Chapter V: The Party - Part II -

One of the best feelings in the world, concluded Tess, was dancing. And while she was dancing, she was in a completely new world. She was in her own world. Even if friends and family always told her she lived in her own world, only while dancing she actually felt what they meant.

She loved it. The music, the feeling of it, she was all in. So into it, that she did not see the stranger approaching her from behind. She felt the tap on her shoulder, but she was sure she bumped into someone on the dance floor. Another tap on the shoulder, this time she was sure it is not just an impression, someone was indeed trying to get her attention.

She opened her eyes and saw him.

- Hi love, I simply needed to tell you how much I love your dance move

- You simply had, Tess repeated after him.

- Yes, love.

- Haha, Oh, no you don’t, just NO!, Tess burst into laughs and turned her back to him.

The guy didn’t give up and tapped her on the shoulder again.

Tess turned around all smiles and told him a big fat NO once again, before going further away from him so she could dance.

The nerves on this guy. As much as she hated sweet talk, when it came from a stranger, it added an extra infuriating topping that just made her blood boil. Not today, not ever will starting the conversation with “love” work for her. Ever.

Con was watching the whole interaction from close by. He was happy he didn’t get the chance to go first and do the same mistake as that poor looser before him. But François will hear from him! He lied to him, he told Tess loved sweet talk! That bastard! To lie to his best friend like that! He played him so he didn’t stand a chance in front of Tess. Well, he would not have started the conversation with love, but sweetheart. Not sure which one was worst. Maybe the fact that he planned to call her Tessy, as Francis did. Maybe she wouldn’t have liked that.

He needed more information on her before he made his first move. His first move had to be brilliant, to be planned ahead, to be knowledgeable. He knew a challenge when he saw one, and he couldn’t remember when was the last time he had to work his way around a girl. Usually he would just show up somewhere and at least 2 girls would try to get his attention. And he would give them, why not? What harm. He was indeed a player.

But Tess was a challenged that he accepted.

He decided to wait and plan before going to talk to her. She seemed pretty much in her world and she did not like any interruptions from it. So he had to find a way to get in her world, her dance world, without getting her out of there. He had to dance.

He wasn’t the best dancer, as dance was not on his top skills. Well, not even on his second top skills. Let’s just say dancing was not his forte. He was handsome, charismatic, funny and the list could go on, but not a dancer. Then again, if that’s what it takes to get to talk to Tess, we would do it.

It was something about her, the more she looked like she didn’t need anyone or didn’t want anyone around her, the more he wanted to be right there, in her face. He couldn’t remember last time someone got into him without even talking or looking at him. Maybe he was going mad. But the way she jumped up and down all happy with François, and the way she kissed him on the lips, friendly and all, but still. She seemed so confident, and true to herself. She seemed so interesting and fascinating.

And the way she just laughed and said No in that guy’s face. He like that she was so straightforward, even though that meant he needed to step up his game and work his approach tactic. So he had an idea, but he needed the help of his best friend. And he was sure he won’t help if he finds out what he wants to do.

So he went to François, at his DJ post.

- So? Any luck with Tess? , asked Francis.

- Well, not following your advice, for sure. But she seems she has the “Do not disturb” mode on, so I think I will find another target.

- Well, I think that’s for the best.

- Yeah, it is for the best. Now, you owe me one, said Con, for throwing me in front of the lion unarmed and smelling like bacon.

- Haha, I think you are exaggerating, but fine, what do you want?

- I want you to play that mix of yours, the dance mix, you know.

- Yeah, I do, why would you want that? You can’t even dance.

- I know, I know, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to listen to it. And now I really feel in the mood of listening to that mix.

- Ok then, I will play it next.

- Thanks, bro, said Con, and off he went close to the dance floor.

The mix was the best dance songs put together in an amazing harmony. It was one of Francis’s finest work. So he was delighted to play it, and the crowd went nuts hearing it. The energy of the entire room shifted, and people crowded on the dance floor to enjoy the music.

Con waited till the floor looked busy enough, then he dived in. He started with slow moves, from one foot to another, elbows bent and hands made fists, swaying his shoulders with the music, making his way closer to Tess, without looking like that is where he wanted to go. Just playing along, moving with the music, moving with the crowd. Or so he thought. From his place, Francis saw where he was going to, and didn’t like it a bit. But the way he was dancing, he could only embarrass himself, so that might be fun after all. And then, the crowd was enjoying the music so much, that he could not change it now. So he just watched the scene, as he was sure it’s going to be a scene.

He knew Tess well, so he was expecting a funny moment at least.

Con, moving the way he knew, reached Tess’s space. He was with her back at her, starting to move a bit more, throwing a leg here and there, looking a bit like a RiverDancer. He picked up the rhythm, and starting to move his arms more, closing his eyes. He was trying to feel the music, to be one with the music. He thought he looked quite cool, but he looked like a tree in a strong wind, blown back and forth, all over the place, without direction.

But on his unpredictable flow, he touched Tess. Then he bumped into her harder, so Tess looked at him. He didn’t open his eyes, just moving with what he thought was the music. Tess looked at the dark haired guy, blown by an invisible wind and started to chuckle. But she could give him some credit for feeling the music, but she needed her space, so closing her eyes, she started to sway in his direction, gently pushing him away with her hips.

Con opened his eyes wide, looked straight into Tess’s eyes. Got lost for a second. God, she was beautiful, but recovered fast, and said close to her ear.

- You don’t own this dance floor, you know!

- Yes I do, it is mine, I own everything today!, said Tess laughing.

- Oh do you, now? Ok, then, we need to fight this off. Dance fight, now!

- What? With you? Who even does dance fights? Did you watch to many movies? This is real life, and this is my spot on the dance floor, said Tess.

- Are you afraid you are going to lose?, Con challenged her.

- Lose, to you? No I am not, bring it on!

Then Con started to swing his body towards her, and she started laughing. He had no dance moves, just moves, body moves. Then Con signalled her that it’s her turn.

The song switched into a latino vibe, so Tess swayed her hips closer to Con, in a magical way. People were starting to gather around them and cheer her up. Con applauded her, then from that applaud, did a pirouette, with his hands up close to his ears, like a tango dancer, he circled her and went down on one knee, to allow her to dance around him. She was enjoying this.

The song went on to a more dynamic one, and Tess picked up the rhythm and started to move her body in a very sexy way, shoulders swaying from side to side, she lowered her body down and back up. Con was mesmerised once again. He didn’t have more moves left, so he went back to being a tree in the wind, his whole body swaying without grace, but with much fun. People that were gathered around them started to disapprove of his moves, whistling and telling him to go home. But he couldn’t care less, Tess was laughing, so that was a good sign.

Then the song went on to some reggae, he knew reggae, he could do reggae, but before he could start anything, Tess went hands up, rocking her shoulders, singing the lyrics, eyes closed again, she was so in rhythm with the music, that he couldn’t do anything but try to mimic her moves. It couldn’t be that hard. So hands up, move the shoulders, eyes close, feel the music. He thought he had the hang of it, he was actually moving on the dance floor. He felt someone close to him, thinking it's Tess, he wrapped his arms around the shoulder, leaning back into the music. Then he heard everyone laughing. He opened his eyes and saw François, who somehow moved closer to the dance floor. He was looking at him with a smile on his face.

Everyone was laughing, including Con. That was fun. He started to applaud and bowed in front of everyone, then pointed to Tess and bowed again. Then he invited everyone to dance on the dance floor.

He then did the best thing he could think of doing. He disappeared into the crowd.