Rain [Short Stories]

Slow Dancing in the Dark

I was perfectly fine just sitting there at Prom by myself. I didn't want to be there in the first place. It was loud, the music sucked, and my friends had abandoned me for their dates. Everyone had dates. Except me.

I didn't want a friend, or company, or anything. Even if I did like someone-which I definitely don't-they wouldn't be here. That was sarcasm.

//I don't want a friend//

I'm left watching everyone else have a good time. They're all dancing; boys with girls, girls with boys. Even some boys dancing with other boys, and girls dancing with other girls. Girls in gorgeous sparkling dresses, boys in their sleek suits and bow ties.

//I want my life in two//

Why do I always get left out? Why am I never someone's first choice? I sigh, and fix my tie and cuff links as if that would make a difference. It doesn't. Everyone keeps dancing.

//Just one more night//

There's only two more hours left anyway. It'll be over soon, and I can go home. I can get out of this suit, take a bath, and go to sleep.

The drive over here was a mess. Tess picked the five of us up in her dad's 1960 Volkswagen Beetle. A horrible decision, really. Carson and Aiden had beer, of course, them being the troublemakers of our group. They'd spilled it on the seats and themselves. So, then the car smelled like Bud Light. Tess freaked out at them.

//Waiting to get there//

I was crushed against the right hand side door. Tucked away under my seat belt, nose turned away from the two buzzed teenagers I had the privilege of sharing the backseat with. Evangeline and Tess were singing Yeah Right by this one marble-mouthed singer in the front seat, so I guess the back was favorable. I did like the song...

//Waiting for you//

"Hey, Ed!" I barely hear the voice to my left, but I turn as the music quiets just enough to hear him. My breath seems to get sucked out of my chest as I see him. Lovell Addams.

He's in a tuxedo and a red and black striped tie that complements his dark eyes. His curls had been put into a neat ponytail, and, oh, he looks so perfect in the white and blue strobe lights. He was the one person a ponytail could look cute on.

But Terra was with him. The most popular girl in school who had an even bigger crush on Lovell. It shouldn't have surprised me so much to see them together, but it did, and it hurt.

//I'm gonna fight it all night//

"Oh, hey, Lovell. Hi, Terra," I had to shout so they could hear me over Justin Bieber whining about love. How apropos. They responded with smiles and equally loud-if not louder-shouting.
"Are you here alone?" The small smile that followed Lovell's question was adorable. I shook my head, looking away from the pair. Ugh, a pair...I called them a pair. Oh, Edgar, you're killing yourself here. What's more is that they were holding hands.

//When I'm around you slow dancing in the dark//

Why should I even be upset? He doesn't even know I like him, neither does Terra. I shouldn't be upset. I shouldn't be holding back tears. I shouldn't admit defeat when they leave me to slow dance together. Though I find some solace in the fact that he seemed reluctant to dance with her.