What We Keep Hidden

"Do you honestly want a sweaty guy drooling over you, suggesting you 'go somewhere private'?"

"I guess not, huh." She gave me a weak smile.

We were standing in the back of the ballroom at the community centre, where the annual Christmas dance was taking place. Lucy was, although she wouldn't admit it, trying to avoid attention. She might talk a big game about wanting boys to notice her, but in real life, she feared exactly that happening.

Hannah was on the dance floor, together with Annie and Jenna. Jenna was, as per usual, dancing with some guy she'd barely said one word to. From my vantage point, I could survey the entire room. KB and Louise were over in another corner, drinking soda and whispering about something.

"I wonder where Tammy's at," I said, distractedly, continuing my perusal of the room. Lucy turned to look in the direction I had just been looking.

"Don't know, I haven't really seen her tonight. Maybe she got sick?" Her suggestion made me laugh.

"Wouldn't that be her worst nightmare? Missing the Christmas dance?"

Just when I was beginning to feel safe and comfortable in our little hiding spot, a figure came sauntering towards us. James. I realised I had two options; either find someone else to dance with or leave the dance altogether.

I went for the second one. The consequence of this decision was that I had to walk home. The bus wouldn't be here to pick us up for another couple of hours. But that was better than staying. I went to the cloakroom to collect my coat.

Before I opened the door, I heard some noises, but thought they came from another room, so I opened it, stepped inside, and froze. It was William. And some girl.

They were up against the opposite wall, him pinning her in place, thus making it impossible for me to see who he was kissing. As the door banged shut behind me, the two started, looking panic-stricken at me.

It was Tammy. Tammy was the girl he'd been kissing.

I guess I was as horrified as either of them, already backing towards the door to get out. Just as I reached for the handle, William was brought out of the trance they seemed to be in. He sprang into action and grabbed my arms to keep me from going anywhere.

"What you just saw, it didn't happen. I mean, no one must know about it. Please, don't tell the teachers!" His grip was firm on my arms, and I could smell his cologne. I had never seen him up close, and I hated to admit to myself that I was even more attracted to him now than I had ever been before. I had tried to convince myself that I didn't have a crush on him. But staring into his intense eyes, I couldn't deny the butterflies taking flight in my stomach, and the tingling sensation his hands inspired on my arms.

I couldn't speak, so I just nodded. Looking behind him at Tammy, I saw her trying to ignore my presence as she buttoned up the two undone buttons at the neckline of her dress.

"Please, promise you won't tell," William continued to plead, regaining my attention. I just nodded again, and he let me go, leaving my arms feeling cold from his absence. As I left, he grabbed my wrist, turning me around.

"Who are you, by the way?" he asked, looking at my surprised face. My voice was suddenly back.

"I'm Emily. And I won't tell." Without further interruptions, I left the room only to walk right back in because I forgot my coat. 

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