“This is how all Harlow dances start,” he said.
Just then, four of the girls from the big troupe, dressed in their street clothes but looking like zombies, burst onto the dance floor. They had a coordinated dance routine ready and launched it. They started out by popping and locking their way into the center of the floor, looking scary, stiff and skeleton… and so slick. It was every TikTok video wrapped into one bit of amazing hip hop routine. Suddenly, they burst into four back flips. And three more girls ran on.
Dressed in red ballet leotards and see through slip shirts, the girls wore devil horns, had evil make up and even all seemed to wear scary contact lenses. They leaped onto the dance floor. Two of the girl did pirouettes while the girl in the middle did leaps and kicked her leg high in the air all to the amazing beats backing her up. Emily had never seen ballet like that before. All three girls moved around in a coordinated circle on pointe, using their arms to throw shaped to the music. Da da da da da dum. Da da da da da dum…
Next up was an Indian dance crew. There were four of them in saris. Their tunics were black and orange, Emily had never seen full Indian get up before. The girls had their faces painted as sugar skulls. The girls came on the floor and did some traditional moves from the Thriller music video and then busted into some Bollywood style moves. Bobbling their heads in ways Emily didn’t think was possible, it all felt so stylish.
Lastly tap dancers came on, dressed in tight, full body leopards that were completely white. They wore long, white wigs and their faces were painted as ghosts. They tapped their way on in a line doing coordinated kicks that were so high it appeared they might throw themselves backwards. Emily had always thought tap dancing sounded cool but looked silly, recalling talent nights at Edison. But these girls were not only cool as could be, their tight lycra outfits were extremely sexy and all the guys burst out in a hoot.
When the tap dancers finished, all the girls came out together and in one last push to entertain the crowd that was already going wild, did an enormous group routine full with basket throws, forward flips, backflips and splits leaps. People were hooting and whistling and shouting from around them.
The song ended, and the crowd around the dance floor erupted. Whoops and clapping filled the gym.
The DJ came on over the speakers.
“Give it up for Hip Hop, Ballet, Indian and Tap! Thriller was the perfect song for that… Make some noise if you know what I’m talkin’ about!”
The crowd threw up a mental roar. It was off the charts. Emily was in total awe.
“Don’t forget to cast your vote for your favourite dance routine before you leave. We will announce the winner at Assembly on Monday. Now let’s get craaaaazyyyyyy….” the DJ boomed and students rushed the dance floor, ready to party.
Pierce turned to Emily.
“Welcome to Harlow, where perfect is normal,” he said.
“I hope you don’t expect that from me,” she said, shaking her head, smiling.
“I was about to say the same thing. I’m a two stepper, Em. Let’s just have fun,” he looked at her with flirty eyes, “I’ve been waiting for this ever since you said yes.”
He pulled her out onto the dance floor and threw his arms in the air, moving his body from side to side. He was a two stepper, yes, but a good one. The boy had rhythm and a little shoulder twist he did on every beat that made him irresistibly cute.
Emily looked into his eyes and she could see that he liked her. Pierce never hid his affection. She loved that about him.
They danced about three songs, when Pierce announced he needed the bathroom and Emily wandered over to the bleachers to have a seat. On her way, she enjoyed the sight of all sorts of costumes, from sexy Tinkerbells to an enormous killer whale. Anything went, and every costume was expertly executed.
Emily felt thankful in that moment that Pierce went with her simple idea. Apart from some fake blood and sacrificing a white flouncy top by ripping it, Emily had had almost everything she had had needed to be a killer Jill.
“Nice costume,” someone said as they sat down next too Emily.
It was Xander. He looked absolutely incredible. He was dressed as Elvis in a sparkly jumpsuit with his chest hanging out a bit. Emily had never noticed that he had nice pecs.
“Wow… mine is ok, but yours is totally… wow, Xander,” she said.
He sat down next to her.
“Yeah it’s a bit OTT but you know, go big or go home, right? You look like you’re having a good time,” he said, trying not to sound scorned.
Emily didn’t take notice.
“Yeah. That dance battle at the beginning?! That’s one way to kick off a party,” she said, avoiding the obvious question which was whether she was enjoying her time with Pierce.
“So, did you come with someone,” she continued, “You never told me if you were coming or not but obviously you planned on it…”
She ran a pointed finger up and down his costume.
“Believe it or not, I already had this. My Mom mailed it to me overnight,” he said.
“You had THAT outfit? Just hanging around your closet?”
“Yeah… I know it sounds stupid but there was a going away party before I left Singapore. Dress up. Dead celebrities party. Anyway, I wasn’t going to come but then Julia asked me,” Xander said, “So, you know… thought I’d say yes and check it out.”
Emily was surprised that someone asked him. Not that he wasn’t cute. Or dateable. He was. It was just…
“You mean Julia as in the amazing singer Julia? Lives in Langley?”
“Yeah, totally weird. Out of the blue.”
Emily tried to mask her feelings. Julia was super pretty… She wasn’t sure what to call the fluttery thing that was going on inside her but she felt funny. Was it jealousy?
She had to play it laid back.
“Cool, that’s a surprise. Hope you guys have fun,” she said.
“Yeah, I’m actually mostly just hanging out with guys from the dorm. Maybe save me a dance,” he said, half asking.
“Sure,” she replied, but she wasn’t sure what the etiquette was on these things.
Suddenly Pierce returned.
“Hey,” he nodded to Xander.
“Hey,” he said back, “Have fun guys.”
Xander walked off, his incredible sparkle suit glinting in the lights.
The evening passed like the content of a dream. Emily floated through the evening, being the center of attention for the magnetic Pierce and by the time the final slow songs came on, her face ached with delight.
He gathered Emily up and ushered her to the dance floor. The pair aligned into a slow sway. The song “Two Become One” sang over the speakers. Emily had always found the song corny in the past but now, it could be their song. So she learned to love it in an instant.
Pierce looked down and saw Emily’s head lying on his chest. He lifted her chin so he could look in her eyes.
She looked into his dark, brown mesmerizing disks with her chin still in his hand.
“It’s been a great night, Little One,” he said.
“Yeah. Amazing…” she said.
“I was thinking. Why don’t I come over to your dorm tonight,” he asked.
Emily tried not to stop swaying. What was he asking? Break the rules? Have a “private, unmonitored physical encounter” which she still remembered was totally not allowed per the student manual?
She didn’t feel right. She thought up the perfect excuse.
“Pierce, my room is literally attached to Georgia’s. She would totally know,” said Emily.
“Em, Georgia is a field hockey girl. Those girls always drink at these dances… I saw her wobbling by the bathrooms an hour ago. She’ll be passed out tonight for sure,” he said.
Georgia drinking? Hm. Emily did think it sounded like the rebellion she was always seeking.
Emily wasn’t sure. No. She WAS sure. Getting caught sneaking in and out of dorms was an offence punished by expulsion. It
really wasn’t a good idea. She wanted him to kiss her again. She wanted to be alone with him even. But she didn’t want the risk.
Pierce continued, all the while staring into her eyes.
“Em, it’s been such a special night. I just don’t want it to end. I just can’t wait until tomorrow to see you again.”
She wanted to see him, too. She didn’t want the night to end and to wake up in her old tattered rags like some Cinderella. She wanted this to be the day that she slipped on the glass slipper, the first day of the rest of her life.
“Ok.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
PIERCE SAID HE would be at the side door entrance to Graves at 11:55pm. Just shy of an hour after getting back from the dance. Emily hurried herself, appearing to get ready for bed, cleaning her room and feeling worried sick.
Why did she say yes? Did she really want this? Yes, of course she did. She was totally falling for the guy. She didn’t want him to think she was lame. She didn’t want him to think she didn’t like him. Yes. Of course… well, it was too late now.
The girls in Graves didn’t seem to settle. Everyone was buzzing after the awesome night and two of dance battle girls were in her dorm so the other girls chirped and gathered around to ask about the battle and congratulate. Some girls grabbed some instant noodles or toast. It seemed like the dorm would not go quiet before Pierce was due to appear. What was he going to do? Just wink his way through the crowd of girls?
At 11:15pm Emily texted Pierce.
You know I really want to see you. But the girls are literally all awake.
Pierce texted back.
Wait for it. Mrs F will come out any minute and tell people off.
He was right. In fact, he was so right that Emily jumped out of her skin when she almost immediately heard Mrs. Fernandez shouting from the first floor for the girls to calm down. She texted him again.
E: You were right.
P: I know. Same thing happens in every dorm. Dorm parents can’t last til 11:30. Swear they come home from these things, down a glass of wine and they’re done!
E: That’s funny. See you soon. Xoxo
P: Can’t wait. Literally miss you already.
Georgia had gone straight into her room having hardly said goodnight as soon as they all checked in at 10:45. She seemed off. Pierce must have been right about the drinking. She had walked right past Emily, who had been suspiciously cleaning her room, mumbled “Night,” and Emily had heard a plop onto her bed seconds later.
Emily had snuck in to Georgia’s room, took her shoes off and tucked her up the best she could. Even passed out and drunk Georgia was one of the prettiest girls Emily had ever seen.
Emily tiptoed back into her own room, closed Georgia’s bedroom door behind her and went to wait on her bed.
The clock made the slowest countdown in the world. Emily swore she could hear her digital clock ticking. She second guessed her decision to let Pierce in.
“What am I doing? Risking getting kicked out of Harlow? The best thing that’s ever happened to me?”
But the pull of love and raging hormones was just too strong.
At 11:54 Emily snuck down the stairwell and at 11:55 on the dot, she slowly pushed open the heavy fire door on the side of the building. There was Pierce. Frigid air rush in and on to Emily’s bare legs. She wore her cutest pyjamas, a retro “Friends” tank top with matching shorts. The October dampness gave Emily goosebumps, but it didn’t last long. Pierce slinked through the crack she had made and grabbed the door from Emily, knowing he stood a better chance of closing the weight quietly.
Emily lead and made sure the coast was clear on each level before gesturing Pierce up. The dorm was dim lit, quiet, still. They finally reached Emily’s door, after what felt like the journey to the top of Everest and she let him in, closing the door behind her.
Emily had her Harlow desk lamp on and a pink Himalayan salt lamp that Georgia had given her for her birthday. The room looked ready for romance.
Pierce took Emily’s hand as soon as the door was closed and pulled her toward him, still standing in the doorway. He reached with his other hand and locked the door.
Next thing she knew, Pierce gently held Emily’s head in his hands and pulled her in for a kiss. This kiss was nothing like the delicate one they shared on the Graves Square lawn. Wetter, urgent, wanting. His breath smelled of alcohol. Pierce’s tongue ran circles around her own and his breath came out of his nose in manic brief hums.
Emily’s heart raced.
He pulled her over to the bed and laid her down deliberately, delicately. As her body hit the bed, it was as if she had had been plunged into an ice pool. Every nerve she possessed seemed to go rigid and panicked. She felt a combination of desire and fear that she had never felt before. She kept hearing things… she swore someone was out in the hall.
Pierce was gorgeous. So sexy.. but Emily just couldn’t relax.
Pierce laid next to her and took off her shirt. She didn’t usually wear a bra to bed but today she had one on. Everything was moving so quickly.
He reached around to unclasp her bra, and Emily grabbed his arm.
“Pierce, I have to say that this is my first time with a boy… like this. I mean, I don’t want to have sex. Not yet anyway. I’m… you know…”
“Still a virgin?”
“Well, yeah, I mean, aren’t most preps?”
He slowed his pace but didn’t let go of her bra clasp. He looked her in the eyes and then took his nose and gave her an Eskimo kiss. She felt his tenderness, but he said nothing more.
Just then, she felt her bra unclasp and slip off. Pierce kissed her eagerly and her heart told her it was all moving too fast. Emily was confused, she wanted Pierce; she felt she was even falling in love with him but it was all so soon. She hardly even knew how to kiss.
“Pierce. I really just don’t feel ready for this…”
But she didn’t have time say anymore. The next thing she knew her clothes were off.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“YOU HAD SEX?!”
Grace whisper-shouted on the video call.
Emily just shook her head and bit her lip.
Emily had always imagined that losing her virginity would be to a guy she loved. And that part was true. She knew she had totally fallen for Pierce. She probably felt something like love for him since day one. Not that she was entirely sure what love was.
But the whole deed lacked the romance that she had hoped for. The romance that made her feel special. In fact, it was all over practically before it began. Looking back on last night she struggled to believe it ever happened. She hadn’t wanted it to happen. Not this soon in her time knowing Pierce, so soon in her Harlow years.
What made things stranger was that the only person she could possibly tell was Grace. And she had just gotten back from church when she and Emily connected that Sunday morning. Awkward.
“Grace, I don’t even know how it all happened. It all went down so quickly. It wasn’t my intention.”
Grace was stunned. Emily continued.
“I mean, it was an amazing night. I guess it sort of felt right… well, it didn’t feel right. I mean, it kind of hurt.”
“Em, I’m literally lost for words. I can’t believe you aren’t a virgin anymore.”
Emily had been awake all night. She had felt ashamed about it all. It was so uneventful afterward. It lasted less than a few minutes and Pierce pretty much immediately got dressed and said he’d better not stay too long. Which was true. But still…
Emily told herself all night long that she had gained something. She had gained his trust. His love. They had bonded.
But when Grace said those words, that she was no longer a virgin, she immediately shifted her perspective. She had lost something.
“So do you love each other?”
Emily didn’t know how Pierce felt.
“He seems to really, really like me. I’m definitely falling. I mean, of course, I’m pretty sure I’m in lo
ve with him.”
“Wow,” was all Grace could say.
“Do you think I shouldn’t have?”
“No. I mean, well, I’m just surprised. When we’ve talked about it before it just seemed it would be at least with a boyfriend.”
That hurt. She knew Grace hadn’t meant to make her feel bad, but it was true that Pierce was not Emily’s boyfriend. He had not told her he loved her. He had not listened to her hesitation. He had not yet texted this morning.
“Yeah, I’m feeling kind of weird about it now. Guess I’ll see how it all is at cycle club. If he comes. Mr. James changed it to 10:30. Maybe I’ll see him there.”
Grace didn’t feel so positively about Pierce. She wondered why he hadn’t already texted Emily this morning. She justified that maybe he was still sleeping and didn’t want to make Emily feel badly by mentioning it.
“Em, it’s all good. I mean, it’s just sex, right? I’m glad you told me. I know that sounds weird but… it’s, you know… makes me feel like we’re still close.”
“Yeah, thanks for listening. I can’t tell anyone here… obviously…. But it’s a pretty big thing to keep to yourself.”
“Well whatever happens, Em, I’ve got your back. Remember, I know you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
EMILY ROLLED UP to cycle club dressed warmly for the chilly October air. It wouldn’t be much longer and the Club would struggle to get out. Emily had heard that winters in New Hampshire were just as sharp, if not worse than Minnesota. Noreaster storms were what people called them and some older girls in her dorm said it was so cold that the water in your skin could freeze.
Emily felt the burning air fill her lungs. They felt icy, and brittle.
Mr. James made small talk with her while a few of them waited to see what students would show up.
“Did you go to the dance last night?” he asked.
The End Defines the Beginning : A Boarding School Coming of Age (Harlow Academy Series Book 1) Page 13
