Vino excused himself, and once again, I was left alone. I watched him as he crossed the center of the gym towards the back of the stage, and I immediately lost sight of him. I was beginning to have a heavy feeling in my chest. I never had a problem spending time alone, but when you're in a room full of people, and you're alone in a corner, maybe it was inevitable to feel even a tiny bit lonely.

A new song came on and it was one of those cheesy love songs you would want to dance with your high school crush. I leaned back on my seat and hugged myself as I watched everyone having fun. And I couldn't help myself as my mind wandered to a distant memory.

It had been six years ago since our junior prom. Vino had been my date that night. When it was time for the slow dancing, he didn't ask me to dance with him on the first song. I didn't say anything about him not asking me to dance.

He was showing me something on his phone when the second song came on. I looked up as if on reflex when I heard the familiar strumming of a guitar. It was one of the songs from his favorite country music group and I didn't think it was one of the songs you would usually hear during a prom.

But Vino stood up and asked me to dance with him. I could still vividly remember how my cheeks felt warm when Vino complimented me. I wasn't used to such compliments and up until this day, I never learned how to respond to them. He had slowly pulled me closer to him as we danced to one of his favorite songs.

My heart fluttered as I reminisced that night-one of the best nights of my life.

I reached for my almost-empty glass of water and sighed.

Special things only happen once, I thought.

"Sorry about that," Vino murmured, snapping me back into the now.

I looked up and watched him take his seat.

"I had to make a phone call," he offered as an explanation.

I nodded and smiled, although I was unconvinced.

I was starting to think that Vino doesn't want to dance with me. Maybe he didn't want to dance with me because of Grace. And I would respect that.

An awkward silence between us ensued.

I just have to get through a few more songs and hopefully one of our friends will keep us company.

I averted my eyes towards the dance floor, but I could still see Vino in my peripheral vision. He was acting equally awkward and frustrated, if I may say so.

He took a deep breath and drummed his fingers on the table. The song was coming to an end, and I glanced at him.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked.

His hands stiffened on the table, and he shook his head.

"Sure?"

"Yeah," he replied.

Finally, the eighth or ninth song played-it was Nickelback's "Far Away". Vino closed his eyes and took a deep breath then a small smile played on his lips. I had no idea what was going on with him with this sudden shift in his mood.

He stood up and walked towards me, and he reached his right hand to me.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, his voice was soft.

I took a deep breath.

"I thought you'd never ask," I replied, taking his hand which was surprisingly freezing.

By this time, a few were walking back to their seats while a few others were swapping dance partners. We made our way to the center of the dance floor and I placed my hands on his shoulders. I made a mental note of how broad his shoulders had gotten. He gently grabbed my waist and I felt electricity coursing through my veins.

I dared to look him in the eye and I was thankful that he was holding my waist or else I would fall on the floor. I didn't know what was with Vino but his intent gaze made my knees go weak.

I remembered looking at him like this before. We used to stare at each other and it was like a little contest between the two of us. He had beaten me most of the time because I often blink first-my eyes dry faster, as I often would tell him. Tonight, I stared at him, searching for answers to questions I couldn't utter.

Are you still the Vino I used to know?

But he looked different tonight. Maybe it was his scruffy facial hair or his broader shoulders. Or it may be the way he holds me, like he was hesitant to touch me or that he was scared I might break.

"... to wait for the song," I heard him murmur, and his voice was almost inaudible from the loud beating of my heart. My mind was racing and I couldn't grasp what was happening or what he was trying to tell me.

My heart thudded rapidly in my chest the entire chorus and my hands were trembling as well. I hadn't been this close to Vino in years, and this exact moment felt nostalgic. We were silent for a while but unlike earlier, this wasn't awkward. It was a comfortable silence, and it made me feel warm inside. I began to wonder if he feels the same way.

Finally, he broke the silence between us and asked, "So, are you coming with us later?"

The afterparty. The sleep-over, I remembered.

"Of course," I was quick to reply. "I wouldn't miss it."

"That's great."

I felt a burning sensation in my eyes and I blinked back tears. I bowed my head to hide my eyes from Vino.

"Hey, you okay?" he murmured.

"Yeah..." I answered, looking up. "There was something in my eye."

He raised his eyebrows and nodded, looking unconvinced with my excuse. "Was it your lash?"

"I think so, yeah. But I'm alright," I assured him.

We fell silent once again and just swayed slowly to the music, savoring the moment. But like what they always say, every moment has an ending and unfortunately, our song was coming to an end.

Four minutes was all it took to turn my night around. The song may have ended, but I knew this memory would last forever.

If we're lucky, some of the most special thingshappen to us more than once, I guess.