The Space Between Us(15)

The night of the dance came upon us quicker than I could have imagined. Reeve and I were in my bathroom putting the final touches on our outifts and I couldn't believe how different I looked and felt when I saw my reflection in the mirror. I felt like Pinocchio when he turned into a real, live boy. The transformation was unreal. I went shopping with Reeve and her mom for a dress and luckily my dad approved of my choice.

I wore a peach-colored, halter-style dress with ruching along the midsection. It had a tiered skirt with different fabrics making up each layer. I thought the visual of the different fabrics flowing down the length of the skirt was so beautiful that I knew I wanted that dress immediately. The skirt also cut at an angle, making it even more appealing in my eyes. The long side of the skirt came down to just above my knees, with the high side reaching to mid-thigh. It was different and pretty. I loved it. My dad was a little chagrined by the skirt. I knew he thought the high side was a little high, but honestly, most of my legs were covered and once he saw Reeve's dress he couldn't complain.

Reeve's dress was absolutely stunning. I would never wear anything like it, but she was braver than I was, more daring. Her dress was a bubblegum pink color, strapless, with a sweetheart neckline. It also had this amazing piece of black lace that wrapped around half of it, covering one breast and half of her skirt. It was also short, very short. Reeve was much taller than I was, so she had way more leg than I could ever hope for. I was sure my dad was going to throw a blanket over her when he saw her come down the stairs in her dress. His eyes bulged out of his head almost making me laugh. Reeve's mom stood at the bottom of the stairs snapping pictures of us, telling us how beautiful we looked.

“Reeve, that dress is gorgeous on you. And Charlie, you look stunning.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Anderson,” I squeaked, not use to taking compliments. After a million pictures were taken, my dad sullenly herded us out to his car. He didn't say much on the drive over but when he pulled up to the school he turned around and gave us a stern look.

“I will be waiting to pick you both up right here at ten thirty, sharp. Do not be late and, uh, have a good time.”

“Dad, don't worry, everything will be fine. It's just a dance.” I tried my best to make him feel better, but I knew he was uncomfortable. I was his only daughter heading off to my first dance and my mom wasn't around to give me all the normal 'talks' girls my age were supposed to be having with their mothers. I knew my dad was feeling my mother's absence tonight and I understood how hard it was for him; it was hard for me too. I rubbed his forearm gently and then leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “See you in a few hours, Daddy.” I gave him a bright smile and we climbed out of the car.

“Asher is going to freak when he sees you in this dress,” Reeve said as we walked through the metal doors into the school.

“Shut up. Everyone is going to freak when they see you. You look amazing in that dress, Reeve, like, hot.” She smiled brilliantly at me and I smiled back at her. We walked into the gymnasium which was transformed for the dance.

White curtains draped everywhere with different colored lights shading areas in bright flashes of prismatic hues. There were big, round, white lanterns hanging from the ceiling, spaced evenly around the white flower streamers that also hung from the ceiling as well. It didn't look like the gym we ran laps around, instead I felt like I'd wandered into a cloud – a cloud currently hosting a rave, but a cloud nonetheless.

Reeve grabbed my hand and took me through the crowds of people on the dance floor. Everyone looked amazing. So many girls wore beautiful dresses, their hair perfectly styled, laughing and dancing with boys wearing sharp suits and shiny shoes. Everyone smiled and bounced to the music. The happiness was contagious and I found myself smiling while admiring all the gorgeous people surrounding me. My eyes flitted from person to person, taking in their dresses, their smiles, their dance moves. I was enthralled by it all and completely enamored by the whole experience.

My breath caught in my lungs and my body hit an invisible wall when I spotted him across the cloud. He stood with some of his friends, talking and laughing. I could only see his profile, but I could already tell he looked incredible in his dark suit. When I stopped walking, Reeve was tugged backwards. She shot me a confused look, but then followed my gaze and caught me staring at Asher. She yelled into my ear, “He looks good, Charlie.” All I could do was nod. He looked amazing. My tummy was doing all kinds of weird swirls, and it felt incredibly empty and hollow.

I turned into Reeve and pulled her arm so that she brought her ear down to my lips.

“I don't think I can go over there, Reeve.”

“Why?”

“I don't know. All of a sudden I'm not feeling well.”

“Charlie, everything is going to be ok. You're just nervous. Hey,” she said, trying to get my attention. I looked up at her. “It's just Asher.” Just Asher. Only Asher.

I thought about what she was saying and even though it was just Asher, I didn't feel like I was just me. I felt like someone else, or like I was becoming someone else. Asher was my best friend, the first person who cared about me here. The only person who cared enough to push me to come out of my shell. He'd been my best friend for years and if anything took that friendship from me, I didn't know what I would do.

“I'm scared,” I confessed to Reeve in a moment of mouth-filter malfunction.