Chapter 5
Subtitle: The dance
_Freda_
My two cousins were gone by the time I got back home, and it was just my Aunt Hilda who was getting ready to go out as well. "Don't you need a dress for the dance?" she asked as soon as I got back. She didn't even ask me if our new neighbor was welcoming or not. "I don't need one," I muttered and took the stairs. "And why is that, Freda?" she asked in a cold and stern voice, making me stop in my tracks. Here we go again, another day, another lecture.
"I'm not going to the dance, Aunt Hilda. I have a couple of homework to complete before next week," I replied as I turned to look at her. "Would you say something sensible for once? We both know you're not staying back to study or do homework; you're not exactly a bookworm!" she snapped. "Please, Hilda... I really don't want to go. I don't even have a date!" I sighed in frustration.
"That's not an excuse. I'll get you a dress on my way back. You're going to the dance like a normal teenager, whether you like it or not. And if you're going to complain that you don't have a date, I'll ask your cousin to take you. Case closed!" She rasped in a fiery tone, grabbed the door knob, opened the door, and left. I slumped over the stairs in frustration and kicked my legs in the air.
***
The next day of school was pretty much the same as every other day. Trisha, as usual, was all over Tyrone's business and wouldn't let him out of her sight. She was elated when she found out we're neighbors, and by the end of school, she had asked him to be her date to the dance that was going to hold that evening.
"Doesn't she already have a date?" Cindy asked as we got into her car. I sighed. "Of course, she already had a date. Someone like Trisha can't just sit around without a date, can she?" I replied with an eye roll.
"So she just ditched her date last minute because of Tyrone?" Cindy couldn't hide her disbelief as she kick-started the car and drove out of the school premises.
"I'll pick you up later," Cindy said as soon as we got to my place. I thanked her and alighted. "You don't need to worry; my aunt convinced Jeremy to take me, so I'll probably go in his car," I replied with a wave as I watched her drive off.
However, Cindy ended up picking me up for the dance because Jeremy had caught a severe cold and couldn't even go to school. I hadn't noticed he was sick and absent from class since we had different majors and only attended certain classes together. So it was just the two of us, Cindy and I, and we kept each other company at the ball. The height of the event was around 9 pm when everyone had already arrived, looking flashy and stunning, and the dance began with some light dancing first, along with some refreshments. "Hold this, I'll get us more cupcakes," Cindy said, handing me her glass of wine before dashing off. Since the two of us had no dates to this ridiculous dance, we were stuck together, eating our boredom away. I didn't even know how to dance, and Cindy wasn't in the mood for dancing either.
"You look stunning," I heard his deep voice ring in my ears; he was just behind me. I sucked in a breath but didn't turn back. "Good evening, Freda," he said, and with two long strides, he was now standing in front of me. "Good evening, Tyrone. What happened to your date? Did she get bored of you already?" I asked with a huff. I brought my glass of wine to my lips and took a long gulp from it, and then another gulp that completely emptied the glass. I looked up at his tall, sturdy figure. He wore a nice, tailored suit in navy blue, and it suited and fitted him so well, as if the suit was molded onto his body. His fine legs stood tall and strong, and his muscled arms, hidden beneath the thick coat, were crossed behind his back. He had a light blue shirt under his coat and a burgundy-colored tie. He looked absolutely stunning.
Coming to his face, his bad boy lip ring was gone, and his thick brows looked slightly brushed; his face looked firm, a blend of sexy, hot, and pretty. I could feel heat creep onto my cheeks, and the room was already feeling stuffy. He must have noticed how I was staring at him for such a long time because he chuckled with a smirk. "Take a picture, it'll last you a lifetime," he gleamed. I felt really embarrassed; I brought Cindy's glass of wine to my lips and downed it in two seconds as well. "Easy, princess... don't drink too much," Tyrone said, his face suddenly transforming into one of worry. "Look, Tyrone... I'm not in the mood for a chitchat this evening, so if you'd please run along and go look for your pageant Barbie, I'd appreciate it a lot," I said with a sigh, finally looking into his bright eyes. "Trisha's gone to get ready for her entrance. I was just hoping to have a little friendly chat with you, so there's no need to be rude," he replied. I rolled my eyes; doesn't this guy ever get a cue or what? I was getting frustrated. Him standing in front of me was making me feel so hot and stuffy in a way that I didn't like. "Look, lover boy, I don't care if your Barbie got lost or is busy, I don't want to see you, so get the f*ck off my back and stop pestering me!" I snapped angrily.
I felt surprised and regretted my words the next instant, but there was nothing I could do about it. I watched his face; there was no bad bot smirk, smile, or grin. His face held a much more sad and sober emotion, and it seemed as if for the first time, my words had gotten to him. He didn't say anything; he just took three strides and stood beside me, but he made sure to leave some space between us. Cindy soon returned with the cupcakes and looked all gleeful. "Hi, Tyrone!" she greeted him with a wide smile plastered on her face as she came to stand beside me. Tyrone nodded at her with a forced smile on his lips. She must have noticed the coldness between the two of us, because she got the hint and just stood beside me, munching quietly on a cupcake.
A few minutes of awkward silence later, the MC came up to the main stage and called on the attention of all the students, informing us that the contestants would soon be called out. There were five contestants in total, and each would be called out by their name and number. The first girl was called out; I couldn't care more, and I just watched. But then I noticed Tyrone had this weird-looking expression on his face; he seemed uncomfortable and was struggling with his necktie. He dashed off before Trisha could be called, making me more worried. I didn't want to follow him, but I felt a sense of guilt since I had yelled at him earlier. I followed him out of the hall and tried calling after him, but the noise was too much; he couldn't hear me.
We ended up at the back of the school hall under an array of trees. The place was really cold and quiet outside, and I could barely see. I had lost him. I looked around frantically. "Tyrone!" I called several times, but got no answer. Swallowing my fear, I ventured further into the darkness to look for him. For several minutes, I couldn't find him, but when I came face to face with a contorted-looking creature crumpled on the floor in the most alarming way possible, I let out a massive scream.