Jess smiled. The dance was amazing so far (not to mention they had free waffles and that was always a good thing for the redhead) and Cinder and the rest were having the time of their lives. It was perfect. Beyond perfect, actually.
Running a hand through her shoulder length fiery red hair, she walked over to the punch bowl in order to grab a drink. That's when she noticed a charcoal grey haired male glancing about the ballroom as if he was looking for someone.
Not wanting to get involved with him, in case he turned out to be a huge idiot, Jess ignored his presence, instead focusing on pouring herself some punch. She did just that, and as she turned around the face the dance floor, she heard the charcoal grey haired male clear his throat.
"Miss Ciane, is it?"
Jess paused. Crap. This guy knew her name, and she barely knew him.
"Y-Yeah," She stuttered, unsure whether or not she should be speaking to this man, "That's me. Jessica Ciane. And you are?"
The male coughed, "Draven." He mumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets, "Do you happen to be related to Anthony Ciane by any chance?"
"Y-Yeah, he's dad actually," Jess's brow furrowed, as Draven locked eyes with her, his blood red ones practically piercing hers.
"Oh, really? Do you know where he is?" Draven leaned against one of the marble pillars. Off Jess's stare of suspicion, he coughed once again, "I'm looking for him. I'm-" He paused, "I'm a colleague of his."
"Oh, okay," Jess raised one eyebrow, "Yeah, I have seen him. He should be about here somewhere." She scanned the ballroom, and finally her eyes rested on her father. "There he is." She pointed over to her father, who was at the bar talking with Qrow and some other men.
"Thank you." Draven muttered, although it sounded nothing like a thank you at all. He strode over to the bar, keeping his head down the whole entire time.
A rush of regret filled Jess's mind. She felt a dark presence around Draven. And yet, somehow, she trusted him. She didn't know why, though. Shaking her head, she stole a quick glance in her father's direction. Draven was seemingly engaging in a conversation with him, and they both seemed to be laughing about something. But, she felt as if she was being watched. Scanning the ballroom once again, she looked over up at one of the marble balcony which overlooked the whole entire scene.
A shadowy figure stood up there, arms folded. Jess couldn't make out it's face, but somehow she felt as if this figure was watching her every move. She felt as if the figure was watching those closest to her as well.
A shiver ran down her spine. Placing her punch down on the table, she turned and began to walk outside. Not looking where she was going, she felt herself trip. She waited for the impact of falling to the cold stone pathway, except... it didn't come.
Her eyes widened when she realised that she had been caught, and was pulled into a tight embrace.
"You better watch where you're going Jessie." An voice chuckled.
Blushing, Jess gazed up into a pair of familiar ocean blue eyes, "Sorry Ollie..."
"It's fine. To be honest, I'd like it if you were to fall into my arms more."
The blush on Jess's face grew a shade of bright red, almost matching the color of her hair. She playfully punched him on the arm. "You flirt!"
"Hey!" Ollie rubbed his arm, "I just caught you, could have been your knight in shining armour and then you decide to punch me!" He then laughed and ruffled her hair, "I don't know what I'd do without you Jess."
Jess exhaled before smiling up at him, "And I don't know what I'd do with out you Ollie."
Returning the smile, Ollie broke away from the embrace. "I was looking for you anyways. I wanted to talk to you."
"You did?" Jess raised an eyebrow, "What about?"
Ollie opened his mouth to speak, however he was cut off by the sounds of a Beowolf barking.
Jess turned her gaze and saw Dakota running towards her. "Dakota!" She cried, and kneeled down, her arms outstretched.
Dakota ran into her arms, barking happily as he did so. The young Beowolf licked her cheek, before resuming his barking.
The redhead giggled and held him close to her, whilst stroking his head. "I missed you so much!"
Dakota barked in reply. A pastel yellow colored butterfly landed on the grimm's snout, causing the grimm's barking to fade away.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Jess asked, now that Dakota had fallen silent and was practically mesmerised by the butterfly.
It was now Ollie's turn to blush. Running a hand through his raven black hair, he swallowed a lump in his throat. "Well... it's about-" He paused, "-It's about us."
"Us?" Jess gazed up at him.
"Y-Yeah. Jess, we've been best friends for nearly nine years now. We've always been by each other's side, and I-I've felt something lately." He took a hold of her hand, and led her over to a marble fountain, which stood in the centre of the garden which they happened to be standing in.
"I've felt something for you that I've never felt before. And I don't know how to put it into words but-" Ollie hesitated for a moment. He quickly cupped her cheek, and before Jess could say anything he leaned in and kissed her.
Jess's eyes widened at this. But she didn't move away. The kiss only lasted seconds, and when Ollie pulled away Jess felt the urge to pull him in and kiss him for much more longer. However, she didn't.
Instead, she stood there, her face a bright shade of red and emerald eyes shining.
"Ollie-"
"I-I understand if you don't feel the same way as me Jess but I love-" Ollie was drowned out by the sound screaming. And then shouting. And then cries of pain.
The two exchanged glances of worry, and before they could even have time to think they ran towards the ballroom.
Jess felt her legs tremble, as the scene before her unfolded.
"Oh no..."
...