There's a famous saying in Texas. "Go Big or Go Home". The homecoming event here was no different as they always went All out. This was the second major student social event. The first being the senior prom.
I was never sure where all these specific homecoming traditions originated from, but from what I've heard from the military kids that came from out of state, their schools had nothing like the homecomings we had.
Many of my classmates had already been looking forward to it the moment the semester started. Some had already had their dates planned way in advanced whether they were going with a partner, as a group of friends, or flying solo.
My freshman year I had no interest in it until I saw exactly how things truly were. It looked like lots of fun. This year, I figured "why not?" But I didn't want to fly solo or go with a group of friends. I wanted to go with a partner, whether it be just as friends or more than friends.
When the morning announcement about this years homecoming theme came up, there was immediately all kinds of hyping.
"And this year's theme is ..."
Suddenly, the iconic synthesizer opening to Prince's 1999 started playing over the intercom.
"PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999!"
I'm not going to lie to say this didn't excite me. It did. The theme was perfectly timed. It's 1999. This was going to be the last homecoming of the decade, the century, THE MILLENNIUM!
But who's going to want to go with me?
Throughout the semester, I tried my best to talk and befriend other girls. TRIED. I was beginning to think I had been cursed or something. I was just too damn shy to even approach them or how to break the ice.
As for the few I did manage to talk to, none of them really made that connection the way me and CC did during summer school. Naturally, CC was off limits and already going with Kenny.
There were lot's of girls that were cute in their own way, but was that just biology talking? All that was was physical attraction. What about that deep connection? That spark.
What exactly was Love? I don't know.
The new girls that started hanging out with the group were pretty cute too, but their attitudes made them a bit of a turn off. They were constantly bickering with each other about getting the most attention from either Victor or Boss like "Pick me, pick me". They seemed very desperate. Not exactly the kind of girl I want to be involved with.
One girl that could be a possibility was Maddie. She was part of the swim team where we met. A petite blonde, Also an alternative rocker type girl (*sigh*). I thought she was pretty damn cool.
During our bus rides, we would talk about Vampires and werewolves and other kinds of dark Gothic fantasy creatures. She introduced me to the works by Anne Rice. All I knew from her works was the movie adaptation to "Interview with the Vampire."
The other girl I could think of was Lilly. My dear friend I've known since middle school, who I had public speaking with.
"Wait...what if I actually asked Lilly?" I got a bit anxious just thinking about it. I've known her the longest. She already knows I'm nerdy and awkward as fuck. I've already broken the ice and I'm comfortable talking to her, except when it came to how I felt about her.
Why not? Even as friends. Worst thing she can say is "No. Not my thing." Who knows, maybe something will spark.
During public speaking, I finally mustered up some courage.
"Hey Lilly." I almost froze immediately the moment she looked up at me.
"Hmm?"
She paused the artwork she was doing of a very detailed Rob Zombie from the Hellbilly deluxe album on her backpack.
"I...uh..was just curious.." My tongue was seizing up trying to get the correct words to come out. "If I were to....(Damnit get it together)...to ask you about going to homecoming with me. What would you say?"
"Oh." Lilly was a little shocked for a moment. She brushed the bit of her hair out of her face and adjusted her glasses.
She was very composed seemed very cool about it and it didn't seem like a big deal to her. The look she was having me was very pensive and inquisitive "Is this you asking me?"