Second Chances

Chapter 8: A Not So Horrible Prom

"Shut up!" I say, before yanking on his arm and following after Felicity and and Emma. They're drinking punch, and I pause and stare at it.

"Did someone spike that again this year?" I ask, pointing at the scarlet drink. Emma grins, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"I don't know, you'll have to tell me," she says, holding out a plastic cup of punch to me. I give her a deadpan look.

"We don't need another Martha Incident," I say dully. John chuckles behind me, and Emma rolls her eyes.

"I guess that's technically fair, but seriously. Live a little, Ana," she says. I shrug, and my ears perk up at the sound of softer music. A slow song. I look over my shoulder at John and smile slightly. He seems to read my mind as he smiles back and holds out his hand to me. I take it and he guides me to where the rest of our classmates are dancing. His arms wrap around my lower back and I drape mine over his shoulder and around his neck. We just smile at each other for a moment, before I put my head against his shoulder. And this. This is why John is everything to me. We can tease and pick at each other all the time, but at the end of the day, beyond it all, we are this. Best friends who love each other unconditionally. I smile when I hear him humming along to the song in my ear. When the song stops, I pull back and hang off his neck, smiling up at him. An upbeat song starts playing, and he grins cheekily before singing along, and I throw my head back and laugh. We dance together song after song, until another slow song comes on. I try to move and put my arms around him, but he grasps my biceps.

"You should ask Skylar," he says. My face gets hotter and I hope he can't tell in the low light. I glance in the direction of my crush, and she's laughing with her friends. No one is asking her to dance.

"What if she laughs at me?" I ask softly, looking back up at John. He smiles at me.

"Where would Anastasia Reama be if she let every doubt or fear control her? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have punched as many people as you have," he says. I giggle slightly and smile, before casting a soft glance in Skylar's direction again. I nod and start walking over to her. Her ginger hair bounces in the light, making me feel breathless. My heart flutters, but I push myself forward.

"Skylar!" I call when I'm close enough. I keep my tone casual and light. Friendly. She looks over at me, and her dark pink painted lips quirk up into a smile.

"Anastasia!" she says. Damn, I love the way she says my name. She takes some steps away from her friends to come and hug me. When she steps away, she holds onto my hands.

"I love your dress!" she says. I grin at her and blush a little.

"Merci! Yours is beautiful too!" I compliment back. She giggles a thank you, making my stomach do backflips. I stand awkwardly for a few seconds, before clearing my throat and plucking up my courage.

"So, the slow song is almost over, but when the next one comes on would you-"

"Yes," she says before I can finish. I gape at her for a second and she blushes, before letting go of my hands and returning to her friends. I flap my mouth open and closed uselessly for a second, before slipping off to find John. What the hell just happened?

"Incoming girl," John whispers in my ear suddenly. I look over my shoulder, and Skylar lifts a hand in a shy wave as she approaches. My face is burning again, and I hear John chuckle.

"Hi John. Can I steal her for a couple minutes?" she asks. John giggles - when did he start doing that? - and puts his arms around me.

"I dunno...I might just keep her around," he teases. I come to my senses and roll my eyes, slapping his cheek. He laughs and pushes me forward.