April 1990

  Today was the day of the dance, and everyone was eager to participate ieeual of attending the dah a partner. It art of the school festivities that caused ay among the students, as they worried about impressing others and having a good time. Many relevant issues surrouhe dance, such as the prevalent feeling of being judged by others. Recurring thoughts like "Will I do well enough to not trip over my ow?" or "I feel embarrassed for not having a date to the dance" filled their minds.

  But undoubtedly, these dances tained unique moments that were cherished in the hearts of young teenagers. Mr. Carson's car turhe er, and as he drove, he tapped the steering wheel to the rhythm of the song pying.

  Thomas Carson thought to himself - with his heart - as he picked up Cudia, who always wore a big smile on her face. She expressed her emotions with a strong sense of impudend charisma, often adding unventional attitudes that remaiched in the memories of her friends and acquaintances.

  Mr. Carson swallowed nervously.

  -Well, it's time for you to find your date, - Mr. Carson said, adjusting the rearview mirror to catch a glimpse of his son, who was lost in his ptions, possibly thinking about Pixar or some incredible idea that was difficult to ceive.

  -Ah, I don't think she's ready yet. We wait for her in the living room, - Billy replied.

  -Are you sure? - Thomas Carsoioned.

  -Absolutely. Cudia and her mom are not known for being punctual. The more important the gathering, the longer you have to wait, - Billy expined.

  -Alright, I'll park the car, - Thomas said.

  -That's right, let's wait a bit, - Billy said.

  They knocked on the door three times, but there was no respohey tinued knog, but still no answer.

  -They must have gone somewhere, - Thomas said.

  -There's nowhere else they could be. Maybe they're just busy, - Billy replied. - e, let's sit oairs. They'll open the door soon. -

  -Ah, son, this is a strange pce to wait for a date,- Thomas remarked. "By the way, you've surprised me. Anioned how well you've excelled in yotiations; thanks to the training you've received oiation strategies. I didn't get a ce to tell you."

  -Yes, it's been going well. Although I still 't uand how people ask for less money and still act oblivious, - Billy said.

  -Well, that's part of aiation. It's not about what you think something is worth, but what you believe it's worth to others, - Thomas expined.

  -I uand that, but it's just surprising to me how introspective it all is, - Billy replied.

  Billy walked to the door and rang the bell again. This time, Mrs. Branovich wasted no time and opehe door abruptly.

  -Always in a hurry! Wait a sed! We have important matters to discuss. e in, sit in the living room. The fridge is open, and there are chips in the pantry... I don't want any disturbances for the 30 minutes. -

  -She's making us wait another half an hour, - Thomas asked, surprised by the swift dismissal.

  -Yes, Father, let's wate TV while we wait for her to finish getting ready, - Billy said.

  -Are you sure? I think it's better if we just sit and wait, - Thomas said.

  -Dad, don't get nervous. In this pce, the dynamics are different. The first rule is to be open to whatever may happen. The sed is that if they tell you something, they expect you to do it because their kindness is based on what they want you to do, and that's why they give you freedom. The third rule is to never tradict them. The more fortable you get, the less strange everything will be,- Billy expined.

  -Son, I 't do that. I don't believe in any of these rules. We'll sit as gentlemen and wait, and we'll behave... without any of these strange games you're proposing,- Thomas said firmly.

  -Well, Father, but if you incur the wrath of Mrs. Branovich, I hope you won't bme me ter," Billy replied.

  -Son... believe me, I know Cudia be difficult, but it's just her way of expressing her feelings. So, if we behave, everything will go well. I'll take you to the dand pick you up at 11:00 PM, - Thomas said.

  -Well, Father, I think if we behave, everything will go as expected, - Billy said.

  An awkward silence filled the room. Both men dressed simirly, their suits iiful colors, sitting in the same manner, with the same tailored fit aures.

  -Oh, so you're here. I see you didhe chips. I bought them specifically for you, - Mrs. Branovich said.

  -I'm sorry, Mrs. Branovich, I'm so nervous that I feel like if I eat something, I'll vomit, - Billy said.

  -Oh, you look so cute! Talking nonseake them away, I don't want that junk in my house. Too many carbs, - Livy Branovich said.

  She doesn't like her name much, so now you only call her Livy because that's what she decided to be called. Or well, Mrs. Branovich.

  -Oh, gdly, we'll take them home, - Thomas said, surprised. - Well, I'll take the kids to the dand bring them back at 11:00 PM. We won't be te. I'll be at the restaurahe school, having a drink, so don't worry."

  -You're just like your son. I'll apany you. I don't have much to do, and it's good to know a bit about the father of my daughter's date, - the blonde woman said with a smile, nibbling on Thomas's cheek in an affeate gesture.

  Cudia emerged in a long blue dress, her slow steps revealing her ck of formality for such occasions. The blue fabric extended with white embroidery beyond her knees. Her hair was styled in a princess-like updo, adorned with sparkles, and her golden-blonde locks were ed with a flower tiara that circled her hair. A blush adorned her cheeks. She wore blue slippers, lookiiful and incredibly happy, as evidenced by the shyness lingering in her eyes.

  -You look beautiful, - Billy said, rushing to assist her aending his arm in a hook-like manner.

  -This is the first time I feel so pretty,- Cudia said softly, radiating a freshhat was rarely seen. -e on, we're running te. You took so long to e, and I have a feeling the dance will be over if we wait any longer. -

  -I'm sorry, my father kept fixing my suit repeatedly. I didn't realize the time, - Billy expined.

  The girl smiled with fasation.

  -Well, let's go... we have a dao attend. I didn't usually go to dances, I would just take photos or chat with my friends. But this is my first dance, and everything will be wonderful, - Cudia said.

  -Don't worry, Dad will drive us in a moment, and then we'll do everything on your mental checklist, - Billy assured her.

  -Oh, it's not o talk about your father right in front of him, - Thomas interjected.

  -e on, Dad, you heard the dy. We have lots of things to do, - Billy said.

  -Well, it's just an iing way of ign your elders. e on, kids, I'll take you to the daoday, old Carson will be the chaperone, - Thomas said, extending his hand to Mrs. Branovich.

  -That's exactly what we're going to do. Nowadays, people have no love and respect for others, - Livy said. "Let's go, Mr. Carson."

  Billy exited through the door, followed by his father.

  -Is something wrong with your mother? - Billy asked.

  -The cat got her tongue, - Cudia joked. - You 't know everything, little Billy. You're quite nosy, - she said, ughing.

  -Everyone calls me Little Billy, but now Cudia knows my name! - Billy thought.

  -You nosy little thing! -

  For some reasohought about Steve Jobs and his behavior. Although he may seem authoritarian to some people, acc to rumors, there's something about him that's hard to resist. It's his way of veying his ideas that mao vihers.

  His pn is to create some iing activities with Hanna-Barbera. He 't wait to publish some great stories. He felt Cudia's handshake and the sideways smile she gave him.

  -Well, kids, that's it. Take care and have fun. We'll pick you up at 10:30, - Livy said cheerfully from the passenger seat.

  -Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mrs. Branovich, - Billy said, nodding his head in his father's ary gesture.

  He saw the physical education teacher at the entrance anizing pizza boxes and some drinks to enjoy. A beverage table was talking to the lunch server, a friendly, dark-skinned man who always had a smile on his face when serving.

  -Well, it's time to go in, - Cudia said, feeling pletely nervous.

  He saw Alid Peter calling her, both wearing dresses with a hat could only be expected at a prom.

  -Cudia, you look beautiful, - Alice said. - I 't believe you're wearing a dress, - she whispered in her ear while hugging her.

  -Well, there's a first time for everything, - Cudia replied.

  In the distance, Billy was talking to Peter about something, but she couldn't hear what they were saying.

  -I'm still amazed that yoing out with Billy Carson, the handsome Texan who gets straight A's in every subject, - Alice said.

  Billy, imitating his father, repeated a few words with a strong at that revealed his heritage.

  -I 't believe it either. It feels like a dream to me. I used to think boys were smelly and immature, but at some point, Billy e, - Cudia blushed. - And what about you, Peter? -

  -Oh, no. We came as friends. He's my shield against jerks. I've been asked out more times than I handle in a week. But Jessica came with Jack Boor. I think they're dating, but they're keeping it secret. It's all so weird to see how they behave, - Alice said.

  -I 't believe it... Jessica with Jack Boor. -

  -Well, it's almost the same as you and your Texan beau. Hanna, Cra, and I are all surprised. You know he's a tough guy, unbothered by anything. It's a pleasure just to have him aowledge us. Even the football team respects him, - Alice said.

  -Oh, no, he's shy. He tends to be quiet because he doesn't like starting versations, but I'm good at that, so we get along well. That's why I liked him the first time I met him, - Cudia said.

  -Well, don't keep him waiting for too long. He's been looking over here with puppy eyes for a few minutes, - Alice ughed.

  -Hahaha, he looks like a little puppy when he does that, - Cudia said, joining in the ughter with her friend.

  She rao Billy's side.

  -e on, my sweet knight, let's dance. I hope you're not nervous and keep up with me on the dance floor, - Cudia said to Billy.

  -Please, I'm going to be an actor. Fear 't be in my heart, - Billy replied.

  -Well, Mr. Actor, take me to dance. I've always wao go to a dance! But I've tended one as a partit. It sounds funny, but it's damn embarrassing. I used to e to take pictures and help with the decorations. But this is my first time, - the blonde said happily.

  -I've never been to a spring dance before. My father always forced me to go to these dances, and I would just wear a hoodie and hang out outside with a friend of mine, Crk. I don't think I've introduced you to him, - Billy said.

  -Well, then you should enjoy it! Now you have your amazing girlfriend, so you have nothing to fear, - Cudia said with a smile.

  -I will. I have a gift for you that we could enjoy together. I made up an excuse, and I think you have every right to be surprised. But I'll give it to you at the end of the night, - Billy said.

  -So, you know I love gifts, and now I'll be thinking about it for almost the entire dance, - the girl replied, leading Billy to the not-so-crowded dance floor. The decorations had blue and yellow colors, showing the dedication and financial iment of the whole party. Billy donated 8 to buy materials for the danext time, he'll give a little more money.

  -You dance well, - Cudia said.

  -Well, I'm Spanish, and there was a time when I danon-stop, - Billy said.

  -Haha, you're b... Where did you learn? - Cudia asked.

  -In my previous life, I told you I'm Spanish, it's in our blood, - Billy replied.

  -Well, don't tell me, or your tongue might fall out from lying, - Cudia said.

  -You're mistaken, liars only grow longer noses, - Billy said.

  -No, no, their tongues fall out too, - Cudia insisted.

  -Hahaha, - Billy ughed at Cudia's sweet words.

  -It's a trip to Italy, I want us to meet during the holidays. It cost a fortune, so I hope you'll e. The hotel is already paid for. It's the World Cup of football, and I have tickets for the group stage in Rome. I hope we be together o time, - Billy said.

  -A... you know we'll always be together. We just have tthen our retionship. We'll find a way to meet. I'll take care of that, - Cudia said.

  -I also have a gift for you, but it's already at your house, - Cudia said. - You ruined my surprise by being so dam, Billy. Now you have to tell me iail about the trip I'm part of and wasn't informed about after this song, which I like. -

  Cudia hugged him tightly during the slow dance, with affe. She didn't want him to see her tears. This is eople feel when they fall pletely in love with someone. Why does he have to leave now? Whehing is perfect. She wants to be happy here in California.

  But he will e back, that's for sure. When he escape, he will e back to live in California with Billy, no matter the cost. She will study at CalArts. Her determination was even stronger now. If saving money roblem before, it was now a solemn promise.

  -I'll miss you so much, - Cudia said.

  -I'll miss you too, every single day. I won't be able to see you for long periods, but things will get better, - Billy said. -Things tend to get better when you least expect it. -

  -Stop talking nonsense, Billy. Life never gets better. Now say something nice, - Cudia said.

  -But... you're impossible, - Billy said, uo do anything but keep dang with Cudia in a bittersweet state of happiness. It was being a farewell, something that couldn't be reversed.

  -You know, now I feel like getting a cat and sleeping curled up with it, - Cudia said.

  -A cat...-

  -Yes, they say cats take away sadness, - Cudia mentioned.

  -I didn't know that. Maybe I'll get a cat. It's good to have some extra pany at home. Do you want to go for some pizza? - Billy suggested.

  -I thought you'd never ask! I'm so hungry. I want a vegetable pizza, although I think they only brought pepperoni pizza, - Cudia said.

  A special vegetable pizza, Billy could only think of Papa John's, one of the best pizzas out there. He could even buy the entire franchise, but he didn't know how much money he o establish a franchise. For now, only hamburgers will be on his menu.

  -There are so many pizzas to choose from. People who dohis delicious pizza must be crazy, - Cudia said.

  -I wohe same thing, Miss Branovich. They just taste a bit of pizza and leave... - the chef replied.

  -Ah, give me two for myself, I'm particurly hungry. I was getting ready all afternoon and fot to eat, - Cudia said.

  -Oh, Miss, don't worry, there's plenty of food," the cheerful chef said, pleased to see the young woman's appetite.

  -Oh, Walter, I want some pizza too, - Billy chimed in.

  -Of course, Mr. Carson, gdly... - Walter replied.

  -Thank you fiving my cousin a job. He's been desperately looking for work. He's a good guy, just a bit troublesome, - Walter said.

  -Well, it's my pleasure. I'll always be there to help whenever I , - Billy said.

  -Wait, you gave his cousin a job, - Cudia questioned.

  -Yes, he works at the burger joint. I just reended him to Jack. Sales have been good, and he shares shifts with a student, part-time, - Billy expined.

  -And we're grateful for the part-time job. It helps us pay the bills and send some money bae, - Walter added.

  -How thoughtful! Give me another slice for the good friendship, - Cudia said, having finished her slices with sauce smeared on her cheeks.

  -Of course, I'm gd these pizzas won't go to waste, - Walter said. - Is there anything else you'd like, Mr. Carson? -

  -No, that's alright, Walter. I'm good with the two pizzas, - Billy replied.

  -Well then, tell me about the trip to Italy to see the World Cup, - Cudia said.

  You'll be surprised.

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