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“Man, mind your own business,” Jeremy yelled.
“Well, it certainly took you long enough to ask me to be your girl,” I said as I stepped back for a moment to take in the fact that I had finally caught the tall, handsome and popular guy who I’d been crazy about since grade school.
“I was afraid you might run away again,” he said, bringing up our first kiss that we’d shared so many years ago. I can’t believe he’s still carrying that awkward moment around as if it happened yesterday, I thought.
“I’m not running,” I assured him. The last thing I wanted was for him to be available again.
“Good.”
“There is one thing that I have to tell you that I will not put up with,” I said as I placed my hand in his and continued on.
“What’s that?”
“I don’t like to share. If I’m your girl, I had better be your only girl. So if you think you’re going to be a playboy and try to date both me and Bernita, I’m telling you now, I’m not cool with that.” I stood firm on that and let him know that cheating would be a deal breaker. I also wanted to make sure that he and Bernita were never a true couple.
“You don’t have to worry about Bernita. There was never anything going on between us. I thought she was good people, but learned that she’s a drama queen, and I don’t have time for that.”
“Good,” I said, resting my head against his shoulder as he walked me home.
seven (#ulink_918892f5-3c7b-5bcc-956a-abafd957064d)
When I got in the house I rushed to my room, shut the door and crash-landed on my bed. I picked up my cell phone and called Lauren.
“Oh, my God, Lauren! You will not believe what happened tonight.” The words rushed out of my mouth faster than I could form them.
“Calm down, Anna. You sound like you’re hyperventilating,” Lauren said.
“Okay,” I said and took several deep breaths before I spoke again. “Jeremy asked me to the holiday dance.” I squealed like he had asked me to marry him. I imagined Lauren had pulled the phone away from her ear to prevent her eardrum from bursting.
“That was sudden. How did it happen?” Lauren asked once I calmed myself down.
“It was so romantic. He walked me home and asked me if I was going to the dance. I gave him a big hint by saying that I was waiting for the right guy to ask me. He picked up on it and asked me,” I said, feeling as weightless as a snowflake.
“That’s wonderful,” Lauren said.
“Wait, there is more. Girl, I asked if we would be going as friends or if we would be going as a couple.”
“Oh, my God! What did he say?” Lauren screeched. I could tell that she was sitting on the edge of her seat in anticipation, waiting for my response.
“We stopped walking, looked at each other, and then he asked me to be his girl,” I squealed.
“Are you for real?” she asked.
“Yes. And it was such a romantic moment. He kissed me and it was perfect,” I said.
“So you guys are official now?” Lauren asked.
“Yes.”
“Cool. You should update your relationship status,” Lauren suggested.
“That’s a good idea,” I agreed with her.
“So what are you going to wear to the holiday dance? It’s only two weeks away,” Lauren said.
“I have no idea, but I’ll figure something out,” I said confidently. Before Lauren could say another word, I was notified that I had an incoming call. “Hey, Lauren, let me call you back. I have Jeremy on the other line.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later,” she said and hung up. I clicked over and answered Jeremy’s call.
“Hey,” he greeted me.
“Hey to you, too,” I said, shaking hair out of my eyes and feeling butterflies prancing in my tummy.
“My older brother and his girlfriend are going ice-skating downtown at Millennium Park tomorrow evening. He told me that if I had a date he’d let me tag along with him. So, I was wondering if you’d like to go.”
“Um. I’d have to ask my parents, but I’m sure they would be okay with it,” I said, peeling back the bedcovers.
“Good. We can pick you up around six o’clock,” Jeremy said.
“Wait. I don’t have any ice skates and I don’t know how to do it. Do you know how to ice-skate?” I asked nervously while I took off my earrings and placed them in the jewelry box on my dresser.
“Yes. I know how to ice-skate. My brother taught me how. He used to play hockey and his girlfriend is a figure skater.”
“Wait. How old is your brother now? I vaguely remember him going away to college when we were in eighth grade.” I opened up my drawer and removed a pair of purple pajamas.
“He just turned twenty-one and he’s a senior at the University of Colorado,” Jeremy explained.
“So, are you going to teach me how to skate?” I asked.
“I’m going to try.”
“You can’t let me fall. I hate falling on my butt,” I said. I exited my bedroom and walked down the hall to the bathroom so that I could take a shower. I was thankful that no one was in there. I turned on the shower to give the water time to warm up and drew the shower curtain closed so that water wouldn’t spill on the floor. Realizing that I had left my house slippers in my bedroom, I walked back to retrieve them.
“I’ll hold on to you.”
“You have to promise to hold me close,” I said, recalling the scent of his cologne from the night of the school holiday concert.
“I will,” he agreed. We talked for a little while longer before saying good-night. Once I ended my call with him, I went back to the bathroom and took a shower and prepared for bed. When I was done I came back to my room, rested on my back and smiled. I looked forward to cherishing every moment with him.
The following evening we arrived at the ice rink. It was located on Michigan Avenue in the heart of downtown Chicago. The trees along the sidewalk near the oval ice rink were decorated with white Christmas lights. Skaters were leisurely gliding around the rink. There were couples holding hands and parents teaching toddlers how to keep their balance. Holiday music was being played and I suddenly felt the spirit of Christmas fill my heart as I sang the words to “This Christmas.” We went inside the ice-skating facility and rented skates and then sat down to put them on. Jeremy’s brother and his girlfriend were eager to get out on the ice and raced ahead of us.
“Are you ready to do this?” Jeremy asked.
“Yes,” I said as I stood up and nearly fell flat on my butt.
“Take your time,” Jeremy coached me as I stepped onto the ice and held on to the rail. I felt as if I was going to twist my ankle because I had trouble balancing.
“I will because I have no idea what I’m doing,” I said, struggling to stay upright.
“Look at me.” Jeremy positioned himself in front of me. “You have to trust me, okay?”
“In this situation, that is easier said than done, but okay,” I said and continued to clutch the railing.
“Stand still and get your balance,” Jeremy said. I looked down at my feet and tried to do as he said.
“Don’t look at your feet. Look at me.” He tilted my chin up so that I would focus on him. I looked into Jeremy’s eyes and read how they promised to take care of me and not allow me to fall.
“Breathe and relax,” he said. I followed his instructions and focused on him. I briefly looked at the more advanced skaters as they whooshed by.
“They make this look so easy,” I mumbled.
“It is once you get the hang of it.” Jeremy reached for my free hand, the one that wasn’t clawing the rail. “Now give me your other hand.”
“I’m not ready, Jeremy. I’m going to fall,” I said, filled with fear and dread.
“No, you’re not. I have you,” he assured me. I reluctantly gave him my other hand.
“Oh, my God,” I said as I wobbled.
“Breathe,” he reminded me again.
“Okay,” I said as I inhaled and exhaled a few times.
“Good. See. You’re standing,” he said. I laughed cautiously as I squeezed his hands. I was holding on to him so tightly that I thought for sure I’d crush his fingers into a fine powder.
“Okay. Just stand like that,” Jeremy said, and the next thing I knew we were moving, albeit slowly, as a feather floating on air.
“Oh, my God!” I wanted to scream but instead I closed my eyes. Jeremy seemed to love the idea that I was totally green at this and got a kick out of having to teach me.
“Open your eyes or you’ll miss everything.” His voice sounded sweet but I was done listening to him for the moment.
“I’m afraid,” I admitted, feeling a bit foolish.
“Come on. Open them up,” he said as I could feel my legs wobbling and threatening to buckle. I slowly opened my eyes and realized that Jeremy was towing me along the edge of the rink at a very measured and unhurried pace. I mustered up the courage to gaze at the urban beauty surrounding us. The tall buildings and bright city lights were picturesque. I could hear Nat King Cole singing “The Christmas Song” in the background.
“You’re doing great,” Jeremy said. His encouraging tone brought back the memory of my dad cheering me on when I was first learning how to ride my bike without the training wheels.
“No, I’m not. You’re doing all of the work,” I said, hoping I would not inadvertently trip over my feet.
“You’re doing great because you have the courage to trust me,” he said.
“Uh-huh,” I said as I continued to look around.
“Anna,” Jeremy whispered.
“Yeah,” I answered, feeling panicky.
“Look at me,” he said. I turned my attention back to him. Jeremy leaned into me and kissed me tenderly. Time always seemed to slow down just a little when he kissed me. That was a feeling that I hoped would never disappear.
“What are you doing to me?” I whispered softly.
“Trying to be a good boyfriend,” he said as we slowed down.
“You are the perfect boyfriend for me,” I said as he reached out and drew me closer and hugged me.
* * *
The following weekend Lauren and I hitched a ride to the Orland Square Mall with her mom and her aunt. We were both excited about spending the day shopping for dresses and accessories for the holiday dance. When we arrived at the mall it was difficult to find a parking space because, judging by the amount of cars already there, the mall was packed with holiday shoppers. After circling around for fifteen minutes, a spot opened up. We all exited the vehicle and headed toward the mall entrance. Once inside, we merged with a slow but steady movement of shoppers. Grandmothers had taken over the sitting areas and were placed in charge of keeping an eye on the shopping bags while the rest of their families continued on. Young mothers were pushing wailing babies who were strapped tightly in their strollers or dealing with random temper tantrums of toddlers who couldn’t get a toy that they wanted.
Lauren’s mother told us to check in often and keep in touch through texting and phone calls. Lauren gave her mom and aunt a hug and I did the same. Afterward, Lauren and I maneuvered our way through the throngs of holiday shoppers. Soon we came across a gathering of people standing outside of a music store. They were listening to a girl about our age singing “Jingle Bell Rock” on a karaoke machine. She had on brown snow boots, blue jeans and a red holiday sweater. She was very energetic and got the crowd to clap and sing along with her. Before we realized it, Lauren and I decided to be silly by spontaneously dancing to the music. This triggered a wave of excitement and caused little kids and their parents to get in on the fun. That was one of the things I loved about Lauren: she was a blast to hang out with. We eventually laughed and giggled ourselves onward toward one of the department stores. We entered through the cosmetics area, where there were people sitting in chairs and allowing sales associates to apply makeup.
“I want to come back this way so that I can look at some makeup,” Lauren said.
“I’m cool with that.” We made our way over to the escalator and took it up several levels to the dress department.
“May I help you find something?” asked a sales associate as soon as she saw us.
“No, thanks. We’re just looking,” I said to her.
“Well, what are you looking for? Maybe I can help you find it.” She was determined to be helpful in some way.
“I’m not sure, but we’ll know it when we see it,” I said, hoping she would pick up the hint and move on.
“What do you think about this one?” Lauren had moved over to where the dresses were located while I was busy getting rid of the help.
“That’s cute,” I said as I touched the material. Lauren held the dress up to her body.
“Hmm,” I said.
“What? Be honest,” Lauren insisted.
“I’m not too crazy about the color.” I raised my eyebrow and twisted my mouth a bit to indicate that the shade just wasn’t right for her.
Lauren and I moved on to several other smaller stores. Eventually we ended up at another large department store that had a selection of dresses that suited both our tastes. I let Lauren try on her dress first while I waited. She had picked out a red velvet scoop neck and draped flowing skirt that fastened at the waist with a black patent belt. When she emerged from the fitting-room stall, I was there to scrutinize how the dress fit and looked.
“That looks so hot on you,” I complimented her. “Turn around so I can see the back.” Lauren turned and looked over her shoulder at me to gauge my reaction. I smiled.
“Do you really think it’s nice?” she asked again.
“Yes. You look perfect,” I said.
“So you think I should get it?” she asked.
“You would be crazy not to.”
“I’ll have to find some shoes and earrings to go with it,” she said.
“I know the perfect place we can go,” I responded, thinking of one of my favorite shoe stores that was on the other side of the mall.
