Comfortably Numb

Chapter Forty Seven

Andy's POV

Darkness surrounds me completely. I can't see an inch past my face but I know that I am not alone. I can feel him here with me; his chest inches behind my back, his hand wrapped tightly around mine. His grip tightens and I smile. "Just breathe, Meda. Just breathe." He whispers into my ear. Excitement bounces off of him, dancing along his words.

Anticipation slides down my spine and settles in the pit of my stomach. I suck in a deep breath and squeeze his hand that still rests in mine.

"Places!" The hiss flies across the dark.

I suck in a final deep breath before the moment we've been waiting for and then I gently lift my left leg into the air. I freeze in place as I reach the perfect spot, exactly two inches from his torso. Perfect. My arms flow over my head, prepping for the first sequence. And finally, my already ramrod straight back straightens that tiny bit more. He slips his hands around the curve of my waist; this gives me the balance I need to be able to travel onto the tips of my toes. Balanced in our first position, I freeze.

"Breathe" He sighs again.

I nod silently and then the curtain comes into view.

Looking around, all that I can see is the glowing red velvet. And then it starts to rise. It's almost like the curtain was a sound barrier, because the further up it travels, the more noises are revealed. I can hear the echoing applause now; it's bouncing off of the stone walls that surround us. I can hear the quiet plucking of the orchestra as they prepare for their job. The slight hum of people talking and the hush that travels its way across the full theatre as they realize the curtain is being lifted.

A single spotlight is turned on, and I realize with a start that the curtain is now fully up. I feel as if I am completely bare to the world. Panic grips me, but something-or someone- stops that with a gentle squeeze of my hips. He's still here. I can do this. I force a wider smile and begin to count the steps. We move together, flowing gracefully across the stage.

1, 2, 3,
1, 2, 3,
1, 2, 3, 1, 2....

I spin away from his hold as the music swells. I shove against the floor and launch into the air. My jump is perfect, and when I land it's on pointed feet.

I can hear applause beyond the spotlights, but I choose to ignore it, spinning to find him. He's smiling, dancing towards me on pointe with his arms outstretched. We meet in the middle and his hands find their home on my waist. He lifts and we spin, my arms fluttering elegantly around our heads. I stretch out my right foot, lifting it as he sets me down and takes my hand to spin me again.

I stay on pointe on my left foot, watching the world spin in perfect detail as we dance. Everything feels light, and perfect. Tears well in my eyes as he pulls me back into him, spreading his stance so that I can step onto his thigh and then to his shoulders. He braces his arm and I tiptoe onto it, reaching for the heaven's as I go. When I reach his wrist I push off, launching myself higher. I do the splits in the air and he slides underneath me, catching me as I return to the Earth.

The orchestra fades out as we return to our first position. The curtain falls and he wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me once again, but this time in a crushing bear hug. I can't stop the breathless laugh, pure joy radiating out of me.

"Meda... He whispers. His smile is blinding, so happy to be here with me. I beam back at him.

"Stevie." I whisper. He drops me to the floor and grabs my hand, squeezing it gently. He starts walking backwards, tugging me with him.

I feel him before I see him. My heart takes off in an erratic beat as Steven drops my left hand and steps slightly to the side. Ryker stands from his seat, a blinding smile on his face. Steven squeezes my right hand and then tugs me a step closer, reaching out with his empty hand for Ryker. Ryker opens his palm and reaches for us. Steven gives us both another wide smile before connecting the hands he's holding. Once we're connected, electricity runs up my skin, settling into a pleasant warmth in the centre of my chest. Steven smiles again before stepping back.