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I wanted to kiss her again. But there would be time.
God, I was so thankful there would be time.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Xi said.
My cheeks were warm as I glanced down at my dress. The white knee-length gown was a gift from my mom. She’d found it one day shopping, and since plus-size stores were always in short supply of anything worthwhile, she snagged it up. It was as if the universe knew I’d be here today with Xi and wanted me to look my best.
Xi, on the other hand, stole the entire night. Her lime-green gown spilled around her until it tickled the floor. Each sequin and shimmer in the tulle skirt caught the light from the disco ball. She was stunning, absolutely captivating.
The song drew to a close, and I frowned. I wanted to keep dancing.
Xi giggled and said, “There will be another slow song.”
The flush came quickly, but so did my smile. “I hope you’ll dance it with me.”
She took my hands, swaying side to side with the new song. “Like I’m letting you dance with anyone else.”
I grinned, taking in the moment, rejoicing in the scary, exciting feeling of being out with a girl in public for the first time in my life.
And then someone brushed my arm. I looked over to apologize and saw Stefon standing beside me.
“What are you doing here?” he asked over the music. He glanced around at the people dancing around us. “Aren’t you worried people will see you?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Not anymore! My parents both know, and everything is going to be okay.”
He hugged me tight, taking me away from Xi so he could pick me up and spin me in a circle. “I’m so proud of you!”
Smiling up at him, I said, “It is pride, is it not?”
He took my hand and twirled me. “You’re incredible.”
“And so are you.” I reached up and held his face in my hands. “I couldn’t have gotten through high school without you, and I couldn’t have told my parents what I did today without seeing you do it first.”
“You always had it in you,” he replied, then stepped back. “And now we get to celebrate it.”
Xi and Dillon joined hands with us, dancing and jumping with the music. Never before had I felt so free.
Never before had I felt some.
Twenty-Five
Xiomara
My dad askedme to dance the next slow song with him, and even though I wanted nothing more than to keep my arms around Kiyana all night, I couldn’t turn him down. The guy had come to the prom in rainbow chaps, after all.
He took my hand in his and then put one on my back, spinning me around the dance floor. Dad was an excellent dancer, having learned merengue and salsa and even the waltz under his mother’s tutelage. For now though, we just moved to the music, enjoying each other’s company.
“I saw you dancing with Kiyana,” he said, a sly smile on his face.
My cheeks instantly grew hot and I looked away to hide my smile. “What about it?”
“You look happy, Xi,” he said.
I smiled up at him. “I am. I mean, it’s not that I wasn’t before, but it all feels...fresh.”
“I get it. Romance is one of the best parts of life, and I’m happy you’re getting to experience it.”
I nodded, glancing over our hands to see Kiyana and Stefon dancing together. I wondered how I had never noticed it before—the fact that they interacted like friends instead of lovers. Most people dating in our school danced with their bodies pressed up against each other, but she and Stefon had always left more than enough room.
