As requested, here's the rest of the chapter from Beyond The Veil. Thank you guys all so much!! Perhaps now there are 4 important characters here. . .
Hollyhocks tapped her own lip, indicated that JuJuBee clean hers. Once she had, she was pulled unwillingly by her friends and then shoved into the midst of the dancing crowd.
Every bit of gracefulness seemed to disappear as she nearly knocked over several couples, knocking the wind out of others. No one seemed to mind and the music never stopped. They only smiled and danced again.
Hollyhocks laughed and clapped her hands at the edge of the crowd. She watched her friends dance in small circles with one another for what seemed like a long time. Breathless, Shaylee and JuJuBee made their way back to her. "I thought you wanted to join the fun?" Shaylee said.
"I do. I mean I did. Being here is far better than watching from the door. But I know not how to dance."
"All is well, we will not judge you, will we JuJuBee?"
"Why, of course not. Though you must listen to us Hollyhocks. Being in there is far better than watching from here," with that, she pushed Hollyhocks into the crowd.
With a scream, she collided into a young boy and they both fell to the ground. He was back on his feet in a heartbeat.
"Begging your parson," she said, rubbing her head. Hollyhocks looked up at him. With his bare pale skin, his light hair, his misty blue eyes, and his fern-like wings, it was plain to see that he was a sprite and not much older than her. A wide crooked grin spread across his youthful face. Hollyhocks took hold of the hand that was offered her. She tried to walk away, but he didn't let go of her. "I don't know how to dance," she told him.
He still didn't let go. Instead he said with a twinkle in his eye, "Then `tis time for you to learn."
She half expected him to pull her close and dance slowly with her. She half expected to feel lost in the world like she had outside. But he didn't do any of those things. In fact, he did just the opposite. Nearly the whole of the wedding party began forming into a large circle. He clung tightly to her hand as though making certain she was not separated from him. JuJuBee seemed to come from nowhere and took hold of her other hand, Shaylee close behind.
The Musicians began playing a lively dance tune, and those who stood watching clapped their hands and shouted. Hollyhocks was nearly shoved to her place in the circle. She felt her cheeks turn red. She wanted nothing more than to be a spectator. But with her friends holding onto one side of her and the handsome stranger on the other, she didn't even bother trying to get away from them.
Soon the dance escalated and poor Hollyhocks was jostled about by either party. "Fie!" JuJuBee shouted. "Stop treading on my toes."
"I shouldn't be here," Hollyhocks persisted.
"It's alright," said the boy with a voice like smooth glass. "Feel the energy of the music pulsing through you. Allow your body to move with us."
She didn't understand what he meant. Thankfully, some part of her mind did; she found herself swaying to the music as enthusiastically and as gracefully as anyone else. Her feet kicked this way and that, in rhythm to the music. Her lips curved up, matching the smile in her eyes. Her cheeks were as hot as embers now, only this time it wasn't from embarrassment. Happiness beat through her, her ears ringing with the laughter of a thousand voices.
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