As a way of keeping my brain alert and to get myself some much needed practice writing fiction, I have decided to participate in a weekly writing activity prompted by the Literary Lion. My piece can be no longer than 400 words long. This week’s theme was DANCE. I hope you enjoy.
His hand was warm on her back and she wondered if he could feel her trembling. Emotions pulsed swiftly through her body with every beat of her heart. That she was even in this moment with this boy was as surprising as her physical reaction to it. He’d had her love since the 6th grade but she had tried not to let him see. Too shy and inexperienced to know what to do with her feelings anyway, she had decided to watch and adore him silently rather than do anything silly that might destroy their long friendship.
But tonight something felt different. The Homecoming dance was one of the most anticipated activities of the entire year and the fact that she was a senior made the experience so much, well, MORE than it had felt at any other time. Feelings were heightened and possibilities were endless…it was the only thing she could find to explain the rush of confidence she had felt before asking him to dance. It had taken her almost two hours to talk to him, and the night was almost over, but it was still a victory. She had never even thought about the possibility of him saying yes and now that she was in his arms she was overwhelmed and, quite frankly, scared to death.
The music was slow and romantic and they swayed back and forth very gently. Her brain would not be quiet as it thought only of demands not to step on his foot, trip over her dress, or do anything else that would ruin this perfect moment. The song continued without either one talking or looking at the other and any expectations she might have harbored that he would declare his undying love for her (as he’d done in many dreams she had throughout the years) were erased with every swish of her dress and moment of silence they endured. When it came to this boy she knew this dance would be her only glory.
Reality truly set in when the fluorescent cafeteria lights snapped on and flooded the room with harsh intensity. She closed her eyes to acclimate to the unwelcome brightness and to give herself a moment to cherish this experience that would never be repeated. He pulled her in for a quick hug, thanked her for the dance and she opened her eyes to see him walk away.
(400)
© DRB 2015
Photo: rentmywedding.com
a funny thing happened when I was learning myself 
Great story! Keep it up!
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Thank you! Just slightly autobiographical…
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Wait…did I know you in my childhood/teenage years? LOL.
You definitely portrayed the feelings of the characters well. Well done!
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It’s crazy how many people have been through that situation. Those teenage years are so hard!
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Ok, so I messed up my first comment. Still trying to feel my way around. Curses auto correct!
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I love you for trying!
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I could feel everything she felt! Awesome!
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Thank you!
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Very beautiful story.
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Thank you! I really enjoyed writing for dance this week.
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Oh wow – you took me straight back in time to when I was a shy, socially inept teenager. Love the story 😀
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I remember those moments. Great story.
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It’s amazing how clearly some people can recall those moments. The center of our universe.
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This reminded me so much of being young and at school dances and lusting after teenage crushes. You characterised the whole situation and the feelings so well, it gave me such a lot to relate to and to think about. Great story.
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Thank you! I don’t think it’s too hard to tell that almost all of my fiction comes from a very personal place. I just want to make it real.
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They do always say ‘write what you know’. And if not, you’ve got to be able to relate to the situation and draw on some kind of personal experience I think!
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Writing what I know is the ONLY way I know! Didn’t realize that could be true for a lot of other people as well! Need to get out of my own world once in a while.
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