ooc; if you ever want me to take on a character so you're not just talking to yourself all of the time, I'm more than happy to. At this point I'm only playing two characters and I feel a bit guilty ha, although I am planning on making more. Perhaps a rival for Edward's attention?

By the time the dance was beginning to draw to a close Ella's head was spinning. It wasn't just because of all the times Edward had twirled her around and around, either. It was also because of the way Edward was gazing at her, how it seemed to make her heart race and flutter all at once. Or how he was holding her, firm enough to secure her yet gentle enough to reassure her. Her skin seemed to tingle beneath his touch. She honestly hadn't expected the attention from the eldest prince to affect her in this way.

And yet she remembered looking back at Stephen as she was pulled away from him, seeing him there alone with his expression frozen upon his face. And she felt the guilt and regret making her stomach ache.

Then the dance was over, and Edward was gently leading her off of the dance floor. Ella's head still whirled, not just due to dizziness, and her hand gripped his arm. "It wasn't you," she reassured him truthfully. "You were wonderful. I should be thanking you for asking me to join you." He hadn't really asked, though, she reminded herself. He had all but stolen her away from Stephen, although that had probably not been his motivation.

Her eyes darted around the hall but she could not spot the darker haired prince anywhere. He had probably hidden away again, and it was her fault. Why couldn't she had protested when Edward had swept her away? Why had she enjoyed dancing with Edward so much? What if Stephen had seen and he really did hate her now? Why did she care so much? Dancing with Edward had been so wonderful and exciting and he had held her with such firm and gentle hands? 

Her head was spinning again, now with a confusion that Ella did not comprehend.

Edward indicated she could sit, and she sank into the velvety cushion with a grateful expression on her face. He said he was going to get her some water and she managed to smile up at him. "Thank you for being so gentlemanly, Edward." Then he was gone in the crowd, and she was left alone with her uneasy thoughts and confusion.

Until Avril reappeared. Ella was so happy to see her, and she reached out and gripped her friend's hand. "Getting me some water," she told her after Avril asked where Edward had gone. "I got a bit lightheaded. Have you seen Stephen? I'm so embarrassed, Edward came out of no where and didn't even give me a chance to respond. Before I knew it he had pulled me away and we were dancing." Her cheeks went a bit pink, simultaneously feeling pleasure over the wonderful dance and shame over abandoning her original partner. "Avril I just left him there! I feel awful." [i]If he didn't hate me before, he does now[/i]. Words she almost said but Ella stopped herself before she had a chance to form the first word.