Teen Ink

First

The bright world, purple and red and green, circled around like a whirlwind as they twirled, hand in hand. Her pale blue skin stood in soft contrast with the colorful world around them. He deftly pulled her back up and she spun away from him until she was as far away as their extended arms would allow. She looked into his eyes, the same shade of blue as hers and just as happy. He was taller than she, so when she spun back in to him it felt natural. Around them the world sang, and the trees as green as the brightest of emeralds, swayed in natural musical rhythm with them. She released his hand and grabbed one of the long red vines that hung almost to the ground from the trees. Her confident gaze never left his as she pushed off and floated temptingly around him, still grasping his hand softly.

They were the first that morning, but, as the sun rose, more began to arrive. Dozens of couples danced around them in the radiant forest. All of them had the same beautiful, smooth, blue skin and tall, slender bodies. Each had the same fragile noses and large curious eyes. Most noticeably, however, was the brilliant bright blue diamond that each of them had subtly embedded into their forehead. Occasionally, as they danced, it would catch the sunlight, sending brilliant beams of blue every which way.

They did this all day- whirling and swirling to the pulse of the world- never growing tired or disinterested. He lightly grabbed her waist and spun her around. The world blurred into a collage of green and blue and red. She trusted him, and he never dropped her.
Then it was over. The sun sank and with a regretful sigh he spun her one last time and suddenly they were again arm’s length from each other. The side of her mouth raised into a coy half smile and a mischievous gleam came into her eyes. The sun was quickly waning, and the groups were beginning to head north as they always did. She took a step forward in the direction of the others and then looked back. He had not moved. Confusion. She ran back and grabbed his hand, tugging at it gently, but he still did not budge. She did not understand, and neither did he. Uncertainly, she took another step away and then another, looking back to see if he would follow. He stood stubbornly still. Then, she realized he was not coming. Regret crossed her face, but she could not stay. With a casual turn of her shoulder she turned away from him as if she were going to walk away, but then- almost as an afterthought- she spun back around and bounded back to him, planting a lingering kiss on his cheek. She looked up into his quiet eyes for any trace of emotion suggesting that he may have changed his mind. Than she was gone: just like the others.