SINS (Completed)

FALLING WEAK

"Now these are tango moves, they have to be powerful, and brisk. Look at each other."

We are. Hardin, and I. Unblinking. Unmoving. Unfaltering.

It feels I'm pulled away into this dreamy, unrealistic dimension where Hardin, I and the bonfire night lives happy, peaceful and protected. I'm slipping away.

"Then step to the right, push your joined hands up, jut out your hips at the right side, legs straight and bend your left elbows down, with a strong thak! Slide your stretched let leg back in, slowly-"

I feel Trevor moving me, but I see the move through Hardin. Performing it with Lily.

Watching him move is so engrossing, it could be a job. There's power. Elegance. Seduction. And for a miniscule second, in a temporary lapse of sanity, I feel envious of Lily.

"Look down left, now this move has to be intensely powerful. This is on the beat of the chorus, it has to be the best, okay- let's do this bit."

I redirect my eyes back to the ground. Keep them there. And breathe deeply.

Get your head straight Tessa. This is Hardin. THIS IS HARDIN. Hardin is a yesterday, just- wake up now.

*

I shut the door behind me, tossing the keys and my bag gently onto the table. I walk into the kitchen, gulping down a bottle of cold water.

I place the bottle down, and move into my room. I open the window, pushing aside the curtains and I feel a soft breeze wash over my face. I close my eyes with a heavy sigh, trying to clear my head.

Rehearsals took a whole of two periods, and considering my unwanted ventures into the past, especially the ones containing Hardin, I feel strangely fatigued. And- lonely.

I sit down at my desk, the wall clock ticking rhythmically, cutting through the silence.

"You're looking good."

I hear his soft voice as his chest vibrates with the sound.

"So are you. Coffee really enhanced the black. Except of course the sleeves." I smirk though I know he can't see me. But I can feel him smile against my hair.

"They look better when rolled up to the elbows." They had fallen down during the vigorous salsa moves and I had not failed to notice it.

Hardin lets out an adorable laugh and leaves me instantly. He rolls up his sleeves while I giggle and takes me back into his embrace again, not wasting even a single second. This time, keeping both his hands on my waist and I throw mine around his neck.

"There."

"There."

"Happy? I freeze. My smile falters a little. And my eyes moisten.

"Happy."

My phone rings with a sharp suddenness and I pick it up, with an involuntary feeling of loss.

"Tess?" Lily speaks up from the other end of the line.

"Yeah?"

"Should I come back, you okay?" Her voice is laced with worry, and I lick my lips almost tempted to actually call her back. But I can't ruin her plans, because of me.

"No, hey you should stay there, I'm okay, I'm- grand. Steve and you haven't spent much time lately, you take the day." I speak out, through a reassuring, cheery voice.

"I don't know, you were kind of lost, after rehearsal. Something happened?"

I smile sadly, and with a simultaneous swell at the friend I've managed to bag. Now I'm really not spoiling her night.