“Okay, well that sounds more like my kind of thing.” I said, returning her smile. “So, if it’s not a real dance, how does everyone dress?” I asked, mentally going through my limited wardrobe.
“Well, that’s the funny thing,” she chuckled. “Everyone still gets dressed up and everything, just for the fun of it, I guess.”
“Oh, well, I…”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you have something that’ll work,” Courtney said, seeing my apprehension.
“Of course,” I said, plastering a fake smile across my face.
Any further conversation was cut off as Mr. Graves dismissed us for the day. Grabbing my stuff, I headed out the door.
“Hey, Katelyn, wait up,” Max called after me.
I paused for a moment so he could catch up.
“I have to catch the bus,” I said in a rush as he joined me.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Macon, the bus driver, will wait on you.” Max said reassuring me as I walked swiftly down the hall. “Besides, if you ever miss the bus, I can give you a ride,”
he added.
“I just don’t want to worry Kevin,” I said, still not slowing down.
“So, anyway, I wanted to ask you if you would go to Alicia’s dance with me.” He finally asked, keeping pace with me.
“Won’t your girlfriend mind?” I asked a little harshly.
He looked taken aback by my tone or maybe it was my question. “Girlfriend?” he asked puzzled.
“Rebecca,” I said, watching the play of emotions cross his face.
“Do you really think I’d ask you out if I was seeing someone else?” he asked earnestly, grabbing onto my hand to halt me.
“I don’t know. It just seems like there’s something there,” I answered truthfully.
“We went out a couple times, but I’ve also gone out with Alicia and Courtney. We’ve all known each other so long that when we do try dating it never fits right. The only two that seemed to make it work are Brandon and Shirley,” he said, naming the other two in their group. “They’ve been going out almost since she moved here.”
“I think the girls may feel differently,” I said.
He sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “I know I guess, but I can’t force something I don’t feel, especially now that I know how it should feel,” he said, looking at me meaningfully.
“You don’t even know me,” I said quietly.
“Then give me the chance to get to know you,” he replied sweetly.
I looked down at our hands that were still linked and relished in the warmth his hand was giving mine. “What if you don’t like what you find out?” I finally said meeting his eyes, more vulnerable than I’ve ever felt in my life.
“I don’t think that could even be a remote possibility. Will you go with me?” He asked once again.
Finally caving under his charm, I nodded.
A broad smile spread across his face at my nod. He squeezed my hand before he loped off to join his friends down the hall.
I watched his retreating back for a moment before rushing off so I really wouldn’t miss the bus.
I mumbled an apology to the bus driver, who, by the way, was a dead-ringer for a mall Santa Claus with his white hair and long beard.
“No problem dear. Your brother Kevin here, told me you would be coming,” he answered, winking at Kevin who was sitting in the front row.