Starla stood at the back of the room, unsure of what to do. Chasity and Justin were dancing together on the dance floor, JC had gone off somewhere by himself, Chris and Joey were, of course, the life of the party, dancing around from one girl to another, and Lance - well, Starla didn't know where Lance was. And, to her dismay, she found herself hoping that wherever he was, he was alone and not with some gorgeous girl that adored him.
"Hey, Starla," a soft voice from behind her said. She whipped around, startled, and found herself face to face with Lance.
"Hi," she replied as she nervously clasped and then unclasped her hands. She felt so awkward and she couldn't even look Lance in the eye.
"You don't have to be nervous around me," he told her, gently lifting her chin so that their eyes met. "What Justin said earlier - well, he was just kidding. I'm not going to try to take advantage of you or anything," he continued with a lopsided grin. Starla smiled and he took that as a good sign. It was time to go through with his plan. He looked at the DJ to make sure he was ready and, seeing his nod, he turned his attention back to Starla.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked, praying that she'd accept.
"Ummm........" Starla was on the verge of declining when images of Chasity and Justin dancing together popped into her head. They looked so happy together. She wanted to be happy like that, too. Even if it was only for a few minutes. "I'd love to," she told him, for once in her life following her heart instead of thinking of the consequences.
"Okay, great!" Lance replied happily, taking her hand into his. With one last look at the DJ and a slight nod of his head he was leading Starla out onto the dance floor. The current music stopped and a slow song came on. Lance wrapped his arms tightly around Starla and drew her close to him. He felt her tense up and, realizing she'd probably never danced like this before, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Relax. Just lose yourself in the music." He looked down at her tenderly and started to softly sing along to the song.
I've been meaning to tell you
With these hungry eyes
Starla hadn't realized what a beautiful voice Lance had. As he sang to her, though, she felt herself losing her senses. It was all so magical. And they fit together so perfectly, too. It was like they belonged in each other's arms. Starla wished that they could stay this way forever.
I wanna hold you so hear me out
With these hungry eyes
Now did I take you by surprise
Across the room Chasity and Justin were dancing to the exact same song. Chasity had noticed Lance bringing Starla out on the dance floor and, ever since then, her eyes had been on them.
"Don't they look adorable together?" she asked Justin.
"Who?"
"Lance and Starla," she replied, gesturing towards them.
"Yeah," Justin replied. "But not nearly as cute as you and I," he teased, placing a light kiss on her lips.
"You know," she continued thoughtfully, almost as if to herself, "there's something special between those two. I don't know what it is but you can just tell. It's like - well, I don't know what it's like. They really need to get together. I bet it's going to be hard, though. Starla is so shy."
"Are you trying to play matchmaker now?" Justin asked with an amused grin.
"No, of course not. I don't need to. I can tell they like each other. It's only a matter of time."
"Well, you can do whatever you want as long as you don't neglect your poor, adoring boyfriend. I've got hungry eyes too, ya know," he told her as he gently turned her head away from Lance and Starla and to him.
"Aww, are you jealous?"
"Damn straight," he laughed, letting his fingers linger on her face, gently caressing it. "We have a lot of lost time to make up."
"Well, in that case, there's no time to lose," Chasity said softly as she locked her hands around his neck and brought his face down to hers. The first contact of their lips was explosive and Chasity felt all the familiar emotions run through her, the strongest of which being love.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the song ended Starla drew away from Lance, suddenly feeling shy. "Thanks for the dance. It was - It was really nice."
"It was my pleasure. You're a great partner," he told her sincerly.
"Thanks. I've never really danced like that before," she confided.
"Well, you did wonderful. You must be a natural," he told her with a smile. He looked around at all the people everywhere and added, "It's getting kind of stuffy in here. Would you like to go outside?"
"Sure," she replied, taking his offered hand. As the strolled outside Starla felt as light as a balloon. Here she was walking hand-in-hand with the most wonderful, not to mention gorgeous, guy she had ever laid eyes on. She'd never in a million years imagined that something like this could happen to her. When they reached the bench that she and Chasity had been sitting on earlier, they sat down.
"So Starla," Lance began. "I've ran into three times already and I still don't know anything about you - well, except for your name."
"What do you want to know?" Coming from anyone else it might have sounded coquettish but coming from Starla is just sounded innocent.
"Let's start with the basics - How old are you?"
"I'm nineteen years old. I'll be twenty in April."
"What's your last name?"
"Whetherly."
"What's your favorite color?"
"Umm, I guess I'd have to go with pink."
"What's your favorite drink?"
"Dr. Pepper."
"Do you-"
"Wait a minute," Starla interrupted, with a laugh. "I don't know anything about you either. Don't you think I should get to ask some questions too."
"Of course. Ask away."
"Okay, to make it fair why don't you just answer the same questions I answered."
"All right - 20, Bass, red, Dr. Pepper."
Starla's eyes widened. "How'd you remember what you asked and in what order?"
"I have a good memory," Lance told her with a wide grin. As he gazed down at her, with her sweet, upturned face looking right at him, he wanted to kiss her more than anything. She looked so innocent staring up at him like that, for once having the hint of fear erased from her delicate face. He knew he couldn't though. He had to go slow. She was just now loosening up to him.
"There ya'll are. We'd been wondering where you had disappeared to," Justin said, coming up to them from the path. Chasity was by his side, her hand clasped snugly in his.
"It was getting stuffy inside so we decided to get some fresh air," Lance explained.
"Yeah, I bet you were," Justin replied with a knowing look. Chasity squeezed his hand, indicating that he needed to shut up.
"Yeah, it was pretty crowded in there," she agreed. "I'm just glad the party is finally almost over. I couldn't stand to be around those snobs for one more second."
"I didn't realize it was this late!" Starla exclaimed, looking down at her expensive, silver watch. "I better go," she said, jumping up from the bench. Her mother had probably expected her home an hour ago. Starla didn't normally stay out this late. "Bye you guys," she called before quickly disappearing out of view.
"Wow, she was in an awful hurry wasn't she?" Justin commented.
"You probably scared her away," Chasity retorted, elbowing him in the ribs.
"Well, it's not like I meant to."
"I know. You can't help it if you don't have any manners, right?" Chasity teased, smiling sweetly up at him.
"Hey, that's not nice!" Justin pouted, a mock hurt expression on his face. "Why do you have to be so mean to me?"
"Aww, I'm sorry," Chasity replied, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. "You know I love you."
"Okay, you guys, can you cut it out?" Lance asked irratibly. He was upset that Starla had left so quickly. He didn't even get a chance to say good-bye! "I'm ready to go," he continued, standing up and walking back towards the mansion.
"What's wrong with him?" Justin whispered as he stared at Lance's retreating form. He was normally so calm and collected.
"Justin, where have you been?! Lance has a crush on Starla and she left to fast he didn't even get a chance to say good-bye. He probably doesn't even know how to get in contact with her again."
"Oh....well, he doesn't have to be so touchy."
"Justin, baby," Chasity said affectionately, craddling his face with her hands, "You may be smart, and you know I love you to death, but there are some things you just don't get."
I've got this feeling that won't subside
I look at you and I fantasize
You're mine tonight
Now I've got you in my sights
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got hungry eyes
I feel the magic between you and I
I wanna show you what love's all about
Darlin' tonight
Now I've got you in my sights
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got hungry eyes
I feel the magic between you and I
I've got hungry eyes
Now I've got you in my sights
With those hungry eyes
I need you to see
This love was meant to be
