OFF THE RECORD (First Person)

30. Jealousy

October 2007

Emma

Our sophomore homecoming dance was going on full blast. The school cafeteria had been converted into a purple and yellow paradise, with a balloon arch by the sound system, dancing lights on the center, and a few tables covered by the interchanging-colored tablecloths.

There was a picture booth by the entrance, and a chaperone on every corner. The music 'hits' played on the speakers were all PG-13.

I wore an emerald short dress, with a corset on top and a puffy skirt. I was dancing with a stiff Omar, who would rather be anywhere else but here.

It was just one of the few disadvantages of having me as a girlfriend. I would make him dance.

He wore a simple gray polo shirt and his nicest dark Lee jeans.

I had tried to pull Isaiah and Tomas to the dance floor with us, but they shook their heads, their bottoms stuck on the chairs of our reserved table. Whatever. I could only force one boy to follow me, and I had picked him already.

Jose was dancing with a girl of our class, somewhere on another crowd. I had waited long enough for Perla to arrive, but half an hour had already passed, and I was not about to waste any time I was allowed outside of my house, especially with my boyfriend.

Even if he wasn't the best dancer, he sure was a great kisser. I was enamored by his soft eyes full of lashes, which had my full attention.

I had stopped dancing when I noticed my friend coming in through the entrance.

Perla looked lovely, wearing a short straight baby pink dress with some silver high heels, and her hair down in perfect curls. Her makeup was simple but striking. She had walked in with a confidence that I had to applaud.

I ran to the boy's table, in the middle of the song, ignoring it. I gave a little punch to Tomas, guiding him with my eyes to turn his sight to the newcomer.

"Ow, what the hell?" Complained Tomas. As he realized where I was directing him, he left his mouth open.

"What are you waiting for? Go!" I pushed him, pulling him up from his chair.

Tomas understood, nodding, as he walked to Perla.

Him and I had had a one-on-one conversation the past week, as he waited for his ride to arrive after school. I was staying for a volunteering job, but it wouldn't start for another hour. Tomas was surprised by my sudden approach.

We had remained friends after our breakup, as we started talking to each other a couple of months after it. I couldn't just stop caring for him, and he was more than happy to keep being my friend.

As far as I knew, he didn't have time for girlfriends, anyway. He had gotten a job bussing tables, and the rest of his time he used to practice with his band.

Not that he didn't have any female interaction. While nothing serious with anyone, he didn't lack random make out sessions and I even heard he had lost his virginity with a senior girl not too long ago.

He would never name his conquests, but everyone knew he had several. The girls could talk.

"What—what's up?" He asked, a bit nervous.

"Nothing much. You been ok?" I asked him, making small talk before dropping the real reason why I reached him.

"Yeah. Swell. You?" He replied, scratching the back of his head.

"I've been good. Are you going to the homecoming dance?" I asked, kicking my leg forward, my thumbs holding on to the belt loops of my low-rise jeans.

We had not been alone since the day I broke up with him, and our memories together were coming back. Maybe I should have waited to be with Omar to interrogate him.