The Story of D & E

The Dance Pt. 2 By: Naomi & Valerie

Drew POV:

Ev was still not talking to me, and it was definitely affecting my mood. What was the point of even going to the dance if I was going to be miserable the entire time? Because Ev is going to be there and you can be miserable in the same vicinity. I thought. No, I'm not going just because of him. I'm going to this stupid thing because people expect me to go, and I can have fun.

I took one last glance at the full-body mirror in the corner of my room. I was wearing a matching shirt and pants to Ev. Sort of couple-like, but not too couple-like that we couldn't get away with it. I looked fine, good even. But it felt off, going there alone. At least Ev would be there, and we could hopefully talk it out. So I left to go to the dance I did want to go to, with the people I didn't want to see. All in hopes of speaking with Ev. And who knew, maybe I'd even have some fun.

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The dance was just starting by the time I got there, and I still wasn't in the mood, but I was ready to act like I was. My friends and I were congregating in the cafeteria where they were giving out food. They were just talking when someone said something funny and everyone burst out laughing. My acting skills must have been good because no one had brought up Ev and we were all having a good time. That is until the boy in question came by.

Everyone didn't notice at first, I think I was the first, but I didn't stop laughing and talking. It didn't take long for my friends to notice and for things to get awkward. I just said that I wanted to check something out and left for the buffet. I grabbed some food at random, not really caring what I got, when I sensed someone's presence coming toward me.

Do you ever get that feeling that something is about to happen or that someone's watching you without even knowing it for sure. Like you already know that it's coming without actually knowing, sort of like waiting for the other shoe to drop? That's what I was feeling before I even knew why I was feeling it.

I turned around just in time to see Ev walk towards me, getting closer by the second. His eyes looked at mine and my breath constricted. I didn't know what I was going to say, but thankfully all the teachers began to herd us into the gym where the music and dancing was. I left the cafeteria swiftly, and just about ran to the gym where a pop song was being blasted through the speakers.

They wanted us all to take a picture of our entire class. I was farther in the back then Ev so I could see him with an unobstructed view. As soon as the picture was over, we were once again corralled into the gym (the other one) to watch these Hawaiian dancers. They were good and they managed to distract a group of teenagers which is a miracle on its own.

I did some dancing, some talking, I took some photos with some girls, half of which asked me to the dance, (which I turned down). I could see Ev out of the corner of my eye, and he looked disappointed which broke my heart. But he did this to himself. This isn't my fault. Then why do I feel even more miserable than before?

The dance was almost over, there couldn't have been more than twenty minutes left. I had gone to the cafeteria to chill, just hang out and be on my phone. In the midst of my pity party, I thought, I'm done not speaking. This is making me miserable, and I know that Ev is feeling the same even if he's too stubborn to show it. So I got up and marched down to the gym.

Ev was leaning on one of the tables that were placed sporadically around the edges of the dance floor. He was saying something to Valerie, a girl from our gym class. Ev said something back and she just left smiling, I don't know what they said but we could talk about that later.

"Can we talk?" I whisper in his ear. The music was loud, so I don't think he heard me. My suspicions were only confirmed when he looked at me quizzically. I nodded my head at the gym doors, signaling to leave and talk. Though it seemed begrudgingly, Ev picked up his phone and followed me out of the gym. I thought about the lay-out of the school and mentally looked for the quietest and most secluded place to talk. I ultimately decided on taking him outside from a door that was connected to the school's weight room. We silently walked together, we didn't touch or even really look at each other. Ev just followed me, and I just followed my feet as my heart beat double time.

When we got there, the area was void of people, but we still looked around to double check. Just because we weren't on speaking terms did not mean that we were trying to get outed. I leaned on the brick wall of the school, Ev who was standing as far as he could from me while still being concealed by the shadows. 

"I'm sorry". It was the first thing I told him that entire night. I locked eyes with Ev, his mouth opened and closed twice before he spoke.

"I'm sorry. I gave you a hard time for a reasonable concern. I get that you're not ready for that, and I'm sorry that I didn't before," Ev finished. I smiled at him and opened my arms for a hug. He chuckled quietly, shaking his head but coming to me nonetheless.

I practically melted into the hug, my arms wrapped around him. He was slightly taller than me, so his body was larger than mine and he caged me in the embrace, not that I was complaining. It meant that we were back on speaking terms, and I wouldn't be miserable. Plus, he smelled like himself which meant I smelled like him, which made it the best hug I'd had in a long time.

We separated after a while and the atmosphere was feeling a lot less tense.

"I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do. And whether it's tomorrow or next week or in a year, I'll be here," Ev said. I swear to god I probably would have kissed him on the spot, but a male teacher stepped through the door. 

"You boys alright?" He called to us.

"Yeah," I said, clearing my throat, "We'll, uh, be back in a sec," I added, my voice still a little shaky. He left and Ev smiled as he headed towards the door. He paused before going through it and turned back to me.

"Are you okay?" Ev asked. Realizing that I hadn't moved since he spoke, I walked right next to him. Impulsively, I kissed him on the cheek and then stepped back inside like nothing happened. I glanced back at Ev who was walking slowly back to the gym, his face tinted with a blush.

I continued walking a head of him, a smile on my face, moving lighter than I had all day.

Was that worth the wait? I hope it was. Also, I was actually there, and I did have a conversation with Ev during the dance. That is a whole other story in itself with a tad bit of lore. Anyway, thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next chapter of 12 YITF! Oh, and this is your friendly reminder to drink water if you haven't had any today! - Valerie