Spring time is an exciting season in Bloomsburg. The bright beautiful colors were everywhere. The clouds were an amazing baby blue, so fluffy and they seemed to dance in the sky. The sun was a bright yellow, it was so warm and inviting. The grass was full, thick and a healthy green color. Guys were walking around in shorts and the girls were bringing out their prettiest sundresses. Even though Becca loved this time of the year, she certainly was not out shopping for sundresses with the other girls. Becca was more comfortable in a pair of capris, cute shorts or jeans. She always dressed so cute but was not worried about impressing anyone. She had her own unique style in everything she did in life. Becca was a beautiful young girl. She was a freshman at Bloomsburg High School. The only thing on her mind lately was the upcoming freshmen dance. The Spring dance was a big deal in her family. Her mother and father fell in love at this dance. Her grandfather and grandmother attended this dance together. Her older sister went with her fiancée to the dance four years ago. Her brother, who is single, did not go to the dance at all. Spring is the time for love and many high school sweethearts have met and fallen in love at this dance.
The dance was an annual tradition, which started the year the high school was built back in 1952. It was known as the "we made it" celebration. Being a freshman is quite a struggle in so many ways and these students deserved a party for their hard work. The freshmen dance had many traditions. It was always held on the first Friday in May. Students hid invitations to the dance throughout the school where they knew their friend or date would find them. Every person had to come to the dance with a "date" and their invitation. This could consist of a real date, a best friend or even a wing man. Quite often single guys and girls would go with their friends and end up meeting somebody there or finally have the nerve to ask that special person to dance. The strangest tradition of all, happens at midnight and that is what worried Becca the most.
All week, Becca has been looking all over the school for her hidden invitation. She was hoping that she would get one so she would not have to make a decision between her best friend since the first grade, Samantha or her boyfriend, Jason. Becca had been dating Jason for four months and she really liked him. They started texting during Christmas break and in January, came the long late night phone calls. They got along so perfectly. He listened to everything she said, he supported her goals and dreams, her family liked him and they had a great time each and every time they hung out together. The only problem she had with Jason was that they kissed once and it was totally awkward. She had dreamt of her first kiss being the most romantic moment of her life. This kiss was not even close. In the movies, it happens so effortlessly. When the special moment came, Jason leaned in for a kiss and somehow faces and lips did not line up perfectly. Noses got in the way and Becca did not know if she should close her eyes or not. Since the kiss, things have been weird between the two of them. Becca has been most of her time studying or with Samantha.
The morning of the dance started off rainy and nasty. The weather matched Becca's mood. Becca had fallen asleep crying the night before. No phone call from Jason for the first time they had started talking. It was the last day to purchase an invitation, hide it and hope that the right person finds it and accepts her invite. Becca sat quietly next to her best friend on the bus ride to school She stared out the window making big decisions about who to invite. She walked directly into the school to the cafeteria where most students started their day with breakfast. She could smell something but it was somewhat of a mystery to her. Turns out it was breakfast burrito day. So probably whatever was in those burritos was a mystery to everyone involved. Over in the other corner of the cafeteria was a small table with the freshman class president and his treasurer. Becca walked up and purchased an invitation for $25. She walked over to an empty table and instantly filled it out. There was a space for her loved one's name, which she filled in with a heart. Then she signed her name. She went to hide it where she knew only that special person would look. Hopefully they will accept her invitation.
After 7th period, Becca went back to her hiding spot and the invitation was still there. She did not want to miss this dance. For many years she was told it was a curse to miss this dance and she would never find love. Her family would shake their heads and say, "Just look at your brother". After her last class, Jason came up to Becca and told her that he had decided to go with one of his friends. This caught her off guard. She could not help but wonder if he was done with her. Was he really that upset with her? Was the kiss really that much of an issue between them? Her mom picked her up from school so they could go to the mall to buy her a new outfit and shoes to wear to the dance. Becca had a hard time finding the perfect outfit. She had always been very reserved and sensible. She was not even sure if she was actually attending the dance. She told her mom that she could not find anything she liked so they went out to eat dinner together at her favorite burger place. They talked and laughed for almost an hour, almost forgetting about her problems. One hour before the dance started, Becca's phone rang and she was never so happy to hear Samantha's voice. She said, "I will meet you at the dance at 8 o'clock and don't be late". Becca asked her mom if she would please take her back to the one store that they had passed up earlier. Becca walked in and grabbed the shortest, most revealing turquoise dress. It was absolutely gorgeous and she looked hot. Her mom was not sold on the dress and thought it might not be age appropriate. Becca's mom deep down thought her daughter looked too grown and sexy in that dress. She took a few minutes to try to change Becca's mind but finally gave in. Becca hurried to get ready so she would not be late. She took time to do her make up perfectly She applied fake lashes and eyeshadow that would make her blues eyes stand out. She applied a bright lipstick to make her lips pop She pulled her beautiful blonde hair out of her usual pony tail and let it hang all the way down to the middle of her back. Her confidence was at an all time high. She was ready for the dance, but she still was not ready for midnight to come.
Becca got dropped off at the school at 8:05 pm. Looking all around, she did not see Samantha. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she could feel the stares, hear the whispers and heard all the cat calls. She proudly walked to the entrance like this was a normal outfit for her. Before she could find Samantha, Jason ran up to her. He stuttered while trying to tell her how amazing she looked. All she could do was say thank you. She located Samantha who was waiting just inside the door where it was warm and quiet. Samantha flashed her invitation and in the door they went. Both girls got asked to dance a few times. They both danced with Jason and his friend. Mostly the girls just danced together and were enjoying themselves. They were having a great time. At 11:55, Becca leaned in to ask Samantha a very important question about the midnight tradition. At midnight a very slow song came on and the lights dimmed to an almost blackout. Single folks went to sit on the bleachers while couples slowly gathered in the middle of the dance floor. Couples slowly started to kiss their sweethearts, which was suppose to bring them a lifetime of luck and happiness. When the lights started to brighten back up, all eyes were on the middle of the dance floor. There stood Becca kissing Samantha. This kiss had every single person in shock. It was completely quiet. Then Becca turned to kiss Jason. This kiss was opposite of their first kiss. Jason grabbed her, pulled her close and kissed her like she had never been kissed before. Then Jason turned to his left and kissed Samantha in the same way. Everyone at the dance started clapping and cheering. All three held hands and walked out of the dance together. Why should she have to choose between the two people she loved the most? Becca loved Jason because he was big, strong, made her feel safe and was so handsome. Becca loved Samantha because she was sweet, tender, smart and one the most beautiful girls in the world. She felt like she definitely found the love of her life tonight.
