Saved by a Salvatore

Chapter 7

I’m standing by the window of the dance studio Stefan made for me. I still remember the day I just had to let off some steam. Armed with the Ipod nano he’d given me to past the time when he was out, I decided I’d remind myself of why I started dancing to begin with. The look on his face as I made a turn and caught him watching me dance in his room, will forever be emblazoned in my mind. But, what got me the most is what happened a week later.

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“Kit.” Someone whispers in my ear.

“Go away!” I swat at the air.

“Get up. I have a surprise for you.” He says again. It’s Stefan.

“No! I’m sleeping. Go away!” I swat again hitting his chest.

“You’re not sleeping, because you can never speak clearly when you’ve just woken up. So, get up. I have a surprise for you.” He’s laughing wholeheartedly.

I mumble incoherently and say, “Fine! I’m up.” I say as he pulls the duvet off me, “What do you want?” I ask sitting up.

“I told you. I have a surprise for you.” he says laughing.

“Okay, fine. What is it?” I ask as he lifts me out of bed only to put me down when we reach the door.

“You have to come with me to find out. But keep quiet, Zach’s still asleep.” he says pulling me down the hall.

We stop at a door and he opens it and elbows me in. Instantly my jaw drops to the floor as my hands fly to my mouth in one motion. I look back and he’s gazing at me with the sincerest look I’d ever seen since knowing him.

“You made me a dance studio?” I ask beaming at the room. It’s everything you’d expect from a small dance studio. But I love it all the same.

“Well, you can dance, but you can‘t move well around my room or yours.” he says.

“What happens when I leave?” I blurt out.

“Well I would hope it doesn’t come to that.” he smiles, “You just can’t accept anything meant for you, can you?”

“It’s not that. Stefan, I love this really. It’s so beautiful. I was only wondering. That’s all.” I say reaching out and catching his hand.

“Well in that case, show me something.” He says as he sits on a lounge chair in the room.

“Okay!” Jumping at the chance.

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I’ve been so in love with this room. I’m still not allowed outside, but being in here makes it so much better. I’ve missed real dancing, not the gyrating and grinding that goes on in the Pink Panther. I always since eyes on my while I’m dancing. At first, I had no doubt in my mind that they were Zach’s. That is until I felt something the other day. As I was dancing I felt a sudden warm sensation come over me, like nothing I’d felt before. Through the blare of my music, I looked over at the window. There, on a tree branch just outside the window, sat a crow. All alone it sat staring at me. It took everything in my body to not be violent towards to the defenseless creature and continue dancing. But, it did freak the hell out of me. That wasn’t the only weird thing I’ve experienced. For the past 2 weeks, every time I’ve danced in here as I left I always saw maybe an elbow or a booted heal leaving around the corner away from my studio. I was sure it was most likely Zach being that I would go in there when Stefan went out. I was sure until yesterday. This time it was an elbow clad in a dark rolled up cuff. Zach went into town, and Stefan went out again. But, even if they hadn’t, I know neither of them dresses like that. Okay, I know it was only an elbow, but I know neither of my boys wears that. So, what’s going on here? If it’s not Stefan or Zach, then who?

Crack! Thwack!

Taking me out of my reverie, I looked for the cause of the sound. Down in the back yard is a man. Apparently he’s just broken a loose branch and probably thrown it. So, I wasn’t crazy and someone else has been in this house. As I look at him, he’s dressed in dark colors and has dark hair to match. Although, I can’t see his face. I see that he is the elbow that has taunted me for the last 2 weeks. But, then I see his shoulders slump. I know that move all to well. He’s…crying.

Oh please, don’t cry, if it’s one thing I can’t stand is to see a man cry. It’s unnerving, the whole ugly cry thing. I watch him as he goes through his emotions, or at least what I can tell. Before, I can stop myself, let alone have any idea of what I’m doing. I’ve made my way out of the door, through the hall, down the stairs and before I can touch the doorknob it turns and opens.