Strange...Stranger...Strangest

          The next day, I woke up fresh. I had a good night's rest. Tonight is prom night. I got out of bed. I started preparing everything. I checked on my dress, my shoes, and I thought of calling Eric to check on him, too. He's not my date, but he's my best friend. He might need help preparing for HIS big night too. Tonight he's going to ask some girl to go steady with him. Some girl named Marie. Some girl whom I didn't even know existed.

          In the afternoon, I took a nice bath and dressed up. And I spend the rest of the time putting mild make-up on. Then, I am ready. I thought of Eric, and how excited I am to see him. Then, thoughts of him flooded through my mind. How long have we been friends? Four years? Five years? I can't remember. It seems we've been best friends since time immemorial.

Then, I begin to feel a cold rush all over me. I, suddenly, feel the need to see him right now. I badly need to see him! I hurriedly dashed from the car as soon as it stopped at the school's entrance, almost forgetting to say bye to my mom.

I started looking for Eric, hoping that Norman hasn't arrived yet. I looked around. There is no sign of Norman, thank God! What is happening to me?

The night is beautiful. The stars are extra bright, seemingly reminding me that tonight is a special night... for Eric and Marie. I must find Eric! I have to see him! This weird feeling tells me I have to. I hope to find him alone, crossing my fingers as I roamed around the school's very huge hall. Then, somebody bumped into me. My heart skipped a beat when I found out who it was.. Eric!

"My God, Jen! I've been looking all around for you since I got here! I've had this strange feeling, and this need to see you right away! So I rushed here as soon as I finished preparing myself. I even forgot to pick up Marie at her place. I just hope she didn't wait for me and decides to come here to the dance anyway. But I just have to see you, Jen." Eric said without even a pause.

          Am I hearing things? Is he really looking for me too?... Strange... And he said he is feeling strange, too! Stranger... And he forgot to pick up Marie! Strangest... Why are these strange things happening on this supposed-to-be-the-best-night-of-our-lives?

          I came back to my senses when Eric hugged me so tightly.

"Ack---Eric----I---can't----breathe---" I stammered.

"I---I'm sorry, Jen.." He said as he let me go. "It's just that.. I---I've missed you suddenly." He missed me? But we saw each other just this morning after we talked on the phone!

          He came over at our house after the call. He even gave me flowers which I placed in my favorite vase that he also gave, right beside the picture frame with a picture of us in it. I remember clearly everything when it comes to Eric.

          I was shocked at the flow of thoughts inside my head when I realized that Eric has been staring right into my eyes the whole time. I stared back at him trying so hard to change the expression written all over my face. Did he see right through me?  Did he see in my eyes what I am feeling right now, and that I missed him too?