The night is finally here. The winter dance.

Put together by the community to celebrate the new year, they have redecorated the church hall into a ballroom. Fairy lights strung under the ceilings. A small, makeshift stage where the band is playing old folk tunes. Tables set up along the walls to make room for a dance floor. Somehow, they've managed to transform the space into something that'd make anyone forget the kind of world they live in. Outside, the cold wind howls. Snow falls silently over Jackson’s streets. But in here—it's warm. Full of life, laughter and music.

Joel hadn't planned on coming tonight. Gatherings like this isn't exactly his scene. He doesn't see the point in celebrating New Year's Eve anymore, either. He'd rather be at home, surrounded by the familiar quiet and solitude. Maybe tuning his guitar. Or finishing some of his wood carvings. Or sipping the whiskey stored away from Ellie’s prying hands. Anything but what he's doing right now.

He's sitting by one of the tables in the corner, nursing a stale beer, watching the crowd of people dancing and swaying to whatever slow song the band’s playing. He watches Dina laugh and throw her head back at something Ellie whispers in her ear. Probably one of those dumb jokes she's always got up her sleeve. He sees Tommy, spinning Maria around gently to the music, smiling from ear to ear.

But what he doesn't see, is you.

The realization hits him suddenly. You had been so excited for the dance. You'd told him last week that you were going to show up early to help set everything up, with that bright smile of yours that always made his jaded heart melt. He saw the ways your eyes had lit up, how giddy you got at the mention of the dance. It was one of the reasons he's even here in the first place—to watch those beautiful eyes sparkle and that sweet smile of yours widen.

Yet you're nowhere to be seen. His eyes scan the room, looking for any sign of you.

When his eyes finally find you, you're standing in the opposite side of the room, leaning back against one of the tables. Even from across the space, Joel can see the faint smile on your face as you observe the scene of swaying couples. His chest swells inexplicably at the sight of you. The way the light shines in your eyes. The way your dress makes you look like some kind of angel. The way that tiny smile lingers on your lips. The way your hair falls so prettily over your shoulders. The way you're standing there alone, yet somehow your presence is like a breath of fresh air. It's enough to make a grown man’s knees buckle and his weary heart stutter.

Joel has been waiting for weeks for an opportunity like this. Possibly even longer. Ever since you moved in down their street all those months ago, he's been trying to ignore the gnawing feelings in the back of his mind. He's been catching glimpses of you, secretly glancing at you, yearning for something he knows deep down he doesn't deserve. Not with someone as good as you. He's kept a respectful distance, limiting himself to polite conversations and respectful nods. But tonight? Tonight he feels it so deep in his gut that it can't be ignored another second.

With a small grunt, he stands up from his chair, making his way around the crowd of dancing townsfolk. His feet move on their own, like his body is instinctively drawn to you, and he's utterly powerless to it. His eyes never leave you as he walks up to your table, stopping right in front of you.

For a moment, he just looks at you. Really looks. Taking in how your entire face beams when your gaze flickers up to meet his. Looking so damn beautiful it almost feels unfair. Then, he clears his throat lightly, realizing he hadn't prepared for what he was going to actually say to you.

"Hey, darlin’. You're lookin’ a little lonely over here," he starts carefully, setting his bottle of beer down next to your half-finished one. He lifts his palm up, holding it out to you, slightly awkwardly for a man of his size. "You, uh... You wanna dance?"