CHAPTER 37 #2
Anthony nodded. “Sure. But I only wore it to piss him off.”
Keisha peered at him in confusion. “So that’s what you wanted to happen?”
“Not exactly. When I put the outfit together, I liked the idea of upsetting him. But since then…” He shrugged. “Why make things harder than they need to be? Troy has his reasons for being an asshole. I don’t need to contribute to them.”
Keisha took a deep breath and exhaled. “You are much more generous than I.” Then again, she was glad the situation hadn’t escalated into an all-out brawl. She would’ve had a dreadful time deciding who she wanted to punch first.
“Oh hey!” Omar said, cutting through the crowd to reach them. “Where’s…”
He trailed off, slack jawed, while staring at Anthony.
Keisha was equally stunned when noticing Silvia, who was wrapped in a crimson dress that billowed out at her waist. Her dark hair was pinned up, her kissable lips painted scarlet.
“Be still my heart,” Keisha said, taking a step forward and fully intending to sweep this vision of beauty up into her arms.
“You look like something out of a horror movie,” she heard Omar say. “What a fun idea.”
Keisha turned in shock. Those were not the words a woman wanted to hear about her appearance, and she doubted a gay man would either.
“Fun,” Anthony repeated awkwardly. “That’s exactly what I was going for.”
Omar was dressed in a white dress shirt and a black tie that matched his slacks. He’d opted for a leather jacket covered in zippers and buttons instead of a traditional suit jacket. Keisha gripped him by the shoulders to ensure she had his full attention.
“Honey, you’re gonna have to try a little harder than that,” she said. “Not since angels walked the earth has the world seen such exquisite elegance or such delicate grace. Gaze upon him in wonder, you blind fool!”
“Okay, I’m changing my date,” Silvia said with a titter when taking her arm.
“I’m keeping mine,” Anthony added, grabbing her other.
“Hey now!” Omar said as she led them both away.
They didn’t make it far. Whitney ran over in a glittering ivory gown, David in tow, his tuxedo white and with tails.
“Hey guys!” she cried. “Let’s dance!”
Her boisterous behavior banished the awkwardness.
They soon lost themselves in the rhythm, dancing as a group more than as partners.
And it was a good time. There wasn’t room for drama out on the dance floor.
Only laughter and joy. They passed half the evening this way, one of them dropping out on occasion for a brief break, either to use the restroom or to grab a drink.
Keisha was returning from one such foray when she noticed a wallflower doing her best to blend in with the artificial blooms. She took a detour to where Jenny stood by herself.
The girl was wearing a simple blouse and skirt combo that was better suited to church, although such plainness had a certain appeal among so much grandeur.
“It’s bad enough they made you work the doors,” Keisha said. “Don’t tell me they’ve got you playing chaperone now.”
“I’m a volunteer,” Jenny said meekly. “I don’t mind.”
“I do. You should enjoy the dance that you helped create.”
Jenny glanced around with a grimace of discontent. “This isn’t the theme I wanted. I had this great idea that played off chemistry, if you know what I mean.”
“Indeed I do,” Keisha said flirtatiously. “I’m feeling it now.” She was testing the waters, truly not intending to do anything more than dip a toe in. But when she saw that blush again…
“Next year I’d like to do astronomy,” Jenny said wistfully. “Just imagine a bunch of planets, and how the stars would reflect in the mirrors. It would be so pretty.”
“I doubt your date would notice,” Keisha replied. “Not with you on their arm.”
“As if anyone would ever ask me.”
“Don’t sell yourself short.” Keisha offered her arm. “You can’t plan your dream dance without getting some firsthand experience. Let me be your guide through the cosmos.”
Jenny stared. “Are you sure?”
Of course not. Keisha’s wounded heart had already been challenged enough tonight, first when seeing her ex-girlfriend, and again when Silvia had revealed herself as a sizzling hot senorita.
All she had intended was for Jenny to join their group.
But when a slow song began to play, the universe made the decision for her.
Keisha braced herself, nodded, and led Jenny out onto the dance floor.
— — —
Anthony was enjoying himself. Sure, the DJ hadn’t updated his music catalog since the mid-eighties, and the punch tasted like water with a hint of artificial sweeteners, but he was still having fun.
Even though he missed Cameron. Anthony often found himself turning to him, wanting to exchange a smile or delight over a song from their special mixtape, only to remember he wasn’t there.
One of his friends would be, though, which helped.
They danced in a group. Anthony wasn’t especially skilled in that regard, but it didn’t matter, because they were all outcasts.
They didn’t care about fitting in or impressing anyone.
All that mattered was having a good time.
Which was easy, until the DJ announced a slow dance.
David bowed before Whitney with a flourish, a twinkle in his eye.
She jogged giddily in place while clapping before accepting his outstretched hand.
Omar grinned and sauntered over to Silvia, who was so stunning that it made Anthony feel like a fraud.
If only he could step into that body for a night. Oh the things he would do!
He felt an additional surge of envy when watching Omar take her hand to kiss it.
She noticed him staring, their eyes meeting briefly before Anthony spun around to find his own date, but Keisha had vanished.
Cyndi Lauper began to sing. Everyone had already paired up.
Anthony stood alone in the crowd. Feeling self-conscious, he headed for the nearest wall to take his place.
“Hey!”
A hand grabbed his arm. The breath caught in his throat. He turned around, hoping for a miracle. And he got one.
“Can I have this dance?” Omar asked with a grin.
Anthony looked around in confusion and saw Silvia disappearing into the crowd.
“What’s the matter?” Omar seemed puzzled by the lack of a response. “Does my breath smell bad or something?” He brought his face close while huffing.
Anthony laughed and pushed him away.
“She said she’d be right back.” Omar invaded his personal space again. “And that I shouldn’t let this song go to waste.”
Anthony would thank her later. He placed shaking hands on shoulders covered in leather. Omar took hold of Anthony’s hips. They began to pivot in a lazy circle.
“I do love this song,” Anthony murmured.
“I remember how much you used to play it when we were kids,” Omar replied with a grin. “I was more into Madonna.”
Anthony peered at him. “Are you sure you’re straight?”
“She’s the hotter of the two,” Omar clarified.
He sighed theatrically. “Foiled again.”
“Blonds are hot,” Omar added. “Then again, so are punk chicks. You’re the best of both worlds.”
Anthony felt a flush. “Oh stop.”
“I mean it. Hey, about what I said earlier… That was supposed to be a compliment. I love Carrie. It’s a great movie.”
“I know. That’s one of the reasons I dressed like this.”
Omar seemed taken aback. “For me?”
Anthony nodded, feeling vulnerable.
“But you were supposed to go with Cameron.”
“Yeah, but I still wanted you to…” He swallowed against rising emotion.
The evening had been a success so far. Very few people seemed to notice—or care—that he was a boy wearing a dress.
Almost as if a magic spell had made the world see Annie, like he did when closing his eyes.
But he had continued to worry about one person’s opinion in particular, because in many ways, it mattered the most.
“Wanted me to what?” Omar prompted.
Anthony took in his handsome features, not trying to hide the attraction he felt. “Take a wild guess.”
Omar’s brow furrowed up. “But I thought you loved Cameron.”
“I do, believe me, but he likes guys. And right now…”
“You don’t look like one,” Omar said, as if seeing him anew. His gaze moved over Anthony, his face becoming concerned. “You’re shivering.”
Trembling, in fact, and it had nothing to do with the temperature.
“Here.”
Omar let go of him and took off his leather jacket. He held it up. Anthony slid his arms into the sleeves. Then he turned around.
“I do, you know,” Omar said.
“What?”
“Think you’re beautiful.”
Anthony smiled demurely. “Thanks.”
Omar shook his head, his expression earnest. “I mean it.”
His heart was pounding as Omar stepped close again to gently place his hands on Anthony’s hips, like he was something precious. “This is who I really am,” he said, searching Omar’s dark eyes for understanding. “Or who I would be. If I could.”
“All the time?”
“Yeah.”
“So what’s stopping you? The dress code?”
Anthony shook his head. “That doesn’t make a difference. How I look now… This is how I feel on the inside.”
Omar scrunched up his face, as if he didn’t get it. Then realization seemed to dawn. “That’s what Cameron was trying to explain to me!”
“What?”
“Yeah! He introduced me to that friend of his, Charles, and I thought it was just about what he wore. But it’s not. Is it?”
Anthony’s chin quivered. “Cameron did all that?”
“Yeah. I think he was worried about you. Like, he wanted to make sure you’d be okay after he was gone.”
Anthony couldn’t take it anymore. He started crying.
“Aw man…” Omar wrapped his arms around him, still swaying to the music. “I’d give him back to you if I could.”
“I miss him so much!”
“I know. He was the coolest.”
Anthony clung to his best friend, his eyes clenched shut to stave off more tears, but it did nothing to stop the pain inside.
“You’ve still got me,” Omar said. “I’ll always be there.”
Time after time…
The song came to an end. Anthony wouldn’t be greedy.
Omar didn’t belong to him, so he took a step back and wiped the grief from his eyes.
He saw Silvia standing not far away, her expression pure sympathy.
Anthony forced a smile. Omar turned to see who had caught his attention.
By the time he looked back, if ever at all, Anthony had already walked away.
Synth chords filled the dance floor, along with a steady beat and a soulful voice.
“Drive” by The Cars accompanied Anthony’s retreat.
Then he stopped short, because in between slowly spinning couples bathed in swirling pinpoints of light, was the person he wanted most, dressed in a navy blue tuxedo.
Anthony stared in disbelief. Then he rushed forward, the breath thin in his lungs, his need not met until the impossible became reality and he found himself in Cameron’s arms.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you think?” Cameron asked, nuzzling their noses together.
Anthony sobbed again, but this time out of joy. “How?” was all he managed to say.
“I got a flight on stand-by. I wasn’t sure if I would make it and—” Cameron’s expression became apologetic. “I can’t stay.”
“But we have tonight?”
“Yeah,” Cameron said, cradling him close. “We have tonight.”
Anthony snuggled up against him, his broken heart mending.
Eventually the ballroom would empty. Balloons would be popped and streamers swept away.
Songs played in the night would fade to mere echoes in the light of a new morning.
Saying goodbye again to Cameron would hurt, but the pain would be worth getting what Anthony had desired most.
One last dance.
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