Just Annoying! (4 page)

I take Craig's hand and lead him towards the dancefloor, but he doesn't need any encouragement. Craig leaps into the centre of the room and starts going for it like he thinks he's Michael Jackson.

He's pulling every move in the book. Fist in the air. Leg splits. Pirouettes. Even moon-walking. Doesn't this guy have any shame?

 

‘Come on,' he says. ‘What are you waiting for? Get down! Woooh!'

The only move I'm capable of right at the moment is to shake my head in disbelief. But head-shaking is not exactly a snappy dance move. If I want to keep Craig interested then I'm going to have to get down and dirty—and pretty damn fast.

Trouble is I don't know how.

I've never actually danced before.

I usually spend school socials on the sidelines laughing at everybody else trying to dance.

I don't know the first thing about it.

And then it hits me.

I may not be good at dancing but I am an expert at copying. All I have to do is copy Craig and I'll be fine.

He bends his knees and punches the air.

I follow. Simple enough.

He does a star-jump, a mid-air twist and then lands on his knees.

I do the same. Only I don't land on my knees—I still haven't got the hang of these high heels. I fall backwards onto my bum.

I hear cheering. A large group has formed around us. How embarrassing. I reckon the only person more embarrassed than me at this point must be Jen. But I can't back out now.

 

I pick myself up off the floor.

Craig is on his knees. He's leaning backwards, staring at the roof, shoulders pumping.

I have no choice but to do the same.

Only I throw in an extra touch of my own.

As I lean back I thrust my chest out and shake.

More cheers.

Craig is impressed.

He helps me up and then pulls me close to him.

‘I haven't known you for very long, Andrea,' he says, ‘but I feel a real connection to you.'

‘That's nice,' I say, trying to pull away from him.

I notice that my dancing has caused some of the beanbag balls to fall out of my bra. They are scattered around my feet.

Craig notices too.

‘I see you've brought some snow with you from Ballarat!'

I giggle girlishly. ‘Oh, Craig. You're so funny. Would you excuse me while I freshen up?'

‘Sure,' he says, frowning a little.

He releases his grip on me. I practically run to the toilets at the far end of the hall.

This will not only give me time to repack my bra, but more importantly, give him a bit of time to cool off.

I push open the door of the Mens.

‘Hey! You can't go in there,' says a teacher on duty.

Doh! I didn't even think. I'm a girl now. I have to use the Ladies. No way. It must be crawling with girl germs.

I look behind me.

Craig is still standing in the middle of the dancefloor watching me.

I have to go in.

I push open the door. I'm almost knocked backwards by the smell of perfume and hair-spray.

A group of girls are all gathered around the mirror.

‘Did you see them?' says one.

‘Who
is
that girl he's with?'

‘I don't know,' says the first. ‘But did you see her dancing?!'

They all giggle.

‘Craig deserves better than that. He is so good.'

The door slams shut behind me.

They look up and go quiet.

I duck into the closest cubicle and lock the door.

I didn't think I was that bad. They're jealous, that's all.

I take my top off and pull my bra straps back onto my shoulder.

More beanbag balls have fallen out of one side than the other. I have to balance them up. I may not be a real girl, but I have my pride.

I hear the group of girls whisper and giggle and then leave the room.

It's safe to come out.

I'm at the basin washing my hands when Lisa Mackney walks in.

She looks even more beautiful than usual. She is so nice. I hope she doesn't recognise me.

I stare down into the basin and pretend not to see her.

‘Hi,' she says. ‘You're new aren't you? My name's Lisa.'

‘Hi, Lisa,' I say. ‘I'm Andrea.'

‘I know,' she says. ‘Everybody's talking about you.'

‘Oh?' I say.

‘Yes,' she says. ‘You're a really . . . original dancer.'

‘Thanks,' I say. ‘But it's hard to dance badly when you're with someone as good as Craig.'

Lisa puts her hand on my arm and lowers her voice.

You musn't take this the wrong way,' she says, ‘but just be careful. Craig's got a . . . reputation. I wouldn't want you to get hurt.'

‘Thanks,' I say. ‘But it's okay. I can look after myself.'

Lisa smiles.

She is so beautiful. If there was one girl I could go out with in the whole school it would be her.

But she would never bother with anyone like me. Not dressed like this, anyway.

I become aware that I'm staring at her.

‘Are you okay?' she says.

‘I'm fine,' I say. ‘Just a bit dizzy from the dancing.'

‘You remind me of someone,' she says, studying my face.

‘Oh really?' I say, starting to panic.

‘Yeah,' she says. ‘This boy I really like. His name is Andy.'

She's blushing. My heart is pounding. Could it be? Nah. Of course not. Could it?

‘Andy?' I say. ‘Does he have a sister called Jen?'

‘Yes!' she says. ‘How do you know that?'

‘Friends of the family,' I say.

‘Really!' she says. ‘So you know Andy?'

‘Of course,' I say. ‘He's a really cool guy.'

‘Yes,' says Lisa. ‘But he can be very immature at times.'

‘Oh!' I say. ‘He strikes me as being very mature actually. And
so
good looking!'

‘Yes,' says Lisa, sighing. ‘I was hoping he would be here tonight.'

‘Maybe he'll be here later,' I say.

I can't believe what I'm hearing! If only I wasn't dressed up like a girl I could ask her to dance. I have to get home and change before it's too late.