A Nightmare Beginning

I waited for Derek at my front door, peering out of the window every couple seconds. He was supposed to pick me up at 7:00 and it was 6:59. I was too anxious for the dance. It wasn't like he was going to ask me to be his girlfriend; it was just a date. A date I had gone all out for.

I had spent the entire day at the mall, shopping with Jess – my best friend – for make-up, jewelry, and, of course, a dress. I had also gotten my hair done. Jess thought it was insultingly shocking that he would ask me.

My dress flowed down to my thighs, tight against my chest. It was a ruby red, with sparkles along the hemline. It was strapless, which I was slightly worried about. My hair was wavy, flowing over my shoulders, and coming down to my ribs. I wore diamond earrings and a sapphire necklace with an opal bracelet – all brand new.

Most people wonder how I can afford all the jewelry I buy, but it's all my parents. They lived in New York City when they were married, and they had jobs that paid lots of money. My dad was a stockbroker. My mom stared on Broadway for twenty-one years. I was born during her tenth year. They supported me well. I guess you could say I was spoiled. But I was glad I got my mother's voice. When we moved here, I got a job to help earn money, even though we had plenty.

Derek pulled up exactly when the clock struck seven. I walked out, and his eyes took in everything that the dress showed. I twirled around, giving him a nice view. Then I dropped my purse behind me and bent to pick it up, nice and slowly. 'I'm such a little slut' I thought to myself. He was wearing a regular, classic, black tuxedo. But it looked better with him and his tan skin. He looked so sexy. I smiled at him. He grinned back and helped me into the car.

We drove to the dance without talking, listening to rock songs by a band I had never heard of. When we got there, Jess was outside, alone. I waved to her, but she didn't see me. She only saw Derek, even though I was holding his hand, right next to him. She strutted up to him – and she did it well because of the hours of practice she spent doing it in front of her full-length mirror – and whispered seductively, "Hey Derek, you're looking sexy tonight," while running her finger from his neck down to his chest and looking up from under her lashes. Damn, why couldn't I do that; why couldn't I be sexy like that? In that moment, I felt jealousy, annoyance, irritation, and most of all, hatred – for my best friend. I was so horrible. But I couldn't control my actions towards her.

I grabbed her hand from Derek's chest and threw it at her. Then I said innocently, "Sorry, there was a bug." She glared at my back as I dragged him away from her. He followed me without protest until we got into the gym, then he went in front and led me onto the dance floor where he didn't hesitate to put his hands on my hips – not my waist. He started guiding me cross the dance floor, and I could feel every girl's envy of me. But I didn't care; I was only focused on Derek. The slow song ended and then a grinding song came on. I started rubbing up against him, and he put his hands on my thighs.

The dance ended too soon. He walked me to my door when we arrived back to the house. He held my hand the entire time – at the dance, in the car, and now, standing in front of my door. He brushed my hair across my face and smiled shyly. He hesitated before asking, "Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

That was unexpected. I was so shocked that I couldn't answer. He looked at me like I was totally retarded. "I just . . . had lots of fun with you tonight and I want to go out again sometime, and if being my girlfriend is too quick, then maybe we can –,"

I silenced him by pressing my lips to his and kissing him like I never have before, with anyone. He kissed me back and pulled me closer. "Let me in, girlfriend?" I almost caved but my parents were home, and I don't think they'd approve of me making out with a guy I barely know.

"Can't, see you tomorrow?"

He looked sad. "Sure. I'll pick you up at noon." He kissed me one last time and then strolled back to his car, head down.

"I'm sorry, Derek. Maybe another time!" He just nodded and drove off. I instantly regretted it, making him feel rejected. But what could I do? Nothing at all. I sighed, and walked back into my house, hoping I made the right decision, or if I just ruined a relationship that just started and maybe ended.

If only I knew at the time that it was the best thing I could ever do. If only I'd known what I did might have saved from trouble that caught up with me later. It would have saved me so much regret. I thought it was a perfect dream, a lovely reality. But it was a nightmare disguised as a dream, showing me what I want, buttering me up, before the crash.