Stories from an Empty Room

Kids

It's the 19th of December, the grand ball's about to start. Everyone lined up right outside the archway, with the chandelier lighting the whole place, we walked the red carpet.

Cameras flashed as the band plays in the background. The girls walked in with elegance and confidence. Every step took their partner's breath away. The boys carried themselves with power and authority. As quoted by the hostess of the event, "These are real gentlemen, tranquil yet bold."

Soon, everyone began to sit down on their respective tables as rehearsed. Glassware were given as the principle gives a speech.

"Thank you all for coming to this grand evening.."

Not long after, Julia poked me.
"Psst.." she called.
"What?"
"Look up, the stars are pretty."
She wasn't lying, they were ethereal.
"Yeah, so?" I replied.
"Come on, loosen up a bit. This is probably the last best night we're going to have before college."

"..everyone in here walked in as kids, children who have yet to see the real world.." the principle continued.

"How'd you know this will be the last and the best night?" I asked.
"Well, I don't.." she sighed "..and that's why I want it to be the best. Maybe not the last, but the best."
This was our last year together. I'll be moving to another city for college and she'll be staying here.
"Why are you so dramatic?"
"Am I?" she laughed.

"..but I hope, that as the night continues to grow, everyone in here will find what they're looking for. May it be their dreams and aspirations, or the food they want to eat.."
the crowd laughed.

"Kind of." I replied.
"Well, sorry for trying to be nice..."
"I'm joking, I'm joking.." I chuckled "..what do you want to do?"
"I want you to dan-"

The feedback of the microphone muffled the things she was saying.

"Oh, sure." I replied.

"Let us all stand as we pray for this wonderful evening."

The night went on. Soon after the speech, the plates and silverware were distributed. The band starts playing smooth jazz while everyone lines up at the buffet.

"I'm not hungry yet." she said.
"Then what're we gonna do?" I asked.
She stood up, grabbed my hand and we walked towards the garden.
At the very center of the garden was an old sycamore tree. Lights lit up the branches and leaves of the tree. Around the trunk was a metal bench painted white.

She sat down and called me to sit down with her, so I did.
"What are we doing her-"
"Shh.." she exclaimed "..listen."
It was quiet. The wind blew on us as the music play softly. The wind chimes rang, she inhaled and exhaled slowly.
"Why do you have to go?" she asked.
"Huh?"
"Why do you have to go to another city for college? Can't you just stay here?"
"It's the university I want, and I was luck enough to br give a scholarship too, it'd be a waste if I didn't take it."
She looked up and closed her eyes.
"Let me come with you.."
"What?"
"We could live in the same dorm."
"Julia, you know your parents won't allo-"
"Fuck them.." she exclaimed "..they don't know everything."
"They don't, but with the experiences they have, they probably know more than you."
She looked at me and asked, "Don't you want to be with me?"
"I do. But now's just not the right time. We're still kids."
"We're teenagers. We know enough..."
"We don't."

We stayed silent for a few minutes. She just sat there, looking up on the stars and I looked at my star.

The hostess then called on everyone to go to the dance floor, the time she was waiting for was about to start.
I pulled her up and dragged her back in, she looked unhappy.

We got to the dance floor in time and the band started playing blues. I placed her hands over my shoulder and my hands on her waist. She really is unenthusiastic.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Not a single word.

I lifted her head up and to my surprise, she was tearing up.
"Julia..."
"Damn you, Hugo."
She let's go and aggressively marches back to our table. I followed her.

She just awkwardly stood silent. With her arms crossed and her eyes looking dead on my soul, I knew I had to do something.

"What's wro-"
"Don't talk to me!" she shouted.
No one heard us, they were all busy dancing.
"I wanted this to BE the best night, but you had to go and ruin it!" she exclaimed.
"Wha- How?"
"Shut up!"

Without even saying a word, I took her arm and pulled her back to the place where we talked.
"What are we doing here?" she asked, still frowning.
"You wanted to dance, didn't you?"
"The music's way too quiet.."
I pulled out my phone, plugged in the earphones and opened spotify.

I opened a playlist and Old Fashioned by Bruno Major started to play.
I gave her the right, I took the left.
She smiled, a smile filled with hope.

We danced along with the song as the stars around us joined.

"I'm sorry.." she whispered "..I was irrational."
"See? Kids." I rebutted.
She buried her face on my chest and with a muffled voice, she replied "I know."

I gave her a kiss on the forehead and resumed dancing.

"Hugo..." she called softly.
"Mm?"
"I'll see you again, right?"
"Yes, yes you will."