Chapter 1: Part 2

The day of prom started well, at least. The bacteria in an experiment she was participating in at a Eastern Texas University finally doubled. Her collectors book of medieval poetry finally came in the mail. And, her prom dress came together perfectly. The dress was pleated with rows of blue tulle which made her feel like royalty. Her mother even commented on her beauty every hour, something she'd never done. Christian was on time and he picked her up in a sleek black limo. It was the first time she'd ridden in a limo and while she wanted to scream like a giddy school girl, she demurely smiled and acted as seasoned as possible. She needed to look like she fit in. Everybody who was anybody was in the limo. Every captain of a sports team was in attendance. The dangerously cool captain of the football team was there, Martin. Since middle school he was always seen with two things, a raggedy football and his tanned, Malibu Barbie girlfriend Mona Wright.

Mona Wright, who was one step away from looking like a witch. Her lips were always in an evil pucker as if she tasted something sour once and could never get the taste from her mouth. Mona Wright, who parked her hot pink Bug across two spots in the teachers parking lot. Mona Wright, who has that award winning smile that says "Do as I say or I'll kill you in your sleep!" Her father, Chet Wright, was the states' Congressman. Her mother, Nancy Wright, the school's superintendent. Her brother, Jackson Wright, former SGA president and herself, Mona Wright, the current SGA president, and homecoming queen, and prom queen, and closet slut. Make the Wright decision! Vote Mona Wright.

Wait- but it wasn't Mona's wicked face sitting beside Martin. It was Shelby Dowdy, a true president, recently elected president of the academic decathlon team. Although she is incredibly brilliant, unfortunately she often accompanied Amy in being at the wrong end of high school ridicule. In fact, none of the male captains were with the cheerleaders they usually accompany.

Steven Townsend whose best skills were burping loudly and flipping his blonde hair accompanied Cassy Cho who constantly had magnets thrown at her because she wore a large metal brace. Neil Bradshaw who dribbled a basketball everywhere, Amy believed he even peed bouncing it, accompanied Lillian Lewis who was obsessed with garlic. She could eat a whole clove plain. While increasingly curious Amy couldn't help but smile. Seeing jocks focus their attention on girls of other social group was heart warming. Everyone is deserving of special attention and Amy was finally glad the people in her school were realizing that.

They arrived at the gymnasium before Amy could enjoy the sparkling apple cider and pretzels that were in the limo. But she didn't mind because she was finally here. She planned all week for the moment she would walk into the building gracefully descending the staircase with Christian as her arm candy. And much to her surprise it happened the way she planned. Though they were late, when each couple entered the gym the crowd turned and gave them a vigorous applause. Everyone pointed staring in amazement at the couples. Amy, Shelby, Cassy, and Lillian were all beaming over the attention they never received but always deserved.

Each couple entered and immediately sat down at the two front tables. Amy followed suit assuming this was what popular kids did. They didn't need to dance and greet everyone, they simply sat while everyone else looked at them in awe. Amazing! But Amy had some rad moves and she wanted to dance. But when in Rome…

They'd been sitting at this table for so long her dress began making imprints on her skin. If this is how it felt to be popular it wasn't what it seemed to be. Amy wanted to be on the dance floor grooving, and hanging out with her classmates. Instead they remained at the table while the boys occasionally laughed and whispered to each other and the DJ.

An hour into sitting the DJ stopped the music announcing a special request. It was for them! All four of the couples stood and finally made their way to the dance floor. The blue flashing lights on the stage and all eyes on her made her feel like she was a princess. The crowd parted, making room for them to dance. Each couple stood waiting for the start of the song. Amy nervously wiped the palms of her hands on her dress making sure her sweaty palms didn't get in the way.

She smiled at Christian surprised that the song choice was Elvis Presley 'Hound Dog'. It was a strange choice but Amy would appreciate any genre of music. She began to move her feet and arms, and started to sway her hips to the beat of the music. She'd been practicing all week. After her mother went to bed she'd watch MTV to find out the latest dance moves and she had to admit they were pretty good. This was her chance to show she was a gnarly dancer. She separated from Christian to give herself space and started showing off her version of the running man. She got the crowd involved and they began to cheer her on and she switched from the running man to the cabbage patch and so on. When the music stopped she was out of breath but the students clapped for her so loudly she couldn't hide her smile. This is all she wanted; to have fun with her classmates. And it was finally happening.

Once the roar of the gym settled, the DJ called her on stage to take a bow for her dancing. She reached back for Christians hand but when she turned she saw him huddle around his friends receiving handfuls of dollar bills. Before she had a moment to understand what he was doing she was pushed on the stage with a large bouquet of flowers thrown in her hands. She knew she was a good dancer but was she that good to deserve a moment of recognition? This is when it started. The Dj announced to the gymnasium that Amy Farrah Fowler was this year's winner of 'The Dogfight'.

The dogfight. The dogfight. The dogfight.