Dance With Me

The Dance

I rushed back to the bathroom, making sure my hair looked okay.  And per usual, it looked awful.  My mom yelled at me from across the house.  

Mom: What's going on, Ace? Why the rush?

Me: Prom! And I don't want to be late! Leo's picking me up soon!

She walked into the bathroom and helped me with my hair.  Then got a lint roller and rolled off the dog hair from Luna, our golden retriever.  

Mom: Shh... You're going to be just fine, so stop all you're worrying.  You and Leo care very much about each other, and that's what really matters.  Okay, sweetie?

Me: Thanks, mom.  You're the best.  

Mom: No trouble at a--

Violet: Moooooooommmmmmmmm!

Mom: Violet, I'm a little preoccupied at the moment.

Violet: Luna is going crazy because-and-so, there is someone at the door!

Mom: I'll get Luna,

Me: I'll get the door!

I open the front door to the house and see Leo there.  His dirty blonde hair is up in a bun, and he has such a nice tux on.  

Me: H-hi...

Leo: Hey, you ready?

Me: Uh, yeah.  

I turn back to the house where mom is struggling to hold the dog down, and my sister is looking at the TV, bored.  

Me: Bye, mom and Vi!

Mom: Have fun honey, we love you!

Violet: Bye, Ace!

We get into Leo's car, and though I love my family, I was glad to escape my mom and sister.  

Leo: You seem to have a stressful household.

Me: That's only half of it, my dad is at work and my little brother has soccer after school.

Leo: Wow, that must get crazy.

Me: Sometimes, I guess.  But we're still able to manage it.

Leo finds a parking spot behind the school, and we hold hands on the walk to the front entrance of the school.  When we walk in, it feels like magic the way the gymnasium has been transformed.  There are balloons and streamers of pink and red, and the lights are turned down low and everyone is dancing and smiling.  And then I realize the song playing is a slow dance, and Leo is looking at me hopefully.  

Leo: Shal we?

He gestures to the dance floor.  

Me: I, uh, I'm not a very g-good dancer...

Leo: It's easy, follow my lead.  

He takes my hands and leads me over to the dance floor, and we dance.  Somehow, I don't fall over like a clutz.  And it's calming to be in Leo's arms, staring into his forest green colored eyes.  Before we know it, the slow song is over, and the rest of the night was a bit of a blur.  We got some snacks, talked with other friends from school that were there, and got our picture taken at the couples photo stand.  

Suddenly, the music stopped completely and everyone stopped talking.  

Teacher: Hello, everyone!

It was one of the teachers who I didn't know too well, standing up on the stage with a microphone.  

Teacher: Thank you all so much for coming to this year's senior prom! In case you didn't know, there are snacks in the back of the gym, and a photo stand by the front entrance.  And now we'd like you to vote for cutest couples, the voting box is going to be on the tables over here...

She pointed to the tables.  

Teacher: ...and we'll count up the votes to announce the winners in a few songs! Have a nice night!

A crowd hurried over to the voting box excitedly, and Leo turned to me.  

Leo: How much you wanna bet "cutest couple" is gonna go to Alice White and Jack Bently?

Alice and Jack are pretty much the most popular people at our school.  Jack is a rich football jock who gets straight A's and is pretty much "perfect", but a total doormat to his girlfriend.  Alice is the head cheerleader girl.  It's not hard to imagine her, just think; blonde hair, blue eyes, curvy body, rich and popular snob.  And of course, the two are dating.  Gross.  

I snorted.

Me: Ha, yeah.  I'm totally voting for them.  

Leo: Gasp! I feel so offended! Don't you think we're the cutest couple?

Me: Of course I do.  I don't think we need an award though.  We just need each other, I need you.

Leo: My boyfriend, professional sap.

Me: Only for you.

Teacher: All right, the votes have been cast and numbers don't lie! Our third place winners for the cutest couple are; Tammy Stanberry and Vincent Troyer!

The couple made their way up to the stage, surrounded by an applause from the students.

Teacher: Next up, our second place winners are; Alice White and Jack Bently!

More applause came, but with a bit of questioning.  How did Alice not get first place? As soon as the two made it to the stage, Alice turned on the teacher.

Alice: Um, are you sure that the votes were counted correctly? Because I do not come in second place. I always win.  

Teacher: I'm sure, Alice.  You and Jack won second place.  

The teacher turned away from Alice and ignored her when she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.  

Teacher: And now, the couple that has received the most votes tonight, the first place winners are; Leo Newgray and Ace Mcclung!

What??

We won???

Before I know it, Leo has led me up to the stage.  The crowd's cheers and applause are deafening.  The stage lights are blinding.  My stomach is doing happy summersaults.  We won.  I don't believe it, but, somehow,

we won.