The Space Between Us(17)

I think because it was a school dance, the DJ played fast songs we could all dance to, but eventually the DJ turned on a slow song. The atmosphere in the room changed from fun and happy to nervous and sweaty. Some kids immediately paired off. Couples that were established took no time and wrapped around each other. The rest of us stood in a moment of uncomfortable edginess. I noticed many people looking around either looking for someone to ask to dance, or trying to make themselves look bored perhaps hoping someone would ask them. All I was doing was trying to avoid Asher's gaze. Our hands were still linked, palm-to-palm, and I was nervous that he was going to ask me to dance with him.

I felt him lean in closer to me, then I felt the small breeze of his whisper move past my skin.

“Will you dance with me, Bit?”

Every nerve in my body screamed no. No way. If I didn't step all over his feet, surely I would throw up on his shoes. My mind wasn't ready for all of this to be happening. Just hours ago we were just friends, and now we were floating around on this confusing cloud of something more and all I felt was confused. Yet, even though my mind screamed no, my body said yes. A small nod was all Asher needed to lead me onto the dance floor, still holding my hand.

We walked into the middle of the crowd of teenagers swaying to the music and Asher stopped and turned towards me, a small smile playing across his face. He unclasped my hand and brought his palms to my waist, resting them on the bell curve just above my hips. I tried to stifle the sharp breath I sucked in when I felt his hands on me, but I wasn’t sure he didn't hear.

I wore high heels, so I was taller than usual, and my head came just up to his chin. I reached up and, with butterflies the size of swallows fluttering around my stomach, I clasped my hands around his neck, trying desperately to avoid his gaze. I was afraid of what I would see in his eyes or what he would see in mine. I felt him touch me just below my chin and brought my face around to look at him.

“Charlie, relax. This is just you and me. It's us, Bit. Don't be nervous.” A shaky breath escaped me as his finger trailed up from my chin and moved over my cheek to my ear where he tucked away a lock that had gone astray. His fingers moved down and sifted through my long tresses, fingering the strands until he'd touched the entirety of their length. I couldn't take his gaze anymore so I moved my cheek to rest it against his chest, sighing into him, trying to let my nerves leave my body with my breath.

We swayed back and forth, moving to the slow melodic tune of a song sung by a woman with a low alto voice. I tried to focus on the lyrics, but I was too distracted by keeping meticulous track of every point of contact between our bodies. My front was pressed to his chest, and the longer we danced the closer I pressed in, eliminating the space between us. His hands eventually moved to wrap around my waist, resting on the small of my back, his fingers splayed out, claiming so much of me. I never imagined what it would be like to have Asher's hands on me, but I knew at this moment I would never want anyone else's.

“You're so small, Charlie,” he whispered to me. I pulled back slightly to look up at him, puzzled by his comment. “All these years, I've seen you, I've hugged you even. But right now, as I'm holding onto you, I am amazed that something so important to me and so vital to my life can be wrapped up in such a small package.” His arms tightened around me and I heard a small gasp leave my lungs. He lifted me up so my feet left the ground and our faces were level. I held on around his neck and he had me firmly around my middle. He rested his forehead against mine and I felt my eyes drift closed.

“You mean everything to me, Charlie. I'm not sure I even understand what that means fully right now, but every day it becomes clearer to me. You are my everything.”

His words zipped through me, electrifying my pulse and racing through my veins. We were two friends, standing on a dance floor, still nearly children, dressed up as adults, and we were at a crossroads. Our foreheads still touching, our ragged breaths intermingling, our paths intertwining at this very moment.

It was all too much for me.

I twisted away from him and slowly slid down from his grasp. My hand was still on his chest when I looked up at his face, twisted in concern and confusion. My fingers gripped his shirt, not wanting to let go, but I knew I had to. This was more than I had bargained for. I took a deep breath and broke our contact, heading towards the doors that would lead me outside.

Once I was out the doors, I took in deep breaths like I'd been underwater for hours. I couldn't seem to get enough air. I found a wall to lean against and tried my best to calm my lungs. After a few minutes Reeve came out and found me trying to breathe normally again.

“Charlie, what happened? Asher told me you were upset and to come find you.” Of course Asher sent her.

“I just want to go home,” I said, sounding small.

“First tell me what happened.” She sounded concerned, but also demanding. I looked down at my hands, trying to find a way to relieve the anxiety that was building within me.

“I think,” I started, but lost my nerve, bringing my hands to my face. My head was starting to pound and I just wanted to lie down.

“Charlie, just tell me. You'll feel better.”

I let out a large breath, again just trying to regulate a normal breathing pattern. I felt like if I could master breathing at the moment, I could master anything. Finally, I felt like I could finish a sentence.

“I think things between Asher and me are changing.” I cringed with the words coming from my mouth. Admitting it was giving it life. Saying it was making it true. At least, that's what it felt like to me. My eyes shot open in surprise with the sound of Reeve's laughter ringing through the air. She held her stomach, laughing big belly laughs, and after a few moments a few tears started to make their way down her cheeks.