ENCHANTED

by

dietcokex3

It was Friday night- the night of the Winter Formal. I don't usually have any desire to go to school events like these, but I decided to give this one a shot. It wasn't like I had anything better to do. But the real reason why I was going was so I could see my cute history teacher, Mr. Lopez, who was one of the people chaperoning the dance. I was going to see if there was a "friend" who wanted to go with me so I wouldn't have to go alone, but the only people I considered friends already had a date or had other plans.

I studied myself in my bedroom mirror. My usual frizzy black hair was now straight, thanks to my moms flat iron. My plain nails were now painted black, and my glasses had been replaced with my hardly ever worn contacts. My dress was black and simple, since my mother and I didn't have money for a more elegant one. It went right below my knees and was a bit puffy. Like I said, simple.

"Riley! Let's go!" my mother yelled. She was going to drop me off at the school before she went to work as the on-call nurse for the local hospital.

"Coming!" I yelled. I ran the brush through my hair once more, grabbed my bag, and ran out our apartment hall.

"Shoes?" my mom asked me. I stared down at my feet, which were covered in my black converse.

"What's wrong with these?" I asked. I don't really have any other shoes to wear, and to be honest, I don't think these look that bad.

"That's fine," she replied. "Go outside to the car. I'll be right there."

Our apartment complex was outside, so there wasn't any real lobby. We lived on the first level, so all I had to do was walk out the door and the car was right there. My mom came out moments later, and we hit the road.

x

The school gym was decked out in a cool Hollywood theme. The winter committee had really done a good job this year. When I walked through the doors, Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" was blasting through the speakers.

Looking around, there were more people here than I expected. It also seemed like, compared to everyone else, my dress was crap. There were groups of people huddled up together, talking and laughing. I awkwardly looked down. Maybe coming here alone wasn't the best idea in the world.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder, scaring me out of my thoughts. I quickly turned around to see Mr. Lopez standing there with a smile that lit up my world.

"Hey Lopez," I said smiling.

"Riley! You look… wow." My jaw almost dropped. Were teachers supposed to say things like that to their students? Or did he really mean that?

"Um, thanks," I replied. I wanted to say the same thing to him, but I couldn't bring myself to do that.

"Where's your date?" he asked. He really needed to bring that up, didn't he?

"Well… um… I'm here alone. Everyone else already had a date or had other plans," I said.

"Hum… I didn't expect that," he said, "From knowing you, any guy should want to go with you."

I raised my eyebrows. "Have you been to my high school?" He laughed his cute little adorable laugh.

"Riley!" I turned my attention from Lopez to the person behind me. I saw Tessa there. Let me tell you about her. She is the girl who cheats in school and ends up with the A's, the one who ends up with the quarterback on the football team and the one who all the teachers love.

"Go ahead and go hang out with your friends. We can talk later," Lopez said from behind me. I love the guy, but sometimes he can be clueless. Even if I wasn't socially awkward and had a couple good friends, why would I want to be friends with her?

I wasn't to sure about listening to him, but I went anyways.

"Hi…" I awkwardly said. She started walking the opposite direction of Lopez, and I followed her.

"So you're here alone?" she asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to come." I was only going to give her short and simple answers. I didn't need her messing with me.

"You like him?" My face dropped. She couldn't possible know I like Lopez, right?

"W-who?" I stuttered.

"Lopez," Tessa laughed. "You like him, don't you?" Please tell me this is a dream. Tell me this isn't happening.

"No, I don't. We're just close," I said, trying to keep a straight face.

"I don't believe you,"

"Look, I don't like him, okay?" I was starting to get furious.

Tessa smirked and walked away. I knew that by Monday morning this was going to be all over the school. This was a disaster. Even though I didn't admit it to her, she knew that I liked Lopez. I also knew that she was going to make my life a living hell over it.

I walked over to an empty table and sat down. For what seemed like hours, I stared at everyone having fun with their friends and dates, while I sat there all alone.

x

"Hey!" A cheery Lopez came out of nowhere and took a seat next to me at the still empty table. "Why you over here all alone?"

I shrugged. "No date, no one to hang out with,"

He was quiet before standing up. For a second, I thought he was going to leave me there.

"I'll be your date then. The dance is almost over, but better late than never, right?"

Was I hearing him correctly?

"Come on," He held out his hand to me, and I took it. The contact of our skin made my heart melt. His hand was so soft. He took me out to the dance floor where my fellow classmates were being wild.

I knew that if Tessa saw the two of us, this really would be all over school, but at that moment, I didn't care. It was just me and him.

"I'm gonna slow it down a bit here," the DJ announced. Now I was really nervous. My heart was beating so loud. I looked into his brown eyes as he lied his arms on my waist. Shaking, I wrapped my arms around his neck, and I swore at that moment that I was going to collapse. But thankfully, I didn't.

I heard the familiar melody of Taylor Swift's "Enchanted" fill up the room.

There I was again tonight
Forcing laughter, faking smiles
Same old tired lonely place

It was really awkward at first. We kind of just stood there, before he took the lead and we started moving.

Walls of insincerity,
Shifting eyes and vacancy
Vanished when I saw your face

All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you

I looked deep into his eyes. He smiled at me, and I looked down at the floor knowing I was blushing.

Your eyes whispered "Have we met? "
Across the room your silhouette
Starts to make its way to me
The playful conversation starts
Counter all your quick remarks
Like passing notes in secrecy

His grip, which before was tight and awkward, loosened in a more comfortable way. I lied my head lightly on his shoulder.

And it was enchanting to meet you
All I can say is I was enchanted to meet you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

The lingering question kept me up
2 AM, who do you love?
I wonder 'til I'm wide awake
And now I'm pacing back and forth
Wishing you were at my door
I'd open up and you would say, "Hey,
It was enchanting to meet you,
All I know is I was enchanted to meet you"

This was absolutely perfect.

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you know
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

This is me praying that
This was the very first page
Not where the story line ends
My thoughts will echo your name
Until I see you again
These are the words I held back
As I was leaving too soon
I was enchanted to meet you

Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you
Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home
I'll spend forever wondering if you know
This night is flawless, don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew
I was enchanted to meet you

Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you

When the song and dance was over, we let go of each other. I stood there, mesmerized with him. Before I knew what I was doing, my arms were around him and we were hugging. He hugged me back, and I can honestly say that was the best hug I have gotten in my 17 years of life.

"Thank you," I said once he let me go.

"Anytime, Riley," he responded.

x

The dance was over, and I was trying to get a hold of my mother, but she wasn't answering. When I was about to give up, she texted me.

I need to stay late at work. Is there a way you can get a ride home from someone?

I replied yes, which was a total lie.

I sat outside the gym for about a half an hour, wondering what to do. I couldn't exactly walk home when it's pitch dark, but it looks like that was what I was going to have to do. I watched people leave the school, not even noticing that I was there.

That was, until Lopez walked out of the gym ready to go home.

"Not to ask the obvious, but why are you still here?" He always seems to find me when I need him, doesn't he?

"My mom's working late and I told her I could find a ride home when I knew I couldn't. I didn't want to lie to her, but I didn't want to bother her. Because then she would have to leave work early and-"

He cut me off. "I'll take you."

"Are… are you sure?"

"C'mon, let's get out of here," I smiled up at him, and he led me towards his car located in the staff parking lot.

The car ride to my apartment was silent. I just sat there, only moving to look at him every so often.

"Which one is it?" he said, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Huh?" I looked out the window to see that we were in the parking lot of my apartment complex. "Oh, that one." I pointed to a building near an empty parking space. He drove into that parking space and I was about to get out.

"Hold on, I'll walk you." I bit my bottom lip and we got out of the car, and walked up to the apartment, our shoulders crashing into each other.

When I got to the door, I turned to face him. "Thanks Lopez. For everything."

"Of course, Riley." He took another step towards me, and I was getting really nervous. I knew we were getting closer because I could feel his breath on my lips. I think we both knew what was going to happen, but neither of us wanted to make the first move.

I shut my eyes really tight. "Just do it," I whispered.

He nodded and closed the last inch between us, pressing his lips onto mine. I melted. This being my first kiss, I didn't really know what to do. I just followed his lead. His hands went up to cup my face.

When we pulled back, I was breathless. I was scared to look up at him, but when I did, he was standing there smiling. A blush appeared on my cheeks and a smile formed on my face.

"I'll see you Monday, Riley," he said. He left and I walked inside, my lips burning. Best. Night. Ever.

THE END