A Night to Forget

[Taylor Mercer]

Taylor had struggled with the decision of going to the ball or not going, but the fact that she had already bought her dress meant that she probably should attend. Finding out she was going to have a brother was another weight that brought her down further into the pit of troubles that she was trapped in. Decidedly not thinking about her Dad (as she refused to even acknowledge his presence) Taylor got her hair ready for the Yule Ball. She had it slicked back completely off her face and pulled into a messy bun with blonde ringlets falling out.

With her make-up taking a lot of time, Taylor finally finished the black around her eyes and slipped into her dress. A sequinned short number with gold shoes. As she looked in the mirror, she managed a smirk. She didn't know whether Scorpius was attending the ball or not, but if he was, Taylor hoped he sincerely regretted leaving her. No, she didn't blame him for anything, but Taylor would admit she looked good and it would be nice if he noticed her. Ugh, listen to yourself! Shaking her head and turning away from the mirror Taylor silenced her thoughts. She sounded so silly even in her own mind. She contemplated not going one last time, before walking determined out of the Common Room.

Arriving in the hall, it looked amazing as per usual. Taylor didn't pay too much mind to the decoration though, her heart had lurched horribly at the sight of all the couples. How was she still not over this?! Looking up at the end of the hall she saw her Dad and she inwardly groaned. Heading over to a table, Taylor took a seat carefully. She spotted Raff amongst the crowd and wondered vaguely why everything had started to suck so much. She hadn't ever done anything wrong. Why was life being so cruel?

Taylor pointedly looked away from her ex and searched for another familiar face in the crowd. One that wouldn't make her feel so stupid about being here by herself.

 

[Sam Prince]

Sam wasn't sure wheter he would attend this year's Yule Ball, Toni had been stuck down with a cold for the past few days and he wasn't sure if she was feeling up to coming or not. However, his uncle had sent him over a tux just in case. After sitting on his bed a while, he decided he would go. On the good side, he would be able to hang out with his friends tonight, have a laugh, eat some good food. There wasn't much on the downside other then that Toni wouldn't be there, so it really wasn't much of a decision. However he would make sure to visit Toni after tonights event.

Once he had put on his neatly fitted tux, he ran his hand through his shaggy hair and left his dorm. He wasn't really too bothered about his appearance tonight, Toni wasn't going to be there and he was almost tempted to not even wear a tux. But he didn't want to make a complete fool of himself. He walked slowly down the corridors full of giddy teenage girls and grumpy teenage boys. The different reaction between the two made him chuckle to himself, he loved how girls took the whole thing so seriously, whereas the guys were going either because they were forced to or were looking for a hot date.

Sam arrived at the Great Hall, the decorations overpowering him. It was always like that, the decorations seemed to be getting more elaborate and elegant with each year. Sam looked around for one of his friends. It only struck him how awakward things would with Taylor and Scorpius. Maybe they had patched things up? He thought wishfully. Then, as his calm blue eyes looked around the large crowd, Sam spotted Taylor sitting alone at a table. Obviously not then... He thought disappointedly as he made his way through the joyous crowd to her. "Hey." He said simply and took a seat next to her at the table. "Toni can't make it tonight, so I guess you're stuck with me," He said with a smile, his blue eyes twinkled like usual.

 

[Taylor Mercer]

Taylor's eyes scanned the hall as she absently played with the bottom of her dress. She turned her head to the doorway, only to see Sam. A bright smile reached her face. The one person that made her feel considerably better about the events that were taking place in her life. "Hey." She said in return, turning a little to face him when he took a seat beside her. He looked great in his tux, her friend had always been attractive, but somehow boys' appearances always seemed to strike more when they were all dressed up.

Tay frowned slightly when he declared Toni wasn't coming. "Is she okay?" Taylor asked with a little concern laced through her voice. It had to be something serious if it meant Toni of all people wouldn't be attending a ball. "And your not so bad to be stuck with." She said playfully, but sincerely. She was extremely grateful she would have someone to spend the night with and Sam was always peasant company. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all?

 

[Sam Prince]

Sam nodded reassuringly, "Oh yeah. Shes fine. Just a head cold. But I warned her not to come tonight. I didn't want her sneezing all over me." He laughed. What Sam had actually said to Toni was to "stay in bed and get some rest". He didn't want the cold she had to get any worse. He knew she would be healthy and well in no time! "Yeah, you too." He smiled playfully in return. Spending the night with Taylor boded well with him, the two were best friends, there was never any 'romantic business' nor was there any sort of arguments. They had always been really close friends, Sam couldn't imagine it any other way. "You look great tonight." Sam said softly. Truth was she looked beautiful tonight, "I may even ask you for a dance later." He chuckled and swept his long fringe out of his eyes.

 

[Taylor Mercer]

Taylor chuckled and smiled in relief that there wasn't something seriously wrong with Toni. Taylor hadn't seen her in a while and made a note to catch up. She was Taylor only close girlfriend, of course there was Hoshi, but Taylor didn't feel as close to her as someone like Jenna might. She enjoyed her company, but she wasn't someone Taylor could spill her soul to.

Taylor felt a small blush tint her cheeks. "Thanks. You look rather dashing yourself." Her smile reached her green eyes and they sparkled with amusement. All thoughts and woes about her life were put to sleep by Sam's friendly company. "Why not right now?" She smirked, grabbing Sam's hand and pulling him up and over to the dance floor so he didn't have an option. "I know how much you secretly like dancing." She said cheekily, placing the hand that wasn't holding his on her friends shoulder.

 

[Sam Prince]

"Aah" Sam said in shock as Taylor took him by the hand and dragged him to the dance floor. When he said later he meant way later. He couldn't even mentally prepare himself to dance, since first year he had certainly lost his touch. He had almost completely forgotten everything! Sam rolled his eyes playfully as Taylor said she knew how much he loved dancing. He placed his free hand on her upper back and swayed slowly with her to the slow music. He looked around at all the couples dancing with each other, all of the friends dancing with each other. He turned his gaze back to Taylor glad that he was here with her. He smiled down at her before accidently standing on her toes, he quickly removed his foot away and said with a laugh, "Yeah, theres going to be a lot of that." He smiled apolegetically at her.

 

[Taylor Mercer]

Taylor bit her lip to stop herself from laughing as Sam stepped on her foot. "It's okay. I'm just glad I didn't have to spend the night alone." She said, looking up at Sam with sparkling green eyes. She caught sight of her Dad beyond Sam's shoulder, but promptly looked away. She wouldn't let her feelings drag down the good mood that Sam put her in. Surprisingly -just like that- she had suppressed all the bad emotions. "Congratulations on your win against Ravenclaw by the way." She smiled, glad the Puffs had beat the Ravens. Someone else had to win Quidditch cup this year. Taylor moved to the music slowly. Sure, Tay knew how to dance, but it was nothing to brag about.