Omg, guys! I just found out this story has 14,775 views! *dances happily* I'm so happy right now.
Finally, it's the semi-formal! I'm sure many people have been waiting for this. HOWEVER, this is semi-formals: PART 1. Part 2 will be coming along soon, I promise. I've already written a little of it. So for now, just enjoy this little semi-formal intro! As usual, please favorite, follow, and REVIEW! (As a writer, reviews are the most important to me, as it spurs me on, gives me inspiration, and provides me with feedback on how I can improve.) Enjoy the chapter!
I hand Jenkins a cup of punch and pour one for myself.
"Thanks!" she shouts over the loud hip hop song playing out on the dance floor. It's been an hour since the dance started. The school wasted no resources in decorating, making sure the gym looked stunning for the external guests. The doors had been closed and beams of light flashed across the room in beat to the song. People were really getting into the mood in the first half of the hour, and by now the party was in full swing. I've seen my friends around and I've seen Shawn and Mr. Matthews with the other chaperones, lining the walls of the room, sometimes lingering at tables during breaks. The hip hop song faded off into a violin song with lots of excitement and grace. The doors of the gym are pushed open from the outside and it swings wide open (the school oiled the doors for the semi-formal – something about dramatic entrances). Most people turn. A graceful figure stands in the hallway, all features except the silhouette of the person blocked by the direction of the light from the hallway outside the gym. She steps into the gym, eyes searching, and my jaw goes slack. Maya?
Oops. I didn't mean to push that hard. I forgot the gym doors were oiled yesterday.
I step in, searching the crowd, closing the door behind me. Almost everyone is watching me. The DJ ups the volume on the music and everyone returns to the party. I spot Farkle and Smackle dancing awkwardly together, but with smiles as bright as the sun, and Zay talking to one of the cheerleaders. Jackie and Jonas laugh and dance wildly together in the middle of the dance floor, and I see Mr. Matthews standing with Shawn in a corner, talking animatedly to him.
Shawn smiles at me with that "I knew it" smirk of his. He dips his head slightly to the crowd of students. I follow his look. The first thing I see is Riley dancing with Gardner, then I see the expression on her face and turn away. I follow Shawn's eyes more closely, and realize it is on Lucas. Lucas has Jenkins at his side, smiling brightly. Both their eyes are still on me. I realize what Riley's face is all about now, and I bite my lip. This is not good for whatever me and Riley have going on. Still, I head towards them.
"Hi, guys." I smile. Jenkins and I have a small conversation, then she leaves, saying she'll "be right back". And then there were two. I blush a little from the way he's looking at me and try to joke it off.
"It's not polite to stare, Ranger Rick." He smiles.
"I thought you weren't coming?" I shrug.
"Shawn changed my mind."
"I'll have to thank him later then." I tell my brain to shut up and stop analyzing everything. "You look beautiful, Maya." I smile.
"Thanks, Huckleberry. You clean up pretty nice yourself." I reply. He smiles. Then I smirk and point. "The hat's just for my sake, isn't it?" Lucas tips his cowboy hat as a greeting to me. What a Ranger Rick thing to do.
Jenkins is back. She hands me a cup of fruit punch, and I thank her.
"Dance?" she asks Lucas.
"My pleasure." He smiles and takes her hand, leading her to the dance floor. Suddenly alone, I decide to walk to Shawn.
"Hey, Maya. You look great." He smiles.
"Thanks." Shawn smirks.
"I knew-" I chuck a small sausage on a toothpick into his mouth, cutting him off.
"I know." I say, unable to hold back the small smile that crept up my face.
"Maya! You look great." Jackie and Jonas materialize beside me. They are quickly joined by Billy and a friend of his whom I do not know. Shawn slips away.
"Hey guys. You too."
"Oh, Maya, this is Sam." Billy says. He leans in and whispers by my ear, "After I told him I knew you, he kept going on about how hot you were." I laugh out loud, thinking Billy was joking. But then Billy cringes, and I realize he's serious. My cheeks grow red. Jonas, standing beside me, overhears as Jackie strikes up a conversation with Sam.
"If he tries anything, we're here for you." He says quietly. I smile gratefully but am a little worried inside. What kind of reputation does this guy have that makes Jonas think he can hurt me?