the sky is blue

=( dance dance resolution (=

Finally, the last two weeks of eighth grade were rolling around; the dance was right around the corner. 

At last, I mustered the courage within me to ask her to the dance.  It was the Friday before the dance on Wednesday. 

There she was, perched next to Dana.  All I had to do was try to signal for Dana to get off at an earlier stop so that I would be able to ask her.

SCREECH!  Dana left in rushed fashion, practically leaving her friend without saying goodbye. 

"So I was wondering," I started, eyes still burning into the bus seat.  My peripheral vision picked up her eyes staring right at me. 

"I never got a chance to ask you before, but I was wondering," I stammered, gulping down my anxiety," if you wanted to go to the dance with me." 

Her lips curled upward, and I felt a rush of excitement.  "I really like you as a really good friend.  I was planning on going with my friends.  Maybe we'll see you there?"

I hid my sorrow beneath my smily face mask.  "I understand.  Sure that would be fun." 

••••••••

Wednesday night was the night.  I made sure I was there a little before the cafeteria, which was disguised as a dancing room that night, was going to be opened. 

I looked out the window and saw numerous couples together, their hands entwined. 

I wish that could be me and her.

I eventually saw my friend Gavin standing around with Trina, Emilia, and some other friends. 

But she was nowhere to be seen...

As I got out, I promised myself to let go for one night and not think about her.

"Hey guys," I said.  "I can't believe the year is over." 

Trina frowned.  "Good thing I won't have to put up with you anymore."

Emilia called me away from the group.  She wore a serious face, but once I got there, she was back to her normal self. 

"So I heard that she has a beautiful dress.  I've seen it," she whispered.  "You're gonna love it." 

She squealed and did a little hop in the air. 

"Okay," I said, laughing.  "Yeah, I can't wait to see her."  I'd only be kidding myself if I said no.

••••••••

The doors opened and everyone poured into the dark cafeteria.  The music was already blasting, and I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of people. 

I found a couple of my friends, Gavin and Jason.  Having a good time, we talked, danced, and adventured around the room. 

"Hey I think I see Laura-" Jason's words fizzled into thin air.  My eyes locked on to one person making their way across the dance hall. 

It was her.

She came up to me, and our meeting started off awkward.  We were both sort of laughing and smiling because neither of us could find the words to describe the moment. 

But I could.  She's beautiful!  Tell her that!  Ask her to dance at least one dance! 

Desperately I tried to force myself to compliment her in some way.  "Nice dress," I said genuinely, but it was much more than "nice". 

Her pitch black dress complemented her dark eyes and hair.  It made her difficult to notice in a dark room.  But I noticed her.

She really did look stunning, and for a minute, I was stunned. 

Even the guys were asking me if I was alright after she moved on to her other friends. 

One dance.  Please...

All night I was having loads of fun, but I had one goal: one dance.  Otherwise, the dance would be labeled as more or less a failure.  I would not let that happen one way or another. 

As the night progressed, more slow songs popped up.  Every time the music slowed down, I searched frantically for her.  I tried to anticipate which song would be the best. 

None of them were. 

Even after she pulled me aside for some pictures, I still could not reach out and ask her the question. 

Something was screaming at me to wait.  Yelling at me.  Forcing me. 

Maybe it would be best to just move on. 

I even spotted Nathan, who was dancing with some of his guy friends.

Please don't let me see them if they dance.

•••••••••

The year was coming to a close.  Everyone was emotional, and the clock was about to strike eleven. 

Most people were hugging and crying, telling one another they'd miss each other. 

She was crying, too.  I waited until no one was near her and I embraced her.

She was half-laughing and half-crying, but either way, her tears landed on my suit.

Although she was the one who was sadder, I was the one who didn't want to let go.