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The Father-Daughter Dance at The Pier happens annually in Beaufort, North Carolina. The event was self explanatory – Fathers shared a couple of dances with their daughters. In addition, there was also a small fair with games that allowed challenges between fathers and daughters or each family against another.

I never really looked forward to the Father-Daughter dance because my father wasn’t exactly active in my life. However, Evan made it a point to attend this event with me every year. He had this bizarre mentality that just because I used to attend every year when I was a little girl that I had to continue just because our dad wasn’t around anymore.

Nonetheless, there were a lot of things to look forward too. I couldn’t be any happier to share one dance with my brother every year – it was the least I could do for everything he has sacrificed for me. The food wasn’t at all bad and the talent showcased during the event was amazing.

“I have to look for my partner or I’m going to freak,” Maia yelled over the music and the noise. She clutched a guitar in one hand as she tried to get her straightened hair out of her face. “We’re performing in like – ten minutes!”

“Maia, relax. Did you check by the stage yet?” I asked her.

“Yeah, maybe Anna is there already,” Noah – who although sported a black eye, looked incredibly handsome in his light blue button down, black slacks, and black tie – added, rubbing his sister’s arms to calm her down. 

She nodded her head and started to push through the crowd towards the stage. “Good point! I’ll go and check! I’ll see you guys later!”

I waved at her. “Break a leg, Mai!”

“You’ll do great, little sis!”

So apparently, Maia played the guitar for over two years now and she was truly amazing at it. I only learned last night that she was going to perform with her partner for today’s event. Maia’s been stressing over it the whole night last night and hasn’t slept well because this would be the first time she would be performing live. To add to her pressure, she and her partner were also the opening act.

Noah and I walked in silence towards the booths to get Maia a bottled water and food for when she got off the stage. We haven’t really talked much since what happened last night and we certainly did not bring it up. In summarization, we were completely awkward in the presence of the other.

“No fucking way,” Noah muttered. He nudged me sharply in the arm and pointed towards two brown-haired people who stood at the back of a Cotton Candy stand line. It wasn’t the sight of them together that caused my jaw to drop, but the way their fingers interlocked intimately.

“Please tell me this is not happening,” I mumbled as I continued to stare at the two.

Noah was as equally shocked as I was, eyeing the couple with knitted eyebrows. “No, it really is happening.”

“We should go up to them.”

“Don’t you think that’s going to be awkward? I think we should pretend we never saw them.”

“That’s a sight I can never erase from my mind.” I frowned. Ignoring Noah’s protest, I walked hastily towards the two. Once I was in hearing distance, I plastered a forced smile as I greeted the two. “Paige! Callum! What a surprise to see you two here … together!”

At the sound of my voice, Paige and Callum’s hands dropped to their sides in a hurry. Both turned around in fright, but hid it with strained smiles as their eyes landed on Noah and me.

Callum’s smile fell as he leaned closer to our faces to expect our wounds. “What the hell happened to you two? Did you guys wrestle each other or something?” He punched Noah lightly in the shoulder with a smirk. “Dude, Emma looked like she won.”

Noah glared at his friend, but I could tell the joke was not the only thing that angered him. “Shut up, Cale.”

“Emma, ¿qué pasó?” Paige gasped, studying my bandaged chin. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I answered with a roll of my eyes. “I just scraped my chin when I went rollerblading with Noah. I thought I texted you this?”

“And what happened to you, man?” Callum asked before Paige could respond. Both his and Paige’s eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of spending time with Noah.

“Emma accidently swung the bat and hit my eye while I was teaching her how to play baseball – for the project.”

Paige whistled. “Wow, you guys have been spending a lot of time together.”

I crossed my arms across my chest and locked my eyes on Paige. “Well, you’re one to talk.”

Paige looked down and gulped, refusing to make eye contact with me. I haven’t heard from her in over a week. That was the longest I haven’t talked to Paige. Even on trips, we would call or message each other every other day! I was worried sick that I called her mom to check up on her. Call me melodramatic, but to know that she was enjoying life with Callum without telling me was a huge blow to my face.

Noah copied my action, but stared at his own best friend instead. “Yeah, Callum, it seems that you two are getting along really well.”

“I’m sorry!” Paige blurted at the same time Callum rolled his eyes and said, “Oh, quit being overdramatic. You’ll always be my bro.”

“I just lost track of time. This idiota,” Paige pointed her thumb at Callum. Ignoring Callum’s snide remarks, she continued. “This idiota lost my phone at the library – how do you lose a phone at the library! We had class council meetings every lunch last week because we’re discussing prom and grad! Midterms and project submissions are coming up! I’ve just been very busy.”

“Um, I think they were referring to us,” Callum interjected, pointing a finger in between them.

Noah and I watched with hitched eyebrows as Paige rolled her eyes. “You shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure they would’ve remained curious even after your stress rage.”

“Look, Ems, you’re my best friend. Please forgive me for not updating you on everything. My life would totally suck without you. Callum and I – well, one thing led to another and here we are. I really like him, Ems,” she admitted.

I winced as her death grip on my arm tightened. Paige, who was usually strong and brave, looked at me in despair and fear. I wasn’t angry with her, but I was hurt that she didn’t at least inform me about Callum. However, something that small wasn’t something to end a friendship over.

With a small smile, I said, “I’m happy for you Paige.”

“Really?” Noah, Callum, and Paige said together in bewilderment.

Paige squealed, wrapping her arms around me tightly. I laughed, return the hug tightly. “Oh gosh, I was so worried I was going to lose you.”

I patted her back. “You’re silly. You should already know we’ll be sisters no matter what.”

“What about you, Noah? Want to hug it out?” Callum teased, holding his arms out and nearing Noah. He laughed when Noah pushed him off. Callum held out his fist. “Brothers?”

Noah nodded his head, pounding Callum’s fist with his own. “Always, man.”

“What’s going on here?” Leon asked, walking towards us in a navy button down and black slacks. His usual smile adorned his face as he joined in my hug with Paige. “Why are we hugging?”

“I’ll tell you later,” Paige said, pinching the cheek where his womanizing dimple was located. “We’ve got to go help the student council sell snow cones.”

There was only one reason Paige would want to stall informing Leon of her relationship with Callum. Leon and Callum didn’t exactly get along. If it weren’t me, but Leon who caught Paige holding hands with Callum Campbell, there would’ve been a few punches thrown at each other.

Leon bowed and in a British accent, said, “Have fun with that, Madame Treasurer.”

“Palmer,” Callum grumbled. He stood closer to Paige and glowered at Leon.

“Campbell,” Leon responded. He nodded at Noah shortly afterwards. “Callaway.”

Paige and I glanced at each other and snorted. It wasn’t a shock that the three boys did not get along. They all were incredibly good at and fought for the same thing: East Carteret High’s Baseball Captain.

“Well, we’ll see you guys later,” Paige addressed, stringing Callum along until the crowd of people swallowed them whole.

“And what happened to your face, Ems?” Leon asked with concern, rubbing the pad of his thumb over my band aid. From the corner of my eye, Noah shifted his weight from one foot to the other and crossed his arms over his chest.

I shrugged. “Eh, I fell while Noah and I rollerbladed. It’s not a big deal.”

“You look gorgeous by the way,” Leon complimented. “Even if you have a huge, nasty sore on your chin.”

Because the Father-Dance was the least of my concerns, I just slipped on a black A-line dress with a red bar on the bottom and didn’t trouble myself over looking for a new dress. Afraid my hair would resemble tumbleweed after the strong winds that blew across The Pier, I decided to wear my hair in an elegant up do. My feet were dressed in maroon wedges that matched the clutch I was holding.

I’d say I hardly compared to most girls here today. Unlike Paige who was breathtaking in her high ponytail and a black maxi skirt, I was boring.

“Aw, thanks Leon! You’re gorgeous too, buddy,” I joked, pinching the same cheek Paige pinched. “Even if you have a whole lot of ugly on your face.”

I laughed aloud when his smile faltered. He poked my side hard. “Admit it, I’m handsome.”

“I’m afraid my breath might horribly smell after I say crap like that.”

Leon joined in my laughter. “Very funny, Ems. You promised me a dance. Don’t forget!”

“Oh yeah, I did – “

“Hey, Emma, maybe we should check on Maia,” Noah interjected, rubbing the back of his neck.

My smiled faltered when my conversation with Leon was abruptly cut off. Noah’s eyebrows were drawn together as he stared down at me.

I nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. We’ll see you later, Leon.”

We left Leon and headed for the stage where a drum set, a key board, amplifiers, and several microphones were situated. Many people moved hurriedly across the stage as they set up various cords and wires. Maia was on the side of the stage, conversing with the same burly man from The Pit.

“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. I don’t know what to do,” Maia said frantically.

“Mai, what’s wrong?” Noah asked with concern and looked around. “Where’s Anna?”

Maia faced us, her bottom lip trembling. “Anna bailed because she was having some anxiety attack! I don’t know what I’m going to do! I can’t sing the song. I only play the guitar.”

“Maia, I think you could sing the song. You have a nice voice,” I reassured, fixing her straightened hair.

“No, it’s not nice enough.” Maia shook her head. She looked puzzled for a couple of seconds before her eyes lit up. She gripped my arm tightly. “You have to sing with me.”

Although I loved to sing, I wasn’t prepared. I shook my head and stared down at the seven-year-old in fear. “No, I can’t – “

“Please,” Maia pleaded, looking as if she were about to cry. “I need you.”

“C’mon,” Noah added. “You know the song. You helped Maia with practice yesterday.”

I was about to shake my head, but a stray tear rolled down Maia’s cheeks. She looked so stressed out and worried. She really needed me and I did promise I wouldn’t leave her.

“Two minutes,” the burly man grunted.

With a loud exhale, I nodded my head. “Fine.”

“Oh my gosh, thank you so much Emmy!” Maia shrieked, throwing her arms around my waist. “You’re a lifesaver.”

In two minutes, Maia and I were set up on stage. A microphone on a stand was placed in front of me. Maia sat on a high chair with her guitar in her hands. The crowd began to form in front of us – daughters joined their fathers.

Maia glanced at me with apprehension. I plastered a fake smile as I looked back at her and tightened my grip around the microphone stand. For some odd reason, I couldn’t find the comfort I always had when I came up on stage and sang.

It was just missing.

Maia started to play her guitar when I gave her the signal. Her music played perfectly and beautifully around The Pier. I shut my eyes to feel the music, to get into it, to forget that I was standing in front of daughters who danced with their actual fathers.

“I know a girl

She puts the color inside my world

But she’s just like a maze

Where all of the walls all continually change

And I’ve done all I can

To stand on her steps with my heart in my hands

Now I’m starting to see

Maybe it’s got nothing to do with me,” I sang the first verse to “Daughters” by John Mayer with ease and perfection. When I opened my eyes, fathers and their daughters shared bright smiles with each other as they danced.

“Father’s be good to your daughters

Daughters will love like you do.”

“Your mother and I are getting a divorce. I – well – I,” my father sighed, leaning his elbows on his knees. We knew exactly why he was leaving us, but Evan and I didn’t stop him from his confession. Evan refused to look him in the eye, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. I sobbed loudly, crying harder when Evan tried to comfort me. “I found somebody else.”

“Girls become lovers who turn into mothers

So mothers, be good to your daughters too.”

“You’re the reason why I lost my husband!” my mother yelled, the sting of her slap still fresh on my cheek. Her fury grew the harder I cried. “Why are you crying? This is all your fault! You just had to introduce him to your teacher at the grocery store, didn’t you? You’re just a selfish, conniving brat.”

“Oh, you see that skin?

It’s the same she’s been standing in

Since the day she saw him walking away

Now she’s left

Cleaning up the mess he made.”

“Your mother will cool off in time,” my father reassured, kissing the top of my head and patting Evan’s back. He looked at his watch. “Well, I have to go. The plane’s about to take off. I’ll visit you guys in a month, I promise.”

But he never came back.

“So fathers, be good to your daughters

Daughters will love like you do.”

“I’m sorry, honey,” my father’s voice said from the other end of the phone. “But Arthur won’t let me see you guys. He’d be mad if he even knew I sent you guys a hundred dollars every month. Listen, I love you and Evan. But I love Arthur too.”

“You love Arthur more,” I whispered. When my dad didn’t say anything, I hung up abruptly and felt raw inside.

“Girls become lovers who turn into mothers

So mothers, be good to your daughters too.”

“Mom,” I sobbed, trying to hug her in my arms. “Mom, please. Mom, I’m sorry. Mom – Mom! Please don’t push me away, mom!”

But she did. She pushed me so hard that I fell and almost hit the back of my head against the kitchen counter. My mother’s face scrunched up in the utmost hatred as she pointed a finger at me.

“I am not your mom,” she yelled. “And you are no longer my daughter.”

“Boys, you can break

You’ll find out how much they can take

Boys will be strong

And boys soldier on

But boys would be gone without the warmth from

A woman’s good, good heart,” I continued to sing, my voice trembling a bit. I blinked back the tears that threatened to spill out as the memories hit me like a freight train. Noah, who stood at the side of the stage, stared at me with knitted eyebrows.

“On behalf of every man

Looking out for every girl

You are the god and the weight of her world.”

“Evan, she’s the reason why we’re never going to be a family anymore!” my mother screamed at my brother. Evan stood protectively in front of me as my mother tried her best to push him away and hit me. I clutched the back of Evan’s shirt so hard with tears falling freely from my eyes. “You’re going to forgive that bitch? You’re going to let her stay?”

“She’s not a bitch!” Evan yelled back.

“If you’re going to let her stay, than I’m out of here,” my mother hissed. “Don’t call me. Don’t look for me. And don’t expect me to welcome you two back if you come crying to me. You mean nothing to me – nothing!”

Evan didn’t say anything for a couple minutes. He straightened his back and with a strong voice, said, “So leave. Grandma and Grandpa gave me this house. I want you gone by tomorrow morning.”

My eyes immediately scanned the crowd for Evan. When my eyes landed on him, he sent me a small smile. Looking at him made me want to cry, so I adverted my gaze and looked at the ocean instead.

“So fathers, be good to your daughters

Daughters will love like you do

Girls become lovers who turn into the mothers

So mothers, be good to your daughters too.” I sang the verse three times, my voice quavering the more I thought of my hateful mother and my absent father.

Once the song finished, I quickly got off the stage. I didn’t even say anything to Maia, who smiled at the supportive crowd and said a quick thank you. I tried to focus on something else – like I always did – but Evan came up to me.

“That was great, sis,” He complimented and took us to the dance floor. I simply nodded and stared at his chest. “I didn’t know you were going to perform.”

As we swayed side to side, I gulped in a sob that threatened to escape. “Yeah, it was last minute.”

“Are you okay?” Evan suddenly asked. We stopped swaying in the crowd of fathers and daughters. “Ems, talk to me. You seem upset. That song you sang was pretty heavy and emotional. You made Mr. Devereux cry.”

I knew why I was a little jittery about performing today. I wasn’t afraid to sing in front of a crowd. It wasn’t because I wasn’t prepared. It was because the song reminded me of everything that went wrong with my life.

A traitor tear finally rolled down my cheek. “I have to get out of here. I’m sorry, Ev.”

“Emma!” Evan shouted, gripping my forearm when I turned to leave. “What’s wrong?”

I shrugged my arm out of his grip, tears streaming down my face. “Just – I just need to be alone right now.”

With my chest tightened to the point I could hardly breath, I ran away from Evan and everybody else.