Page 14 of Once Bitten

“You don’t remember do you?”

I had to shake my head.

“I’d just lost my favorite skateboard. It was probably stolen from the front of the house, I’d- ”

“…just gotten it for Christmas. And you were so distraught.” I remembered now.

He smiled and nodded. “Yeah, and that night, I went into my room and found your note on my pillow.”

“And you memorized it.”

“Not on purpose, but that’s what happens when you read something over and over and over again. ‘Don’t waste your time being sad when you could be smiling instead,’ we were about 10.”

I couldn’t believe he’d not only remembered the note, but knew it by heart it. He’d never even spoken about it, I just figured he either didn’t see it, or just read it and threw it away.

“So. I’m smiling. Right now, instead of being sad. Just like you told me.”

“Why are you sad?”

He was silent and I didn’t push him. The sound of the music from the gym drifted towards us. The chatter of hundred of teenagers weaved through the melody. Making memories to last them a lifetime of story telling. Etching into their histories every moment of the night, what they wore, who they were with, first and last time doing things with friends they’ll never hear from again.

I felt Finn move next to me, standing up and running his hands down his tux jacket. I guess it was time to go in.

He held his hand out to me, “I don’t think we’ve had a dance together yet. Can’t go to prom without having a dance.”

I put my hand in his and he pulled me to my feet, then suddenly hard against his body.

“Ooof.” I exhaled.

“Oh, sorry, that was smooth wasn’t it?”

He slid his arm around my back and pulled me in closer. His hand holding mine tight, his head cocking slightly to gently lean against mine.

I could barely breathe.

The slow ballad wrapped its gentle melody around us and cocooned us from everything but our entwined bodies.

“ Kara.” He whispered into my ear, “you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

I closed my eyes and prayed not to be woken from the dream.

His body was warm against mine, and we swayed, barely moving more than an inch each beat, but it felt like I was floating on air, high above the earth, with the stars as my witness.

“Kara...” He whispered again. “I have to tell you something.... I...”

“KARA! FINN!!! THERE YOU ARE!!!!”

Heather’s voice, shrill and loud cracked like lightning against the quiet night. We jumped apart, and I crumpled to the ground, my ankle twisting under me from the sudden pressure on my stiletto.

“Oh my god, Kara! Are you ok?” Heather came up to me, panting, helping me to my feet. “Finn! Why didn’t you help her?”

He just stood there, looking at me, his breath coming out in hot, white bursts of steam.

“I’m ok, I’m ok. Just not used to wearing heels this high.” I reassured her.

“You were gone so long, I told you I’d come looking for you, if I didn’t find you.”

I smiled weakly at her, my ankle starting to ache. “I told you, I’m ok, Heather, I just needed some air and um, Finn, um, I guess he just came out to keep me company.”