4). "Here's looking at you kid." (More Prom goodness, continued, Wes perspective)
"You can dance – every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight.
You can smile – every smile for the man
Who held your hand neath the pale moon light
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me…
Oh I know that the music's fine
Like sparklin' wine, go and have your fun.
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone…
But don't forget who's takin' you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me."
- Save the Last Dance for Me (I prefer the M. Buble version)
Loosening my tie, I vaguely wondered what had prompted me to arrive at this particular juncture in my life. This time last year, I was only just being informed by my parents that they were ripping me out of my school, my life, and my team to move to the States. I had begged to stay on and complete my education in my home country, but my parents insisted it would be 'character building.'
I hate it when they're right.
How could I have ever predicted my life would end up here?
I glanced across the hotel ballroom, through the annoying and dizzying lights, at my girlfriend who was dancing and obviously having the time of her life. She had one of the best smiles I had ever seen, and tonight it was in full force. Their heels long ago kicked off, Lucy and her friends shimmied and twirled, not caring about who, if anyone was looking on, lost in beats and lyrics and familiar verses.
A slow song finally came on, and I saw a familiar pair of green eyes immediately search for me. Although I had been up front about not wanting to 'shake my ass,' I had no qualms about swaying in place with my girlfriend pressed firmly up against me. I stood up slowly and made my way across the dance floor to her familiar frame (fit snugly into a stunning frock – maybe this whole Prom thing wasn't such a bad idea, no?). Silently taking her hand, I wrapped my arms around her waist and she entwined her arms around my neck. With only two weeks left in school, I wondered if my entire 'senior year' had been some sort of alternate reality…that I would wake up tomorrow on the outskirts of London and go back to my regularly scheduled life.
A waft of Lucy's perfume forced me to realize the last ten months had been real – true emotions, feelings and experiences. The whole evening had made me sad that tomorrow I was going to have to tell her I had been accepted into the Manchester United training program – a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would be taking. Worst of all, I knew Lucy would be happy for me. She would hide any sadness about my returning to England, and focus instead on how proud she was of me.
It wasn't difficult to love her…
"Everything okay?" She asked.
"Here's looking at you, kid," was the only thing I could think to say.