The Dancing Torera

53

Author note:
Just want to clear up that ANAIS DOES NOT want fame, fortune, money. She wants to dance! That's it! She hates blood, she hates gore and the mistreatment of the bulls!

I was up at midnight editing the last chapter to get an update out so I misspoke. You will see her reason for doing this but remember, Anais ALWAYS wanted to be a bullfighter! Just a... nontraditional one that doesn't kill the bulls. Remember that was what 95% of her and Esteban's fights were about!!

Anais

"Anais! Anais! Wait!" Esteban runs at my heel, desperate to halt my departure as I stormed out of the Ninos locker room.

"Anais!" He shouts my name even louder, pulling my wrist to stop my departure.
"Anais, would you just stop and think about this? For just a moment!" He spins me around, grabbing both my arms.

I stare at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Mi amour"

"No, you don't get to mi amour me" I scoffed, letting out a lazy chuckle.

"Anais...I don't care about the money. I don't care about the people or the reporters. I care about you."

"Is that why you called me a whore in front of all Espana?"

He shifted on each foot, finally letting me go.

"You we're right Esteban," I admit, clasping his jaw with my palm. 

"I was?" He smiles in disbelief, shocked I would even admit fault at a time like this.

"You were right when you said It's not fair to you.. for me to ask you not to bullfight or kill the bulls" I drag my eyes down his bloody appearance, purposely showing my distaste in his display.

"You did bullfighting before I met you
Why should I as you to change it? Just because I say so?"

He was silent.
"So what are you saying, Anais? Because it sounds like you're saying goodbye" he frowned, still staring into my eyes.

He grabbed my jaw desperate to kiss my lips but I turn my cheek.

"I am going to do those interviews that Hector canceled.
I and going to live my life. For every bull you slaughter? I will save 3.
And for every tail you cut, I will spare 7.
If that involves adopting the title of the dancing torerra, so be it."

"Anais! Be sensible! You can't honestly think you can be a Torerra overnight?"

"I told you the day I met you, Esteban.
What did I say to you?"

"I don't know" he mumbled but we both knew he was lying.

"I told you I wanted to be the first torerra in Spain. And what did you say?"

"Anais can we not do this now? We have to go back and explain—-"

"You said you would coach me? Didn't you?" I cut him off. The impatience of the reporters and photographers were of no concern to me.

"Anais can we just think about it?"

"I already thought it through...
I will be dancing again.
Mariela will be my manager and representative and any questions you have for me will go through her.
Goodbye Esteban."