CHAPTER 24

We arrived in the hotel lobby around seven fifteen, several other couples were milling around. We moved towards the ballroom of the hotel where the dance would be held. The room was lavishly decorated, the band was already warming up, there were maybe twenty people already seated at various tables around the large room. Jasmin saw a friend of hers so she rushed over to say hello for a moment. When she came back, we made our way over to the right side of the room and chose a table near the front. By eight thirty the room was really filling up, seniors and their dates, faculty members and their spouses, everyone was there having a great time. Several friends of Jasmin's and their dates had joined us at our table. I guess it was no big coincidence that Courtney and Darren sat two tables over from us. I pretended not to notice and stayed focused on the conversation at our table. The band finally started to play some slower music, Jasmin and I, like many other couples, began to hit the dance floor. It seemed every time I was dancing, as we turned to one side, I could see Courtney just staring at me. I pretended not to notice, but it was tough, she was being very obvious. I also saw that they were pouring drinks under the long white table cloth, trying to hide the bottles from the chaperones. I knew if that kept up, there would be trouble, it always happens.

I looked at my watch and it was close to ten thirty, the dance ended at midnight. I knew one of the couples at our table had rented a room upstairs in the hotel, they had invited Jasmin and I to come up at around eleven o'clock. We danced a couple of more times and had just returned to our seats when someone tapped me on my shoulder. I turned and saw that Courtney's new boyfriend, Darren and two of his friends were standing behind me. I slowly got up from my chair and turned to face him. Jasmin reached up and tried to grab my hand to discourage me from starting any trouble.

"What do you need Darren ?', I asked quietly.

"I don't appreciate you talking to Courtney the way you just did. If it happens again, there will be trouble.", he said sarcastically.

"What the hell are you talking about Darren? I have not said a word to Courtney since I walked in the door. In fact the last time we spoke was last week when she approached me pissed off because I was coming here with Jasmine.", I replied, getting a bit louder.

"That's not what she told me.", he shot back.

"Well, that's the truth, so obviously she is telling you a lie. I could care less about Courtney or you for that matter. Now I suggest you run along or there will be trouble.", I ended.

"Back off asshole, I have plenty of friends here. You will get your ass whipped.", he said, raising his voice.

By this time, the entire table heard what was going on and Devon, my teammate and a certifiable madman, got up from the table. He stepped up next to me putting his finger in Darren's chest.

"Why all the gum flapping boys? You wanna roll, let's do it, right now. Me and B-Boy against you three fuckers, right now. Come on.", he said pointing to the door.

Darren just stood there for a minute, I think common sense finally sunk in. He just mumbled something about it not happening again and started to walk off toward his table. I just sat back down and went back to the conversation at hand. A few minutes later, everyone got up to head to the room upstairs. I pulled Jasmine on the side and asked her if she wanted to go upstairs with the group or go into town and get something to eat. She seemed unsure of what to do, I could tell by the look on her face.

"Everyone is going upstairs to make out and stuff. They have two bedrooms in the suite. They have beer and alcohol, plus some food. Most of them are staying all night, "she said.

"Jazzy, it's up to you. We can go wherever you want to go.", I answered.

"You sure ?", she asked.

"I'm sure, where do you want to go?", I replied.

"I would rather go out to eat, if it's ok with you.", she asked.

"That would be great.", I responded.

We quickly said our goodbyes to everyone and made our way to the parking lot. We drove across town to a real nice steak house where we shared a very nice meal. It was quiet and secluded, we really had a nice time. We finished our meal around twelve thirty that night then decided to head towards home. I dropped Jasmin off between one thirty and two o'clock in the morning. I was home for a little after two myself, letting myself in the door quietly. I got undressed and fell asleep relatively quickly.

I was sound asleep when my cell phone rang, it seemed like I had only been sleeping for minutes. I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the phone and opened it.

"Hello.", was all I could muster.

"Brian, this is Gerald Timmons, Courtney's Dad, I'm sorry to bother you but are you guys all still hanging out ?", he asked nervously.

I looked over at the clock and it was seven thirty in the morning, it took a second for my senses to clear.

"I don't know, sir, I got home at about two o'clock this morning. I think she was still at the prom when I left at midnight, we went to eat after and then came straight home.", I answered.

"She won't answer her cell phone and I don't have Darren's number. You would not by any chance know it, would you ?", he asked.

"No sir, I don't.", I answered.

"Brian, I am really worried, I told her to be home no later than three o'clock.", he said.

"I'm sure she is fine sir. They probably just lost track of time.", I said, trying to reassure him.

"Well if you hear from her, please tell her to call me.", he begged.

"Yes sir, I will.", I responded, closing the phone.

I laid back down trying to sort it all out. I hoped Courtney was alright, I knew they had been drinking, and it was a forty five minute drive home. I laid there for a few minutes, then decided to get up and make some breakfast. I was in the kitchen cooking eggs and bacon when Ashley walked in yawning and rubbing her eyes.

"Hey, did I hear a phone ring ?", she asked, in a sleepy voice.

"Yes, it was Courtney's Dad looking for her," I replied.

"Why would he call you ? You weren't with her last night were you ?", she inquired.

"No indeed, I was with Jasmin. We got home at about two o'clock, I don't know where Courtney is at.", I added.

With school out for the summer, I spent the majority of my time working out in the gym, running and swimming. I wanted to make sure I arrived on campus in August in top physical condition. A little over two weeks after the prom, Jasmin called me and told me that her ex-boyfriend was calling her and asking her if she would consider taking him back. While I have to admit it bothered me a lot, deep down I knew I was leaving in less than two months and there was no way a relationship like we could last. We talked for a while and I could tell she still had deep feelings for him by the way she was talking. She was asking me for reasons why she should not take him back, when in fact if she really felt that way, she would know the reasons not to. In the end, I told her that maybe giving him another chance was the right thing to do, if he messed up again, then she would really know there was no chance of a relationship with him. She thanked me for being so understanding and promised she would stay in touch.

After a couple of days had passed, it was actually easier on me not being attached. I was spending four to five hours a day training, the rest relaxing and getting items that I would need to take with me to school. News got back to me that Jasmine and her boyfriend were back together which I think deep down, is what she really wanted. I was spending all of my free time at home, I rarely went out anywhere.