Joseph looked nervously across the room, through the noise of over bassed music and the thick smog of rancid tobacco, he saw her sitting there. Susie was, without a doubt the cutest girl in school. It was Bradley's 18th birthday and the party was in full swing.

Most of the revellers were severely drunk on cheap beer. Susie sat chatting with Kaley her best friend, laughing as she whispered something in her ear. She was dressed in a short black skirt that revealed her soft white slender legs. Her top had a high collar of a designer cut that had obviously been bought for the occassion. In the past couple of years the pretty teenager had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Joseph's dilemma was that he did not know how to approach her. As far as he was concerned, if he took a step towards her, she would just laugh at him. Joseph was no dog but he was nothing special. Susie could have her pick of all the guys in school. Why would she be even vaguely interested in him?

Suddenly Joseph flushed a crimson hue as he realised she was returning his stare. She smiled softly for a moment before turning back to Kaley and laughing at a passing comment of one of their companions.

"DAMN IT!" Joseph cursed. He had missed his chance.

She had looked. She had smiled. All Joseph had done is stare back blankly like a total dork! He did what all other red blooded American guys would do in that circumstance. He went to find the beer and the other dateless lads.

Joseph entered the crowded kitchen to a raucous welcome from Bradley, who was not unsurprisingly completely wasted. He was seated on the table next to a large barrel of beer.

"Cap'n Joseph!" He cried out waving his half full mug of beer in the air much to the chagrin of those he splashed.

"Bradley you old dog! I thought I'd find you in here hogging all the drink."

Bradley leapt off the table and grabbed a full mug and thrust it into his closest friends hands. "So I hear you really did it?"

"Did what?"

"Signed up for the army of course."

Joseph took a sip from the mug. "Don't sound so surprised, you knew I was going to!"

"Oh it's not that it surprised me; what surprised me is that they actually took you!" Bradley slapped Josephon the back laughing loudly at his own poor joke. "So when do you shipout?"

"Not for a few months!"

"Ah so you will be here for the prom?"

"Yeah I s'pose so!" Joseph replied drinking deep.

"You got a date yet?"

"No." Joseph pondered then leaning closer he spoke in a hushed voice. "I was thinking of asking Susie the college girl. What do you rate my chances?"

Bradley almost choked as he spluttered into his mug. "SUSIE!" he cried though his laughter. "You don't have a chance!"

"Shut your big mouth Bradley!" Joseph hissed but it was too late, several nearby classmates overheard.

"Hey you got it bad for Susie have you Joseph?" Broardman leaned over putting an arm round Joseph and one around Bradley.

"No. . . of course not.. .I just. . .!"

"Hey everyone!" Broardman turned back to the crowd. "Our Joseph here is in love!"

"Shut up Broardman!" Joseph flushed bright red. If he could he would have left. However that would mean walking through the room where she was. He was sure that from here Susie could not here a word Broardman was saying but he new word would get to her ear in no time at all.

Broardman continued unabated. "He is desperate to get into our Susie's pants!"

"OH GOSH! OH SHIT! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!! Joseph slammed his mug on the table and headed for the door, his only chance to escape this ultimate humiliation. He kept his head down ensuring that he did not make eye contact with anyone.

Someone coming in blocked his way. Instinctively he looked up. His eyes met hers.

"Oh hell!"

Susie stood framed in the doorway clutching her empty mug. She smiled at Joseph. A hushfell upon those gathered in the kitchenette as all waited for Joseph to respond to this situation.

"Excuse me!" She said softly.

"Huh!" Joseph's mind zoned out!

Susie nodded to the barrel on the table, "I want to get a refill, can I come in!"

"Oh right, yeah. . .!" Joseph stepped aside dying a thousand untold horrific deaths as the peals and cackles of laughter broke out behind him.

Susie looked about curiously "OK guy's! what is the joke?"

Joseph never heard their reply, he was already exiting the front door of the house.

Joseph sat upon the wall outside the house, elbows upon his knees and face in his hands he stared despondently at the floor. He permitted self a deep breath and wondered how much worse his life could get.

"Hey Joseph!"

He looked up, startled at the sound of the all too familiar voice. "Susie!" He would remember that vision for the remaining years of his life. A slender vision of purity. Her light blond hair shimmered softly against the moonlight like a sheet of softly woven that perfect figure, his heart pounded and his loins stirred in the confines of his tight denim pants. Her skin as pure as newly lain snow. Her eyes sparkled with the power of a thousand stars. Susie, as the name passed his lips she smiled at him.

"You forgot your beer! "The smile was one that would melt a thousand hearts.

"Oh thanks!" Joseph took the proffered mug uneasily. There was an awkward silence. "Susie!" Joseph said at last. "I'm really sorry about all that!"

"Forget it, Broardman is a total jerk full of crap." She slipped into a small niche on the wallbeside him. "Don't let him get to you!"

"Did they tell you. .." He started to ask but was interrupted.

"IÕd love too!" Susie smiled.

"Pardon?" Joseph looked a touch confused.

It was Susie's turn to look flushed "Bradley said... Oh hell! It was a wind up... IÕm sorry forget it!"

Suddenly the penny dropped "Oh the dance...yes I did... I mean yes I would...!"

He stopped as Susie grinned. The two burst into laughter. "Shall I start again?"

"It might be a good idea!" she grinned.

"Susie! Will you go with me! To that dance!"

"Yes I'd love to!"

Joseph's heart did that little summer sault that no person could ever describe but anyone who had evertruly been in love would understand. Joseph looked into her eyes he so badly wanted to kiss her but the moment was not right! The closeness of this angelic creature was tearing his eighteen years old hormones apart. Her smooth thigh gently brushed against his leg. When she looked at him he was close enough to feel her hot breath upon his cheek. No words were spoken in those few moments but a poet could not express the multitude of thoughts and emotions that passed between them.

"Say this party is dire." Susie said at last. "How do you feel about throwing it off and coming up to a little place I often go to think and be alone."

Nothing sounded more perfect to Joseph at that moment! Susie lay back in the carefully cultivated grass her hands behind her head. To her right Joseph adopted a similar posture. Both gazed up to the heavens and the blanket of stars that filled the night sky. Gently lapped by a cool breeze, nothing felt more perfect. "Beautiful isnÕt it?" Susie said softly.

"It sure is!" Joseph replied despite the fact the boyÕs mind was entirely on thoughts of Susie and how no man could be happier than he was this day. Suddenly there was a distant streak of light high above them, it streaked across the sky andvanished.

"Did you see that!" She gasped excitement rising in her voice.

"Yes what was it?"

"A shooting star!!" She sighed dreamily and stretched her arms. "I wonder which one?"

"It's getting late!" Joseph commented, "Can I walk you home?"

"Sure!" Susie beamed taking his hand as they got up.

Joseph had been delighted when Susie had invited him in, she made coffee and sandwiches and popped a movie on the video as they ate. Susie had her legs folded underneath her as she rested against Joseph hugging his arm and resting her head on his shoulder. For a while they just sat in silence sharing each other's presence. As the ending credits rolled Susie raised her head and looked at Joseph. This was the right moment. He leaned forward his lips gently brushed hers as her eyes slowly closed. Electricity coursed between them as his mouth became inter twined with hers. Joseph kissed Susie. It was a long lingering kiss, slowly taking control Susie pushed him back down upon the sofa her lithe body writhing gently against his. Slow he ran his hand up her thigh...

'