." he said as if it wasn't obvious already.

She snickered and shook her head, "Men," she whispered mockingly to Jasmine.

Rich snorted, hitting him playfully on the forearm. "Shut, up!"

"Hah ooh, yeah. To think I've been stuck with these posers all day?" Jasmine scoffed and looked away, holding her arm crossed over her deep purple dress.

Rick looked to Scarlet and flashed a smile that made most women crazy. He leaned close in the hopes of bringing warmth to her cheeks, "How have you been?" He asked softly.

Scarlet smirked but refused to take the bait, "Well," she answered just as softly, her heart fluttering a bit.

Rich, unsatisfied, leaned back and shook his head lightly, "Haven't seen you in a while." he stated while thoroughly looking her over. The green suited her.

She shrugged then fluffed her firey curls of bit,"The boss has been trying ta kill me, I *swear*."

Scott looked over to them and rolled his eyes, "Dude," he called through a light snicker, "Calm down."

Rich, sticking out his tongue, placed his hands on his hips before issuing the proper amount of sass. "You calm down."

Scarlet chuckled softly while waving them down,"Boys, boys." She looked between them both then smirk,"Your queen is here," she did a little twirl with her hand,"Yes, yes," she nodded at them both, fixed her hand graciously on the curve of her hip, and turned her nose up, "You can bow now."

Raising a sharply manicure brow, Rich looked her up and down then hummed his disagree. "Mmmm."

Jasmine snickered, picking up her the edges of her dress to do a little courtesy,"Oh my queen," she cooed behind an air mocking jest, "How graciously you, my liege, have graced us with your presence."

Scott could barely hold back his laughter as he knelt in front of her. "We have dearly missed thee." He managed to say, gently grasping her palm to kiss it.

A roaring bout of mirth burst from her chest. The curly ginger nearly doubled over, shaking her head,"Ooh," she exhaled in an attempt to calm herself, "How I've missed you guys." She said, patting the still knelt Scott on the back as she passed him up for Rich. Snatching up his hands, she proceeded in dragged him to the dance floor, "Let's dance!" She giggled excitedly then stuck her tongue out at Jasmine.

Rich shook his head. "Ok ok." he consented through a light bout of laughter. Smiling, he obliged by beginning with the basic. "But I'm only gonna tell you this once. *I* am the Queen."He informed with a snarky snigger. "Don't steal my power." He leaned close to her face command, his smooth voice erring into a threat. He then reposured himself and grinned devilishly at her.

Rich chuckled and shook his head. "Ok ok." He smiled and laughed lightly as he started with the basic. "But I'm only gonna tell you this once. I'm the Queen. Don't steal my power." He said snarky with a laugh. He grinned at her then gave a shake of his head.

She raised a scarlet brow at his pious claim, "Hun," she clicked her tongue as he raised her hand over her head, "Just because I've been gone for a bit doesn't mean you've got my throne," she insisted while her swing dress rose amidst the twirl.

"Yeah," Scott leaned over as he held Jasmine in closed position, "You don't wanna do that. He will *trample* you." He told Scarlet with a laugh.

Scarlet chuckled and shook her head,"Trample me?" Scoffing, she sprung into Scott's waiting arms and let him dip her close to the ground. She gripped his shoulder and narrowed her winged eyes. then set her back on her feet again,"He would never," she growled the threat. said dangerously, her words threatening his very life.

"No, seriously," Scott felt the need to impress, "*He's* the queen." Once again Rich simply grinned devilishly at his partner, "Don't steal his crown. Trust me." His roommate winked at her then glanced away, laughing nervously. Clearly he had tried a time or two... and failed.

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Bart sighed deeply while once again parking his car. The exhausted detective felt sure that he should give this another go, for Scarlet's sake. He glanced up to the dance studio and began to re-button his shirt. Maybe not today, but if he just made her happy, then she'd learn to like him.. then *he'd* be happy. That's how this worked, right? The shaggy man shrugged his shoulders but attempted to tame his mess of blonde hair. It feel back in his face. Adjusting his glass atop the bridge of his nose, he sighed then climbed out of his car. With his hands stuffed securely in his pocket he trudged back up to the large metal building.

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"Jasmine," the woman of Bartholomew's heart called from a few feet away, "Am I hearing this right?" Scarlet asked while Rich, rather enjoying the spiteful banter, spun her under his arm,"Has Scott joined the dark side?"

Jasmine snickered as she'd nearly forgotten how much of a force her friend was. "I think he has, Scar."

The power couple posed for the end of the song, and instead of returning to the edge of the dance floor like normal, Jasmine and Scarlet simply switched partners, "Oh, you're right.." Scarlet cooed with a mischievous twist of her lips.

Bart glanced around the room for Scarlet, chewing his gum. Her poor partner's eyes widened in alarm upon finding her so close to the strange man. He gulped. Obviously they knew each other well. He wanted to look away.

The woman for which he rose each day for was acting absolutely scandalous. How liberally did her fingertips linger on Scott's jaw. Both men's breath caught in their throats. He couldn't. "I should throw him in the dungeon." she cooed sensually before stealing a quick peck from Scott's lips. Oh how she cracked into a wide smirk when as he didn't react. The man didn't even seem surprised. She *reveled* in it.

Bartholomew's pale blue eyes swam at the sight. She looked so happy. He choked, gripping the fabric over his heart. He drew a shakey breath at the painful revelation. They really never did have a chance.

She cackled at he threw her into a fast spin. She came back in and caressed his jaw while he lowered her to the floor. His heart shattered. "Who has the power, Scott?" she asked in softly seduction, her emerald eyes sharp and piercing but also far too enticing.

Scott, though his face warmed more than he liked, scoffed breathlessly, "U-um." He had to take step back from her. Sometimes she was a little too much, but he kept her hands in his. Never would he admit she succeeded in making his heart race.

She couldn't keep the laughter from her lips. He didn't need to. His fumbling was all the answer she desired, "I'll say you and Rich tie." Scott said in hopes of turning the attention away from himself, "Just, trust me." he paused to glance over to his roommate. "You're not with him every day."

Rich winked at Scott then laughed at his eye roll. "Don't tell her *all* my secrets, slave."

Ignoring Rich, Scarlet grinned like a cat,"Finally!" she raised his left hand into the air as if he'd just won a prize, "He sees reason!" she shouted just as their song terminated. Half of the ball room looked over, but unfortunately, she ceased caring years ago. "Why thank you, good sir." she spoke, giving Scott a small, polite, curtesy, "What a wonderful subject you are," she winked, pat his still pink cheek, then sauntered victoriously off to grab some water.

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Bartholomew's body shook with a gut wrenching sob. His horn shouted his dismay. Gasping for breath, he moved his red face from the center to the side. His wet glasses fell from his face, through the holes of the steering wheel, to his feet. No one cared. He was too upset even notice. All this time...nearly five years... He had been clinging to hope that maybe, someday, if he just-- How dumb was he?! The blubbering man finally saw the situation for what it was. She was never going to like him! Why would she? He was a worthless drunk who showed up late to work nearly every day. There was nothing appealing about him. Nothing!

"Oh Jasmine," Scarlet smiled at her fondly as the boys took other partners for this song, "This has been so much fun." she accompanied her pleasure with a devilish cackle, before glancing over her shoulder to her previous dance partner, "How could I forget how easy it is to mess with Scott?"

He wanted, no *needed*, a drink. If he didn't, he, he... wasn't sure he'd survive the night. So, with tears streaming down his face, Bart cranked the car.