Chapter 5

Rademos puts on his suit in a rush. He sat on his bed, laced his shoes, got up, and stared in front of the mirror. He knotted his black tie, after which he stared at his hands, and his eidetic memory forced an image of him pushing Andis off him earlier into his mind. He suppressed the rest of the flashback. He stared at his reflection again, only this time, he took a while to appreciate his appearance.

He turned off the light, stepped out of the room, and shut the door. He could hear the thrumming sound of the music as it came off the speakers in deep vibrations. He strolled down the corridor, his left hand casually placed in the left pocket of his trousers. He started to imagine the sight that was going to be before him when he entered the living room. 

The door swung in at his touch, and the full volume of the music hit him with a blast. The party lights cast fun, colorful shades on the dancers already vibrating to the music and having the times of their life. The party was clearly at its peak.

If it was this fun without him, why must he make an appearance? He wondered.

Upon his arrival, Mideora had signaled the DJ, and he paused the music briefly to get everybody's attention. Then he picked up his mic and announced with the sort of energy that only party DJs can produce on cue, "Here's the birthday boy. Let's show him some love!"

There was loud cheer all over the room, after which everyone chorused, "Happy Birthday, Rademos!"

The music quickly went up an octave, and the dancing continued with more abandon.

Mideora had had her eyes on Rademos as soon as she had seen him walk through the living room door into the party space.

"Hey, birthday boy," she said cheerily and handed him a glass of pineapple juice which he immediately gobbled in one swallow.

"Whoa, take it easy," teased Mideora as she laughed happily.

"If you promise to have just one dance with me, I'll provide you with another tall cold glass of the best pineapple juice you've ever tasted."

"You're a terrible blackmailer," replied Rademos with a small smile.

"So you agree then."

Mideora plucks off another glass from a passing waitperson and hands it off to Rademos.

He tasted the tart sweetness of the pineapple juice this time on his tongue, and then he sucked on his lower lip. Mideora nudged him to look in his right direction, and she cleared her throat to grab his attention further. The sound had caused him to look in the direction of Mideora's gaze, and he became aware that a group of five was staring at him, two girls and three guys he couldn't tell apart from the rest of the party people.

Shit, they must have said something he had clearly missed when he was taking in everyone's appearances and trying to place them. The groupwere just a bunch of his classmates, so he moved toward them.

"Oh, yeah, thanks, guys," he said, casually strolling away from the crowd. Gosh, he needed some space.

Rademos sat on a couch to watch the party as if he was only a spectator. Mideora would not have that. She walked up to him and pulled him up. She wanted her brother to mingle and have fun tonight, and as far as she could tell, he had not even had a dance.

"Try not to act all cool on your birthday," Mideora said. "It's YOUR birthday for a reason. Everyone is supposed to see you and tell right off that you're the celebrant. Get up, come on, let us dance. You owe me one, after all."

Rademos sighed heavily and got up somewhat reluctantly. He grabbed his sister on both shoulders and stared into her eyes. "Thanks for the offer, but I think I'd pass, sis."

"Rademos, do not spoil my mood. You promised me a dance; you did. I didn't force you to, after all." Mideora's tone was coaxing yet sly. Rademos paused in his tracks and turned around.

"Fine, fine, I'll dance with you," he said, and she beamed happily at him. "Just one dance, though," he added.

The DJ had slowed down the music at some point. It was more of a waltz tune then than a hip-hop vibe. Thank goodness for little graces. Rademos couldn't quite imagine himself jumping and vibrating to some kick-ass hip-hop; a slow waltz is far better in his book of dances.

He put Mideora's right hand in his left and placed her fingers in his without interlocking them. His right hand went to her lower back and rested there while she put her other arm in front of his shoulder. He walked simply towards her with his left foot, and she stepped back with her right. He swayed her to the right, to the left, his right foot went back as her left foot moved forward, and he swayed her to the left and right again. They repeated the steps, but this time they traveled around the room with it, their flow in sync and effortlessly executed.

Everyone pried at them as they danced, but he didn't care. He would dance if that made his sister feel happy. He paid no mind to anyone else.

"Ahem, break it up, break it up," Nick said, pulling them apart.

"Oh, Nick!" Mideora whined playfully.

"This looks a bit incestuous," Nick said, placing his hand around Mideora. "Hey, Rademos, no offense, but I'd like to continue the dance with my girlfriend. I'm pretty sure you have a lot of ladies that are into you. It's your birthday, and I'm sure if you ask nicely, someone will be willing to dance with you."

Rademos scoffed wryly and walked away. He and Andis locked gaze, and he quickly moved along, but she followed him.

"Rademos, wait," she called after him once they passed through the front door.