A Dance to Remember

Nick stood on the rooftop, staring out at the city, hearing the nearby parties going on. He could hear people the next building over cheering on the upcoming countdown. It was almost midnight, almost time. His heart was pounding, his palms sweaty as he gripped the rail, waiting. He waited all year for this night, every year. No one else knew or would understand why he was so happy to wait.

The clocks began to ring out midnight, the new year, and he smiled. Anticipation built as he turned to watch, the air beginning to shimmer, shifting. It warped and wavered and then he was no longer alone on the rooftop.

She smiled softly at him and held her hand out. Nick moved towards her, as always drawn to her presence. He took her hand in his and then pulled her close. The two of them began to move slowly across the roof, dancing in the moonlight as fireworks exploded overhead. Every year it was the same, one night of happiness.

Nick danced slowly with her, neither speaking. She was so beautiful. Her gown appeared to have formed from the night sky itself, stars glowing upon the soft cloth. For once, long silver hair flowed freely down her back, held back from her face only by the golden band upon her brow. He always felt so plain compared to her in his second-hand suits but she always looked at him like he was a prince in full regalia.

He knew nothing about her, not even her name. They never spoke a word, her touch as light as air. Whatever magic this was, they came from different worlds, only meeting when the barrier thinned with the beginning of a new year. It meant even now, there was a barrier between them. But he didn’t care. He loved her and no other, how could he?

They danced through the night, somehow never tiring. It was all he could have, no matter how much he wished for more. If asked, he would go with her in a heartbeat, no matter where it was that she lived. Was it insane? Probably. But he didn’t care. He dreamt of this night all year.

But as the moon began to set, she began to fade from his arms, no matter how desperately he clung to her. Soft, barely tangible lips pressed to his and then she was gone again.

Every new year’s he went to the rooftop to wait and every year she came to him for a few precious hours. They spent the entire time dancing to music no one else could hear.

***

Nick walked with the crowds, everyone trying to make it to their jobs in time. There were whispers of possible war in the future but no mention of who it was to be against. The economy was in trouble, the government struggling to keep everything together.

Every day was the same – get up, go to work, go home, eat, go to bed, and repeat. There was no break, never anything new. That was just how life was. Well, there was the occasional day off for a holiday, like new year’s or remembrance, but that was it. They worked to keep the country going.

Maybe it was different for those with family but his parents had died years ago and he’d had no siblings. No one did anymore, only one child per couple was allowed due to resources. Break that rule and the punishment was harsh. He hadn’t even tried to find a partner; he didn’t see the point. He could let the government chose a spouse for him but he didn’t want that either.

If he was to ever be with someone, he wanted it to be her. Noone else could ever measure up to her.

***

He sat alone, weathered hands folded in his lap as he stared at the night sky, aged eyes no longer able to truly pick out the stars. His breathing was laboured, heart struggling on despite what any doctor had said over a year ago. Tonight…tonight was important, wasn’t it? His memory wasn’t what it used to be. He often forgot his own name let alone everything else. But this roof, this night, it meant something. He knew it did. It called to him.

He jolted as the night exploded in noise and light; eyes drawn to them as the bells and clocks rang. The new year, that was what it was. He rubbed weakly at his eyes as the air seemed to shimmer before him. Was he losing his vision?

And then she appeared before him and he stared in wonder. Beautiful. She was like a dream, beyond this world. He…he remembered, she came every year. Did he know her name? She smiled softly at him, seeming to almost float as she moved towards him. A slender, pale hand reached towards him, gently touching his face. Who was she?

She took his hands and he found himself standing for the first time in years, staggering steps becoming stronger as he moved with her. his hunched form slowly straightened as he continued walking, staring into golden hued eyes. He didn’t even notice as the rooftop faded away into nothing. They were surrounded by the black of night and the light of a billion stars as they walked ever on.

Soft grass tickled his feet and he finally broke eye contact to look down in confusion. His shoes were gone, his bare feet sinking into vibrant soft grass. And that was not his clothing, was it? No, he had never worn such fine garments before, such rich fabric. He looked up at her again and she smiled.

“Welcome home, my love.” Her voice was soft, melodic.

Home? He looked around, taking in the wonder of nature. He couldn’t remember ever seeing anything like it before. Fields of flowers, trees, a river. And the animals! It was all so incredible, unbelievable. Everything before was dull and grey, regimented. Except for that night, their night.

“Home,” he whispered in wonder.

“Will you dance with me, my Nick?”

“Always,” he promised her.

They moved into each other’s arms, moving slowly across the grass in well-known steps. Now, they were together and nothing would ever part them again. He spun her, the short cape on his shoulders swirling around him as they moved. His head felt heavier, the weight of a golden band to match the one she wore, not that he knew that yet.

And when they had had their fill of dancing, they wandered through the flowers together, holding hands as they explored. He smiled and laughed in a way he never had before. The sun never moved from its place above their heads as they talked quietly or when one day, she lay back among the flowers and he lay with her, tender kisses and touches taking the place of talking.

The End.