Katie

Will danced like Frankenstein. He kept stepping on my toes and counting, "One-two-three, one-two-three," under his breath. People pointed. Some laughed. Maybe it was just my imagination but the whispers sounded like Missus-Egghead-Missus-Egghead-Missus-Egghead.

The music finally stopped. I figured the night's humiliation was over, until a spotlight shone on Will and me. My stomach sank and I realized it was all just beginning.

"And here are tonight's winners of our spotlight dance." The DJ was standing beside us shouting into his mike. He handed Will an envelope. "Congratulations, you two. It's a romantic dinner for two at Mexicasa."

Everyone started whooping and hollering, like this was good news.

"So, who is the happy couple?" the DJ asked, putting the microphone in front of us. I just wanted to shrivel up and disappear. But not Will.

"I'm William James Reid!" he yelled. The mike squealed. The crowd started chanting.

"Egg-head! Egg-head! EGG-HEAD!!"

Will raised his clasped hands above his head like a total idiot and the place went wild. Couldn't he see? Didn't he know they were all only making fun of him. Of me? Everyone laughed and cheered as Will bowed to all four corners.

"And who," asked the DJ, "is your lovely girlfriend?"

"OooooOOOoooO!" went the crowd.

I wanted to die.

"Well she—" Will began.

"I'm not his girlfriend!" I shrieked. "I don't even like him."

I wanted it back right after I said it. But with the mike up in my face, the truth bounced loud and hard around the gym walls before totally crushing Will.

He slumped as it sunk in, but he never took his eyes off me. I saw them go from shock, to disbelief, and finally pain. God, I felt like I'd just kicked a puppy.

"Will, I " I started to say, searching for a way to say what I really meant. That I didn't like him that way. As if that would make it any better.

But before I could say anything more, he turned and ran out.

Everyone burst out laughing.. Everyone but me.

I was never a great friend to Will, I admit it. But nothing, nothing was worse than what I had just done. I stepped out of the spotlight and pushed through the crowd—horrified at the realization.

I was one of them now.