Betty

Dresses and Tuxedos

"Betty," someone said.

The blonde turned around to see who it was. It was Elian.

"Hi Elian."

It was just them in the now abandoned hallways after school. Betty had stayed behind to work on an art project. She looked at the boy who seemed unsure of something.

"I was just wondering, if you don't have a date for spring formal yet, if you'd like to go with me."

Betty looked at him. It was clear he wasn't focused on her. His fingers tapped against his leg as if he was impatient for the answer. Eyes drifted to her, the floor, the lockers.

"Can I ask you something first?"

"Sure."

"Are you asking me because you actually want to or because everyone told you that you should?"

"Uh..." His eyes widened unsure how to respond to that question. "I guess the latter."

"Then I don't see the point of it, do you Elian?"

"You're not like them are you?"

Betty was nearly about to say something against that, but realized that deep down she didn't want to be like them. Saying no to Elian was showing that she wasn't. She was placed in a group that made her fit boxes that didn't let her be who she was, who she could be.

"No."

"Don't lose that, it's brave to do that."

"Thanks."

Elian walked away a bit lighter than he ever had when he exited those blue doors.

*****

Weeks passed and it was the last week of school and the day of spring formal. Without much surprise to Betty, her friends were all chatting about how surprised they were about how she didn't have a date.

It had been easier to plainly confront and tell Elian what she wanted and that it all was just pressure from their friends for them to be together. When it came to her friends, well it was safe to assume that that was a different story.

She had grown used to not confronting them and it seemed that it became a habit that wasn't so easy to break. When they were all kids, things were so much easier. It was just about having fun and playing games. At some point along the way the world told them how they should aspire to be. This changed everything. In truth, Betty wasn't someone who wanted to aspire to be... a 'golden girl' unlike the rest of them. Maybe if life went a little differently, she wouldn't have felt so alone that she felt like she needed to stay with this group of friends because she didn't know anything else, and so far in her experience change wasn't something she liked.

"Need help with that?" Cassie asked. Betty nodded and let Cassie braid her hair into a crown, the rest of her hair was down.

"Thanks."

*****

At the dance majority of the teens were on the dance floor. Respective groups were made there, others were at the tables or where the food and drinks had been set up. There was a stage where a school band was playing and a photobooth area.

Bright stage lights lit up the gym and music pounded against the floor that you could feel it course through your body.

Most of Betty's time was spent chatting with her friends and secretly scanning the room for James. When slow music began to play, couples quickly hit the dance floor. Betty found herself at the snack table, she noticed Elian who was already there.