Sapphire and I had been drifting away from the dancing, attending the classes less and less. It was easy to find excuses: hungover, too tired, something better to do, etc. Early in the new year we simply stopped going altogether.
We were clubbing and partying more frequently. We made a number of efforts to cut back, but they didn't last and we were soon back into the swing of it.
When I turned twenty-one later that year, we announced our engagement. It was a happy event with lots of congratulations and well-wishing. Outwardly, I was expressing my delight and pleasure, but inwardly, I was having some irrational misgivings. They made no sense.
Here I was preparing to marry a beautiful rich girl who loved me, who was fun to be around, and with whom I had great sex . . . what was my problem?
I didn't know. I didn't understand it, but it was there.
The parties that we were going to, and the ones we were having at our place, were becoming increasingly wild - more booze, drugs, and sexual freedom.
Sapphire and I began participating in the freer sexual activities. We thought that we were just adding some spice to our relationship by watching each other with other men and woman. We started with flirting, but quickly went on to kissing and making out, and eventually the whole way.
It was just sex, just part of the fun, all part of the good times. That's the way we saw it. Hell, we loved each other, didn't we, that would always be the bottom line, wouldn't it? Of course, it would.
There were increasing numbers of get-togethers through the week, more booze-ups and impromptu parties; more lost weekends, blank periods, and fuzzy memories. Uni attendance had become a mere token and studying, non-existent. I didn't even bother to go to my final exams.
This was crazy, but it went on.
YOU ARE READING
A Nerd, a Tough Kid and the Wonder of Dance
Short StoryA longish short story that follows the lives of two young people through a formative period that ultimately defines who they are. Good times and bad times, and a happy ending.
