Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
I didn't realize how late the time was until the dj announced that it was the last song of the night. Everyone coupled up and began dancing. I felt a little strange being around all couples so I began walking towards the back where there were some chairs placed around the ledge of the roof. I watched Ginny and Daniel dance as they were engaged in a deep conversation. I began to wonder if I would ever find that kind of love that they have. It was sickly at times how they got along so well but it was sweet and almost magical the way they seemed to block out everyone and be in their own little world.
I was too involved in my thoughts and didn't see a hand placed out in front of me. Someone was asking me to dance and I had no idea who he was or ever saw him in my school "Would you like to dance?" he asked politely.
I shook my head with a bit of shyness "No, thank you."
He nodded understandingly and walked away. I suppose he just felt sorry for that poor girl that was sitting in the corner by herself while everyone danced with their partners.
Before I even finished that thought I saw another hand brought out "Can I have this dance?"
Again it was an unfamiliar face "No, thank you for asking." I said politely.
I tried to diverge my attention away from the crowd so no one would pity me and ask me to dance. "I think you can use a dance." I heard a voice next to me.
I was ready to decline when I looked up and saw Lance standing before me. "Hey, it’s you.”
“You’re a little popular tonight. Why didn’t you want to dance with them.” He reached out and took my hand as he pulled me up from my seat.
“I don’t know them.” I answered.
“Well, you’re not gonna say no to me are you? I mean we’ve known each other for what? 12 years?” he walked to the dance floor.
“Something like that. But we didn’t start talking until 10 months ago, so technically, I really don’t know you.” I joked.
He rolled his eyes “Oh my gosh, don’t get technical with me now.”
He pulled his hand around my waist and grasped my hand in his as we prepared to sway against the music when it abruptly stopped. That was the last song of the night and still I didn’t get to dance it with my dream guy. I cursed in my head at the bad luck I seem to always carry around with me. “How about a raincheck?”
“Sure, you want it in writing?” he teased as he began walking me down the stairs.
“Nah, I trust that you’ll remember.”
After we left the mansion, we decided to go out for a late dinner since the buffet food wasn’t exactly great. We stopped at a café that was opened pretty late. Everyone ordered their food and we sat around waiting for our dishes. It was unexpectedly quiet. No one really wanted to talk maybe because they were tired from the night. Ginny pulled out her camera ready to snap away at everyone since she left it in the limo at the mansion so we didn’t get any pictures inside the magnificent house.
I had always been camera shy and I was prepared to dodge this shot too when she made everyone take a picture with their dates. I stood up and walked around the tiny restaurant trying to find the restroom so I could hide out. Instead I was dragged back by my friend. “Come on, don’t be like that. I want a picture of you.” She yanked me by the arm.
“Ginny, you know how I feel about pictures.” I whined.
She pulled me into my seat “Don’t you want to remember tonight?”
I gave her a face and crossed my arms. Instead of smiling for the camera, I pouted and turned my head away. “Here, I’ll take a picture with you.” His soothing voice calmed my tantrum down as he put his arms around my shoulder to spin me towards the camera that my best friend was so prepared to take.
“…Okay…” I was reluctant eventhough it was Lance that was trying to calm me down.
I smiled away as the camera snapped away. After we had the late dinner, the limo took each of us back home. I couldn’t help but feel sad that the night went by so quickly and yet I almost felt like something was left undone.
Our graduation was getting closer and I was feeling like I had to do something. I knew what it was but yet, I wasn't ready to do it. I found myself wondering if Lance truly did like me or it was just my wrong instinct. I let the question eat me away until the last day of school for the seniors. That day we all collected our year books and the administration was kind enough to let the seniors off early so we could sign each other's year books.
Ginny was the first to sign mine, filling up two full pages. I saw a tear in her eye as she wrote down her feelings into my book. After that Candace wrote in it, then Tammie, Marvin, Anthony...but I could not find Lance anywhere. After my other friends signed the book, I spotted him far across the campus with a group of girls signing his yearbook. I sighed deeply and returned to signing my other friends' yearbooks. After an hour or so, he finally came over to our group and began signing everyone's. By that time, my book was nearly filled with signatures and best wishes from all my friends. I didn't know if he would even bother writing a meaningful note but I knew what I was going to write.
I was the last of the group for Lance to approach "Here, I save the best for last." He said smiling happily.
We exchanged books as he handed me his yearbook "Where do you expect me to sign?" I said with almost a touch of annoyance, I mean who could blame me? I flipped every page around and it was full. "Oh, nevermind, I could fit my name right here!" I said with full sarcasm as I pointed to a small space in the corner of one page.
"NO! Niki, there is plenty of space for you!" he scolded.
I laughed "Yeah, right. I can't even find a little space."
He rolled his eyes as he pulled back the year book and flipped to a blank page with my name written at the top. 'Saved for Niki' "Right here would be nice." he handed it back to me.
I felt a little embarrassed for being mean "I didn't see that page." I gave him a weak smile and prepared to write what I was debating for the passed week:
"Lance, Wow, this year has been unbelieveable for me. I've found such great friends and I'm glad to say that you are one of my best friends. I'm a little disappointed because we didn't really get a chance to get to know each other even more. And it's almost ironic that we had our whole life to do it, yet it never happened. But I guess I should thank God for even letting us have a chance to talk. You have made me laugh when I felt like crying, you have made me feel good when I was down, you always seem to make me smile when I feel like punching into a wall. And I want to thank you for all those moments that you have made me feel better about myself. As we go our separte ways, I want to wish you the best of luck in your life. I don't have any brothers or sisters and if I did, I would hope my brother would be half as great of a person as you. You are like a brother I never had. Good luck in college, eventhough you don't need it because you're so smart! ha ha But a bit of warning, don't break too many girls' hearts. Maybe 20 or 30, but nothing more okay? There comes a time in everyone's lives when we have to say goodbye and I hope that this is not ours. You will forever be in my heart and I hope you will one day think of this little girl named Niki and just smile.
Love you forever,
Nicole aka Niki"
I had tears in my eyes by the time I had finished the long note in his yearbook. He was still writing in mine so I took that moment to wipe my tears. I debated for so many days to tell him how I really feel about him. That I liked him and I didn't care if he didn't like me. But I still could not bring myself to do it. My friendship with Lance was too important and I'd rather lie to myself and everyone than to destroy this friendship that could last forever.
I waited patiently for him to finish and handed it back to him with a huge grin "That took you a long time, what did you write?"
"Just a few words, read it when you get home."
I wondered why but nodded in respect to his request. "Okay."
***********
When I got home, I rushed to my room to read what he wrote:
"Niki, my little Niki, gosh we've known each other for a while huh? Its just sad that we didn't get a chance to really get to know each other. It's a shame that sometimes life doesn't always give you what you want, but you should always make the best of what is given to you. I'm glad I was brave enough to approach and talk to you. Because we all know by now that Niki can be very quiet. I'm sure you will make a guy very happy one day, too bad it's not me. If you have any problems or want to talk to anyone, I am just a phone call away. I'll always be here for you and trust me, I won't ever let anyone pick on you. I know you will be successful in your life, just have a little confidence because I know you can do ANYTHING! Take care of yourself and don't forget, I still owe you a dance. That's something I'll repay one day if we ever get our chance.
Love you always,
Lance"