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By Halcyon Zeru
It was lunchtime noon at the canteen and four of us were
eating lunch, finishing first. I pushed away my plate and said straight to
them.
“I decided not to attend this coming high school dance.”
At last I have said those words, because I don’t feel
like attending this year. I rather stay home and watch a rented movie since
Karen went to the States. Without her, the high school dance would never be the
same.
“What! You’re not going to the high school dance why?”
Leila exclaimed staring at me
“Because I haven’t bought a ticket yet.” I said as an
excuse
“It’s only a ticket Nicole, for heaven’s sake attend!
It’s suppose to be our last year in high school.” Maui added
“Look, if it is a transpo problem. I’ll arrange it, just
to have you attend the high school dance.” Leila said pointedly
“You’re going to miss the high school dance if you don’t
attend and it is the last.” Irene said to me
“Okay, okay you guys win. Since there are two days to go
before the high school dance. I’ll buy the ticket and go.” I quickly said
Darn! Why do I have to go to that dance and it’s Thursday
and whom am I going with? I went home immediately after the long test and my
brother John upon hearing that I’m going to the high school dance just laughed.
“So you think this high school dance is boring.” I airily
said to him
“Yeah and you don’t have anyone.” he teased
“You’re obnoxious!” I angrily said to him as I went to my
room
As I went to my room he called me
“What?” I said
“Maybe you can ask Ethan, he’s just our neighbor. He
lives in the corner of the street and I think he might well be interested going
to your high school dance.” he said
“Not a million years am I going to ask your friend.” I
said irritatedly
“Well suit yourself Nicole. I’m just trying to help on
your high school dance.” he said finally as he goes out
Hmm…Maybe he’s right I might ask him, since he’s much
younger than my brother, eighteen perhaps. But do I have the nerve to ask him?
It was Thursday night I planned to call him. I sat at the
sofa while waiting the phone to ring. Suddenly, an answering machine was the
one who picked my call. I was quickly relieved that it is only an answering
machine.
“Hello, this is Ethan. Sorry I’m not here right now. So
please----.”
The answering machine was cut and it was answered none
the less by Ethan.
“Hello?” he said
“Hi, may I speak to Ethan?” I nervously said as I twirled
the cord of the phone
“This is Ethan. May I know who is calling?” he asked
“This is Nicole.” I said quickly
“Nicole? Hmm…let me see…Ni…” he continued to say as he
thinks
Goodness he didn’t even know me. John you’ll pay for it!
“Nicole, John’s sister Nic?” I said again
“Oh yeah Nic. Hi! So what’s up?” he said cheerfully said
over the line
“I want to ask you a favor.” I said finding the words to
say next
“Favor? What kind of favor?” he curiously asked
“Well— this coming Saturday 8:00 p.m. we’ll have our
dance at our school.” I said
There was a pause in the line and this caused me to be
worried. He might be upset for me bringing that question to him.
“Sure! Since I don’t have any classes on Saturday it’s
okay.” he said calmly
We talked for a few minutes about the dance. We agreed
that he would pick me at my house at 8:15 so I can meet with Leila at the Gate
6 at exactly 8:30.
***
Friday, the last
day of the exam with the grueling Statistics exam. We planned to go and to eat
outside. At the KFC.
“So Leila, what are you planning for tomorrow’s high
school dance?” I asked while eating
She stared at me as if I didn’t heard me as I asked her.
“You asking me? What’s gotten to you? Well since you
asked. I asked my sister Claire and my cousins Paul and Tristan to go. How
about your transpo?” she said eyeing at me
“My brother will take care of it.” I said shortly
All of us went to the boutiques to find a dress that
suits me but I intended to wear the same dress last year except the shoes,
which I’m going to buy that day. The shoe I bought is a burgundy sandal that
goes with my dress.
“So Leila are we going to meet at Gate 6 tomorrow at
8:30?” I asked as I hold the paper bag of Celine
“Sure. But remember to meet me there and if you
don’t----.” Leila warned me
“Of course I have kept my word. So where to?” I said
loudly
***
Saturday, the dreaded high school dance. I was in my room
watching VHS when my brother went in.
“So how’s going?” he said
“On what?” I sarcastically said focusing on the video
“Have you gotten to Ethan?” he asked
I lowered the volume of the TV to hear what he’s been
asking.
“Yeah, and it takes a lot of my guts to ask him. I could
have died on the spot bringing that question.” I said annoyingly
“See, he’s not a bad person after all and he seems to
compromise.” he added
I just stared at him. He smiled coyly and went out.
The phone rang. It’s Leila.
“Hey, it’s now 7:00 are you still going to the dance?”
she said annoyingly as if I’m not going to the dance
“Silly, I’m going to dress up around 7:30 and for
heaven’s sake I’m watching. I don’t want to miss this movie.” I continued to
say
“As I said I’m going to the high school dance.” I said
pointedly
“Okay, okay I got it --.” she said continuously
“Bye!” I said as I cut the line off
Look what you have done. I’ve just missed the ending
story of the movie as I turned off the VHS and started to dress up. It was 8:00
p.m. that I have finished dressing up. Looking at the mirror I saw myself
dressed up. I’ve tied my hair, put a little make up. Looking at myself at the
mirror, I’ve felt that I have become different.
The car arrived around 8:10 p.m.! It’s five minutes
early. By the way, I have no idea how he looked like. It’s been months that I
haven’t seen him face to face eventhough he’s just in the neighborhood. I heard
my mom, knocked on the door.
“Dear it’s Ethan, you didn’t say that you have a
chaperone. I’m glad that you asked Ethan to go with you, since I know that boy
very well---.” My mom said as she hugs me
My brother was talking to Ethan and heard that my brother
suggested that I called Ethan for the high school dance. The nerve of him to
say! Instead of Ethan being embarrassed, he just said it’s fine. Thank God! I
finally took a big breath and approached him at our living room.
“Hi!” I cheerfully said
Just as I said hi to Ethan. Ethan quickly stands up and
looked at me for a while.
“Nic?” he said as if he’d known me for the first time
“Yes, it’s me.” I said
“Hi! You looked great. John you didn’t tell me about your
sister, just a name.” he said eyeing to my brother who is now embarrassed
I looked at Ethan for a while. I didn’t know how really
cute he was in face to face.
“Shall we go?” he asked me
“Sure. Bye Mom. John I’ll be home around 1:00.” I said as
I went outside with Ethan
Ethan was dressed in white long sleeved shirt and slacks.
Judging the way he dressed. He definitely bought them at the Guess Store
because he looked almost exactly like the model in the posters displayed in the
store. We went to his car, a new blue Toyota Corolla model. He drove the car.
“So, is this your 4th dance?” he asked me
while he was driving
“No, actually this is my 2nd time.” I replied
“Is there any tickets available?” he asked me again
“Yes, there’s still.” I replied again
I pointed where he would turn and parked the car. He
pulled up and said
“Why don’t you wait for your friends, they might be there
already.” he said as he gets out of the car
“No, you’re going with me. You can go to the ticket booth
then I’ll meet you at the phone booth.” I said as I gave him the money
“No, I must pay may ticket even you asked me to go with
you.” he smiled as he went to the booth
I went to the phone booth and met with them. Leila called
me and introduced me to her cousins.
“Nicole meet Paul and Tristan.” Leila said
“Hi!” I said
“Hello!” the two said
As I turned Maui is with her friends and she said also to
me.
“Nicole, meet Wayne and Emma.” she said
“Hi, nice to meet you guys.” I said extending my hand
“So guys, let’s go!” Claire said quickly
I was searching for Ethan at last I saw him coming.
“Guys---wait. There’s someone I want you guys to meet.” I
said as they turned their heads to me
Just in time Ethan was beside me.
“Guys---I want you to meet my chaperone Ethan. Ethan meet
my friends Leila and Claire with their cousins Paul and Tristan. Maui and her
friends Wayne and Emma.” I said naming them all
“Nice to meet you guys.” Ethan as he reached his hand to
shake them one by one
Leila and Maui
looked at me, wondering why I brought a guy this high school dance
“So guys, are you ready to party?” Emma said as she went
to center of the dance floor
All of us danced. The beat of the music is fast and it is
blaring. Until Leila asked me to go to the powder room.
“The beat is great.” I said as I fix my hair
“Yeah Nicole. You didn’t say that you have a chaperone or
a date.” Leila said teasingly
“So what?” I said defensively
“He’s really nice and cute. I didn’t that you can pick a
guy so good!” she added
“Quit it!” I said as I went out quickly
We continued to dance. I’ve never expected that Ethan
could dance well. Same with Maui’s
friends.
The music played by the band continued. Until a new band
was followed. This time I’ve never expected they are going to play sentimental
songs. After saying thank you’s of the first band. The second band is preparing
to play.
“Nicole, we’re just going outside to buy our drinks.
We’ll be back for a minute.” Leila said going with Maui
The music of the band ended and played a slow song. The
people slowly drifted away and few are willing to stay. I stopped dancing.
“Nicole, is there anything wrong?” he said slowly
“Nothing. It’s just the music….sentimental songs.” I
softly said
My secret’s out! I don’t like to dance slow songs.
“Why makes you say that?” he asked me again
“I don’t know how to dance and I haven’t dance before a
guy.” I said embarrassingly going to the bleachers
“Nicole---.” Ethan called me and held my hand
I paused and looked at him. He smiled and I walked
towards him.
“I’ll teach you.” he offered
He reached for my hand and held me at waist and the other
my hand. While I put my hand to his shoulder the other holding him.
“See it’s so simple.” he said holding me now
I smiled. The song entitled “It Might Be You.” We moved
at a perfect beat and I really enjoyed it.
“It’s one of my favorite song Nicole.” he said as he
whispered on my ear
“Mine too.” I replied back
“I thought bringing me as a chaperone will bring boredom
and I’ll be out of place.” he said
“No, you’re so sweet and kind---.” I said
“Shh----don’t speak. Let’s enjoy the music. It’s just me
and you.” he said looking at me
I wanted to melt on the spot. I’ve never known that Ethan
is so sweet and kind. The band continued to play until the last song was
played.
“Well Ethan this is the last dance. Would you like to
take a break?” I asked as I let my hands off at him
Instead of letting it go, he held my hand again.
“Can we finish this last song?” he asked
“Sure.” I replied softly
This time the title of the song is Kenny Loggin’s “For
the First Time.” Ethan put his hands on my waist and I put my hands over his
shoulder.
“Ethan, that song---.” I murmured
“Yes, I know it.” He said softly
Soon as the music continued. I suddenly laid my head on
his chest and he held me closely in his arms.
“Ethan, this high school dance is the best in my whole
high school life--.” I continued to say as I danced with him
“Shh---just dance.” Ethan said slowly
The music ended.
“Why don’t we take a break?” he said as he holds my hand
as we went towards the bleachers
“Good idea.” I said slowly as I grasped his hand
As we walked toward the bleachers. The group of Maui and
Leila was watching us.
“We’ve been looking for you.” Leila said looking at us
strangely
Realizing that Ethan and I were holding hands. We quickly
let go of one’s hand.
“Umm---we’re dancing.” I said quickly
“She’s right. We’re dancing, while you were gone.” Ethan
said casually
“Okay Nicole. We’re going to dance. Want to come?” Maui
asked me
“Later. I got tired feet. I’m going to sit for a while.
You guys go, we’ll follow.” I cheerfully said
As they went to the dancing floor. I looked all the
people dancing together.
“Ethan, thanks for coming to this high school dance. I’ve
enjoyed your company.” I said
“It’s nothing Nicole. I also thank you for inviting me.”
he said smiling to me
“Let’s dance!” I said quickly going to the dance floor
We danced until it was nearly 12:30 a.m. It was getting late and I promised mom that
I’ll be home at exactly 1:00.
“Guys, since you are staying. We have to go home now. I
had to promise my mom I’ll be home at 1:00” I said looking at my watch
“Okay, be careful!’ Leila said as they hugged
“I will!’ I promised
We went to the parking lot and found Ethan’s car. I find
it strange that he didn’t utter a word. We arrived at my house. He pulled over
the gate and turned off the engine.
“Here you go.” he said slowly opening the door for me
“Ethan thanks for being my chaperone. I really enjoyed
it.” I said going out of his car
Ethan reached for my hand.
“Thanks and I hope we can go out sometime.” he said shyly
“Maybe sometime Ethan.” I said reaching the gate to open
He waved goodbye to me and I waved back. I stood there
watching his car to disappear. Smiling, having my best high school dance with
Ethan.
~*~