The Boy with the Green Eyes

Dancing Queens

The days leading up to the dance passed slowly in endless misery for Dawn. Emily had obviously found out somehow that she liked Carson and had done whatever she needed to do to ensure that Dawn would be alone on the night of the dance. Of course Emily had bragged to Dawn the day after she asked Carson out about how she was going to have (in the words of Emily herself) "such a lovely time" and, well, Dawn was entirely done with Emily.

But Dawn refused to sit alone at home. No, she bought her ticket. She had friends who she could spend the night with. She had the dress she had worn to her middle school graduation ceremony. She decided she was going to have fun, and that was that.

She hadn't spoken to Carson at all in the days leading up to the dance. She couldn't embarrass herself, not again.

At six fifteen on Saturday evening, Dawn arrived at Ridgeview High. She felt good about herself. Her dress was pretty and she had taken extra time to straighten her hair. She was ready for a good night.

The cafeteria was decorated with streamers and balloons, and was already starting to fill up with students. Dawn went over to an empty table; nothing was really happening yet and she wanted to make sure there were seats saved for her, Amy, and Tori.

A few minutes later, Emily and Carson came into the room. They were holding hands, Emily's head on Carson's shoulder. She was wearing a lavender thigh-length dress. It was pretty but Dawn could hardly acknowledge that, considering how badly she wanted to be in Emily's place, as much as she hated to admit it. Then there was Carson. He looked so lovely. His blond hair combed neatly and he was wearing a pale blue collared shirt and khakis. They were whispering something back and forth. Dawn looked away before she could feel more heartbroken.

She didn't have to dwell on that for too long, though, because just then, Amy and Tori walked in. The two of them looked so nice, especially next to each other. Tori's auburn hair was pulled back into an elegant french braid and she donned a strapless pale blue dress that matched Amy's bright eyes. She looked almost like a faerie. Amy had curled her hair. Her dress was also blue, but it was dark, and much shorter than Tori's. They were talking about something, though Dawn couldn't make out what.

The two girls approached Dawn at the table, Amy practically running to sit next to Dawn. "Dawn! You look so amazing!" she gushed.

"Thanks, Amy," said Dawn, a genuine smile on her face for what seemed like the first time in forever. "You guys look so great, especially together. I love your dresses and how they match."

"Thank you, Dawn," said Tori, smiling as well. There was just something about her smile that night, almost as if she were trying to hide something. Dawn dismissed the thought.

Dawn got up and said, "I'm going to get some pizza. I'll be back in just a second."

"Get me some, too," said Amy.

"And me," said Tori.

"No," said Dawn. "You need to get it yourselves."

"But Dawn," said Amy.

"Please?" asked Tori.

"Ugh, fine!" said Dawn, and she went off in search of food.

* * *

There was a small line forming when Dawn got to the pizza. She was just reaching for slices for her and her friends when she heard a voice from behind her.

"Carson, would you please be a dear and get me something to eat?" It was Emily.

Dawn turned around to see Carson standing behind her. She decided to take the opportunity to talk to him before he left again.