Chapter 11: Second Rotation

Leigh extended a hand to Violette, and she took it with a shy smile. Gone was the redness in her cheeks. It seemed that her time dancing with Lysander had instilled some confidence in her. They made their way to the dance floor to the beat of Gangnam Style while Jade grazed on the vegetable platter at the refreshment table.

"Doesn't it bother you at all what Amber said about Rosalya and me?" Jade asked.

"No. Why should it?" I asked.

"It's kinda true. The way Rosalya dances is a little… um… you know. I just didn't expect to be dancing like that with a girl I've never met before."

"Well, did you enjoy it?" I asked.

The song changed to "Irresistible" by Jessica Simpson.

Jade hesitated, but came clean. "Yeah. I feel guilty about it, though."

"Just because Amber got on your case about it?" I asked.

"It's not just that. It's you. I felt like I should have been saving my dance moves for you."

"Saving? But the more you dance, the better you get. Consider Rosalya practice. I'd rather have you warmed up and ready to go, anyway."

Jade relaxed at that, and we went back onto the dance floor to enjoy the rest of "Irresistible." Jade did not have quite the same moves Leigh had, but I could feel that his heart was in it. We continued dancing through "I Want You Back" by Savage Garden and "Feel So Close" by Calvin Harris.

Then, the DJ made an announcement for "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray, the first slow song of the night. The students cheered and quickly divided into pairs while some left to stand by the walls.

Jade held me close as we danced, and I got to feel his strong, lean frame through the fabric of his suit. A warm, tingling sensation spread from my heart to the rest of my body. I almost died of happiness in that moment, but thankfully the song ended before I really did drift away.

"C'mon C'mon" by One Direction started to play, but neither of us cared for that song too much and we needed a break from dancing anyway. Jade took my hand and led me out through the courtyard and into the garden. The music faded until we could just barely hear it. We sat down on a bench, and he took both of my hands in his. An owl hooted in the distance, and the scent of cleome flowers permeated the air.

"Kari, I've missed you so much," Jade began.

"Me too," I agreed.

"I think we have something real here, and even though we go to different schools I'd like to know that this will last. I guess what I'm trying to say is… will you be my girlfriend?"

I looked into his gleaming green eyes and saw the deepest sincerity there. However, I still wanted to dance with Lysander. I wanted the chance to dance with more guys without fear of cheating or breaking hearts. "I like you a lot, Jade. I may even love you, but please understand that I'm not going to be anybody's property. We can be together and this can last, but I don't want an exclusive arrangement with you. Besides, there's still Violette."

Jade brushed my cheek with his hand. "I think I understand. It's like my mom's car. Our relationship can work, but it will work differently. Everyone else burns one fuel, but you are electric. Your energy can come from the sun and the wind, or in this case me and someone else. There's no way I can be there for you twenty-four-seven, so you deserve to have alternatives. Other people may not understand, but when it comes right down to it this is about what's best for us, not them."

Jade and I started to close the space between our faces. I closed my eyes, and then opened them for just an instant to make sure he wasn't pulling away. Then, our lips connected. I surrendered to sweet bliss, and in that moment I knew I loved him.

Unfortunately, love seemed to be a delicate subject for people even after they showed their affection for one another. I decided to wait a while before dropping the L-bomb on him. I ached to tell him right then and there, but the nagging voice of popular culture I so often ignored got the better of me for once. Characters in television shows always waited three months after kissing before throwing out the first "I love you," and even then it was iffy. Maybe it was superstition, just like the belief many people held about only being able to love person. In any case, we had done enough talking and made enough progress for one day. I didn't want to jinx anything.

Jade sighed. "Well, I guess we better get back to the others."

Jade and I walked arm-in-arm into the courtyard.

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