New Dawn

Question

MY FEELINGS FOR NAHUEL STRENGTHENED AS THE weeks past. The sense of school spirit overcame the atmosphere as the homecoming dance approached and spirit week arrived. Personally, I was dreading the dance, no one had asked me and the dance was happening that next week. Although the dismay of having to attend alone lingered in the back of my thoughts, I still enjoyed the joy and excitement in the atmosphere, which seemed to radiate from my fellow students.

It was Monday, the day that had been designated to the eighties. I sat in class, beside Eli as the teacher lectured. We were both dressed up in our neon eighties workout outfits. I had on a pair of bright blue long spandex and a neon orange leotard, with a half cut off, grey, baggy sweatshirt, black leg– warmers, and white tennis shoes. Both Eli's and my hair were up in ponytails on the sides of our heads. Even up in a ponytail, my hair reached the middle of my back. Eli had on black leggings with a neon pink tank top, a grey sweatshirt similar to mine, pink leg warmers, and a pair of white tennis shoes.

More people than I was expecting had dressed up. A few

girls had on poodle skirts but most were wearing similar outfits to Eli and myself. The boys were in their letterman jackets, or dressed like Pony Boy from The Outsiders. I wondered how accurate we really were about the clothes people wore in the eighties. My attention was snapped back to reality with the sound of the bell.

Eli nudged me, "Has anyone asked you to the dance yet?"

I frowned, not wanting to think about it, "No. I don't know if I'll even go."

Eli's eyes widened, "Heck yes you're going. You have to. I won't let you sit at home and wallow all night." She patted me on the back, "The only reason you haven't been asked is because your beauty is intimidating."

"Sure, sure." I dismissed her comment and changed the subject, "Did you get the okay to bring Brady?"

Eli beamed with the thought, "Yes. Lucky for me he's twenty and the schools cut off for outside guests is twenty." She laughed but then frowned, "That does mean I won't be able to ever take him again, which is a major bummer."

I looked at her suspiciously, "He's twenty?"

She scowled, "Don't judge. Age is just a number."

"Okay, but he better treat you like a queen."

"Oh, trust me, he does." There was something about the way she spoke that made me think she was hiding something important from me.

I ignored the feeling, she would fill me in when she was ready, "Good." I sighed, "We better get going to class."

The day seemed to pass sluggishly. Classes were boring and there was a gloomy haze over my mood that I couldn't seem to shake. I moped around with a half smile on and fake enthusiasm about the outfits and school spirit. Dressing up and participating was a lot of fun for me but the pessimistic side of me refrained me from enjoying it. All my friends had dates to the dance and were all talking about their dresses and planning to get ready together, while I just smiled and listened politely as they unknowingly rubbed their joy in my face. I knew they weren't intentionally trying to hurt my feelings, but all their talk stung. There was a desire inside me to be a part of the group of girls who had dates and dinner plans. I was an after thought.

As the day came to an end, Cassidy found me by my locker,

"Hey Lydia. I was wondering if you wanted to get ready with us and go to dinner. I know you plan to go solo but it will be fun if you came with us. We'll be meeting at my place."