It was the last day of fifth grade, and our class was electric with excitement. We were about to have our very first dance. No one really knew what this meant, except that we were now “big kids.”
I had a year-long secret crush on my classmate Ross. He was quiet, with mousy brown hair and nice eyebrows, and lived a few houses away from me. In the weeks leading up to the dance, I imagined Ross approaching me and inviting me to dance with him. I’d answer with a cool, “Sure,” and we would shimmy along with the crowd.
The dance was in the cafeteria, which looked exactly the same as always but darkened. The tables were folded and pushed to the sides. C&C Music Factory blared. A few small groups of friends were dancing, but most of us were standing hesitantly along the edges of the wall. It was like everyone needed to watch and see what this whole school dance business was all about.
Then the whole dance vibe shifted. A slow song came on. Everyone whispered to each other. A few brave couples tentatively stepped onto the dance floor, and did that hands on shoulders and hips sway.
Someone tapped my shoulder. It was Garrett, a fellow classmate. He asked, “Hey, do you wanna dance with Ross?” He gestured to Ross, who was watching this interaction intently from across the room. I panicked. I wasn’t sure if Garrett’s smile was friendly or mocking. What if I said yes, and they both had a good laugh? Or maybe this was a genuine invitation. But then I’d actually have to dance. In my sudden anxiety and uncertainty, I gave a dismissive, “Uh, no,” complete with a disgusted scowl.
And that was that. My one and only chance at dancing with Ross. Squandered.
I had a year-long secret crush on my classmate Ross. He was quiet, with mousy brown hair and nice eyebrows, and lived a few houses away from me. In the weeks leading up to the dance, I imagined Ross approaching me and inviting me to dance with him. I’d answer with a cool, “Sure,” and we would shimmy along with the crowd.
The dance was in the cafeteria, which looked exactly the same as always but darkened. The tables were folded and pushed to the sides. C&C Music Factory blared. A few small groups of friends were dancing, but most of us were standing hesitantly along the edges of the wall. It was like everyone needed to watch and see what this whole school dance business was all about.
Then the whole dance vibe shifted. A slow song came on. Everyone whispered to each other. A few brave couples tentatively stepped onto the dance floor, and did that hands on shoulders and hips sway.
Someone tapped my shoulder. It was Garrett, a fellow classmate. He asked, “Hey, do you wanna dance with Ross?” He gestured to Ross, who was watching this interaction intently from across the room. I panicked. I wasn’t sure if Garrett’s smile was friendly or mocking. What if I said yes, and they both had a good laugh? Or maybe this was a genuine invitation. But then I’d actually have to dance. In my sudden anxiety and uncertainty, I gave a dismissive, “Uh, no,” complete with a disgusted scowl.
And that was that. My one and only chance at dancing with Ross. Squandered.
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