Liam

 

 

I lie awake in bed on Friday morning. School has been in session for five hours and the pep rally will start soon. I didn’t bother going to school today. I can’t face Asha, knowing I’m letting her down. After having the most amazing date I could have ever wished for, I went and ruined it. I can’t believe Asha only went on a date with me because of my stupid promise to dance in class. Here I was thinking she liked me. I feel like such an idiot, and I’m also feeling pretty shitty.

I spent all week sitting through dance class where she taught her pep rally choreography to the students while I sat to the side. She normally doesn’t even acknowledge that I’m in the room, but this week she laid it on thick. She’d said things like, “And this would be the part where our male dancer would escort the girls onto the dance floor one by one.”

Everyone had turned to me, and I’d given a sarcastic nod like it didn’t bother me. But it did. I know she’s counting on me, but dancing at a pep rally? Seriously? Ugh, I just can’t do it.

But it’s Asha, not some other girl. It’s her dream to do well in this class and it’s her future at stake here. I care about her, so much more than she realizes. We might already be an official couple if not for this stupid dance class getting in the way.

I sit up in bed and run my hands down my face. Would it really be so hard to do the stupid dance?

Yes, I think.

But I know the moves. I know what my part would be, because Asha played that part during the week of rehearsals. It’s not hard, and I could do it if I wanted to. If I really wanted to win over the girl of my dreams.

Dammit.

I think I’m going to do it.

With a deep breath and every bit of courage I have, I dig in the back of my closet for the only suit I own. I pull it on and put on some dress shoes after I get all the dust off them. The girls in class are dressing up in black skirts, so a suit would be my best bet to fit in.

I drive quickly to school and park in the back near the entrance to the gym. I can hear the band playing the school’s fight song as I slip inside the building. All of the students in my grade are currently in the gym. This is going to be so unbelievably embarrassing. Mortifying beyond belief.

But then I try to look at it a different way. So what if I’m laughed at by these people I don’t even know? Doing this dance will make Asha happy. Isn’t she worth a massive amount of embarrassment?

Yes, I decide.

Still, my heart is pounding as I slip into the side door of the gym, the one that opens behind the rows of bleachers. I see groups of girls in matching outfits huddled together and realize they are Mrs. Johnson’s other dance classes who are getting ready to perform. I remember this dance isn’t just for fun, it’s a competition out of all the Officers for dance.

Swallowing my pride, I look for Asha and the rest of our class, but I don’t see them standing back here behind the bleachers. Then, a familiar song comes on the overhead speakers. They’re doing their dance now.

We’re doing our dance now.

Throwing off all my reservations, I run toward the gym floor. Asha is wearing all black, standing in the place that’s reserved for me.

“I’ve got this,” I say, startling her. Her eyes rake up and down my body, taking in the sight of my formal wear. She bursts into a grateful grin and I wink at her before turning toward the first girl in line.

I loop my arm through hers and walk-slash-dance her across the floor. Asha was right—the part she choreographed for me isn’t hard at all. I try to get lost in the music the way Asha always tells her students to do, and I dance to the beat, doing the best version of my part as I can. I don’t know if it’s any good, but I’m here, and that’s what counts.

I forget all about the crowd of my peers in the stands, until the song ends and they erupt into cheers. The girls in my class line up and take a bow, and I do the same thing.

“Let’s give it up for Officer Asha Bronte’s class!” Mrs. Johnson says into the microphone as she stands off to the side. I am panting as I stand here, taking in the applause. I don’t see any guys laughing at me from the stands, but honestly, I don’t care. Let them make fun of me. I just saved Asha’s grade, and that’s all that counts. The drill team is up next, and we all rush off the gym floor, back to where the other classes were waiting.

At the back of the gym, under the dim lighting beneath the bleachers, I look around for Asha. A few girls in my class give me a high five and tell me I did great, but their compliments mean nothing. I need to hear what my dream girl thinks.

I look around, but I can’t find her. Then, someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn around and see her watching me with just the hint of a grin on her face. “I thought you weren’t coming,” she says.

“I thought I wasn’t, either,” I admit.

She’s wearing a shimmery eyeshadow that makes her glow like an angel. “What made you change your mind?”

I reach out and take both of her hands into mine. “You’re an amazing dance Officer, and you deserve to have your dance performed the way you wrote it.”

“Is that the real reason?” she asks, peering up at me. “Or are you just trying to win me over?”

“Can it be both?” I ask, squeezing her hands.

Her hands slip from mine, and I’m totally heartbroken for about two seconds, until she wraps her arms around my neck. “Yes it can,” she whispers into my ear as she stands on her toes.

I grab her waist and pull her toward me. I don’t know who leans in first for the kiss, or maybe we both do, but soon our lips are together and her sweet sugary mouth tastes so good on mine. I hold her tightly, wishing I could pull her away to somewhere private, but happy to have whatever I can get.

We kiss for what feels like forever, and yet barely any time at all. Then she’s pulling away, dropping back to her feet, and loosening her grip on my neck. “We probably shouldn’t do this at school…” she says, her lips pink and slightly swollen as she nervously glances around.

“My Jeep is parked right outside,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows so she knows I’m only halfway serious.

Her grin lights up my whole world. “Okay,” she says, taking my hand. “Let’s go.”

 

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