Nametags

Chapter 10

          "Whoooo!" Jadee whistled. She was really having a great time! I Started dancing more, letting go! The singer was this years winner of Singbed's Got Talent, and man, she was good! She was a senior in my high school, and sometimes we saw her going down the hall or walking home. She was a pretty antisocial person, which was cool. She inspired me. I danced and danced, I was having a blast! I hopped and sang along as she sang "And she said, All the ways!" And then, suddenly, I tripped over a mic cord, and started falling, falling hard to the ground. Right before I was about to hit the ground, and surely be trampled by the crowd, a strong arm caught me! I opened my eyes heard a voice say "Woah there, pretty girl!"

          In a daze, I saw a face. A young man was standing above me, holding me in his strong arms. He had brown hair and a kind, handsome face. He was smiling at me. His beautiful blue eyes where locked into mine, and they seemed to go on forever. I stared at him, not knowing what to say. I suddenly felt like something inside of me wanted to get out. I felt happy, confused, and sick all at the same time. I know it's weird, but the only way I can think to explain it is that I wanted to vomit in joy. "You lo-ove me--" The singer sang as my ears turned red. He seemed to ask "Well, do you want to stand up and thank me, or are you planning on taking a nap in my arms for a little while?" I stood up and looked down at his shoes. "I'm sorry I'm so clumsy! Thanks for catching me!" "What!?" He asked over the music. "I said-" He smiled and shrugged. "I still can't hear you! Can we go over here where it's quieter?" I glanced at Jadee who was still whooping and dancing with Jackson. "Yeah, lets go!" I followed him over to the nosebleeds of the crowd and he shook my hand. It was soft and strong. Looking down, I read his name tags. They read: "I'm super nice, and super hot" and "I have trouble falling asleep". Not bad. I blushed uncontrollably. "I'm Tony!" He said, smiling. His smile just melted me. "I'm Cherry, thanks for catching me! I'm so clumsy!" His eyes met mine for a second, and neither of us spoke. "Hey, I just moved here, and I would like to get to know some people around here. Can I get your number?" I almost choked. This guy wanted my number? Nobody has ever asked me that before! "Yeah! Absolutely!" I kept myself from squealing as I took my phone out of my pocket and set up a contact for him. "Cherry Lakes." I said, giving him my number. "Cool! Tony Rodrigo." He gave me his number, and I typed it in, screaming inside. "Hey, can I get a profile picture for you?" He smiled. "Yeah, go ahead!" I lifted my camera and got a clear shot of his smiling face through my cheap camera. I still wanted to fly. I wanted to trip again so that he could catch me. "Hey! How about I introduce you to my friends?" He shrugged happily. "Sure!" I walked back into the crowd. I saw Jadee and Jackson looking for me. "I'm here, guys!" They came over to me. "Cherry, we thought we lost you!" Jadee said before looking at Tony and stopping. "Hey, Tony, this is my BFF Jadee, and my cousin, Jackson!" Tony smiled. "Hey." Jadee looked at me and mouthed "Is he yours?" I blushed. Was he? I thought a moment and then nodded, smiling shyly. "Guys, this is Tony." The song switched to a slow song. From the stage, the singer spoke into the microphone, "Hey, this final song is for all you lovers out there! So, find a partner, and start dancing!" She started singing "I see the light" from Tangled. Jadee looked at Jackson and shrugged. They casually started dancing. Jadee shot me a look. Tony and I just sat there, both of us too shy to ask the other to dance. Finally, I turned around and looked at him shyly. I could tell he was trying to hid it, but I think he was... Blushing! "Well, wouldn't want a song to go to waste!" He said, taking my hand. My heart started beating like a bird wanting out of it's cage. I slowly put my arms around his neck, and he hooked his arms around my waist. He was taller than me by a few inches, but not enough for it to be awkward. He looked into my eyes. "You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen." He remarked like it was obvious. I looked away, embarrassed. Did he really think so? I hated my eyes. "And the word has somehow shifted..." The singer sang. I looked back up at him. "Really? Thanks." I tightened my grip around his neck and rested my head on his chest. He smiled warmly and put his cheek against mine. I shyly admitted it to myself: I was in love.