Semiformal Story (Semi Entry Coming Soon)

This is a story I wrote last year about Semiformal. I thought some of you might like to read it, if you haven’t already. I will write an entry about this year’s semi soon…until then, enjoy this story…and this picture of me and my “date” Catharina! (Tragically you can’t really see my classy hat…)

The ride in the car is long. Or at least it seems that way. I open the door, say goodbye to my parents, and head towards the entrance. From the outside it does not look very impressive. A brick facade with a large sign down the side. It’s neon letters gleam with a cold industrial rainbow of colors. I wonder how hard it would have been to make the rest of the building match the relatively modern sign. Other people are approaching the door. I notice one of them, a friend of mine, has dyed her hair pink for the occasion. Realizing it may be crowded inside, I rush to enter. Most people are fumbling over their coats and other personal items at the entrance. I had left my coat in the car, subconsciously. Feeling ahead of the game, I surrender my ticket to the woman behind the counter.

There is a doorway leading to the dance floor. As I walk towards it I notice some friends of mine waiting for something. I greet them and we talk for a while. Eventually we make our way into the dark hallway that leads to uncertainty. I am immediately engulfed by the harsh contrast of brightly flashing lights and searing blackness. I am choked by the artificial fog that fills the room. My ears are crushed with pounding, throbbing, earth shaking noise. Everyone calls it music, but I hear no such thing being spewed from the enormous speakers surrounding the room. As the ground quakes beneath me, I wonder why I came here in the first place. Couldn’t I have spent those ten dollars on something better than a dance ticket? I decide to look for a seat.

At the opposite end of the room is a booth beneath a large window. A relaxing light from a street lamp defuses through the fogged glass. I sit, collecting my thoughts. I look out the window onto the rest of the night. It appears cold and tired. I stare outside for a while, almost wishing I was there. Suddenly a hand reaches in front of me and writes a message on the clouded window. Regaining touch with reality, I talk with my friends a bit. I am at a dance, so it seems necessary that I do something more than just converse with my friends. But what are the alternatives?

I slowly step onto the dance floor. The air is thick with fog and sweat and passion. People are intertwined in a pulsating mass of flesh and lust. A girl I know, who is always quiet and friendly, is beginning to take part in the dancing. Her innocence lost in a barrage of music and desire. So many people I thought I knew suddenly become animals on the dance floor. Overwhelmed and utterly disgusted, I release my foot from the steaming tiles and return to my seat. I turn my head away.

The piercing lights and music begin to seep into my brain. I have to leave the room and give my senses a rest. As I cautiously make my way through the crowd of grinding bodies, the music changes. No longer is it a head numbing beat that filled people with frenzied thoughts just seconds ago. Suddenly it is a soothing melody. A calmness comes over everyone. Now they are swaying back and forth, staring into each other’s eyes. A simple dance, but it means so much more than the chaos they were in before. I become lost in the mood. My emotions change from a tired frustration to a romantic serenity. My spirits lift, my head no longer aches. The sweet sound of the music floats around me like a beautiful perfume. I stand there, listening.

Then it happens. You appear – just what I’ve been looking for, the answer to all of my dreams. Sitting alone, your eyes are sad – you look as if you are longing for something; for someone. Barely aware of what is happening, I approach you. It feels like you are the only person in the room; the only person in the world. We embrace, taken by the music. I look into your deep eyes; you look into mine. You whisper something, too quiet to hear, but I understand. You rest your head on my shoulder as we sway together. My vision is clouded by tears. I become light headed. I don’t know exactly why, but I am deeply happy. Nothing else matters anymore. It’s just you and me – dancing together.

Time stands still. I wonder if this is really happening. It seems like we’ve been in this trance for hours. Suddenly the music fades, as does this dream I am in. Slowly, everyone releases their partners. I am still embracing you, not wanting this moment to end. But I know it must. You lift your head and give me an appreciative glance with your perfect, beautiful eyes. Not sure what’s coming over me, I give you a small kiss. Then you, as if you had been waiting for this the entire night, kiss me back. I close my eyes. I feel nothing and everything at the same time. It all happens so fast, yet it lasts forever. The whole world could be staring at us, but I don’t care. My cheeks are moist with tears. Whether they are yours or mine, I cannot tell.

I open my eyes and look upon your face. It is so beautiful. The sad longing that was once there can no longer be seen. I wonder. Could I be just what you have been looking for? Could I be the answer to all of your dreams? You give me your smile – your beautifully innocent smile. You say something to me, but it is drown out by the loud music that has returned once more. Giving me one last glance, you disappear into the crowd. I feel lost. Standing alone, I try to hold on to the moment we had together.

As I am staring into space, a hand suddenly jerks me back into reality. I jump as if I had just been awaken from a delicious dream. Behind me the quiet girl I spoke of earlier asks if I would like to dance with her. I decline, knowing better than to get ensnared by the sultry dance everyone was again participating in. Once more I return to my seat and look longingly out onto the dance floor. I try to find you, but it is impossible in this swirling mass of confusion. I look out the window for a while. I become lost in thought.

As I stare into the glass dripping with condensation, I begin to realize the night is coming to it’s end. People start leaving; I decide to get up. Making my way out of the building, I pity all of the people struggling to get at their coats. I say goodbye to my friends, who all have different plans after they leave. I wave to the pink haired girl, who now looks rather disheveled. She doesn’t notice me. I walk beneath the neon sign again, glancing at it for a moment. Seeing my parents’ car, I quickly leave the brick building behind.

On the ride home I think about you. I remember your face after our dance. Again, I wonder. Could I really be just what you have been looking for? Could I really be the answer to all of your dreams? Maybe, at least, I was tonight.