getting in the grove

"I always wanted a real date, you know, not..well.." Henry was practically winking when he was talking so much about the dance. Now they were here and just standing, as if there was no place to go.

Derrick could have listened to him talk more. They'd had a nice dinner out. Just the two of them. No massive table with mixed up tickets. Maybe Derrick missed it, but not really.

Henry said he always did that. Their was the group dinner before (which usually meant Henry and a dozen girls) and usually IHOP afterwards. So they opted for a real dinner at a sushi place in the city. Of course, they met some old Asian ladies who wanted to karaoke with them. And they did. So they shouldn't have any fear of dancing at the dance, but he could see Henry was a bit timid. Yet full of laughter too.

Derrick watched Max and Daisy dance close. Finally he saw Josie with Topher, but he didn't make a point of actually greeting them. Just a slight wave. Then he noticed Ian. Of course, he was with Lola. It was hard to say if they were more than friends. Still Derrick chose to avoid him as if an icy wall was between them now.

"So?" Derrick finally took Henry's hand. A fast mix of some sort came on. It sounded almost like an eighties tune. Maybe it was best to get in with the crowd and just dance. And Henry danced. Actually, Derrick thought he lost him a time or two. Henry was all over the dance floor. It was kind of surprise, but it made Derrick laugh. He was really happy. When the slow music started, they danced close.

Of course, Derrick realized Henry was taller. It was time to face the fact he'd always be the shrimp that he was. But he didn't seem to care. Henry's smile was infectious, and finally he honestly felt as if his life might be on track. Maybe he was growing up, after all.