Sophie's Smile: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

didn’t think the dance was going to be that big of a deal since it was right after sixth period in the school gymnasium, but boy was I wrong. I waited patiently for my turn since the other bathrooms were probably just as full as this one, moving side to side as the urgency became apparent.
    “Look, she’s going to pee in her pants!” Karen snickered. All of the sudden, four sets of twinkling eyes darted in my direction. More giggles.
    I pretended not to notice and quickly entered the now empty stall. It took a little longer than normal because I had to compose myself before I got out.
    “Hmm. She didn’t change out of her boring outfit so why do you think she took so long?” Karen was supposedly whispering to Tessa but she obviously wanted me to hear.
    “Not sure…but it sure stinks in here.” Tessa chimed in, covering her nose.
    Before I got to the sink, Karen yelled out in a sing- songy voice, “Oh Sophie, remember to wash your hands, you don’t want to infect anyone at the dance!”
    “Ha. That’ll only happen if anyone asks her to dance.”
    “Oh…right. That’s true. Never mind. You don’t need to worry about it, then.”
    Karen and Tessa started doubling over in laughter. They started shrieking like Hyenas do before consuming leftover scraps.
    My face flushed, burning a perpetual shade of red. I rushed to wash my hands. I didn’t even bother getting a paper towel and just wiped them on my jeans, leaving behind the dark, rumpled stains I so often wore on my upper thighs. Turning, I made a dash for the exit. My foot caught a lip in the floor tiles, causing me to stumble forward, triggering even more laughter as Ellen and Britney entered the bathroom. I could not get to the dance fast enough.
     
    The gymnasium was decked out with blue and silver balloons, glitter, ribbon, and gossamer fabric to cover the tables. The lights were dimmed and a DJ was stationed on the stage with boxes of records. He was rushing to get set up but looked bored just the same. I couldn’t blame him. Think about it: if you were a DJ, why would you be excited to play for a bunch of hormonal pre-teens who had never done anything worse than kiss for five seconds on the lips? Chairs were lined up against the back wall and I zeroed in on the one in the corner. I sat there patiently, waiting for the room to fill.
    As the gymnasium began to fill, I noticed the boys had the same idea as me and were crowding in with their backs turned. Standing in circles that coalesced and divided like oil droplets, they boisterously yipped and yapped about macho topics. A hacky sack emerged in the all-male droplet nearest me, and my mind sparked visions of a black eye, bruised shin, or worse, being jeered for ruining an otherwise “epic” volley. No thanks.
    I got out of my seat and hurried to the dance floor were the girls were circling each other and dancing to Britney Spears, Baby One More Time . I tried my best to blend in. Listening to the deafening music as my body flowed to the beat. I was actually having a great time. Then the music slowed. Savage Garden’s, Truly, Madly, Deeply came on.
    The boys scurried toward the refreshments, distracting themselves by getting a cup of fruit punch and some cookies. The girls started zeroing in on the boy they wanted their friend to dance with. It was a madhouse. Groups of three to five girls would run up to a boy, try to convince him by pleading and dragging him to the dance floor toward their friend who was acting coy and equally resistant (but obviously elated).
    She probably dreamed of this very moment, except in her dream, the boy would have walked up to her willingly and asked her to dance in some fairytale manor; the moment would have been so perfect like in She’s All That . A few seconds more of coercion and the two, soon-to-be item, were dancing to the slow song…moving side to side at arms-length. The Pope would have been proud.
    Scanning the room, I saw Ellen dancing with Brandon, Britney