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Ch. 14- The Dance

The next day at practice my two captains cornered me.

"Maria why weren't you in practice yesterday?" Hope said.

"No one told me there was practice..." I started.

"Well there was, and that is the fifth practice you have missed."

"I am so sorry; I've just been having a lot of problems in my life, with school and everything." I had stretched the truth some, I had no problems in school, but what would it seem like if my boyfriend was more important than guard.

"Well you need to figure something else because if you miss one more practice Maria, you're off this team."

They walked away and left me speechless. Would they really kick me off the team?

I was tortured all day at practice. I was so scared of what was going to happen. I paid attention the whole practice and put everything into it. I had only missed practices. I had never missed a game, competition or parade. I felt like I just needed time to relax. After practice no one in guard talked to me. I just went home and cried. I wouldn't be able to be happy without guard. I just needed to get away.

I bought tickets to a school at school the next day. Parker didn't want to go so I had to find someone else to go with. I decided to ask Ashanti that night.

"Hey Ashanti." I said.

"Hey Maria, what's up?"

"Nothing, you want to be my date for the dance?" I said laughing.

"Sure, sounds good," she laughed, "Ill see you tomorrow night then, I'm not coming to school tomorrow."

"All right, bye."

At practice on Thursday, Hope took me aside and talked to me.

"Maria, I realize now that you have been having some tough times. I am sorry that we thought about dropping you. You are a real asset to our team and again I apologize." She said.

"Thank you Hope, but I understand I will try my best not to miss anymore practices."

We got up and hugged. I was so happy that I didn't get kicked off, I told myself. I walked over to my drill spot and started marching with the band. That practice was one of the best I had had in a while. Although I couldn't wait to get home and go to the dance. I got home and change into a blue jean skirt and a blue button up shirt.

"Well, I look mighty fine." I said to myself as I laughed.

My mom took me to pick up Ashanti and we went to the dance. We walked into our school gym and it was dark, but had colored lights going every which way. I saw a lot of kids on the floor dancing and a lot sitting on the bleachers. Ashanti and me walked over to where Ashanti's boyfriend Ray was. We sat down and started talking to Ray and his friends Chris and Ervin. I saw Dave walk in and he headed over to where we were sitting.

"Hey Maria." He said.

"Hey, I didn't know you were going to be here."

"Me neither, but my friend Mike talked me into it, and I don't even know if he's here yet!" He sighed.

"Well, you can hang out with us, I promise Ashanti won't bite."

"HEY!" Ashanti shouted and hit me.

"Gosh I was just kidding." We started laughing.

We all sat and talked for a while until they started playing slower songs. Ray asked Ashanti to dance, which was so cute as I might add, and Chris, Ervin, Dave, and me just sat on the bleachers. I watched Ashanti and Ray dance for a while and then the songs got really slow. The Dj played "The Reason" by Hoobastank.

The Dj started talking, "Ok guys and gals, everyone grab a dance partner, and I mean EVERYONE, or else were kicking you out!"

I started to search around for someone to dance with and then I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Chris.

"Maria, would you dance with me?" He asked.

I was a little surprised so I stuttered when I answered "yes."

As we were walking away Dave looked a little sad. I smiled at him and then he went and asked my friend Katie to dance with him.

"Don't you move anywhere when this song is done kids, 'cause we got another one coming up." The Dj said.

The song ended and Usher's "Burn" came on. I heard someone call my name and Ashanti started mouthing something to me. I turned back around to see Chris leaving and Dave grabbing my hands.

"If you don't mind I'm going to take over," he smiled; "I've always wanted to dance with you."

I smiled at him and he grabbed my waist and pulled me towards him. I put my arms around him as a reflex and we started dancing to the music. We got turned around and I ended up facing Ashanti. She put her hands up like she was asking what? I shrugged to answer her question. The Dj played Britney Spears' "Everytime." Dave and I continued to dance and then he started to talk to me.

"Is this awkward Maria?" He asked.

"Somewhat, yes." I answered.

"I'm sorry, we can go sit down if you want."

I hesitated, because I really didn't want to sit down, "No, it's ok."

I laid my head on his shoulder and thought to myself. What is going on with me? This can't be happening. I looked up at Dave to see him smiling at me.

"You know Maria," he started, "you're not doing anything wrong. The man said if you don't dance, you'll get kicked out. So it's like you had no choice, but I hope that you wanted to dance with me."

I chuckled, "Oh I wanted to dance, I just feel that it should be Parker dancing with me." I stood there for a minute and talked again, "I need to go to the restroom."

I walked to the restroom and looked at myself in the mirror.

"Why am I dancing with him?" I thought to myself, "I wish it was Parker."

There. It was settled. No more thinking about Dave. No more wondering about him. I cared about Parker, and only Parker. There were just those times that I wondered how better it could be with someone else. Even if it could get better with Dave, I only wanted Parker.

BANG

I turned around and saw Brittany hit the floor. She looked up at me, and in her eyes I saw how drunk she was.

"Oh shit," I said, "Brittany what are doing, what happened?"

"I just wanted to have a little fun," she slurred, "So I drunk a little alcohol."

"A little?" I mumbled, "You stay right here, I'll be right back."

I walked back into the dance and saw Dave sitting on the bleachers. As I walked toward him I thought about the game the next night. J was going to be pissed about her not being able to perform. Dave looked up at me.

"Maria.." He started.

"Dave I'm sorry but I have to go, an um...friend of mine is in trouble. Thank you for tonight, please tell Ashanti I had to leave."

I hugged him quickly and called my mom and told her Brittany would be staying with us. I went back in to the bathroom and put a cold rag on Brittany's face. I didn't know what to do. I've never been drunk before. My mom picked us up and Brittany didn't say a word. I called her dad when we arrived home and told him she was staying with me. I put her into my bed without my mom noticing anything.

"What am I going to do?" I said looking at her.