Dancing Through Time (KARL X READER!)

Chapter 5 ✨

*Third Person Pov*

Though they never talked to each other after that incident, Ryan and (Y/N) had an unsaid rivalry that burned brighter than the sun itself. They competed for the highest grade in class, and the fastest runner after school even if their losses or victories were forgotten by the other kids.

Then came Ryan's birthday.

(Y/N) could remember it clearly, down to every detail.

He had handed out beautiful invitations to everyone in the class except her. He made a big show of it too. Her friends excitedly shoved their cards into her face with all the paper lace and color and handwritten invitations, but when they asked where (Y/N)'s card was she had nothing to show them.

Later that day, Ryan's mother had dropped off a card for (Y/N). The invitation was obviously rushed and Ryan wanted nothing to do with (Y/N).

Not like (Y/N) didn't want anything to do with Ryan either, but declining an invitation that didn't exist until a few minutes ago would've been rude. Besides, (Y/N) didn't want to give Ryan the satisfaction of her not going to his little party.

(Y/N) stared miserably into her closet. Nothing. Absolutely nothing to wear to the party. The closet was filled with overalls and too small shirts.

But the party wasn't until next week.

(Y/N) grabbed her mothers sewing kit and searched the house for spare coins. This dress had to look amazing

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It was beautiful.

(Imagine your own dress that a 13 year old would wear, obviously appropriate. Make it kinda of fancy Medieval style if you want.)

She spun around in it in front of the mirror for good measure and grinned.

(Y/N) checked the clock on the wall, with 15 minutes to the party. The walk would take at least 5 minutes, 10 using her flats/small heels that pinched her feet. She opened the door, "Bye Dad!" He grunted in return, and she frowned at the smell of alcohol and smoke as she left.

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(Aight I keep writing 'you' instead of her/she/(Y/N) so ima write it this way now)

You held up your hand to knock on the door but you didn't know how to do it.

Should I just walk through? Knock loudly? Do I have to knock in a pattern sort of way?

Just as you were going to open the door, it opened.

There in all his neat little suit with a vest and tie, stood Ryan.

You stood there with a loathing look, and you both stared at each other with disgust. He was about to close the door on you when his mother intervened. "(Y/N)! How lovely of you to join us this evening!" Her large frame pushed Ryan away from your view, "Come in! You'll catch a cold outside!"

She stepped aside to let you in. Though the house looked the same as yours on the outside, inside they were nothing alike. Polished gold and silver decorations were thrown on everywhere and the rug was clean and washed unlike your sad and unkempt home. The wallpaper was bright and joyus, and the mahogany shelf that hung on the wall was decorated neatly with hand drawn pictures of a young boy with his parents. Except the father was cut out of it. You looked around in amazement. It was just the waiting room.

Peels of laughter were heard beyond the room and a head poked through the door in front of you, "What's taking you so long? Come back in here!" A man with a large and humorous laugh. So much different than her father.

What is it with me and my Dad, this chapter I've mentioned him more than I've ever actually slept with a sleep schedule (*COUGH COUGH* GO TO SLEEP *COUGH COUGH*)

Ryan's mother left the room and you and Ryan stood in stiff silence in it. Hey cleared his throat and went to the door on your left, "Hey I just wanted to let you know," He looked at the ground before looking at you, "You look ugly in that dress."

He left quickly and you stormed after him. 

You didn't give a shit if it was his birthday, that comment alone would reward him with a crisp slap on the face. 

All of the other kids looked over at you and welcomed you in. The vibe was different here, from a strict polite and mannerful to relaxing and reckless. You searched the room for Ryan but in the stuffed room, he was nowhere to be seen. You began to search, pushing kissing couples out of the way and older drunk kids who must've snuck in their own alcohol. You noticed another door on the other side of the room, opposite to where you entered. You pushed your way there and walked through.

The room opened up to a balcony on the ground floor. The grass around it was cut neatly before growing wild near the edge of the estate. You walked out into the wild grass, stepping farther and farther away from the village opening up to the country sky.

And you saw him.

He was standing in the tall grass, opening his arms out to the soft breeze and letting the moon drop shadows unto his face.

"Ryan?" You whispered. He turned quickly to look at you, and masked his face with disgust. It was too late though, as he tried to wipe away tears.

"Go away, (Y/N)." He said back.

"Why are you crying? Are you okay?" Your voice held gentleness and a softness that you'd never used before. You walked up to him and he held his arms around himself awkwardly. Your intentions to slap his smug face slipped down the drain, gone.

"You wouldn't understand, being poor and all." He tried to fill pride into his voice and break you down, but you saw through it.

You didn't answer and only looked at him with concern. He looked up and met your eyes. "You know that man in the waiting room that called my mother into the other room?"

You nodded your head and whispered yes.

He continued on, voice rising with anger and frustration, "That Goldigger of a man is using my mother for the last bits of money we have and sweet talking her into buying him watches, ties, and useless pants. I've told her over and over about how I don't like him and she says she will acknowledge my choice about who she marries, but when she's around with him it's like I'm nonexistent. If my dad didn't go and break her heart just for that vulture to swoop in and drain out her bank money, I might've still been in the castle with all my friends. I wouldn't have to be scorned at and whispered about for something I couldn't control."

He looked up to you with wet eyes and sat on the ground, "You though, everyone else stared at me, but you came up to me and was actually kind. For the first time in months, someone was actually being nice to me." He let out a shaky laugh, "And I threw it away. I pushed you, I honestly don't know why I guess I was confused at why you were so nice. Or maybe," He looked away from you blushing and at the ground, "maybe because I had a small crush on you." 

Your face flushed red at that.

Was it true? Was he messing with you? Looking at him though, dejected and desperate for a taste of happiness and joy, you knew he spoke the truth. You thought back to all the times you fought at winning a race, or studying up late at night to beat him in school. You enjoyed doing it, you loved the chase and the rivalry. The only disgust you ever felt from it was because you weren't friends...

You sat down beside him and watched the bright stars twinkle and glitter in the night sky. The wind around you whistled a soft tune through the grass and the moon smiled at you and bathed you both in a light and soft creamy glow.

His hand touched yours and you held his hand. Everything seemed to be wrong and perfect at the same time. "I'll help you figure it out, We'll figure it out Ryan" You said to him as you watched the night sky with him. You felt him smile beside you.

That was the last time you ever saw him.

Word Count: 1387