Running Out of Time

Chapter Three

I set out downstairs half an hour early just to make sure I wasn't the last person to arrive at my next class. Aubrey had disappeared off somewhere, so I hadn't had company during the afternoon, but it didn't matter, seeing as she and I weren't obligated friends and I had another dance class to eat up the rest of my afternoon and take a bite out of my evening as well.

This time, I found the studio with a little more ease, and I relaxed as the studio number loomed into view, but I tensed up again when I saw Lia leaning against the door, standing alone.

"Hey." I smiled hesitantly. She turned to me, a little startled, but then relaxed.

I wasn't sure what to say next. Lia merely gave me a smile in answer.

"So... are we too early?" I jerked my thumb towards the studio, which was dark and empty. She bobbed her head in response.

"We're going to have to wait for a bit." She answered. "The door's locked."

"Ah." I settled myself on the other side of the door and waited. The silence stretched taut between us, and I grappled mindlessly for a thing to say.

"So..." I began, already berating myself for opening my dumb mouth and allowing the possibility of something very stupid and/or very dangerous slip out. "I'm assuming this isn't your first year here?"

"Oh, no, it's not. I only do the summer program, though." She gave me a strained smile.

"Oh. Cool." I hesitantly chuckled, and it died into silence. I glanced around the hallway.

"Why isn't anyone else coming?" I asked. "There's only fifteen minutes left."

She shrugged and gave me a look that said: "I know about as much as you do". I turned my gaze back down the hallway, and in the next moment, I heard the clinking of keys and jogging footsteps before I saw a tall woman wearing a tight tank top and leggings come around the corner.

Lia smiled immediately, and I felt a selfish jolt of jealousy that the smile was directed at someone else.

"Hi, Lucille."

I blanched and looked at Lia. Was everyone on first-name basis with the teacher, or was she simply special?

Lucille, or Ms. Reiland, smiled back at Lia. "Hello, Lia. This is your last year, huh?"

Lia's mouth twitched a little, and I could've sworn there was bitterness in her expression. "Yeah. Then off to college I go. Yay for engineering." She gave a forced laugh, and I looked at her strangely. Lia avoided my gaze, and I made note that her career was clearly a touchy subject.

Ms. Reiland clearly noticed this in the shrewd way her gaze swept over Lia. She glanced over at me and leaned closer, whispering softly, but not so softly that I couldn't hear. I felt guilty for listening in, and I tried to look away to give them some semblance of privacy, but I couldn't not hear the whispered words that passed between them.

"I could put in a good word to your mother, speak about how dedicated and talented you are. I'm sure I can band up some of the other teachers, and with all of us pressuring her, surely she can't force you into college." Ms. Reiland whispered.

Lia shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together. Ms. Reiland looked unsatisfied, but she dropped the subject and turned to me.

"I've never seen you around before. What's your name?" She smiled, switching quickly from seriousness to a bubbly and brusque happiness.

"Willow." I answered quietly, feeling out of place in the clear bond of familiarity between Ms. Reiland and Lia.

"Is this your first year here?"