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“Ten thousand views, can you believe it?” Abby says.
“Pretty crazy,” I respond, not really listening. So what if our video has gone viral? It hasn’t brought Minji back.
It’s Friday, the Winter Ball is tomorrow, and I’m not going. For the first time since intermediate school, I’m not going to a dance. It’s fine because I’m not in the mood, and I don’t even have a dress.
“Earth to Corrine,” Abby says, waving a hand in front of my face.
I shake out of my reverie and give my full attention to her. “I’m sorry Abby, I’m just really out of it.”
She nods like she understands, and I know she does. Things haven’t been great with Dylan lately. She made up with his sister, but it’s still touch and go. I’ve done what I can to send him her way, but she can’t make him like her.
I told her if things ever work out with Minji, I could set her up with Hyungkook and she seemed pretty happy with that.
“You know what we need?” Abby says, getting that look in her eye. The one that tells me she’s up to no good.
“Oh no,” I groan. “What is it?”
“Chill out,” Abby says through a laugh. “I was thinking we could have a girl’s night. We’ll get our nails done, do some shopping, buy hair accessories.”
“I don’t know,” I say, it sounds fun, but lately I’ve been worried about jinxing my own happiness.
Abby snaps her fingers. “I just got the best idea!”
I’m really worried about her ideas right now. “What’s that?”
“We go to the winter ball,” she says, hands clasped together like she’d begging.
“With no dates?”
Abby rolls her eyes. “No, silly. We’ll be each other’s dates. We’re going to blow everyone out of the water.”
It’s absolutely ludicrous. Finding a dress right now will be a mortal pain. I look in Abby’s big brown puppy-dog eyes, watch the quiver of lip, and I know I can’t disappoint her. It’s probably just the thing I need, anyway.
“Please, please, please,” she says, tugging on my arm.
This is why the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
“Okay, okay, I give.”
She jumps in the air, lifting her hands above her head. “Yes! I win!”
I can’t help but giggle at her energy. “Let’s go before the mall closes.”
Taking her arm in mine, we set off to conquer the world.
***
The Winter Ball is the usual cheese fest that high school dances are. Paper snowflakes hang from ceiling, glitter sprinkled on their surfaces. A disco ball dangles in the middle of the room reflecting rainbow light onto the floor.
But none of that matters. This has been the most fun I’ve ever had at a dance. Abby and I play up being complete hams, even dancing with each other on the slow songs and teasing the couples making out under the low light.
I’m a little sad I don’t have a guy with me, because I look freaking amazing. Abby found me this blue gown that’s tight around the top and huge are the bottom with plenty of glitter on the bodice. My shoes are killer too, silvery sparkly heels. They may not be glass but I still feel like Cinderella.
“The next song goes out to Corrine.”
I look at Abby wondering if she set something up, but she just shrugs. I laugh when Paramore starts blasting out over the crowd. This was the first song I sang with Minji in the car. Still into You. Fitting for how I feel about him.
I’m dancing at the back of the room, being crazy with Abby when the whispers start. “With Corrine?” I hear someone say really loud. The crowd parts, music scratching to a stop.
Standing at the entrance to the gym is Minji, full tux, and a bouquet of roses. I want him to walk toward me, but he just stands there.
“How about slow song for the couple?”
Abby and I turn to the DJ booth at the same time realizing the voice has changed. Hyungkook is behind the DJ stand and he waves to us both.
“Corrine and Minji, everyone!” he says, and Abby pushes me in Minji’s direction as everyone claps.
Music has started but I can’t hear. Is that really Minji standing there? His gaze is downcast, feet shuffling the lacquered floor.
I step within usual talking distance, but no further.
He slowly lifts his head, and when his eyes meet mine, they’re full of tears. “Can you forgive me?”
What a ridiculous question, I never held anything against him. I breathe a laugh. “You don’t need forgiveness.”
He takes a step closer and a hint of his leather smell wafts towards me. Dang, I’ve missed that.
“Yes I do,” he says. “I jumped to conclusions. I knew the moment I left I had made a mistake. You opened your heart to me and I didn’t try to understand you, and then I thought you’d never forgive me.”
Really? But if that’s the case, why didn’t he come to the fan gathering?
“Corrine, all I want to do is protect you. When I saw you at the fan gathering I couldn’t speak because I was afraid you’d get mobbed.”
I search his eyes, looking for truth. It’s all there in his gaze. He missed me as much as I missed him.
“And that video,” he continues. “You didn’t have to do that. If anything, I should be thanking you for making me a better man. One who could see past the fangirl, to the real girl inside.”
I can’t handle the distance between us any longer. I run to him, throwing my arms around his neck. He stumbles back, but his hands end up on my spine, rubbing up and down.
He takes my shoulders and holds me away so I have to look at him. “Just wanted to let you know,” he says, “I’m going to kiss you now.”
I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.
