The Function by Biehnie143

"How dull!" she thought once more. "Why, oh why, does my father insist that I make an appearance at these stupid functions?" She looked around the crowded dance floor and was again dismayed at seeing no one of interest. Her shoulders slumped a little, crossed her arms across her chest.

"Brett? Brett, honey?" Her friend Ruth poked her in the ribs with her elbow. "You look a little pale, dear. Whatever can be the matter?"

"Oh Ruthie, I just don't know what I am doing here. I daresay that military men aren't my style," she said as she raised her eyebrows.

"Now, don't say that!" exclaimed Ruth looking about her anxiously, trying to see if anyone had heard.

Poor Ruth, Brett thought.She tries so hard to please. Too bad it looks like she got dressed with her eyes closed, she added cynically. Brett looked her life-long friend up and down with a critical eye and proclaimed herself the better dressed. And for what? she thought crossly. She had spent all afternoon preparing herself in front of her mirror, ready to impress anything and anyone that came her way. Well, that certainly was a waste of time. She tossed her gently curled blond hair over her shoulder. Her red dress with the sweeping skirt and low-cut top just screamed attention, but absolutely no one was paying her any mind whatsoever. I have to get out of this corner that Ruth has camped in, she thought.

"Ruth dear, why don't we get some punch? I am just dying of thirst," she suggested as she pulled her friend to the middle of the floor. She made it about half way to the refreshment table when she stopped cold. Only extreme control kept her jaw from dropping to the ground.

No less than a yard in front of her was the most gorgeous-looking specimen she had ever had the pleasure of laying her eyes on. He was wearing the Military Academy uniform and stood talking to a girl in a plain pink dress. His blond hair had been parted on the left and fell carelessly to the side. Obviously, someone had said something funny and everyone in the group started to laugh, including the gentleman Brett was watching. She saw him smile, the grin widen to a laugh and felt her heart thud to her feet.

"I thought we were going to get some punch?" Ruth complained at her side.

Brett almost jumped, she had forgotten all about Ruth.

"Oh, yes, we were, weren't we? I'll tell you what, you go get the punch and I will stay here," she said nodding in the general direction of where Ruth was to go, trying not to take her eyes away from him.

Ruth frowned for a moment, then decided she really did want that punch after all. With a wave of her hand, Brett sent Ruth off to the punch table. She turned back and was startled to see two beautiful sea green eyes staring at her. She fluttered her lashes a bit and felt her heart give a giddy leap as he approached her. For the first time in her life, Brett DeLaney found herself completely tongue-tied over a boy.

THE END