misconceptions

via Daily Prompt: Elegant

He couldn’t help but stare. He had never seen her look more beautiful. She was, perhaps, the most ravishing creature he had ever seen. As she descended the winding staircase, he noticed how graceful her steps were. Each one a precise, fluid motion that made her appear to be floating on air. The elegant, yet simple dress she wore was a deep blue that reminded him of the ocean.  Her jet black hair was piled high atop her head and secured with a silver pin. He imagined what it would be like to remove it and set that silky mass of hair free. Her eyes, the color of a crystal blue lake that he would gladly drown in. His gaze finally settled on her lips.  Lips painted a deep scarlet, turned upward in a playful smile. When she finally made it to the bottom of the stairs, she was immediately surrounded by a sea of suitors. Each young man vied for her attention.  He watched as she politely laughed at every joke, as she feigned interest in every story told and he watched as she covered her mouth and yawned when she thought no one was looking. It was obvious that she was not enjoying the party. He spent the next hour watching her, trying to get the courage up to make his move, to just say hello. He knew it was just a fantasy. How could someone like her be interested in someone like him? She could have her pick of any man in the room and he knew he didn’t measure up.  He was sure he didn’t stand a chance, so he made the decision to not even try.

As she readied herself for bed, she thought back on the events of the night. It wasn’t at all what she’d hoped for. She laid her head on her pillow as silent tears rolled down her cheeks.  She could have had her pick of any man in the room tonight, but the one she wanted didn’t want her. Her last thought as she drifted off to sleep was… he didn’t even say hello.