it was like dancing with a king

When I got home, all I could think about was when he invited me to the party. I don't have any money, so how was I supposed to look presentable? I sighed and turned over to my phone. I caught it before it fell asleep again. I had another text message from unknown. I opened it and read the short sentence.

"Check your doorstep." I said. I hopped out of bed and ran to my living room. My gray sweats and pink shirt struggled to keep up as my messy hair flew all over the place. A regal looking box was sitting on a table in the center of my confused family. I sat down next to my little brother and mother.

"What's this?" I asked. My mother motioned me to open it and I glanced at it. I slowly opened the lid and it revealed a beautiful long purple tool and silky dress, with long sleeves that end at the start of my thumbs. I pulled it out of the box and modeled it by putting it on top of clothes already.

"Amazing!" I said in awe. My family agreed with me. Sa-Do picked up a card and read it.

"Enjoy the dress; shoes are outside." It read. I carefully placed the dress down and opened the front door. I took a box from the floor and opened it before I sat back down. It was a pair of sparkly open-toed heels that had gems around the ankle buckle and on the strip between my foot and toes. I don't really know what it was called but they were beautiful.

"Are you attending a party Noona?" My brother asked. I nodded and shrugged my shoulder lightly.

"Well I guess now I am."

My family cheered and Sa-Do came up to help me put my dress in a safe place.

"So, was it Jun-Pyo?" He asked as he placed my dress on a hanger. I glanced at him and tried on the shoes.

"Could've been anyone one of them. It was unknown but if they want credit that bad then I will happily thank them." I said. I tried walking in them but fell into Sa-Do. We laughed and he balanced me.

"Why are you going?"

"Seo-Hyun Unnie's homecoming."

"Unnie?" He asked. I nodded.

"Well I hope. She seems nice and she waved at me!" I said cheerfully. He laughed and started to slow-dance with me.

"Well if you don't want like a complete outlier just follow these steps;" He said. I memorized each step carefully and clasped his hands lightly.

"One two three; one two three," He spoke quietly.

"This is my first step to becoming a lady." I whispered.

"And I'm glad I will be the first one to teach you how to act like one." He replied back. I smiled and we danced more.

A limo had picked me up, as the anonymous text stated. I went in and held my clutch that my mother had lent me for the night. I pulled my somewhat did hair behind my ear and stepped out when we arrived. I bowed to the driver and walked in slowly. Ga Eul would've came with Jan-di but they had nothing to wear.

I thought in my head. "I'm only doing this for Seo-Hyun Unnie."

I dreaded my feet to the main room and walked in. I saw F4 minus Ji-Hoo, then him and Unnie. I smiled and waved. When I looked back up Yi-Jeong's hand was out and I was shocked.

"Yi-Jeong," I said quietly. He grinned and opened up his hand.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with me tonight?" He asked. A waiter took my clutch and bowed. I nodded to him and slowly took Yi-Jeong's hand. It was soft; and warm. In that moment, I felt most beautiful. I had a nice dress, hair, shoes, and a handsome boy to dance with. It was if I was living a fairytale. We danced for a few minutes before Woo-Bin asked me to dance with him. I gracefully nodded and took his hand. It was like everything that happened before never existed. It was magical. I hope dad could've seen that.

It was after I decided to dance with Jun-Pyo. I danced with him and it felt equally magical. But, he kept saying cocky things. I laughed and brushed it off, and when the song ended I wanted some fresh air. I stepped outside and sat on the chair near the balcony to look off at the pool. I rested my hand on the railing and relaxed. I heard the door open but ignored it. I felt a presence beside me and was surprised by the sudden appearance.

"Seo-Hyun Sunbae!" I said. She smiled and looked out to the scenery.

"Pretty chaotic in there huh?" She said. I laughed and glanced at her.

I bet every guy in there wanted to dance with her. But she chose to talk to me.

"You know, you remind me a lot of myself." She said politely. I stuttered and cocked my head.

"You should compare yourself to someone much better than ordinary me."

"You're unique in your own way. You're beautiful and very smart without taking any pride in it." She said.

"Who told you that Sunbae?" I laughed.

"You're the one," She added. She turned to me with a warm smile.

"You're the one Ji-Hoo takes about with glimmer in his eyes and a smile on his face."

"J–Ji-Hoo?" I said.

"Yes."

"Miss Seung?" She asked once again. I replied. "Yes?"

"I know we haven't properly met, but this matter cannot wait."

"When I leave, I want you to take care of the boys for me."

"Especially Ji-Hoo." She said with hope. I looked out to the pool and laughed.

"Sunbae, am I even qualified to stand next to them?"

"It doesn't matter if you're qualified or not. What matters is that I want you to be the one to substitute in for me. No one has ever been so perfect for them." She said. There was a few moments of silence.

"Is that how Ji-Hoo really thinks about me?" I asked. I added on. "All he has been saying to me is sorry and just being polite." I trailed off. She giggled and put her hand on my shoulder as she turned for the exit.

"Boys in the notorious F4 are very good at hiding their true feelings whether it's inner conflict with themselves or family. It's the subtle hints they drop and the way they look at you in which gives it away." She replied thoughtfully. She then exited and started to talk to more guests. I looked at the glimmering doors then back at the pool.

I smiled.

"I'll do it for you Seo-Hyun Sunbae."

I walked back in and spotted Ji-Hoo sitting alone. I walked up to him and held out my hand. He was a little taken back then stood up.

"You look lonely. Mind if we dance together to finish off the night?" I asked. He hesitantly took my hand and I lead him to the dance floor. I started off far, so he didn't feel uncomfortable with the sudden action from me. We gradually got closer and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry." I said. I could feel him look at me than back at the wall.

"Why?"

"For not telling you this sooner," I stepped back and bowed.

"Thank you Sunbae. For all the apologies you gave me. Thank you for showing me the second step to becoming a lady."

He seemed confused. I put up a two with my fingers.

"Step number two: Earning respect from others." I led him to Seo-Hyun Unnie. I then smiled and exited the ballroom with my things. The cold breeze broke against my skin and I sighed happily.

Tonight was a real ball; more than just a homecoming party. To me not only did I make new friendships, but also felt at the peak of my beauty inside and out. Tonight was like dancing with princes from a high-class kingdom. But when I danced with Ji-Hoo, it felt like dancing with the King of Hearts. It was magical, and let my heart know that it was slowly resurrecting back to its old, warm and tingly self.