"I'm sorry I'm late Mr. Ives, there was an incident," I say walking into the class, Mr. Ives sitting at his desk.

"Did this incident have to deal with Marcus? It's all over the web." Mr. Ives said looking up at me.

" Yes, but it doesn't matter much, I'll take my seat." I say, then take my seat. Joanna looks at me, but I ignore him opening my book. I look outside the window to the blue sky, no wind, ambient temperature; it's more like an absence of weather really.

" Oh, everyone there is a dance tonight, in the gym. It's $3.50 each, 6-12pm." Mr. Ives said, the classroom went wild, everyone shouting, saying that they're going to go. I done plan to go, so I continue my school day. The cafeteria is a cacophony of loud chatter, each table a cosseted huddle of people raising their voices to be heard above the din. The food is secondary to the information that is exchanged here. Over the over-salted fries' alliances are formed and gossip traded like poker chips.

"Hey, may I sit here?" Someone asks, me as he points at a chair.

"Yeah, go ahead," I answer, eating another fry.

" My name is George, you're Ally, we're in band together. I play the bassoon." He starts to say.

"Is that right," I say.

"So... Are you going to the dance with your boyfriend?" He asks shyly.

" What boyfriend he he, that's the funniest thing I heard all day," I say and start laughing.

" I wasn't trying to be funny. Do you want to go, maybe together?" he asks shyly again.

" Sure," I answer, being polite.

" Awesome! Okay so, do you want to exchange contact information so we can make a plan?" He asks, putting his hand in his pocket.

"Sorry I don't have a phone... But... here." I wrote a time and where to pick me up on a napkin, I finish my drink and throw my stuff away. I finish the rest of the school day not talking to anyone, and being highly precautions. Getting home I get ready for the dance. I put on a short fit-and-flare red dress with a jeweled waistband that gives this sleeveless dress a touch of glamour. The v-neckline on this cocktail dress perfectly complements the v-back. I positioned myself in front of the bureau mirror and took inventory. Makeup was minimal, reserved to a sweep of mascara. Lips could use some gloss. I licked my bottom lips giving it a wet shine. I get dangly diamond earrings from my jewelry box. I hear George honk his car, as I put on my heels.

" You look absolutely beautiful, Ally." He says as I get into the car, and we drive to school. A group of teenagers were gathered in front of the doors. From body to body they were so tight it was almost impossible to see what was going on inside, only the music that drifted over their heads gave anything away. The music was as loud as thunder; it made the cutlery on the tabletops rattle. Neon lights flashed everywhere like police sirens, but much more colorful. Over the roar of music, a distant, hazy chatter could be heard. I couldn't make out any words, but laughter rang in my ears and wouldn't seem to stop. The song that was playing got louder, pulling me in and wouldn't let go. I had no choice but to join the crowd, jumping in a huddled group like Tic-Tacs being shaken in a box.

George asks me if I was hungry, so we go over to the table with food, mostly filled with pizza. The pizza base was an inch thick and as white as my unfinished term paper. The sauce tasted like it came out of a can, a cheap one, and the topping was generous but greasy. Overly thick slices of pepperoni sat in pools of grease from the cheese. One bite was enough, more than enough. There was a bowl of chocolates, I placed one in my mouth, the silky-smooth texture that comes forth brings nothing but pure bliss. The plausible taste of true love, the perfect mix of bitter and sweet with a tinge of mint is pure luxury. There was an elegant lemon thyme cake, with alternating layers of lemon curd and vanilla buttercream, and then decorated with rich golden icing, candied citrus, and sprigs of mint to top it off.

The gym started to get stuffy and hot from all the active bodies. I go outside to get some air. The moonlight poured from the sky like the milk of a god that required no sustenance and instead was satisfied with only the beauty of the soft rays. The light breeze touched my skin, cooling my down, but I remand warm. I reached up and tucked my hair behind her ear and kept looking at the moon.

" Hey..." A familiar voice said, I turned around to Marcus. He wore a loose black silk shirt with leather cuffs and black trousers. However, he got better the more I looked. His rich chocolate hair that had tousled griminess which promised finesse. He had strong arched brows and eyelashes so thick, it could be illegal.

" Hey, I don't wanna see..." I answer back, but he cut me off.

" I swear what happened today, it wasn't me. I wouldn't go that far, not with you. Especially after that slap, which you should know that really hurt." He said as he took a seat the bench I've been standing next to.

"Good," I say at his remark.

" Now, I'm saying this now so you don't hit me again. I am going to make you sit on my lap." He says out of nowhere, before I could think about what he says, he grabs me by the hips, pulling me onto his lap.

"Let go on me, I'm heavy!" I say blushing.

"No, you're not. And may I say you look beautiful in that dress." He says I thank him. Still blushing, on his lap, I bite my lip.

" Please let go of me, It's embarrassing," I say squirming.

" No, let's resolve some problems between us." He says with a smirk.

"Fine, first why are you sexually harassing me? And if you want to get it resolved, you will let go of me." I say, he lets go of me, and before I could get off there was a bright flash. As the light faded out I noticed Levi holding a camera.

"Give me that camera now!" Marcus yells as I get off and he gets up. Marcus runs after Levi trying to get the camera. Left alone I go back to George, seeing him talking to Joanna gets me a little nervous. I couldn't find my voice. I felt my cheeks flushed hot, and my stomach was heavy. My heart pounded in my throat, threatening to break out. His eyes wandered around the crowd. Mine stayed locked on him. How many love songs had I heard that said, "He takes my breath away"? Now that line made a lot sense. My body numbed as he approached and I became painfully conscious of my words.

"Hey, you okay? George and I were just about to look for you." He said, hid words made a knot in my throat.

"You know I can take care of myself. I'm fine, go enjoy yourself." I say shooing him off, then I go over to George.

" Do you want to take a picture together?" He asks, his words to make a knot in my throat.

" Sure, we could probably make it in the year book." I say, he takes my hand and leads us around the big crowd. We get our picture token, then Jonna and Jackie joins us. Then Jackie and I, and Jonna and I, then finally the boys together. Finishing the dance, we all find our ways home. Kicking off my heels off my throbbing feet, I put on a tank top and a pair of sweats and fall asleep.