“Yeah, but you knew who I was then,” he laughed.
“It's okay. I'll forgive you this time,” Amber laughed and leaned into kiss him again, “Come on, they're playing another slow song. Let's dance inside this time. I need to check on Tamara.”
The dark gym with the glow in the dark shapes faded into the background when they began to dance. Forever was a word far from Amber's mind, but that's what the moment felt like. Forever in bliss, not like the agony akin to Mr. O'Bannon's math class.
“I need to use the restroom,” she said when the song ended, “I'll meet you by the refreshment table when I'm done.”
“Okay,” Joshua said and stole another kiss.
The bathroom was surprisingly empty for a school dance. Normally it was filled with girls crying, giggling, and gossiping. Not to mention complaining about how punch and soda went right through them. A single person stood washing her hands at the sink. She was too old to be a student. Amber guessed she was a parent volunteer.
“Hi, Amber,” the woman said.
Amber turned on her heels and let go of the stall door she had been pulling shut. She hadn't recognized the librarian with her hair down.
“You witch!” Amber said, “You gave me such a hard time! Half the people I know think I'm crazy and the spell didn't even work!”
“But it did work, dear,” she said.
“Um. No, it didn't.”
“Yes, it did. You should have read the warning at the top of the page. 'Magic is often known to take the path of least resistance.'”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Amber asked.
“Meaning it did just that. You used the wrong color candle, but that didn't really matter. The universe saw an opportunity to get someone noticed, which the spell was supposed to do and took it,” she explained.
“Meaning?” Amber asked.
“Basically, the spell's magic knew a Joshua liked you, but you hadn't noticed him. So it took things in that direction. You could have noticed him and hated him, but instead you noticed him and liked him,” the older woman said.
Amber was about to tell the woman she was full of it when she realized she was now standing in the middle of a crowd of girls gossiping about their dates.
“There you are, Amber,” Tamara said, “I've been looking for you everywhere.”
“We went outside for awhile,” Amber told her.
“That's cool. I know techno wasn't your thing,” Tamara said, “Doug's sort of boring. After the first dance he went off with his friends and left me hanging solo.”
“That sucks!” Amber said.
“Is your evening going better?”
“Actually it is. I've had a lot of fun,” Amber grinned.
“At least one of us has,” Tamara frowned.
“I'm sorry,” Amber said.
“Nah, it's okay. Do you want to go get something to eat before it's time to head home?” Tamara asked.
“You know I'd usually say yes, but I want to spend the rest of the evening with Joshua,” Amber said.
“What happened to sisters before misters?” Tamara asked.
“It's still that way. We'll hangout this weekend, okay?” Amber offered.