I Saw Her Standing There

Karen surveyed the crowded school hall, the walls decorated with gaudy paper chains and flimsy strings of tinsel. The majority of the students were on the dance floor for the final dance – a slow version of White Christmas. Her attention was caught by a girl who was sat down to one side watching the dancers, the same girl who she had been drawn to all night. Earlier she had subtly, she hoped, asked her younger brother who she was. He had smirked before informing her that the girl, Emily, was single, gay and very nice. She had then remembered that for as long as she was pretending to date her brother’s friend, she couldn’t do anything and so had spent the rest of the evening successfully ensuring her ‘date’ got back together with his girlfriend. Now all she needed to do was summon up the courage to go over. She was so nervous but she figured she had nothing to lose. She took a deep breath before walking over.

“Hi, I’m Karen. Do you want to dance?” Emily looked up sharply.

“What’s this? The pity dance for the school’s token lesbian?”

“No, it’s ‘I no longer have to pretend I’m dating Rob because he’s got his girlfriend back so I can now dance with the beautiful girl who’s been catching my eye all night’” Karen smiled softly and held out her hand.

“Oh… I see,” the other girl took her outstretched hand and smiled back, “I’m Emily,” They made their way onto the dance floor. Karen held Emily’s waist as the other girl placed her hands on her shoulders. As they settled into the rhythm of the music Emily spoke, “You’re not our age, are you?” Karen shook her head.

“I’m 19, in my second year at university.”

“How on earth did Rob get you to come?” the quizzical smile Emily gave her was quite possibly the cutest thing Karen had ever seen.

“I’m Charlie’s sister and he now owes me a huge favour and an awesome Christmas present.”

“That sounds a good deal.”

“That’s what I thought. Mind you, seeing as being here meant meeting you I may go easy on him when cashing in the debt,” Emily blushed and ducked her head, “Sorry, I’m not usually this flirty.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Good. Because being around you seems to screw up my brain to mouth filter.”

They moved closer to each other and danced in silence, enjoying this high school ritual and letting the music wash over them. Then a thought occurred to Karen and she laughed suddenly. Emily looked at her curiously, though still smiling.

“I’m finally getting a slow dance at a school disco. I was always slightly disappointed that I never got to do that.”

“I never thought I’d get this either,” Emily moved her hands to the back of the taller girl’s neck, pulling her slightly closer. Karen leant in hesitantly and pressed her lips to Emily’s, soft and sweet and absolutely  perfect in that moment.

The song came to an end and the main lights switched on abruptly. The two girls pulled away slowly, smiling bashfully. People started to disperse, chatting and collecting their belongings.

“I really hope this wasn’t a one off,” Emily looked up at Karen, a nervous tone in her voice again.

“Definitely not, give me your phone,” Karen handed over her own and they quickly exchanged numbers. As they were putting their phones away Charlie came over.

“Hey Karen, can Amy have a lift too?”

“Sure, I’ll meet you at the car in a bit, okay?” Karen barely glanced at her brother.

“Oh, yeah, right. I’ll leave you alone,” he hurried off, out of the hall.

“You can go if you need. I’ve got a lift.”

Karen took Emily’s hands as she spoke, “I want to kiss you goodnight first and I don’t think my little brother wants to see that,” they both leant in for a kiss, longer than before. They broke apart when Emily’s phone started vibrating in her pocket.

“I’ve really got to go now. My lift’s waiting.”

“I’ll text you later.” Emily reached up and pressed a kiss to Karen’s cheek, squeezing her hand briefly as she walked away. Karen watched her leave the hall and then got her phone out and typed:

Text to Emily:

“So how could I dance with another? When I saw her standing there.”

She looked out the window and saw Emily check her phone. She was beaming as she sent off a reply. She held her phone to her chest as she walked toward the car park with a spring in her step.

Text from Emily:

So cheesy! But I love that song x

Karen just thought: “Yeah, this was a great idea.”