Stranger Nights

Chapter 13

Henry nervously straightened his gold bowtie. He was currently standing in the corner in Martinez Hall with a cup of red punch in his hand.

Martinez Hall was where events were held. As you probably guessed, the hall is named after Arthur Martinez. It was the second biggest building in Roanoke. It was wide building with dusty wood flooring. The walls were white and the ceiling had a design that made it look like a flower blooming in black.

Henry had arrived earlier then his friends, who still showed no signs of arriving. It wasn't anything new being surrounded by the kids who went to church everyday for Henry. The thing that made it different ,though, was that in those days Henry didn't think he was gay and his cousin was always awake. Now Henry was looking at these people and it was like they were looking straight through him and saw everything.

Like they saw sin.

So, on instinct, Henry hid himself in a corner far from the dance floor, but close to the bowl full of punch.

Henry felt naked, but not because of the eyes, but because he was forced to leave his letterman jacket at home. His mother had washed it the day before, d u ring cleaning day, and it was still drying. Henry only just started thinking she did it on purpose.

So now he wore the white button up shirt and sickly brown vest ,that he got from George's, but he still wore his rubber boots.

"Hey Sweetface!" A voice said from behind him. Surprised, Henry quickly turned around to find Ginger outside in the window. She was leaning on the frame with a smile. Besides her bright pink hat, she wasn't wearing anything that might keep her warm, wearing only a strapless hot pink dress with black bow wrapped around her waist.

"Ginger? Why aren't you inside?" Henry asked, careful to keep his voice down so nobody would notice them.

"You think they would let a gay kid into this thing?" she laughed. Henry almost laughed too. "So is Fred not here yet?"

"He doesn't like you calling him that." Henry spoke up.

"Too bad, all my friends get a nickname.'' she grinned.

"I'm your friend?" Henry said smiling slightly.

"You bet. Speaking of friends, where are yours." Ginger asked bringing the conversation back to it's original topic.

"Not here." Henry shrugged.

"Well you better hope they get here before the real party starts, or else you're dead meat."

Henry opened his mouth to ask why, but before he could she was already gone and Henry was left alone again.

She had left just as soon as Toby and Julia Henderson walked in. For reasons Henry didn't know and really wouldn't figure it out until much later.

Toby and Julia Henderson were twins with red hair and freckles. Toby Henderson was smart and his bangs hung low over his eye's. Julia Henderson was beautiful and clumsy. They both wore green. Julia a dress with a silver belt and Toby a tux with a black tie.

They were greeted with smiles and Julia was immediately asked to dance by a boy with strawberry blonde hair.

Henry looked at the door for what was the tenth time in two minutes. No one appeared. Henry sighed and took a sip of his punch.

It was ten minutes later when Charlotte walked over to Henry. Her nose red and her cheeks were flushed.

"How long have you been here?" she asked breathlessly.

"Did you run here?" Henry asked raising his eyebrows.

"I woke up late." Charlotte told him.

"Have you seen Freddy?"