I was ready to fight if they said anything. But I could tell by the pressure on my wrist that Alexander wanted me to remain calm. The girls whispered and giggled to themselves and went on their gossipy way toward the gym.
"Here's where I don't learn chemistry," I said, opening the unlocked door to my chemistry lab. "I usually have to sneak into places. This is a breeze."
"By the way, I've always wanted to know why you snuck in--"
"Look at these!" I interrupted, pointing out the beakers on the lab table. "Lots of mysterious potions and explosions, but that wouldn't bother you, right?"
"I love it!" He was holding a beaker like it was a fine wine.
I pushed him into a desk, then wrote his name on the blackboard.
"Does anybody know the symbol for potassium? Raise your hand."
He raised his hand to the ceiling. "I do!"
"Yes, Alexander?"
"K."
"Correct, you pass the whole year!"
"Miss Madison?" he said, raising his hand again. "Yes?"
"Can you come here for a moment? I think I need some tutoring. Do you think you can help me?"
"But I just gave you an A!"
"It's more along the lines of anatomy."
I stepped over. He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me softly on the mouth.
We heard some giggling girls run past the open door. "We better go," he suggested.
"No, it's okay."
"I don't want you to get expelled. Besides, we have a dance to attend," he said, making us both stand up.
I walked out hand-in-hand with the guy I had the most chemistry with, his name still etched on the blackboard.
As we approached the gym, I could already feel the cold stares. Everyone was looking at Alexander like he had come from another planet and at me like they always looked at me.
Miss Fay, my nosy algebra teacher, was collecting tickets by the door. "I see you arrived at the dance on time, Raven. Too bad you can't do the same for algebra. I've never seen this gentleman at school," she added, scrutinizing Alexander.
"That's because he doesn't go here." Just take the tickets, lady! I skipped the introductions and pulled Alexander inside.
We walked into the Snow Ball. I didn't know if it was because I was with Alexander, or because it was my first dance, but white had never looked so wonderful. Plastic icicles and snowflakes hung from the ceiling, and the floor was covered with powdery snow. Artificial snow softly sprinkled down from the ceiling. Everyone was dressed in shimmering winter dresses or corduroys with sweaters, mittens, scarves, and hats. The blasting air conditioning sent chills through me.
Even the rock band, The Push-ups, fit the theme with their stocking caps and winter boots. Refreshments were set up underneath the scoreboard--snow cones, cider, and hot chocolate.
I could hear whispers, laughs, and gasps as we walked past the bundled-up students. The band, too, was looking at us.
"You want to get some hot chocolate before some senior spikes it?" I asked, trying to distract Alexander from all the attention.
"I'm not thirsty," he replied, watching the dancers.
"I thought you said you were always thirsty?"
The band started to play an electric version of "Winter Wonderland."