Chapter 237.

Chapter 237. The Valentine’s Day School Dance: Dance Monkey. (1/4)

When I snapped back to reality after our first slow dance, I suddenly realized there was a spotlight on us. Literally, not metaphorically. It wasn’t the one I envisioned in my head either. It was pointed at us from the bleachers on the second story of the gymnasium. Our little slow dance, intimate talk that only the two of us could hear, and kiss at the very end had been on full display for everyone. We’d put on a grand show of PDA for everyone to bear witness to.

I was embarrassed as hell when I came to that realization.

One more slow song played and Rosa didn’t let me escape.

“You said you won’t let go,” she joked.

I was trapped by my own words.

I cursed her out in my heart as she looked up at me with a cheeky grin.

“Yeah. Yeah. I won’t let go,” I grimaced, leaned forward, and stole her lips.

“Mmmhmnm~” Her tongue sneakily snuck out and slipped its way between my lips.

I had my head angled to block out the sight of the first years and glared at the person who had the spotlight on us intensely. We were positioned so very few students could see our tongues entangled together. The person in control of the spotlight sure could see it though. I couldn’t make out which busybody teacher it was, I could only discern the figure was that of a female teacher.

I definitely wouldn’t be able to zone out like the first time and forget our surroundings with a bloody spotlight on us, so I did this instead. Screw you, spotlight. I dare you to stay on us! Do you really dare show a long and passionate kiss like this to all these impressionable first-year students?

As expected, the spotlight soon turned off.

As soon as it shut off, my tensed-up body relaxed, and I tried to pull away.

I couldn’t though. While I was distracted by the spotlight nuisance, Rosa had moved her arms higher up until they were securely wrapped around my head 

She didn’t care who saw. Since I’d made the move, she was more than happy to take advantage of it and keep it going.

While stuck like this, my eyes scanned through the crowd and I noticed Alicia with her phone out pointed at us. She had no doubt recorded everything from beginning to end.

While my mind was in turmoil someone suddenly approached Alicia. Her attention was drawn away from us when she realized who it was. Jass… he’d made a move during the second song and approached her.

She shook her head vehemently from side to side. It looked like outright rejection. Jass let out a sigh with his shoulders drooped and returned to the opposite wall skirting along the edge of the gymnasium. Sadly for him, it was a crushing defeat. As for the student council president, there was no movement on his end. He appeared to be biding his time, waiting for an ideal moment to make his move.

For the entire duration of the second song, my lips were stuck together with Rosa’s, tongues intertwined. I had to listen to occasional whistles and people calling out, ‘Woo, woo, get a room you two!’

Only when the second song ended was I free and able to catch my breath. She was still glued to my right arm though, with both her arms wrapped around it.

She tilted her head up my was and bit her lip, a bit sad that only two slow songs played.

“Well, I guess we can continue when the next slow song plays,” she mumbled that to herself ominously. 

Shook, I was. 

I couldn’t seriously put up with more of this.

With the end of the second song, I scanned the surroundings and noticed Alicia with a now somewhat lonely distant expression. 

Jass approached me and complained, “Lucky bastard. Haaaaah. I got shot down again.”

“Yeah, I saw. You should really just throw in the towel and ask another girl.”

“I did. After I got shot down, I asked another girl in second year. I got to slow dance with her during the second song. She was pretty cute… but I still can’t get Alicia out of my mind. Especially the lonesome and distant expression she had during the first song while recording the two of you dancing together.”

Oh? She looked like that when recording us?

“Ah. Sorry, I’ve got to go.” Rosa, who'd been reminded of Alicia, released my arm and ran off to the other side of the gymnasium.

The DJ didn’t immediately go from a slow song to a fast upbeat song. Rather his next song of choice was a remix that shifted back and forth between two songs from the same artist. You Belong To Me and Love Story both by Taylor Swift.

A few people got back up to their feet and danced to it. Some people sang along to the lyrics looking like they were having fun.

I’d been left behind with only Jass who I was forced to chat with for a while longer.

“Man, do you have any tips at all for how I can beat the student council president?”

“Tips? Are you kidding? Isn’t the student council president just too strong? Just give up.”

“Come oooon, there’s got to be something you can think of.”

“I truly have no idea why you believe I’m the right person to ask. I know next to nothing about him. What sort of advice could I possibly give you? There’s a right person for the job, but I’m not that person. If you want a way to win, you should consult with someone who knows him best.”

“Someone who knows him best? Like who?”

“How about a girl that likes him or something?”

“What? You mean I should ask Alicia directly how I can beat the guy she likes?”

“Sure, you could do that, but why not just ask the people he’d be around the most? Someone on the student council for example. Like that girl who was at the entrance with him.”

“Oh! The girl that resembles Alicia a bit from behind?”

“Yeah. She’s probably on the student council, right?”

“Hmm… now that you mention it, I think she was the vice president.”

Oh, she was?

“Yeah. If she is then she’s perfect. You should ask her.”

“Alright, I got it. Thanks, I’ll try to find her. I think I saw her helping with the food a little while ago.” Jass started scanning the gymnasium for her.

“Well, good luck with your little competition with the student council president.” With those parting words, I ran off and headed back to the wall. When I got closer to the wall, I realized the spot I’d previously occupied had been filled. I scanned along the entire wall for an open spot only to despair. There weren’t any left.

I turned to the other walls, sadly, there were none. I looked up at the ceiling depressed when my only options left were to stand for the rest of the dance or until a spot freed up or sit down in the open area where I’d stick out like a sore thumb.

As my gaze wandered back down, my eyes abruptly stopped. The bleachers were dark and I couldn’t see anyone up there right now with the spotlight off. But for the most part, I was sure it was basically empty. I doubt students would normally be allowed up there during the dance.

However, unlike other students, I just so happened to have the ultimate trump card I could play.

I walked along the outskirts of the gymnasium and made my way to the stairs at the corner where a third-year teacher stood.

I started heading up the stairs right in front of the teacher when he suddenly called out to stop me.

“You’re not allowed to go up there during the dance.”

“Uh… sorry, I didn’t know. It’s just that I’m really not feeling well. I’ve got a chronic illness, being in such a crowded area for extended periods of time tends to make it worse.”

“Chronic… illness? Where have I heard that before? I think I remember hearing about a student with one. What year are you in?” The teacher tilted his head while trying to remember the details.

“First year. You might have heard about me. I missed a full month this semester because of my illness and weak constitution.” 

“Oh! So you’re that first year I heard about!”

I staggered on the stairs as my hand slipped off the railing. It was just part of the act.

“You aren’t looking too good.”

I clutched at my chest and let out a few exhausted pants, “Hah… Sorry. Hah… hah… I just need a bit of rest.” My acting had been flawless.

“I’ll make an exception then. You can go up and rest until you’re feeling better. If you feel better, come back down. If it gets worse again you can head back up.”

“Thank you.”

I climbed the stairs while dragging my feet and leaning all my weight on the railing.