Chapter Five

Candace

It was Thursday April 8th, the day before the big 'Spring Dance' at West Yellowstone High…I was so excited and a little bummed out about it. I was excited because it was the last dance of the year, and I was told that it is supposed to be the very best Dance out of them all… I was kind of bummed out because Selena my best friend couldn't go. I was hoping Angel, one of my best guy friends, would ask me to it—I'd asked him after the Christmas Dance 'Why don't you go to the dances? You'd have a lot of fun!' He'd shrugged, 'I just never go…they don't look like much fun; Plus, I never have anyone ask me to go...' He'd said it indifferently, as if it didn't really matter. 'Why?' he'd asked seeming all too curious. 'No reason…just curious…' I trailed off hoping he wouldn't catch on. I smiled at the memory.

I finally came back into reality realizing that I was just standing with my lunch tray by our table; I blinked a few times and looked around a bit trying to figure out where I was exactly… I know that sounds weird—but that's what happened.

"What is it? Are you daydreaming again?" Selena asked with a skeptic look upon her face. I shrugged "Just remembering something…" I trailed off. Selena gave me a look that she'd like to know what I was thinking—but she'd keep it to herself unless I said what I was thinking.

I took a breath, "Well…I was thinking about Angel… Well hoping really."

"Uh-oh… let me guess…you think he's going to ask you this time?" Selena asked fascinated. I blushed, and sat down on the opposite side of the table. Selena grinned, "I thought so…"

I looked up, and to my surprise, I saw Angel walking towards us. Selena followed my glance and mumbled, "Speak of the Devil and the Devil shalt appear." I glared at her with an exasperated look, "Shut it!" I hissed menacingly, she just giggled mischievously and very impishly.

"Hey guys what's up? Are you going to the dance tonight?" Angel asked as soon as he reached us. I nodded and Selena shook her head solemnly.

"I wish! The Bridger's never let me go out to the dances." Selena exclaimed in a depressed tone. I nodded sympathetically, "Yeah, I wish someone would ask me."

Selena Snickered and gave me a wicked grin, "And who do you mean by someone; someone like…" I kicked her trying to make her shut up. "OWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" Selena howled at me glaring rebelliously. I glared angrily back at her. Angel chuckled at our glowering war, "Well Selena—what did you mean about the 'Someone like' part?"

She looked back at me, and sighed, "Nothing…just trying to tease Candace."

"Ohh…I see." Angel said uninterestedly, He shrugged, "Oh…Well I got to go to Trig. Or I'll be late again. See you guys later!"

"Bye!" Selena and I said simultaneously. "Jinx!" Selena said as soon as Angel was a respectable distance away; I rolled my eyes at her, she smirked back.

The bell rang…time for History with Mr. Meyers, I groaned, I hated his class... He would give trick questions on the quizzes and hard assignments that took hours to find. Plus, he really didn't like me at all… I hurried to my seat, which was oh so very conveniently next to his desk. Selena passed me and went to the left side of the row. I looked at the chalkboard; it said we were supposed to read Chapter 12 sections 1-5. I grabbed my text book I honestly didn't understand why he never got a whiteboard, probably to torture us…whenever we got the slightest bit loud, he'd scrape the chalk against the board, making that very high-pitched screaming noise. The final bell rang signaling the start of class… I just popped open my 'America's History: Trials and Conquest' book and tried to look like I was reading the next chapter, but Selena nudged me and rolled her eyes at me. She glanced at my book, only for me to quickly realize—it's upside-down, and to make matter's worse, Mr. Meyers was watching me with a very skeptic look. Blushing I turned the book right-side up, and let my eyes wander aimlessly across the page, every now and then, I'd turn the page, hoping to look like my classmates, but my mind was elsewhere…

The annoying, metallic ringing brought me back to reality…Mr. Meyers was yelling above the class, "Remember, Chapter's 11-13, study them hard there will be a test Thursday, so take good notes for studying..." I glanced up to see Mr. Meyers leave the room, probably going to get the tests ready

I shoved my book onto my fairly neat, but much abused blue-grey 3-ring binder. I became aware someone was watching me, I turned to my left.

"Holy—Crap!" Taking in a huge breath, "Jeez Selena, don't do that!" I gasped trying to calm myself.

"You know, you're not really that observant, are you." Selena scoffed. I blushed, "What were you doing all hour? I tried to get your attention—but it looked as if—you were thinking of Angel, weren't you?" I nodded.

"Come on, let's get out of here and go home, before Meyers makes us organize his cluttered room!" Selena pulled at me. I nodded in agreement. I picked up my stuff angrily, grumbling to myself. Both of us walked to the Commons Area, where most of the lockers were; I grabbed my back pack and hooded jacket. Closing the locker behind me I asked, "Selena, what time is it?" she looked at her watch, "Oh—Crap! It's going to leave us!" We hurried into the hall, barely missing Meyers as we darted into the nearest bathroom.

I peeked out; Mr. Meyers had just entered his room, "He's gone…lets get out of here!" I hissed. And we ran for our bus. Consequently, I forgot to put my stuff in my bag, and I dropped it; I began slipping and tripping over all of my stuff, finally landing on my butt. Selena helped me up, but when I looked at her face, I could tell she was on the verge of laughing. I bent down and picked up my scattered supplies.

"Not a word." I said in an ominous tone. I heard footsteps in-front of us. I peered up to see Angel walking brusquely towards me and Selena.

"Oh…Hey—I have to go to the library…can I meet you on the bus?" Selena asked hurriedly. I just floundered about, having too much difficulty to ask why so I nodded; I wasn't quite sure why I got tongue-tied at the sight of Angel…maybe there's something in the water… I thought to myself.

"Hey—Candace, I was hoping I'd catch you before you'd left… I needed to ask you something…" Angel asked uncertainly, and very anxious look crossed his face as if he was hoping the answer was not what he expected. I thought I knew what he was asking, so I replied in a thrilled tone, "Yes!"

His expression was not at all what I expected; his face fell in absolute disappointment. "Oh…okay…who's taking you to the dance?"

As his words were uttered, I cocked my head to a side with a confused look upon my face, his features mirrored mine.

"Umm…I think you need to finish your question…because right now—nobody is." I stated.

Relief crossed his face as he began to ask his true question than the one I had implied. "I was going to ask, would you like to go to the dance with me?"

Shocked, and feeling completely idiotic I said, "Sure…see you there." I could tell as I finished, that I was blushing, a very deep cherry red; I also nodded enthusiastically.

"See you there." He replied. He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and walked off with a strange form of pride, as if he won a grand prize or the lottery. I tucked my head into my chest and hurried to the bus.

I nearly made it—Chest heaving, and cheeks flushed—I scrambled up the steps and into the little lane in the center of the bus. I staggered to my seat which was, consequently at the back of the bus. The bus lurched forward, causing me to go head first onto the last seat right next to Selena, who was bouncing up and down in anticipation.

"So…did He ask you?" Selena pressed as I sat down; I just buried my head deeper into my sweater. She took my reaction the wrong way, "What?! Did he say no?" she gasped. I looked up, only to see her face contort in pain and sympathy.

I shook my head, and said in a solemn tone which became brighter as I finished "No… He DID! I can't believe it! We're actually going to go to the Spring Dance together!" I bubbled in excitement.

"Wow! That's awesome! You two are going to be the best couple there." Selena exclaimed in surprise and excitement.

"I know I can't wait." The words stayed locked inside my head and swirled around me in a faint mist. It was over too soon…The bus stopped—time for me to get off and get ready. I ran home, throwing my stuff in the living room and bolted to my room, grabbing my floor length, satin, black and silver dress.

I slipped the soft fabric over my head and slipped my arms through the elbow length sleeves. Oh…this has got to be the greatest day of my life! I practically screamed to myself. I glanced in the mirror and figured; that I might as well do my hair nicely since Angel was coming.

I finished my hair, layered in ringlets and a intricate braid coming from both sides of my head with the 'tails' as Selena calls them curled as well; I looked over myself in the mirror. I have never dressed up much…only for weddings and special occasions…but I have never dressed up like this. My mom came in to critique (and hopefully approve) my attire. She did, because she didn't say anything…which usually means 'yes' in her book.

I looked at the clock…I had about an hour to spare, so I decided to play tug-o-war with my little Chihuahua, 'Rim.' After a while he lost interest in his little rope toy he ran off to the kitchen where my mom was preparing dinner. I once more glanced at the wooden grandfather clock. I had 10 minutes till the dance would start… So I grabbed the keys and headed to the garage. I started to drive to WYH to meet Angel. The drive seemed to take too long…which was quite abnormal, even for me. I parked in a parking space that was at the end of the lot (I don't like to fight for parking spaces so I just go for the last ones).

I walked through the familiar gymnasium doors, which were plastered in crepe paper decorations. I sat down looking for a familiar face to pass through the doors…specifically…Angel. Many minutes and faces passed by me… none of which were of my friends.

I looked at the Gym's clock…It was past eight, and yet—still's no sign of Angel… I got up quickly and decided to leave…I'd given him quite long enough, well an hour is long enough, right? I pushed through the crowd—not wanting to stop for one dance; I walked to my car, fighting tears all the way. I put the key in ignition and started it up...

***********

As I pulled in the driveway, I noticed my parents' cars were missing—probably at work, I suppose. I parked and took the key out of the ignition…I ran inside of my room—switching into some pants and jeans…. I thought to my self "I'm going to go on a walk, instead of crying my eyes out like I should." I grabbed my Chihuahua, "Rim" and his leash and stepped out the door. After I put his leash on…I started a brisk jog to a nearby woodland trail.