Darkson High

3.9

Under the flashing lights and the throbbing bass of Tyla's "Jump," the energy of the party reached a fever pitch. The song's infectious beat had pulled everyone onto the dance floor, and a small circle began to form, centering around Nikky, who was already in her element. The lyrics echoed through the room:

"Ooh, I love to make it jump, jump, jump, jump, jump..."

Nikky's movements flowed effortlessly with the music, her body hitting every beat with a natural, captivating rhythm. Her curls bounced around her face as she spun, her sneakers sliding smoothly across the floor. She knew how to command attention, and tonight, she was showing everyone exactly why she had been such a star on the school dance team.

Kendra and Oliver, on the edges of the circle, couldn't help but be a little hesitant. Both were caught somewhere between the urge to jump in and the comfort of staying on the sidelines. But their friend's confidence was contagious, and they cheered her on, laughing as they attempted to mimic a few of her moves, albeit with far less coordination.

Jake, from across the room, couldn't help but smirk as he watched his best friend take the spotlight. Even with Olivia close to him, his eyes were drawn to Nikky, and he gave her a casual nod of approval, raising his drink in her direction. Olivia, noticing where Jake's gaze had drifted, rolled her eyes but didn't comment. She could see the bond between them and understood it wasn't a threat—just something she had to deal with.

Mike, standing a little closer, couldn't tear his eyes away from Nikky. He grinned, his heart skipping a beat as he watched her move. There was something about the way she danced, so free and self-assured, that made him admire her even more. As she nailed a particularly tricky move, his cheering voice rose above the crowd, "Go, Nikky! Show them how it's done!"

As the song hit its final chorus, Nikky nailed the last beat with a flawless spin and a pose, the crowd erupting in cheers. A few people, including Jake, clapped from afar, showing their appreciation for her skill. Nikky flashed a bright smile, her cheeks flushed from dancing and her eyes sparkling with adrenaline.

Just then, a couple of familiar faces broke through the crowd. Kayla and Marilyn, two girls from the current dance team and Nikky's former teammates, rushed over with big smiles on their faces. "Nikky, girl, you still got it!" Kayla exclaimed, giving her a high-five. Marilyn nodded enthusiastically. "Seriously, we've been talking—you need to come back to the team. We miss you!"

Nikky laughed, her hands on her hips as she caught her breath. "Aww, you guys are sweet, but I've been so busy. Debate club's been wild, and I'm juggling work and, you know, life stuff."

Marilyn pouted playfully, her dark eyes shimmering under the party lights. "Well, think about it, okay? We're opening auditions again soon. The team's not the same without you."

Nikky nodded, still smiling. "I'll think about it. I promise."

Then, glancing around the crowd with a raised eyebrow, Nikky asked, "By the way, where is Malik, this drama queen? Haven't seen him all night."

Kayla rolled her eyes, grinning. "He's on a date with Troy tonight, you know how it is. He's probably spending an hour just picking out his outfit."

"Right? He's probably doing something dramatic, like making a grand entrance or pretending they're filming a rom-com," Marilyn added with a laugh.

Nikky snorted, shaking her head. "Of course. I should've guessed. Malik's never one to just show up like a normal person."

Kayla smirked. "It's Malik. He'll probably text you five times about how epic his date is by the end of the night."

Nikky grinned. "Can't wait to hear the full production he turns it into. I'll need a popcorn."

As they continued chatting, Kendra leaned in to Oliver, whispering, "Let's go check out the food. I'm starving." Oliver nodded in agreement, his eyes lingering on Nikky's conversation before following Kendra. "Hey, Nikky!" Kendra called out. "We're gonna grab some food. We'll text if anything."

Nikky nodded at them, still engaged with Kayla and Marilyn. "Yeah, go ahead! I'll catch up with you guys later. Don't eat all the good stuff!"

Kendra and Oliver made their way toward the food table, where an array of chips, pretzels, and other party snacks were spread out. Kendra picked up a cup, filling it with some soda as she scanned the room. Her eyes lit up when she spotted a familiar face—Shanti, standing with a group of people near the other end of the table.

"Oliver, look! There's Shanti," Kendra said, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness. She hadn't seen Shanti much outside of their usual group settings, and this felt like a chance to connect with her, to maybe take a step closer to something more.

Oliver, always quick to pick up on Kendra's moods, smirked knowingly. "Go on, then. I'll hold the fort here," he teased, popping a pretzel into his mouth.

"Thanks," Kendra said, flashing him a grateful smile. She took a deep breath, adjusted her dress one last time, and made her way over to Shanti, her heart racing with anticipation.

Oliver watched her go, his own anxiety slowly dissipating as he focused on the food in front of him. He might not have been as bold as some of his friends, but he knew how to find comfort in the small things. He could only hope Kendra would find the same with Shanti. As for himself, he was just fine with some snacks and keeping an eye on things, ready to step in if his friends needed him.