Save a Dance for Me?

Would he really say yes? Would he mind going with a guy?

Next Friday is the Junior High formal dance and I really want to go. I've been doing my homework and getting the best grades I can. I even do all of my chores the minute I get home, and I do my best to help my mom out. That was the deal we made. I show I can be responsible, and she will let me go to the formal.

But would Mikal really say yes? Should I ask him privately?

Mikal is in seventh grade like me, but we only share homeroom class together. He's a lot smarter than me and goes to the Honor's classes. He never gets anything lower than a B+ in his classes. I can't do that. I always get a C in my chemistry class. I do try hard, but I can never understand the formulas. Mikal always gets them right. I would ask him for help, but I just get so nervous to talk to him.

My mom said I shouldn't be ashamed of that. She said it's okay to like another boy and that I'm only in seventh grade, so I have plenty of time. I do feel better but only when I'm at home. Here at school is different. Junior High has been really hard. The classes are harder and some of my classmates are super cruel. I don't ever get in fights with other kids, but I also don't want to snitch.

My mom always understands when I tell her how I feel. I thought telling her I liked another boy would be hard but telling her about the bullies was worse.

"Connor, you listen to me. Middle school is always hard. Kids are going through puberty and trying to find themselves. You just need to keep your head on straight," she would say.

I've listened to her tell me this over and over again. I keep my head on straight, and I don't cause any problems. But asking Mikal to the formal? Would that cause problems? I don't want to embarrass him. If he says yes, what will people say? Will they start bullying him? Will we get in trouble? I don't want to be embarrassed either though.

I don't know what to do.

I did write him a note asking him to the formal. Our school counselor said that being direct was the best way to show respect to others. I doubt he was talking about dates though. All seventh and eighth graders had to take a mandatory session on proper communication since we will be in high school soon. All I could think about was Mikal, who was just two rows in front of me.

Maybe I am being dramatic about this. It's a dance, that's all. I really want to go, and I know Mikal hasn't asked anybody to go with him. At least, that's what I think. Mikal has a lot of friends around him all the time and some of them don't like anybody else. I guess that means I should just give him the note.

Just drop it in his bag during homeroom. He always helps pass out papers and he won't notice.

I can't ask him in person. I don't want to be embarrassed if he says no. I'm already by the door to homeroom anyway. If I get here early enough, then nobody will notice if I drop the note in.

The bell rings on cue and I make sure to get to my desk quickly. I hate coming to class late. I don't like when everybody stares at me while I walk by. I can see Mikal walking in. It looks like he has a new backpack, and it does look nice.

Mikal's seat is right in front of mine in homeroom and our desk chairs have hooks on the back. That way we can always carry our bags. Mikal left his bag open on the back of his chair. This is my chance. Nobody is watching me, and he won't hear me drop anything.

The note is a little rough since I kept it in my hand all morning. It's quiet when I drop it in his bag.

I did it! He has my note!

Now I just need to wait for an answer. Would he give me one today? Wait, what if he gives me an answer in person? If it's bad, everybody will laugh at me! Should I take it back? How would I get it back? I can't reach back into his bag! If I get caught, I'll get in trouble!

This was a bad idea. I need to get that note back. I don't know how and I can't tell Mikal about it because then he'll open it in front of me! I don't want that.

Class started ten minutes ago. Maybe I could drop a pencil into his bag and ask if I can get it? No, that's too weird. He would grab it himself or give me a new pencil. I think I may be sick. My stomach already feels awful.

Wait, why is Mikal grabbing his bag? He already has his textbook out. No, he found the note. What do I do now?

Don't look at him. Don't look at him. Don't look at him.

I can't look at him. I don't look at him, not even when he drops the note back on my desk. He didn't even fold it back up. I do manage to pull it back before the teacher can see a note out in the open. If he sees it, he'll make me stand up and read it out loud. I think I would die of embarrassment.

The note sits on my lap, and I take my time. I read through the whole note until I get to the question. - Will you go to the formal with me?

I look at his answer.