Million Footsteps Away

Senior Life

2.

"I come to school to learn and see people pretend to be each other's friends. Basically, my life was quite pathetic until you came along and it changed. I'm not sure if it was for the better or worse but I'm glad there's a change"

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"Aw, c'mon Kiley don't be such a downer!" Allison cried, pouting at her best friend's rejection. It was a Friday Night and being typical senior, it was becoming an obligation to attend every Friday Night Party, regardless of whose house it was. But being a certain person's girlfriend had exceptions.

"Al, you know perfectly well why I can't go," Kiley sighed, dumping her dance attire into her duffel bag. Flipping her hair over, she bundled it up into a quick high ponytail before applying basic make up. She may be going for dance practice but it wouldn't hurt to look prettier for her boyfriend cum dance partner, Jackson Lee.

Jackson Lee was by far the coolest senior at their school, Ever Crest High. Head of the dance team, he has led the team to perform countless genres and won awards that now donned most of the school's trophy case. Not to mention, he was extremely handsome and a gentleman at that. Every girl in school fawned over him and even some boys would be honored to be his friend.

Kiley was just the lucky girl who caught his heart because they've been in a steady relationship of a year or so. Well, sort of steady. It was good enough for Kiley so she didn't really question when he did forget one of the many anniversaries a couple has.

Going back to the current topic, Kiley rolled her eyes as her best friend started whining and screaming into her pillow.

"You have a controlling boyfriend, Kiles." Her voice was muffled by the pillow and Kiley cringed at the thought of her friend's makeup smearing all over her favorite pillow casing.

"He's not controlling, he's just very..." Kiley struggled to find the right phrase to defend her boyfriend.

"Controlling?" Allison suggested, lifting the pillow off one eye and raising her eyebrow in question.

"Oh shut up, he's just under a lot of stress right now." Biting her lip, she couldn't help but realize she sounded as if she was trying to convince herself rather than her friend.

"Uh huh, pray tell what does the perfect life Jackson Lee has on his silver platter than could be of so much stress?" Allison exaggerated, feigning worrying for her best friend's boyfriend.

"For starters, this performance costs us a scholarship you twat!" Kiley rebutted, playing punching her friend in the shoulder.

"You hurt me, Kiles. Both physically and emotionally. Couldn't he just buy himself one though?

Oh yes, you guessed it. Jackson was also quite well off but this university went by auditioning for entry and he wasn't taking any chances. Why risk it when a scholarship could secure your position in the most prestigious dance university? Besides, paying to make someone's son study at your school doesn't really give the best first impression other than your son is a snobbish brat.

"But Kiley, this is our final school year!! And your boyfriend is making you spend in on sweating in a dance room all day every day." Allison frowned, picking her things up as they made their way out of Kiley's room.

"It's also probably my last year being able to dance, Al." Kiley whispered, tears threatening to fall as she remembered the full detailed doctor's report that came into the mail a week after her appointment with Mr. Parker.

"Oh, Kiles, come here," She softly called out, enveloping her friend in a hug. "I'm sorry, alright? I know how much this means to you, I'm sorry for pressurizing you to go to some dumb party." By far, only her family and Allison knew about her condition. She hadn't had the heart to tell Jackson, or rather the courage.