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<10/29/2011 - 19:35 | 77 Cloverleaf Trail, Dahlonega, GA, USA>
As I got closer to the entrance, I noticed the two teachers conducting their jobs with their personal commentary. One boy entered the building, before which, Ms. Dang told him to have a good time.
"Have a good time."
Then, Ashly went in ahead of me. She was only wearing a pumpkin theme t-shirt instead of a costume, but was complimented for it anyway. "Have a good time, and nice costume."
Eventually, it was my turn. The only reason they were out here was to make sure anyone who entered wasn't wearing anything too revealing according to their own policies. But when Ms. Dang got a good look at me, I could see the color drain from her face while her brain struggled to keep up.
"Ha— Have a good time?"
Ms. Quaker stood beside her as well, though she was more shocked than her chaperone partner, since she's never seen my feminine side for one single moment. She quickly exchanged worrisome glances between me and Ms. Dang, though Ms. Dang didn't object to my interesting choice of attire. If I weren't so worried myself about their ability to ban me from using their massive dancing room, I would have been laughing too hard myself. Instead, I waited until I was inside to let it out naturally.
I still didn't know entirely what to expect from this, but my good mood made it easy for me to mentally adapt to the situation. The presentation room, dance room, or whatever the staff wanted to call this place invited all of us in. The place was quite roomy, and all the chairs were folded neatly against the walls to give us more space. This is what the room looked like, before the assets were added.
[https://i.postimg.cc/4xSJHrkw/Washega-4.jpg]
I've been in here before for other reasons, so this is the mental image I had for now. For the preparation of the dance however, they shuttered the blinds and redecorated the room, after adding two massive speakers in the front pedestal, while hanging a disco ball from the center top of the room. The available light in here was easily enough for me to work with, but between the warm-up music and the spinning lights, I was instantly mesmerized and tempted to stay here for fun if it were to be for eternity!
Some part of me still resisted the dance beats at first, likely due to the fact that the current music playing was still just warm-up, on top of the dozens of students not engaged in dancing either; they too were waiting. I think everybody was simply trying to sink in, letting the moment draw closer when the actual party starts.
In order to pass the time a bit, I took Ashly's advice and started greeting many of the other boys and girls coming in, complimenting their costumes as they were amazed by my own. Some of them didn't even realize I was a boy until they heard my physical voice, since it was too weak and low to imitate a female. Lumina just waited in the background, laughing quietly to herself the entire time.
It didn't take long for Ashly to come on by, after seeing Zero and the others giving me thumbs up with wide grins. "There's no way! You're all trying to make me look dumb!" One of Ashly's friends, accompanied by Ashly and two other strangers couldn't take her eyes off me, trying to settle some kind of bet.
"You're about to owe me ten. Reed, was it? Are you really a boy dressed as a girl? Blame her if we're wrong." She clearly didn't want to insinuate anything that wasn't true, in fear of being rude, but the girl was pointing at Ashly, breathing light into this sudden situation.
I knew what was going on quick enough, and let a smile cross me as I replied, "Some of you wish I was a girl. I'm totally male though." As I answered, I saw the funniest expression of shock in her face. I and Ashly couldn't hold back our laughter anymore, and I heard Lumina joining in as well.
"No! That's not right!" She wasn't angry, just confused and flabbergasted that she made a bet on my gender only to get it wrong. Her denial only made it funnier for the rest of us.
I kind of felt like it was a compliment. For whatever reason, the flattery meant more to me when I was being called cute or pretty rather than charming and handsome. Lumina was simply having the time of her life, judging and observing countless expected appropriations shatter into pieces like it did a second ago for this stranger, who was blushing while panicking. Students don't really know how to react when they see a cross-dresser, and I don't blame them, since it's so rare.
If my parents knew what I was up to, they'd burn me alive in motor oil so to speak. Out here, I don't have to worry about it. The reminder allowed me to feel the moments of our heightened mood, as I gradually eased my way into some easy dance moves, just enough to bob or sway to the groove. I wasn't ready to let it all out just yet.
"Look at that! How can he walk in heels better than me in just one day?!"
"Forget walking! That man is dancing in those shoes!"
I laughed once more, flashing the most beautiful smile of happiness on my face. My excitement finally stuck with me, making me prance stronger with more confidence. I could hear their cheers from a slight distance, and I took their words as a compliment as well. I didn't realize that moving in high heels was supposed to be such a tough challenge for everybody else. I only struggled for the first few minutes until realizing the trick to putting my balance deeper into my toes for frontal feet. Ever since I stepped foot in here, I haven't had a single close call tripping or falling down in these shoes; I guess I adapted to them rather quickly, making a few people jealous.
After a few minutes, before the music's main change, I was due for a good drink of water. I had to remind myself to stay hydrated enough, so that the connection can remain strong, and also so that I don't dehydrate to the point of passing out. I was going to need plenty of energy for what would come next.
Interestingly enough, while I took my very short break at the drink table, I had approached it from the other side, with Zero and Mikaela facing away from me. As I turned around taking my time with the water consumption, I started to overhear their conversation, which was about me. With my own back turned, they wouldn't immediately realize I was standing right behind them, though I didn't let on that I could hear them talking either, too curious of what they had to say.
"And you say he's your friend?"
"Well... He's kind of unique." Zero wasn't sure how to rate me with Mikaela's question, and she sounded slightly awkward.
"That's selling it a bit short." Mikaela only mentioned as much since I was more unique than ever in tonight's attire.
"I wouldn't say he's a complete friend in any way. I mean, we could be, but we don't know each other or hang out that well. He's not that way with Banarus, Laura, or Ashly either... I guess he doesn't really have a lot of friends now that I think about it. We're all more like acquaintances."
Sad as I am to hear what I already knew, I'm amazed Zero realizes the same thing I did a while ago.
"Oh... Well, at least he's having a lot of fun, wherever he is."
"Yeah... I wonder where this Lumina girl is though."
Should I worry? No, Zero knows as much as everyone else. They're just talking.
"They'll find out you're lingering if you stay too long."
I had to ignore Lumian's warning, since I didn't care if the two of them found out I was eavesdropping. After all, they're talking about us, so that makes it our business.
"Who?"
"He said something about coming here with his girlfriend."
"Ah, so he really isn't gay?" Coming to that conclusion confidently, Mikaela's lighthearted joke got Zero chuckling briefly.
"No. But I don't know any other guy like him, do you? That's why I want to meet this Lumina, so I could ask her if she's into feminine men."
"What's her full name?"
"He never let that slip," Zero detailed with minor defeat. "It's just Lumina, and apparently, she isn't from our school. Despite that, he supposedly snuck her in here, and I would like to know who it is."
"That sounds too crazy to be true. Maybe it's just a joke and he's messing with you."
Zero was about to ask why I would do something like that, but before she could, her phone vibrated in her pocket, distracting her from the statement. I decided to take that moment and walk away safely. I managed not to get caught hearing their conversation, but the topic reminded me about some of the concerns I had before coming here. I was lucky to have Lumina to keep my mood in check.
"It's okay Reed. They're never going to discover that secret."
I wanted to tell Lumina that on some level, this fact is what bothered me the most. I was split between the desire to tell them all I knew about Lumina, and the devastating damage it would do when they react in exactly the way I expect them to. They would never believe me, and as a result, would ostracize me from their group of acquaintances forever. I want to have more friends, but if I reveal the truth to them, I'll never be able to keep them as friends. At the same time, if I don't reveal the truth to them, how could I ever be real enough to be a true friend to them?
I didn't tell Lumina anything though. It was easier for me to push the thoughts to the back, and refresh myself with the thought of dancing the night away. When the new, faster, more upbeat song came on, I couldn't resist trying to groove harder. At the same time, most of everyone in the room gathered all around and in front of me to dance as well, all of us trying to perform some collective moves associated with this beat.
As the music got faster, so did our bodies synchronize to the dancing. Before long, even Zero and Mikaela were rocking on the dance floor with us. It took only seconds for my mind and body to start getting lost in the fast-pace dancing, providing myself and Lumina with an incredible demonstration of fun. I for one never realized how much fun I could have dancing, despite knowing I wasn't too skilled at it yet. While my thoughts synchronized with the music, my body started moving on its own, and I let out movements and hidden dance skills I never thought I had. Since I was totally dressed up as a girl, I tried to move like one too, jumping up and down on alternating legs with wide heel lifts and the shifting boogie of my arms switching up and down. For the first time in my life, I started laughing purely out of enjoyment, as the cycle continued to run deeper.
The music from "Heaven" by DJ Sammy blasted through the magical building, truly delivering people to a heavenly state. As much fun as I was having, other students quickly got into a similar spirit after all their previous mundane concerns were melted away by my fashionable brilliance! Actually, they were just laughing at me, but it lifted the energy of everyone inside. In some complicated manner, my appearance and stunts put a majority of the classes in stellar moods, independent of my own happiness.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Because of this, my visual excitement was shared among many others, as some of the girls got closer to me while dancing to congratulate me or encourage me to move with more energy than I was doing. I realized soon enough that there was only one person missing from the fun. "Come on Lumina! Shake that tush and bedazzle your sisters!"
"I'm good. I'm enjoying just watching this moment."
"Move with me Lumina! Come on! Left, right, left right! Spin! Move!" I did my best to encourage her in the background as I continued to dominate my own space. I wanted Lumina to dance with me, to match my energy, to give into this insatiable desire to move to the music.
"I don't know how!"
"Neither do I, but look at me go!" I did have some reference on how to dance from some movies and scenes, but overall, I was making up whatever I could on the go. I knew that some of the laughter directed at me wasn't from the dress-up, bur from how cringy I must have looked dancing. Were this any other situation, this would have killed me from embarrassment, but I didn't care now. I was too excited to stop or give up, more so now as I knew I could convince Lumina to join me! "Dance!"
"No."
"I said dance!" There was still some delay, but my firm attitude on the matter got Lumina moving her body at last. It took her a few seconds to link her movements with mine. It also helped that my overwhelming excitement flooded into her from my side of telepathy, for she started enjoying herself in the same way I was in mere seconds.
As we continued dancing on and on, it became too easy to feel lost in the trance of our hearts and minds, so this dance continued for a couple of minutes more, matching the duration of the song...
Eventually, both of us had to break off for a short pause, since the music changed. The pace of the song remained, but the sensations in the music altered our flow for the beginning. This song wasn't as well known, so many of us struggled to find our own fitting grove, including myself. I did however stick some moves down, leaning longer on my transitions, while passively observing others to see if I could barrow some of their moves soon. Dutch Force made this beat, "Deadline".
After the group of us started catching up again, we threw in some transitionary stomps and claps to make ourselves proudly heard. I decided to lose myself in my own wonderful mind, twisting and switching left and right while I thought back on every memory I had ever made between myself and Lumina. All of the struggles I endured only made me stronger, and my body was somehow able to express this with my unofficial, yet certain dance moves.
At the same time, thanks to the instrumental masterpiece of the song, the other half of my allocated thoughts focused on the speckled light coming off the disco ball as it illuminated all of us. I felt like I was being totally seen, totally vulnerable for the world to observe, as the electronic keys represented their own alternating stage lights into my essence.
For the length of this song, I lengthened and replicated this trance within me, just as I felt Lumina doing the same. She was stuck in her main room, dancing alongside me worry free of what Junko may see. I couldn't be more proud of her now; Lumina learned to let herself relax and party at the same time, just as I knew we both could. The worry free atmosphere of our moment allowed our fun to drag out forever. I didn't stop dancing for a single second, even though I had to invent some new (probably embarrassing) dance skills to keep up. If only I could control the sound now, I'd set this song on repeat for as long as I wanted to, so that my mind, body, and soul could dance to infinity.
Instead, the great song that was - came to an end. It would be a few seconds before the next one would start. At last, some amount of personal exhaustion started to show in all of us. I was breathing heavier, sweating unfortunately from my arms into the outfit. I knew I would be fine with the deodorant I used on myself already. Despite my current exhaustion, I wasn't ready to give or up stop yet. Nothing would take this moment away from me.
Then next, one of our favorite songs came up,Sax by Fleur East. I loved this song both because of how retro it sounded and how perfect the tempo was for maximum energy movements. As soon as this song started, I resumed where I left off, giving my yins and yangs more emphasis and juice than ever before. My instant liftoff only encouraged the others around me to give it their all in this moment too, though I wasn't sure who was copying who.
Come on everybody!
With perfectly timed claps, stomps, and dips, the hundreds of us really got into the music, including Lumina. It's why I love this song so much; it's transparent enough to match its energy without effort. Before long, all of us started to synchronize together again, even though many of my moves were personal and independent. I was practically jumping left and right with hip sways and incredible twists of my heels. My arms and hands started waving like flags on their own, and my occasional spins would land perfectly despite the new shoes.
I then got myself a bit lower, shaking my booty up, down, and every which way. Without stopping, I continued my new moves, despite realizing that several of the others behind me dropped out of the dance in a laughing fit from my daring performance boost. It's time to get all in on this action!
Do the dance! Show your moves!
To any and all, power this song and turn up the beats! I can make some real magic with these tunes. At the half point of the song, I gestured some of the lyrics in body language at the same time, and finally got a small following really close around me. Our contagious energy became the light of the show, the beat of the bop, the cream of the crop!
Go! Go!
As I lost myself evermore into the music, Lumina also broke free from her constraints, moving with the same energy and effort as the rest of us. Once we got this far into it, there was no stopping us at all, ever! In an all ascending surge of grand happiness, Lumina and I synchronized on an emotional and physical level without realizing it, causing our own sensations to amplify further.
Without having to think, I let my body move like it never moved before, which was enough to attain instant applause without breaking the groove. Again and again, I maximized my new moves in ways my body would normally never handle. All exhaustion was ignored, all worries were imprisoned. I've never known until now, but there's nothing more fun than dancing! Meditate this moment, repeat and infinity...
Though I stuck the final landing, the song was over before I knew it, which brought me back to reality. All of the fatigue I built up hit me abruptly, but I didn't want to stop. I wasn't too thrilled that the song was over already. The next song that came on was a bit slower, probably as a soft cool down. It was then I realized, I would have danced until I dropped if the song did not end when it did.
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> Chapter Theme Music Shift: Electric Avenue ~ Eddy Grant
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Lumina laughed in such a manner I've never heard before, melting some of my concentration away. "That was more fun that I thought it would be."
"Told ya so." I feigned part of my confidence to her, since I also wasn't expecting that much from myself. Tried as I was, I knew I could spare ten times more for the rest of the night. I'd break a sweat, but I'd have fun doing it. I can't believe dancing was this much fun! I'll have to look into it more often.
"Where did you learn to dance like that? That was awesome!"
"I didn't. I mean, I had to improvise."
"Ah, that explains why everyone is staring at you."
I didn't notice until after she did, but my eyes confirmed that more than half the people in the room were curiously studying me, even though I was leaving the dance floor for another drink of water and a small break. Was my dancing really that off key? They can't still be interested in the dress thing; I mean, that's already old news by now. "I hope my moves weren't too embarrassing."
"It's a bit late to worry about that now, dance man. But that was too much fun to care about it. Reed?"
"Hm?"
"Let's have fun all night!"
I nodded with the biggest blushing smile. I was proud of myself for proving capable of throwing Lumina into party mode, especially considering I've never once been to a party in all my life. I was already having the time of my life just on my side. Knowing Lumina was now enjoy this as much as me doubled my sensational intensity, since the satisfaction of her happiness encouraged me much more.
As various more songs cycled through, Lumina and I matched our moves again, and we danced on and on for hours. It was too easy and fun getting lost in the party. Despite how bad I was at exercising due to the asthma, I didn't let it bother me for this wonderful moment. So, I wasn't letting up an inch even after many hours passed. The cold chill outdoors stayed outdoors, out of sight and mind while the connection continued to get stronger than average.
I just don't know how else to explain or express how happy I was by now. I've never been this excited before, nor has my mood ever been this heightened. It's the type of feeling that can change a person, seeing a side for themself they would never dare leave behind again. I vowed to myself that I would take up dancing for fun after tonight; I would – could in a dress, I will – shall bring the finesse!
Long after I thought this moment would never end, the DJ abruptly shut off the music, bringing silence into the building, among some confusion. It didn't take long to realize what this was about, but I was still too much in denial to wonder why the hell they would shut off the music.
There to announce what was going on, Ms. Dang stood next to the DJ where the single microphone was, activating it with her hands on her hips. "Alright everyone. That's it for tonight. It's getting late, so it's time to head back to the cabins."
"Wow! It's already eleven-thirty!" I blurted the obvious out after letting my eyes read the wall clock mounted aside.
"Yeah, you had a lot of fun being a girl tonight."
I turned around, seeing Banarus address my surprise for how much time passed. I was slightly delayed by the amazing perception that time just flew by because of the unspeakable fun I've had. I also had to account for a change in the atmosphere around me that I only now noticed. It didn't affect every single person in the room, but many were dragging their legs behind them as they walked, while others had slight bags under their eyes. Even Banarus couldn't totally hide her personal exhaustion. "I had fun dancing." I corrected her for both our sakes. I walked into here thinking I was going to have so much fun because of the cross-dressing, but I couldn't have been more wrong. I just wanted to have fun and make everybody happy, no matter what it took. Judging by Lumina's overpowering mood melting into my own, I'd say I accomplished that goal.
"I'm more surprised you never lost your balance in those high heels. Kind of suspicious."
"Eh, beginners luck." I had to gloat a little to her. Banarus might be jealous that I rocked these high heels, but she should be more jealous of how awesome tonight was for us. I mean, wow!
"Your school should have these way more often Reed. I think that was the most fun I've ever had in my life!"
"The night's not over yet." It may be eleven-thirty, but I'm doing quite well for myself on energy. I really could have danced forever back there. Even though most of the others are all partied out, I'm still wide awake, perhaps more awake than ever before.
More to that, our shared emotions made so intimate tethered Lumina and I closer together. Sharing our personal happiness and excitement together like this was proof to us both how much fun we could have with each other, together. For some reason, this made our feelings worth more to each other and to ourselves, plus the reminder of how real this was compared to anything else. It also made the connection stronger, for whatever reason. Even though I had to start walking through the exit with the others, my feelings and energy stood an invincible vice against the lingering threat of the night's approaching end.
In my own drunken walk, Zero and Mikaela stopped me before I went too far. "You do realize that you can't actually come back with us to the girl's cabin, right?"
"Huh? No, of course I knew that." As much as I meant what I said, I didn't realize that I started walking a little too close to the connecting bridge leading to the girl's side of the field. My body was simply following them while my mind was so far above this world. "But..." Now that she brought it up, I do have to address one more detail to Zero. "When exactly do you want this dress back? I can give it back to you Monday after washing it if it's easier." Note to self: wash dress without parents seeing it.
"Sure, that will work."
"Were you zoning out enough to walk over to the girl's cabin?"
"No Lumina. I mean, I did zone out and follow them for a bit. Look, I don't really have any other friends. It won't happen again."
"Be sure it doesn't."
"Okay. We'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah..." I took my leave of them, though it felt awkward since I struggled to keep my mind out of the most enjoyable moment I was having earlier.
"What was that about?"
"Sorry. I'm kind of distracted with my thoughts."
"Regarding?"
"Regarding you, silly." Dancing wasn't the only thing on my mind. Lumina is everywhere I think or look, a peak of romance deep inside, finally unleashed for this ultimate moment. They're sending us all back to our cabins on order to sleep, but I know I'm not going to be able to sleep yet. Tonight isn't over until I say so.
"Awh! I love thinking about you too." Lumina wasn't just saying that to fill words. That fuzzy romantic feeling emanating throughout my body fluctuated up and down quickly and constantly; I could tell this sensation was being traded and swapping around too, so I knew she felt the same way about me as I did for her in the same moment.
Knowing this - brings about something greater, a special certainty, an immersion too real to ignore. Lumina and I love each other. That truth has stronger value now that I'm sure, stronger intensity when our most intimate feelings are beamed between the connection of telepathy, and it's the most overpowering, intoxicating feeling I've ever experienced.