In and Out of Sorrow and Solitude

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5:

Seven o’clock the time of the dance. Jacoby wandered into the school, still a little faint hearted, but he was becoming accustomed to sorrow and disappointment. He tried to look up beat, but it wasn’t easy. He walked into the gym where the dance was being held, and was over whelmed by color. People with all different dresses, white paper snowflakes and huge red and green bulbs hanging from the ceiling, more desserts then anyone could ever want, well everyone besides the kids in Jacoby’s class that are relentlessly hungry, they could most likely stand for more.

               Jacoby spotted Jeromy and Cynthia on the dance floor among the other crazy dancers. Jeromy in his red tuxedo was doing something along the lines of the wave except his arms seemed to flail randomly. Cynthia in a silvery dress was suppressing a giggle from Jeromy’s oddness. Jacoby turned his gaze around the room, examining the various groups spread out around the gym. There were the guys in the corner playing cards. Although they didn’t have a date, they seemed immersed in their game. Then there were a number of guys on one side of the wall and a number of girls on the other.  The guys would talk and elbow each other and sometimes point at some of the girls, and the girls basically did the same, with the exception of a giggle here and there.

               Then there was her, whom sat along at a table looking quite bored, and sad.  Although she was alone, she was really beautiful. She had orange hair that was braided and cast over her shoulder; she had freckles, and dazzling blue eyes, like the sky on a clear day. Her dress was really amazing, it was aqua blue and it seemed like it was made out of pure water and burst and any moment.

               Jacoby was confused and saddened at the thought that no one would want to date her. He decided she couldn’t waste all her time doing nothing at such an occasion. He wasn’t the slightest bit nervous as he approached her. He didn’t fear rejection, and sure wouldn’t mind acceptance, but he had learned not to get his hopes up. She was aware of his approach, but acted as though she didn’t care.

               “Hey, how come you’re all alone? You waiting for someone?” Jacoby wondered.

               “Yes,” she replied simply, trying to sound sure of herself. Jacoby sensed her lie. Other people may have been fooled, but he didn’t buy it.

               “Okay” he said, showing her that he could see right through her bluff, “Well then I suppose I should leave you to your, expectations.” Jacoby turned and was about leave, when she gave up her fib.

               “Fine you win, nobody wanted to come, with me.” She confessed with a slouch, and she begins to sniffle, averting her eyes so she wouldn’t be embarrassed.

               “Well now how could that possibly be the case, with such a beautiful lady as you?” Jacoby pondered aloud, making an effort to stress the complement. She didn’t catch it at first.

               She blinked several times to hold back the tears and said sheepishly,” I don’t know, but…” She stopped and caught that he had complimented her. She looked up with a smile and appreciative eyes.

               Jacoby smiled broadly and performed an over exaggerated bow and offered her his hand like a gentleman. She rolled her eyes and accepted his hand happily.

               For the rest of the night they hung out with each other, dancing, talking, or just relaxing. Jacoby had learned her name was Cycelia, and to Jacoby’s surprise quite a few raised a brow or muttered things when they saw them together. Even Cynthia gave slit laugh as she saw them hanging out with each other, and when Cycelia gleefully indicated that they were holding hands, Cynthia just nodded like, “ you have done well my young rabbit”. Jacoby looked between the two girls and wondered if they were friends, or related somehow. He didn’t think on it much, he was too busy enjoying his time with Cycelia.

               At the end of the night he bid Cycelia farewell. She walked out the door with Cynthia by her side. At that moment it dawned on him, Cycelia was Cynthia’s younger sister, the one always portrayed as being unpopular. Jacoby still didn’t understand the ‘unpopular’ thing, because she was a quite remarkable girl, he didn’t know why she was so unpopular. He decided to think about it later, he was tired. He went home, lay down and slept more peacefully then he had for a long time.