Clara tightened her grip around Alex' arm as they walked into the large ballroom. It was beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and ornaments and tinsel and soft music was playing. Some couples were already dancing, others were standing at the side, chatting happily, the rest was found at their tables. Clara had never felt so uncomfortable in her entire life.
“Can you please,” Alex said, pointing at her hand on his arm that was slowly digging deeper into the fabric of his suit.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” she apologized, easing off her grip, “I'm nervous. I feel like everyone is staring at us.”
“You brought this on yourself, Clara,” he replied coldly.
“I know,” Clara took a deep breath, “Okay, what do you want to do?”
“I suggest we find our table,” he said.
Alex led her through the ballroom and Clara was under the impression he was walking deliberately slow to make sure everyone saw them. It didn't take her long to spot Missy, who was standing in a corner, talking to two other woman. When she saw Clara and Alex Missy pointed at the two of them.
“Okay, Missy just pointed at us. She is telling everyone about last night,” Clara said in a hushed voice, trying to avoid the women's gaze.
“Ignore it,” Alex told her, “Nothing you can do about that now.”
As soon as she had sat down at their table, Alex excused himself and went to talk to a co-worker, leaving Clara completely on her own and miserable.
“Look who we have here,” Missy suddenly said behind her and Clara turned around to see that she was sitting down at the table next to theirs – with the two women she had been talking to earlier and still was. Quickly Clara glanced away.
“I think it's very brave of him to bring her,” Missy told her friends, “That Clara is off her rocker, I'm telling you.”
Furiously Clara turned back around. “Excuse me, I'm right here.”
Missy gave her a false smile. “Yes, I know. That's why I felt the need to warn my friends.”
“Well, at least I have the courage to say to your face that you're a bitch!” Clara spat and rose from her chair, walking off in Alex' direction.
She waited for him to notice her standing next to him and he finished his conversation quickly.
“I can't stay here, Alex. Not when you leave me alone the entire time,” Clara blurted out.
Alex only rolled his eyes. “Clara, you're a grown woman. Can't you look past a few weird glances?”
“No, I can't. I want to leave. Now.”
She watched Alex take a deep breath. “Clara, please. Let's dance, make sure we're seen by the important people, eat something, and then we can go home. Just one hour. Can you do that?”
Clara found herself nodding. Alex gently reached for her hand and led her to the dance floor when the song ended.
“See, it's not that bad,” he said.
“I suppose,” Clara replied as they took their pose but she immediately felt herself stiffen when his hand landed on her waist. She was bad enough at dancing with him, but yesterday's fight didn't exactly help her relax. When the music started Clara closed her eyes. And thought about John.