The dance

Randall waited stiffly outside of Joanna's house, tug uncomfortable at the collar of his tuxedo. He wasn't used to getting so dressed up. He couldn't even think of any time he had ever worn anything that looked so nice. It made him feel strange, as though he were wearing someone else's skin. His parents had insisted that they buy the suit specifically for tonight. To Randall, it just felt like a waste of money. It was so uncomfortable, so unlike him, he couldn't see himself wearing it - or anything like it for that matter - ever again.

About fifteen minutes after Joanna's parents had opened the door and told Randall she would be out soon, the door opened once again. Joanna stood there, her face a pale pink blush, looking shy and nervous. Randall had always considered her to be pretty, but the way she looked tonight blew him away. Her long, golden dress hung from her shoulders as though there were no more natural place for it, and her curly brown hair rested on her shoulder. She dressed simply, but it only made her natural beauty stand out more, at least in Randall's eyes. He knew he should say something, but he was just so in shock at how beautiful she was, he couldn't think of anything to say. He didn't even notice her parents standing a short distance away behind her.

Joanna's blush deepened as the moment dragged on. It had only been a few seconds, but to the two of them, it felt like minutes had passed. "A-are you going to ask me to come with you or not?" Joanna blurted out. At that moment, Randall's face flushed a deep red as well.

"O-of course," he muttered, having trouble forming the words. He felt so embarrassed and nervous about the whole event. He offered out his arm and Joanna took it, stepping out of the house. Behind her, her parents called out words of advice and encouragement to them both, but their ears were full of the hot steam of embarrassment.

The school where the dance was taking place that night was only a few short blocks away from Joanna's house, and they had agreed previously to walk there together. For a block or two they walked in silence, before once again Joanna blurted out. "Why didn't you say anything?" she asked, clearly upset. "Why did you just stand there? Am I not pretty enough for you?"

Randall paused, confused and surprised by her words. "What?" he asked. Her expression was clearly hurt, but he didn't understand why. "What does that even mean?"

Joanna stopped walking and pulled her arm away from Randall roughly. "If you don't want to go to the dance with me anymore," she cried out on the verge of tears, "then don't take me! I don't need your pity!" She turned to run back to her house, but Randall grabbed her arm and held firmly on to it.

"Joanna," he said, "what are you talking about? How could I not want to go with you?" She looked back at him, now the confused one. "Not pretty enough for me? Seriously, what are you talking about?"

"But... You didn't even..."

"I couldn't even. I lacked, and still lack, the words to describe how amazing you look tonight." Joanna's face flared as she blushed hard than she thought she ever had before. "You've always been pretty, but now, I just... I can't even describe."

Joanna choked back a sob, but she smiled now. Before Randall could say anything else, she leaped onto him, forcing herself into his arms, and kissed him.

They walked the rest of the way once again in silence, but it was a much happier silence.