Chemistry: Either there's a reaction or there isn't.

During grades 5 through 7, going to school dances was my big thing. I guess dancing has been a part of my life for longer than I realized. I'm not sure why I liked them so much, I guess it was my first taste of freedom and it made me feel like a big girl. This was also around the time I started liking boys. Coincidence? I think not...

I can remember dancing with boys from my class; it usually went one of two ways...

or else....

A few times, I had a boyfriend when the dance was scheduled, so naturally, we went together. If at any point during the night, I felt like that first picture, I would end the 'relationship' shortly thereafter. If only because I didn't want to date someone where it was awkward being that close to them. I mean, how awkward would it be when we kiss?

High school was a haze fueled by drugs and alcohol, so I can't recall if we even had school dances. I'm sure we did, but I certainly didn't go to them. Eventually, graduation and prom rolled around and I went with my boyfriend of one year. We'd never really danced together before, except for that one time when he dipped me and then dropped me, head first, on concrete. Nice.

Anyway, it was nearing the end of prom night and we still hadn't danced. At one point, he turned to me and said "I suppose you want to dance now, don't you?". He seemed really excited about it, so I said "Yeah... kinda..." even though I'd been waiting the whole night for him to ask me to dance. The main reason you go to prom is to dance, am I right?

As we were walking to the dance floor, I can clearly remember thinking "Oh good, this shouldn't be awkward at all . We've had sex... dancing should be a piece of cake!" And then...

It was the longest 4 minutes in the history of the planet! I decided that I couldn't very well end a year long relationship based on criteria that I made up in grade 5, so I dated him for another 6 years and then wished that I hadn't wasted so much time. I guess I was wise beyond my years...

Recently, I was talking with a friend about salsa dancing; I was telling her how there are some guys that I dance with and we do it well right off the bat. And then there are others where I'm constantly struggling to keep up and have no idea what they want me to do. A mischievous grin spread across her face and she said "Oh yeah? So... when you're dancing with the good ones, does it make you think that'd you'd be good in bed together?". I said "No it doesn't... but it will from now on!".