One, two three.

One, two, three.

After being guided through the door by a girl whose face he had just known; before he knew it, he found himself standing in the middle of a grand ballroom, her right hand in his, her left around his neck and his around her waist. Together, they moved to the rhythm of the music.

One, two three.

He took a step forward with the left foot, following her lead.

One, two, three.

He shifted to his right and closed his left foot to his right.

One, two, three.

He took a step back with his right foot and move his body back to the left as they danced across the floor of the ballroom.

One, two, three.

Finally, she guided him back to the center as he closed his right foot to his left.

Together, they held each other in a momentary pause as she looked up at his face and smiled. “Your turn,” she said.

Needing no other encouragement, he nodded and began to move. Slowly, he repeated her steps, sometimes stumbling over his own feet. The music, as if gradually guiding him started slow, its vibrato hanging in the air with every note. Eventually, his body started to immerse in the dance. The clumsy steps he took at the beginning were slowly disappearing as he glided across the dance floor, his partner matching his every step. The dance, no longer perfunctory, took on aspect of his personality, sometimes slow and methodical or fast and impulsive. He guided his partner across the dance floor with practiced ease as if he was a veteran.

The music, originally guiding him, adapted to his dance. It became faster and more intense. It no longer hung in the air but pulled along by the mood of the dance. It traveled in the air, across the ballroom and with each note, lit up the stain glass windows that surrounded the hall.

As he made make his way across the floor, partner in hand, his eyes lit up at the beautiful windows that surrounded them, each one innately decorated with an image of a flower.

On their rights were images of a crimson rose, its thorn displayed prominently, a white cherry blossom swaying in the wind, and a green dahlia blossoming from its branch. On their left were images of a yellow lily, reaching its petal toward the sun, a blue azalea surrounded by a green forest, and an orange freesia towering over all that around it. Behind them was a single panel with a purple iris displayed prominently in the center of the panel. Lastly, as they made their way back to the center of the floor, he saw another single panel in front of them. The glass on it was more finely cut than any other but it was a single white pane without any decoration in a room of colorful flowers. Then, gently, just as it began, the music that accompanied their dance began to fade as they made their way back to the center of the floor.

Holding each other for just a bit longer after the music ended, he slowly let go of her hand, took a step back and bow. Seeing his gesture, the girl nodded, lifted her dress slightly, and gave a curtsy in return.

“Thank you for accompanying me,” she said.

“It’s not a problem. It was fun”, he replied.

“I’m glad.”

“Will I ever see you again?” he asked her.

“Maybe. One day, if you never give up searching for me, you’ll find me.” She answered.

“I look forward to that day.” He told her as body faded into the light of the room and disappeared.

Left alone in the ballroom, the girl simply waved her hand and the ballroom that was once there faded back into the darkness.

Turning around, she began to walk forward only to stop a moment later to look at the spot that the boy disappeared from one last time.

Staring at that spot, she quietly said, “I hope one day you’ll be able to forgive me.” and disappeared, fading into the darkness.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stirred from his sleep by the sound of rustling leaves outside of his window, the boy woke from his slumber. He tried recalling his dream from a moment ago but no matter how hard he tried only a sense of longing remained in his heart. He could not remember what he dreamt about, only that he desperately wanted to return there. However, all his attempts at recalling it were in vain.

Sighing, he gave up. He looked at the alarm on the counter next to his bed and its display promptly read June 18th, 6:30 A.M. He tussled his hair, get up from his bed and make his way to the restroom. He started his morning shower, brushed his teeth, and get ready for the day ahead.

Today was his last day of high school, the graduation ceremony would start about 3 hours from now and he needed to get ready. He wanted to get there early to see his friends and say goodbye before the ceremony start. After the ceremony, they would all go their separate ways. He was going to travel with his family to greet their circle acquaintances while his friends also needed to do the same.

In his heart he wished for this day to never come because it means that, at the end of today, he can never call his friends, “friends” again, at least not publicly. Once the clock strikes midnight on June 19th, all his friends are now rivals, caught up in the struggle between their respective families. He never wanted this role but at the same time, he sighed, all good things must come to an end.