"Can I have this dance?" I asked, offering my hand.
I smiled with delight as we walked through the powdered snow to the dance floor.
I was in heaven. I had the best date at the Snow Ball--there was no one more gorgeous than Alexander, and he danced like a dream. We forgot that we were outsiders and thrashed our bodies around like regulars in a trendy club. We danced one song after another without stopping--"Cold As Ice," "Ice Cream," "Frosty the Snowman."
The band started to sing, "I Melt with You." The gym was spinning as tiny powdered snowflakes gently fell on us. Alexander and I screamed with laughter as we tripped over an inebriated soccer snob who was making a snow angel on the floor. When the music stopped, I squeezed Alexander like mad, like this was our own private dance. But of course, we weren't alone, as a familiar voice reminded me.
"Does the asylum know you've escaped?" Trevor asked, appearing beside Alexander.
I led Alexander to the refreshment table and grabbed two cherry snow cones.
"Does the warden know you're here?" Trevor asked, pursuing us.
"Trevor, go away!" I said, shielding Alexander with my body.
"Oh, is the Bride of Frankenstein having PMS?"
"Trevor, enough!" I couldn't see Alexander's reaction, but I could feel his hands on my shoulders, drawing me back.
"But this is just the beginning, Raven, just the beginning! Don't they have dungeon dancing? You have to actually go to school to come to the dances," he said to Alexander. "But I guess in Hell there are no rules."
"Shut up!" I said. "Don't you have your own date? Or would that be Matt?" I asked sarcastically.
"Very good. She's clever," he said to Alexander. "But not too clever. No, my date is over there," he added, pointing to the entrance.
I looked over and saw Becky nervously standing at the door, dressed in a long pleated skirt, pale pink sweater, and long white socks with loafers.
My heart sank to the floor. I felt sick.
"I've given her a little makeover," Trevor bragged. "And that's not all, baby."
"If you touch her, I'll kill you!" I screamed, lunging for him. "I haven't touched her, yet. But there's time. The dance has just begun."
"Raven, what's going on?" Alexander demanded, turning me toward him.
Trevor signaled for Becky to come over. She didn't even look at me as she approached us. Trevor grabbed her hand and kissed her softly on the cheek. I cringed all over and felt nauseated.
"Get off her!" I grabbed her hand and tried to pull her away.
"Raven, is this the guy who's been hassling you?" Alexander asked.
"You mean he doesn't know me? He doesn't know about us?" Trevor asked proudly.
"There is no 'us'!" I tried to explain. "I pissed him off because I'm the only girl in school who doesn't think he's hot! So now he won't leave me alone. But Trevor, how dare you involve Becky and Alexander!"
Becky stood with her eyes glued to the floor.
"I think it's time to leave Raven alone, dude," Alexander said.
"Dude? Now I'm the freakoid's pal? We can hang out and play soccer? Sorry but there's a dress code. No fangs and capes. Go back to the cemetery."
"Trevor, enough! I'll kick you right now!" I threatened.
"It's okay, Raven," Alexander said. "Let's go dance."
"Becky, get away from him!" I yelled, not moving. "Becky, say something! Say something already!"
"She's already said something," Trevor announced. "She's said a lot. It's funny how the people in this town talk and can't shut up when their daddy's crops might suddenly catch fire from a dropped cigarette," Trevor said, looking straight at me.