“Hey Cutie, wanna dance?” I asked a young redheaded girl who sat at the bar, sipping her martini. She turned around, surprised.

            “Sure...”  She asked. When she realized who I was, her mouth dropped open. I laughed half-heartedly, and shrugged.

            “You don’t have too,” I suggested. She shook her head and put down the drink.

            “Oh, no I’m fine..just need a breather...” She chuckled. I smiled softly. I took her hand and led her off the stool and onto the misty dance floor. A slow song came on, so I casually put my arm around her waist. She let her head rest on my shoulder, and I smelt the banana scent of her shampoo.

            “So, what’s your name?” I asked as we swayed softly. She smiled up at me.

            “Amanda,” She said shyly. I smiled.

“That’s a beautiful name,” I responded. She blushed.

            “Thanks...” She said quietly. I was surprised. Usually redheads in my opinion were loud and boisterous. But Amanda wasn’t anything like that.

            For the next three minutes or so, Amanda and I swayed to the soft melody of the song. When the song stopped, and a faster tune came on, Amanda looked at me.

            “I’d better be going. It was a pleasure for the dance Mr. Timberlake,” She said politely. I smiled.

            “No, it was mine,” I answered, kissing her forehead delicately. She looked like she was going to faint. “I’ll see you around, then? Here’s my number,” I said, handing her a piece of paper. I leaned over to her ear. “Just don’t spread it,” I whispered, grinning. She looked at me and grinned back.

            “Don’t worry...but if you get 200 calls on the phone tomorrow—I had nothing to do with it!” She laughed. I laughed. She walked off near the door, and I waved. She waved back, and disappeared in an instant.

            I walked back to Sophie and Kerri’s table. They were in deep conversation. I tapped Kerri on the head, and they instantly separated. I slyly grinned.

            “Talking about me?” I asked smoothly. Kerri grinned.

            “Yup.”

            “All good, I hope,” I replied. This time Sophie grinned.

            “Nope.” She laughed. My face fell.

            “Aww...I am so hurt,” I said mockingly. I sat down beside Kerri, so know Kerri was sandwiched between myself and Sophie. Her eyes lit up when she saw JC walking towards our table, grinning cheesily at Kerri.

            “Hey girl. How about this dance?” He asked Kerri. She nodded and stood up. She went out Sophie’s way, and took JC’s hand, which was handing her a single yellow rose.

            The couple went onto the dance floor and started dancing to the tune that was ending. I stared at Sophie and shifted uncomftably. She spied my behavior and laughed. I shivered.

            “Justin, I don’t bite,” She smirked. I managed a small smile.

            “I know.” I retorted. The sounds of “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx started blasting through the speakers. “Would you like to dance?” I asked shyly. Sophie nodded.

            “Yeah. I would,” She said timidely. I took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Her hand fit just on my shoulder, and her head between my chest and shoulder, with my arms circiling her waist. I’ve forgotten how Sophie & I fit together like a golden chain I thought to myself.

Oceans apart day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice on the line
But it doesn't stop the pain

If I see you next to never
How can we say forever

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I took for granted, all the times
That I thought would last somehow
I hear the laughter, I taste the tears
But I can't get near you now

Oh, can't you see it baby
You've got me goin' crazy

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

I wonder how we can survive
This romance
But in the end if I'm with you
I'll take the chance

Oh, can't you see it baby
You've got me goin' crazy

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

(Richard Marx—Right Here Waiting—Repeat Offender)

I whistled the last few beats of the song until it finally ended. The DJ stood up and started spinning tracks—the official sign for “break time”. I looked Sophie in the eye. She flinched, and tried to look away, but I wouldn’t let her. She looked helplessly at me. I couldn’t take it anymore.

            I lowered my lips to hers, and kissed her. Passionately. The pain and mixed emotions that had been held inside of me in the past year came flooding out in mere seconds. But all I could think about Sophie…and this kiss.