Rely-tionships

Chapter XI: His Way of Saying Goodbye

            It was our JS Prom. We did its usual flow: the entourage, the cotillion, so on and so forth. Later that night, the floor was given to us. I sat on one of the chairs and played Tetris on my phone. I was already at level fifteen when a hand blocked the screen. I lost the game. I was angry. I saw that the hand was still there waiting for me to take it. I recognized the sleeves of his clothes. It was Sir James! He was asking me for a dance. I put my phone in my bag and took his hand. His hands are very soft. I can feel my cheeks burn as he led me to the dance floor. He held my waist as he waltzed with me to the rhythm of the sweet music. “I hope this night will never end. I want it to last forever.” I thought to myself while we were dancing. “Please be good next year. Focus also on your other subjects. Seek help from your classmates on those subjects where you are weak. And most especially, please don’t be a loner.” he said to me. I can feel his breath brush on my cheek. My heart beat faster as I hear him say those words. He is really leaving. He already said to us that he is leaving after this school year. I just thought he was joking. But here is reality, already slapping my face. Is this his way of saying goodbye to me? I tried to hide the pain I’m feeling and went on with our conversation. “But sir, I’m already kind. Am I not?” I jokingly asked him. After minutes of dancing and talking, which seemed like seconds to me, he led me back to my place. I felt tears fall from my eyes as I remembered the words he said to me. Thanks to the make-up artist who chose to use waterproof make-up on me; the make-up didn’t smear on my face.