48

Ben wasn't sure what to do when he found the girl he loved arm in arm with her roommate, attending the party he might have used to introduce Margot as his Lady of the Court. She looked so happy and relaxed that he was scared to break the spell. She was confident and self-assured every time the staff came to her with questions, even when Jane and Fairy Godmother were frazzled. She was just... her. Without the fear and anxiety and constant pressure she put herself through.

When the music played, Kalea bowed playfully, extending a hand to Margot, and the girl accepted gladly. The two girls laughed as they danced a near-perfect waltz, under the watchful eyes of more than one suitor.

"You're a great lead, Kalea! I didn't know you liked dancing so much," Margot commented before spinning gracefully.

"I like the lead part better, it's easier when I'm this tall. And I don't like getting spun around much," Kalea replied, lifting Margot easily in a spin.

"Well, you're great at it! I might have to start practicing with you instead of Oliver."

The song ended as they bowed and curtsied to one another. Kalea led Margot by the hand off the dance floor towards the food tables.

"Is there a reason you wouldn't practice with Ben?"

Margot paused, her lips twitching upwards. "No, I guess there isn't. Actually, he's probably too busy for that, and I like dancing with you. But there's not any particular reason other than that."

"Oh? Did your little jaunt to the Isle clear your head then?" Kalea wondered, her left eyebrow raised.

Jumping in place, Margot spun towards her. "You... you know about that?"

"Of course, you should know by now how observant I am." Kalea rolled her eyes. "So the answer is a yes then? I'm glad, it's annoying to watch you drown in insecurity for no reason."

Margot chuckled after a small wince. "You really don't mince your words. I appreciate it though. Yes, it did clear my head. Ben deserves to have our feelings acknowledged, and even though I'm not really sure of myself yet, I'm not closing that door anymore. I'm gonna take my time."

"Roze will love hearing that. She's yours and Ben's biggest fan," Kalea said absentmindedly.

"Huh? Are you and Roze close? I didn't even realize."

"Yeah, she's coming to my place after graduation for a month or so to learn how to surf. We became friends when she was all worried about you."

Margot's cheeks turned red. "I didn't realize I was worrying her. I should apologize, probably."

"Yeah, probably," Kalea agreed.

"It's a shame she wasn't able to make it today, I would've liked to talk to her."

"The whole family's doing a weekend getaway for her mom's birthday, so she'll be back by Tuesday." Kalea led Margot into another spin and a dip as the music slowed down. "Do you wanna grab a snack?"

Margot was about to reply, but felt a hand tap her shoulder gently.

"I hope you don't mind if I take the next dance?" Ben stood sheepishly behind her, his eyes gazing into hers hopefully.

Kalea nudged Margot forwards with a smirk. "She's all yours, Loverboy."

Margot stiffened at the sudden closeness, but took his offered hand gracefully. The next song was slow, and the waltz music had been replaced with a smooth, almost jazzier tune.

"You look like you're having a lot of fun," Ben commented, his eyes still nervous and hopeful.

Margot nodded, her body leaning into his as her left hand rested on his shoulder. "Yeah, Kalea's a lot of fun. Very insightful too."

"Do you..." Ben hesitated. "I don't wanna pressure you, but, do you think, at next year's Cotillion, would you be my date instead?"

The silence that followed killed him, and just as he was about to take it back, Margot spoke. "I think... I would like that very much. But... could you ask me again next year?" Margot's eyes shone with hope that mirrored Ben's as he smiled gently and nodded.

"Yeah. Yeah, I can do that."

Margot smiled back. "Good. Let's do that then. I'll... I'll look forward to it."

"Me too." Ben's gaze fell on her lips for a moment, but he quickly glanced up again and led her into a slow spin.

When the spin finished, Margot allowed herself to stand just a little closer than she had been before, her left arm resting on his and their clasped hands held tight to their bodies, which just barely touched.

The dance became less technical, and more of an intimate sway as they moved together. It was far from proper, Margot knew, and any pictures of them would likely end up in the news even despite Mal and Oliver technically being the big news of this event.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Kalea smirking and giving her a thumbs up, while Evie squealed excitedly nearby, clapping her hands together before she was whisked off to dance by her own date. Mal was standing by Oliver, her body language closed off and tense despite Oliver's gentleness.

Margot couldn't focus on them though, not when Ben was so close, so warm, so intimate. It didn't matter what her friends were doing, it didn't matter that her sunset-coloured dress probably clashed horribly with his slick blue suit, it didn't matter that she was from the Isle and he was the king. It was just... comfortable.

"I'm..." Ben trailed off nervously. "I feel bad for feeling happy that you went back to the Isle. I know it must've been horrible, but I'm just so... selfish that I really feel grateful."

Margot squeezed his hand gently, her own smile bittersweet. "I wouldn't even blame you for that. I needed to face it, and I was hurting you by wallowing in everything that happened. I just... want to be me, and you can be you, and let everything else happen."

"That sounds amazing," Ben agreed, his expression soft. "Let's do that."