Salem's Sight by Eden Elgabri Page A

And
you loved that necklace when you were a kid. You used to always ask
her to wear it.”
    “ Maybe being here made me
think of it,” I said wondering if Grandma just wanted it to be worn
again. Mom was right; it was perfect for the outfit.
    Holding it in my hand, I ran my thumb
over the cameo. I closed my eyes and just felt the piece of jewelry
in my hand. A flood of ease washed over me leaving me more relaxed
and comfortable than I had been in months.
    Since, well, you know when.
    “ Turn around and let me put
it on you.” My mother took the necklace from me and brought it to
my throat.
    I lifted my hair and felt it fall
against my skin after she clasped it. My neck tingled as if it had
been shocked and I felt a surge of energy run through my body. Hey
Grandma, ready to rock the night away?
    I smiled secure that I wasn’t going to
be alone. The necklace, like a talisman, would protect
me.
    ****
     
    Amazing how the ear shattering sounds
of a local DJ could actually erase the sweaty feet smell of the
gym. Add a silver disco ball to subdued lighting and my pulse
pounded in time with the music, excitement heightened as I looked
diligently for the perfect dance partner.
    I spotted Robby the second he entered
the room then actively avoided him until we could accidentally run
into each other, so I could pretend I hadn’t known he was there all
along. Stupid, I know, but it’s not like I’d let him know I was
scoping him out, even though I was. So I looked anywhere except
where Robby happened to be.
    And trust me, doing this for an
extended amount of time could be considered an amazing skill. I
quickly scanned the room again.
    Guys hung out talking, or attaching
themselves to whichever girl they were momentarily considering
their personal property.
    Single girls danced with their other
dateless friends like I had with Berkley, flaunting assets in an
attempt to draw the attention of the guys who came stag.
    I clutched at my cameo invoking the
powers that be to get through this ritual.
    Okay, I shouldn’t have been so nervous
- it wasn’t like it was my first dance ever. But it was my first
dance here in Rhode Island and my first real shot at
Robby.
    Berkley had an on again off again
relationship with Alex Bellis, the senior most likely to earn an
advanced degree. They were both smart and their logic often got in
their way as a couple. As Berkley so aptly put it, ‘Why get
involved when you know you’ll end up going to different
colleges’?
    It was a little too logical for me,
but I was lucky to meet her when they weren’t dating because we
were spending a lot of time together.
    With the way Alex eyed her now though,
I had a feeling they’d be on again by the end of the
night.
    Sure enough, he approached and asked
Berkley to dance. For a second I felt lost. I mean, I know other
people and could have walked over to someone and started a
conversation, but when I looked around there was Robby staring at
me.
    We locked eyes and for a second I
forgot to breathe. When he smiled, I smiled and gave a little wave,
all the while wondering how stupid I looked doing it.
    My heart beat louder and louder as he
began to approach until the sound echoed in my ears and I was
afraid he’d be able to hear it thud above the music.
    Suddenly he was in front of me and I
clutched my cameo for support.
    The music was so loud he might as well
have been attempting mime. I saw his mouth move, but didn’t have a
clue what he said.
    I must have had some kind of duh
expression on my face because he leaned close, his lips barely an
inch from my ear.
    “ Want to dance?”
    I’m not sure what made me happier, the
offer or the way his breath felt upon my ear.
    Incapable of uttering a response, I
nodded. Robby smiled, took my hand, and led me to the dance
floor.
    Color me happy, the boy could dance.
It was a risk getting on the dance floor with a guy without a
preview first, because let’s face it; a lot of guys don’t realize
they lack