Black Dress.

Black Dress.

Based on ‘70 Million’ by Hold Your Horses!

“Do you realize that the majority of people have never tasted snow?” 

“What,” I was confused. I had never seen him before. He just came behind me and started talking.

“The majority of people have never tasted snow, there’s a statistic.” He sat down on the edge of the pier next to me; our legs swinging above the murky water below us.

“I’ve never tasted snow,” I replied.

“Me neither,” he admitted, “but I will one day. I’ll take you with me. We’ll leave this city.”

“We don’t even know each other.”

“Yeah, but we will,” he stated. He sounded so sure of himself as he said this, that I was tempted to believe him.

***

I was nervous. I smoothed my hands over my black dress. My breaths were shaky, even though I was trying to keep them steady. The door opened, the creak of it making the butterflies in my stomach erupt in an abrupt crescendo. I carefully went down the stairs. I wanted to hurry, but the fear of falling kept my pace slow. My hand was gripping the dark wood of the railing, my knuckles white against the aged wood.   

I looked up and saw him standing there. He had the same impish grin as he had had the first time I met him. Flanking him were my parents. My father had a deep frown etched into his face. My mother looked near tears in her excitement. She was clutching a digital camera in her hands. When I got to them, I was quickly placed in the ‘perfect light’ and a dozen pictures were taken. All the time, his hand was pressed softly against my back. Before we were able to leave, my father preached about drinking, staying out late, and careful driving.

“The weather isn’t supposed to be the best tonight.”

Then we were on our way. His mother’s van was already warm, a solid barrier between me and the chill outside. My father’s worry for my wellbeing made me feel better, he had had such a hard time accepting it at the beginning. I smoothed my fingers over the silky black material again, trying to fight back the butterflies.

***

“I like your dress,” he murmured.

“Thanks, it was-” I took a big breath, “it was my mother’s maternity dress.”

“It’s nice.”

The music was loud and fast around us. I watched the girls and boys in their nice outfits. They seemed to be having so much fun, moving and jumping to the beat. I looked over to the seat next to mine, and saw that he was watching me.

“You can go dance, if you want to,” I offered, knowing that he was staying behind for me.

“No, I would rather stay here with you.” He smiled at me, his lips pulling away from his teeth and his eyes scrunching up.

We sat there mostly in silence, chatting only occasionally.  

***

“Would you like to dance,” he was in front of me now, his arm outstretched ready to heave me up. I noticed that the music had significantly slowed down, and many couples were now swaying in each others arms. I nodded my consent and grabbed his hand.

I tried not to feel like too much of a whale, but it couldn’t be helped. His long arms could barely reach all the way around my waist, even though we were pressed together. We swayed from side to side, not really making the effort to lift our legs.

Despite my insecurities, dancing with him was wonderful. The music was soothing, and the atmosphere was calm and happy. I felt so carefree, as though I was a child once more. I tried not to look at all the singles lined up against the wall, not wanting them to ruin my mood.

All too soon, the song ended, and a fast paced one took its place.

***

He took my hand, and started leading me away from all the others. He lead me outside, the sky overcast with clouds, and the air cold. As soon as we stepped out, his coat fell onto my shoulders and wrapped his arms around me, caressing my stomach.

“I’ll take you away,” he started out of nowhere.

“What?”

“I’ll take you away, somewhere further up north.”

“We can’t leave right now,” I tried to reason.

“I know,” he assured, “but after we graduate. And after, well, you know.” He paused, his worry carrying onto me.

“But after all that,” he carried on, after all that we’ll leave this place.”

“Somewhere where we can taste snow?” I asked.

“Yeah, somewhere where we can taste snow.”

“Okay.”