Y2K Pt.13- DANCE DANCE REVELATION!!!
I jumped out of my bed with full confidence. Whatever this day had in store, I was going to welcome it with open arms.
The morning chaos at home was in full swing. Mom was yelling at us to get ready while manically whipping up some huevos con chorizo, my sister her music and her hair dryer blasting off, and my brother running around like a headless chicken.
It's amazing I could still hear my own thoughts.
The best thing about today is that it's Friday. No night school, I have time to push off homework, and best of all...
Spring Fling.
Nervous.
Excited.
Everything about today had me pumped.
Today's the day I make my move.
For reals this time.
-----
While this upcoming dance didn't have the same kind of chaotic hype as homecoming or prom, it became a big deal for the island of misfits. By the lunch hour, that chaotic energy was noticeable. It was as if the air we were breathing was caffeinated.
Instead of partaking in the subpar school lunch, we set out to the convenience store. The legend of the Loaded Cheetos had spread and struck curiosity.
"Why does this sound like a stoner snack?" Bear asked. It was his first time venturing out of campus for a meal, let alone trekking these alleyways. He wasn't sure what to expect.
"That's because it is." Sadie laughed. While she was part of our group, she ventured around with the stoners from time to time.
"I'm actually thinking about adding jalapenos to mine." I said. My mouth was already watering.
"And the store just lets you do this?" Betty asked. "No questions asked?"
"Nope. They just ring it up like chips and charge you for a side of cheese." CC commented with a little pep in her walking.
"I'm going to turn mine into hellfire! Mwahahaha!" Victor cackled.
Boss walked beside us like some chivalrous sentinel—hands behind his back, chin high. When we reached the store, he opened the door gallantly for the girls… then let it swing shut in our faces.
Jackass!
The clerk at the store looked nervous whenever large groups of teens entered. I don't blame her. She probably didn't get paid enough to deal with it.
CC led Betty, Sadie and Teresa to the chip aisle to get theirs started. Boss, Victor, Bear and I became easily distracted and amused by these bizarre news novelty keychains on a spinning rack.
One in particular was this bootleg pikachu that had a pull string.
It looked more like a bootleg of a bootleg.
We were taking turns pulling the string and cracking up because it would emit a terrible bloody curdling "AaaAaaAAAAA" and violently vibrate.
"What the fuck is this?" Victor laughed. "I want it!"
"AHA! Look at this one." Boss howled. "This one looks a Furby on crack!"
CC rolled her eyes. "Are you boys going to get some food or act like a bunch of chucklefucks?"
Victor narrowed his eyes like Clint Eastwood in a standoff and gave that pull-string another tug.
*AaaAaaAAAAA*
"Chucklefucks." He muttered with pride.
CC cracked and walked away giggling. She couldn't see him with a straight face after that.
"Have fun with your little vibrator." Sadie teased as she brushed by him.
Victor smirked eyeing that extra hip sway she added as she walked away.
I shook my head and dragged Bear to get our chips.
Can those two seriously hook up already? Or do they just get off on building up that tension?
I'll never get them. One moment they're teasing and flirty and the next moment they hate each other's guts.
Meanwhile, CC was chatting with Betty as they prepared their chips. I caught myself staring in admiration from the end of the aisle.
They looked up and saw me. Both giggled and started chattering quietly.
I quickly looked away and tried to act casual with Bear.
I couldn't help but wonder... did Betty tell CC?
Was she being my wingman?
"You're still coming, right?" I whispered over to Bear.
"What if she thinks I'm a dork?" Bear groaned.
"Dude. I'm a dork. You didn't know Seth, but he was a super dork. We're all dorks."
I opened up my bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos. "You got this. This is your night."
A little curl of a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Bear opened a bag of regular cheetos and followed me to the nachos station. "What about you?"
"Me?! Fuck. I'm not going to lie, I'm beyond nervous." I held up my jittery hand.
Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was a nicotine withdrawal. Probably both.
"You're doing this." I patted his broad shoulders. "I got your back."
"Pffft. Okay, wankers. Move! You're taking too long." Victor shoved through and loaded his bag with a scoop full of Jalapenos. "You guys up for a challenge?"
"Nope." Boss said spinning on his heels and escaping.
I held my bag open and he dropped a generous serving. Bear folded his bag immediately after loading the cheese. He didn't want to be dragged into it.
Victor then held up a bottle of Valentina hot sauce.
I nodded.
"We're totally going to regret this?" Victor chuckled.
"I'm not. You haven't had my mom's cooking." I smirked with confidence.
Bear and Boss were smart enough to avoid our shenanigans.
Boss was triumphant by avoiding it all together and opted for the Chilli dog special. He wasn't a fan of cheese.
As to be expected...nobody wins in an infernal food challenge.
While laughs were made because of our stupidity, Victor and I were in a world of pain. We both hit that point where our tongues and bodies were numb.
On the plus side?
It actually improved my French accent during class. I couldn't roll my R's like I always did in Spanish, so I sounded like I was raised in Marseille.
Très bien, Frédéric.
----
After school, the excitement for this dance had me running home...or at least 1/3 of the way. My backpack flailed and the extra denim of my jeans were flapping and clapping with every step.
When I got to my house, mom's van wasn't there. I fished in my pockets but didn't have my key. I banged on the door in hope my sister was there...but no answer.
I hit my head on the door and Sighed.
Days like these trained me in all the wrong ways—I knew how to break into my own house.
I put my backpack down, grabbed my school ID card, and climbed over that jagged stone wall to my back yard.
One of the windows had a small warp which I was able to rig open by sliding in my ID card into it.
It was a smaller window and I was a chubby guy.
Remember that one scene in Ace Ventura 2 where Jim Carrey climbs out of that robotic Rhino? It felt like that.
I rummaged through my room trying to figure out what to wear. I wanted to look nice, not formal, not overly casual—but nice.
All my polo shirts I was thinking about were dirty.
Fuck!
I held up my Emmet Smith jersey to a pair of cargo jeans. It was either this or my homecoming outfit. I was not about to go there.
A quick shower, a spritz of Aspen cologne, my hair slicked and my zen beads for good luck.
Whether those beads were actually lucky or hocus pocus nonsense, I was going to need it.
"Well, Smith..." I took one last look at myself in the mirror. "Let's go dancing."
---------
Making it back to school that evening, I was late and didn't know what to expect. There weren't many cars in the parking lot and I was beginning to think there wasn't a dance.
That is until I heard the thumping bass coming from the old gym.
-------
The Pit
-------
Once you go through the doors, you are instantly greeted by a series of descending stairs and old concrete tiered seating.
This dance was no homecoming dance.
From the concourse of the arena, I saw everyone in attendance—at least 50 people in total scattered in little groups across the court.
The DJ had his booth beneath the basketball goal and was playing everything from AAliyah to Xzibit, Party anthems like Macarena and a short dance mix with that electronic style I heard during homecoming.
What the hell was that music called?
Lilly introduced me to a bunch of genres, but nothing she had sounded like it.
As I climbed down the stairs to the court, I spotted my group dancing together in their own little crowd. Betty, Teresa, Sadie, Dee, James, Chrissy, and some girl I didn't know, gathered around as Ryan became the center of attention.
This dude was a high-energy dancing machine. The charisma and flamboyant mannerisms he put into his moves gave off that magnetic pull that just drew in crowds. A natural entertainer.
If he were to have a dance battle against John Travolta in his prime, Ryan would have easily swept the floor. Hands down.
I'm not going to lie, I felt a bit intimidated by his confidence.
Tito gave me a laugh as he was in his own little space again—kicking and swinging around glow sticks like nunchucks.
Ezra from tennis was with him and taught him how to 'Liquid Dance'.
I took a seat on the stage and just watched all of them having fun, laughing, letting loose. But something was off.
Where the hell is Bear?
Where's my guy?
How was I supposed to be his wingman if he didn't show up?
AND WHERE THE HELL IS CC?!
I had a lump form in my throat and my heart dropped to my stomach.
Did I just get stood up by her again?
What if she's just running late?
What if she's actually avoiding me?
Was I truly undesirable?
What if...I really am disgusting?
I was spiralling again.
"Alfie!!!"
Teresa waved to me, snapping me out of my trance.
She and Sadie headed toward me. She was wearing denim capris, a red top and had put some braids in her hair fastened with butterfly clips. Sadie was wearing denim overalls and a striped crop top and let her long messy hair flow freely. They looked playful and cute.
"How long have you been there?" Teresa asked.
"Umm..." I cleared my throat trying to hide I was having a breakdown. "Just for a few songs."
"A few songs! What are you waiting for?" Sadie clapped on the stage. "Come dance, you bum!"
"Yeah. Come on!" Teresa tugged at my pant leg.
I've seen this number before.
This was that 'pick me' act they always did for attention from Boss and Victor, and now I was experiencing it for once.
"No." I chuckled. "I don't know how to dance."
"Bullshit. I saw you at homecoming," Teresa instantly called my bluff.
"Please!" Sadie begged and batted her eyes.
"Please Please!" Teresa echoed.
They were both staring at me with sad puppy eyes. The glitter on their cheeks twinkled with the disco lights—adding to their glamouring effect.
Nope...Must...resist....
Teresa and Sadie grabbed my arms and tugged, trying their best to pull me off the stage, but I was fighting back and chuckling.
"Betty. Help!" Teresa called out laughing.
Betty came up to the stage with a mischievous smirk on her face. She was wearing a black top with red sleeves, jeans, and a red ribbon choker with a silver heart.
My arms were being held and my sides were completely open. Betty knew my weakness.
"Don't you...Ahh!"
She poked and prodded making me squirm around wildly.
"Okay Okay." I chuckled as I flailed my arms like a toddler.
They dragged me out to the dance floor.
I'm glad they did.
Whatever happened that night changed everything.
Just like the song Hotel California says ;
"SOME DANCE TO REMEMBER, SOME DANCE TO FORGET"
I was doing both.
The energy of my friends, new and old, got me out of my gloom.
I was being silly, laughing, having fun and forgetting all my troubles. None of us realized we danced non-stop for over an hour.
We all piled up on the stage to take a breather. We were sweaty, but that didn't matter. I didn't realize being a chubby guy that I'd become an ideal pillow.
I felt like Totoro.
"Ladies leave your man at home—"
(Destiny's Child- Jumpin', Jumpin')
"Ooh I like this song." Betty sat up excited. "C'mon Ryan!"
"Woman! I'm tired for once. Ugh!" He fanned himself with his open shirt and plopped like a ragdoll. "I need a longer break."
"Aww c'mon." Betty pouted.
Ryan groaned. "Take the big guy. He hasn't danced enough." He kicked at my feet.
"Say what?" I contested.
"Let's go, Bubba." Ryan grinned. "Don't keep her waiting."
Betty gave me those same begging eyes.
Is there some kind of sacred knowledge passed down to girls when they reach a certain age? They are masters of glamour as well as intimidation.
Sorcery!!!
I couldn't say no.
I got up and joined Betty on the dance floor.
Betty really surprised me. She was not shy one bit and her dancing said it all.
The way she swayed her curvy hips and let her "assets" bounce to what I called "booty shaking music" the DJ was playing.
I was stunned and became shy.
How am I supposed to match her energy? I may have looked stupid just rocking around cluelessly.
James and Chrissy joined us on the dance floor. James wasn't quite the dancer either, but it was nice to have that support.
A few dances played and I became comfortable, not confident, dancing with Betty. I was having fun.
The DJ slowed it down nearing the end of the dance with some R&B.
Chrissy and James immediately went right into a slow dance.
I tried to escape—but Betty caught my hand.
"Just one more?" Her lips curved to a cute smile.
My hands slicked the back of my jersey.
Why couldn't I resist? This had me shaking and nervous, feeling more clueless than before.
She guided my hands to her waist and put her arms around my shoulders.
It was simple.
Comforting.
It felt...right.
The world around us went blank. It was just Betty, me, and Brian McKnight's 'Back at one'.
-It's undeniable that we should be together-
Betty was softly singing along while I was getting lost into those sparkling blue eyes of hers, they were like small pools of stars.
My face was hot from blushing, but I didn't care. Being in her arms made me forget everything.
She rested her head on my shoulder while we rocked and swayed. The sweet scent of vanilla lingered from her golden locks, intoxicating like fresh baked sugar cookies.
What was this warm feeling?
I didn't want it to end.
All I wanted to do was keep her in my arms.
The song came to an end and the lights to the arena had turned on—making my eyes hurt from the sudden change.
"Alright Pumas! Thank you for coming out tonight. I'm DJ Slick and it's been a pleasure. Drive safe and enjoy the weekend."
We gave the DJ a round of applause for the set and started to make our way to the exit.
Betty and I went to the front ledge where we always sat after night school. It was a very quiet evening and a perfect ending to the dance.
"That was fun." Betty said softly.
"Mhmm." I sighed with relief. "It was nice. I had a good time. Thank you."
Betty laid her head on my shoulder and I rested my head on hers.
We didn't say much, just sat there enjoying each other's company.
Peace.
"Where the hell are you guys?" Ryan echoed from the distance.
"Over here!" Betty shouted. She went to stand up to wave at him, but a squelching sound made her freeze.
"What was that?" She muttered.
"Hold on... I think you sat on gum."
"No! I like these jeans." She whined.
I got up to help pull the gum off, but I made that same tacky sound.
"Seriously!" I complained.
The sticky string of gum that was attached to her jeans was also on the back of my jersey.
Neither of us realized until then that we had sat on the same smeared wad of gum.
"Eww." Betty picked and plucked.
I was trying to roll the gum off of us.
We giggled and laughed at the sticky mess we had just got ourselves into.
Without notice, I turned my head and found Betty's lips pressed against mine.
My heart jumped.
While this wasn't my first kiss, this kiss didn't feel empty. I felt something I couldn't explain.
It was soft. Sweet. Real.
Was this that spark I always hear from stories?
Betty pulled away slowly and giggled. We stared at each other in shock.
"Umm..." I bit my lip. Still speechless.
I didn't know if that was intentional or accidental.
Either way, what happened happened and something clicked between us.
"Mhmm!"
We jumped and quickly turned to see Ryan standing at the top of the stoop by us, his arms crossed and tapping his toes.
"I see what's going on?"