The band finished the slow song it was playing and started up a cool rock and roll song.

"Lets dance, girl!" one of my friends yelled.

"Come on!" the other said, pulling me by the arm.

"I can't dance."

"Than why did'ja come?" She can be such a ditz.

"You made me."

They shrugged and I went outside for air.

Once outside, a senior with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth approached me.

"Got a light?"

"I'm 15."

"Oh, man, you're tall. Hey, wait a minute!" She dug around in her coat for a minute and retrieved a lighter, then lit her cigarette and took a long drag. I couldn't believe she was talking to me.

"Much better. I hate these dances, full of shallow teenagers. I only came for a dare." She took another drag.

I looked in the window at my friends moving wildly about. "Yeah."

"Man, I hate them! And all of their 'must have' clothes too!!"

I looked at her -- is this where I'll be in 2 years? Alone, angry, and a smoker? I hope not.

I started to go in.

"Where ya going?" she asked.

"I want to dance."