Gyrating to the music, grinding with 406 others like myself

Grinding with more guys than I can count, feeling beautiful

Feeling the euphoria roll off me in gratifying waves

This is an entirely new experience for me.

I sweep my eyes over the undulating crowd--my friends

In a matter of days, they've learned so much more about me

More than anyone else back in my stifling little hometown

Where they want to smother me under a metaphorical Bell Jar.

Here, here it is different because I'm finally being myself

I've taken my true form, away from restrictions, limitations

My fears unfounded, these people accept me despite me

Or perhaps because of me, now that I'm finally alive

Nothing matters here, and yet everything still does

I'm not judged for past transgressions and misgivings

I've been treated like something, someone worthwhile

And I can't begin to describe how exhilarating that is

That sense of belonging, like none I've ever experienced before

I can feel myself changing inside, throwing away others' rules

Taking a moment, I wonder if anyone back home will realize

Will see these new revelations and celebrate them with me

I know already, that won't be happening any time soon

But I don't need them to validate my life-changing experience

I can feel it happening now, which will be all that really matters

Since they won't even believe me when I tell them everything.

I glance at Ryan's watch as we dance and sway with the music

(Rap, hip-hop, country, alternative, and ever-classic rock and roll

Like nothing they play at the conforming school dances back home)

This night, I deny the fact that soon it will have to come to an end

And that tomorrow I will board a plane and never see anyone again

It is 12:07 A.M.

My new world ends today.