in for the ride

wanna dance? - chpt eight

20 dollars later, and I'm finally able to be at the prom.

———

I stood around awkwardly, watching as people danced around. Jessie and Jeff left to go make-out or something, I wasn't really paying attention to what she said because my eye was caught on something. Rather, someone.

Jon. Every time I looked in his general direction, he was already looking at me. It made me feel self conscious with how often we locked eyes. What the fuck did this man want?

I realized now that James wanted nothing to do with me, and was either asking for fun, or for... well... someone else...? That made me nervous because, who could it be?

I stared around the room, watching as lights flashed and music boomed across the room. I was standing by the food stand, drinking a can of Coke. They must have changed their flavors or something because it didn't taste right.

People kept bumping into me and it was getting annoying, so I walked over to the bathrooms and stood outside of them, leaning against the wall. I sipped on my coke and crossed my arms. I was really fucking bored.

I nodded my head along to the music, not minding the selection.

I wonder how Joey is doing right now. Even my mom... if I can call her that. She probably has a new boyfriend again. I feel so bad for Joey, he doesn't deserve to be stuck in there. As I was swallowed by my thoughts, I failed to hear footsteps approaching me.

"Kim?" A voice sounded.

I whipped my head up and saw Jon, quickly looking away.

"Kimberly, sorry. It's a habit. I don't know where it came from, really." He stood next to me, also leaning against the wall.

Jon was wearing a nice suit and tie, the tie being a dark red. It kinda matched my dress a little. His hair was still all messy though, just like mine. He probably didn't care enough.

I sighed softly. "It's fine." I replied, taking another sip of my coke before throwing the can away.

"Where's Jessie?" Jon looked around the room, probably to try and find the blonde haired girl.

I shrugged, looking at my hands. "Probably making out with Jeff somewhere. Back of his car, a bathroom stall, under a table, I don't know and I don't care." I scuffed my shoes on the tiled floor, a squeak sounding and a dark mark appearing on the floor.

Jon hummed in reply.

A silence hung around us for a little, before I finally said, "why do you still make an effort?" I looked over to him.

He looked up at me, his brown eyes mixing with mine as he tilted his head. "What?"

"I don't understand. I've pushed you away, I've been a bitch to you, I've insulted you, hurt you, done everything under the sun, and you still try to talk to me. What is it? I don't get it." I spat out.

He looked a little surprised for a moment, keeping quiet before replying with a simple, "I don't know."

I huffed, not satisfied. "You don't know? What do you know?" I practically sneered.

"A lot of things. I know about you, Kimberly. You think you're so mysterious, but I've got you figured out." He replied ominously.

I raised a brow. "Excuse me?" I placed my hands on my hips as I turned my full body to him.

Jon sighed before talking. "Listen, my home life is shit. Real shit sometimes. When I saw you outside crying, it just broke me because of how fucking tired you looked. I know that feeling, man. It's a terrible feeling. I'm sorry for you."