Outwood

The dance

"I don't know why you made me come here- this whole thing is misogynistic. As a feminist I am outraged." I let my anger show as I barged into my high school graduation dance, Luke at my side. He thought this dance would cheer me up? HOW COULD HE! I JUST LOST MY BROTHER TWO YEARS AGO! But I can't stay mad at Luke. He is grieving too. And he has been so supportive through all of this. I don't know if I could've made it without him.

"Relax Sammy, it's going to be fine. You need this- you've barely your room since Josh." Luke's voice trembled slightly, upon uttering Josh's name. He rarely did. 

The dance was crowded with people pretending to be something they were not. It sickened me. Ever since Josh, I have hated people pretending. Pretending they were fine, pretending they were happy. It's all an illusion. Everyone lies. Josh did. He said he was fine. But clearly, he wasn't.

My dress was periwinkle blue. I nearly gagged when I saw it. Me- in a dress! I rejected gender norms. Dresses were demeaning and old fashioned. My hair was swept up in a messy bun, the tips ice blue- like my eyes. Luke was in a brown suit, with his perfect hair, naturally white teeth, and his winning smile. Gosh, he was attractive. 

"Hey Sam, looking nice! Save me a dance for later?" A boy with long sandy blonde hair- the epitome of a surfer- called out to me from afar.

"Shut up Chris." I retorted.

The dance was just as expected. Loud mainstream pop music, girls in dresses that wouldn't have fit their barbies, and boys calling sexist comments whilst jumping around like children at a birthday party. I feel embarrassed for my generation. All seemed bleak and meaningless until something- or rather, someone- caught my eye. It couldn't be, it just couldn't.

"Luke," I tugged on his rugged shoulder, "I see Josh."

Luke, alarmed, looked over to where I was staring and gasped. Turned to me and muttered, "I see him too..."