2 Seconds •LT•

III

    31 August,  2015

    "Isn't it strange? How There are so many people out there who secretly love someone & there are so many people who have no idea someone secretly loves them" - recitethis.com

   The bell ending the first day of this school year rang. Except I wasn't going home. Not yet at least. I made my way for the auditorium. I could hear the clacking of my shining black shoes scar the floor with each step I took. I walked through the back entrance, hoping no one else was there to hear the distracting

Click.

Clack.

Clock.

   I put the items on a chair, and stood in awe of the person inhabiting the stage. Belle. Just my surprise to see her there. She was dancing, taking gentle graceful steps with carefully coordinated swerves. I took slow steps closer to her, until I leaned onto a table to keep me from falling to my knees. She didn't seem like the dancing type, especially Ballet. Yet, seeing here there, her feet tapping the wooden stage, it suited her perfectly.

   She stopped. Her performance was cut too short. You couldn't tell she was breathing by the way she looked out to the empty seats of the vacant auditorium. It was only her and I, but Belle hadn't noticed I was there yet. She gazed off as if there was an audience. The audience seemed to frighten her. The expression on her face. It was desperation for approval. I started clapping at her performance. "Woah! Belle! Great job on your performance!" She was alerted by the sight of me (And my whooping). Wide eyed.

   Her cheeks tinted red as I witnessed her chest heaving. She didn't expect to see me there, clapping for her. " You were fantastic!"

   Crimson cheeks. She smiled, and it reached her eyes, "Thank you"

   I sat on the table as she neared my presence. Belle leaned on it as she panted. "Water?" I offered. She shook her head at my offering, "I just need to catch my breath". I drank the water myself. "So. What are you. Doing here?" Hazel eyes breathed out.

   "I came here to get items ready for the play rehearsals soon. You should try out for the ballet portion"

   "Me? No, there's no way I'll get a slot"

   "Why don't be so pessimistic, you've got an advantage"

   "An advantage?" She scoffed " What advantage?"

   "Me," I pointed to my chest "I'm your advantage. Chances are, I'll favor you over others"

   "That wouldn't be fair to the rest"

   " Life isn't fair love"

   She looked down but said the next words crystal clear "You're right. Life isn't fair"

   "So you'll audition?"

   Belle took an extended observant look at my expression. It pleaded her to audition. It would mean more time with her. I meant it even more, since she hasn't left my mind since I met her. " You want me to?"

I quickly nodded, fearing she'd say "No" Belle looked down, thinking about it for a moment "It would be a nice excuse to avoid going home" I'd understand why she hated being at home so much later. She bit the side of her bottom lip. "Okay, I'll sign up" Convincing her, it saved her.

"My turn to question. What are you doing here?" I took interest.

"I am, uh. I'm here because. I was dancing" She motioned to the stage.

"Right..." I stared off at the stage as I spoke. "Let me rephrase that. Why are you here, and not at, you know, home instead, or at the park. Because this place is, well. School"

" I avoid going home as much as I can. Heh. I avoid home as much as I can" She said in realization. I perked my ears attentively. " Other kids, when they are scared, they know where to run to. Home. Where will I run to? My fear is there. At home. Yet I call it that... House" she tasted the characters. " I avoid the house I live in better said"

"Don't you miss it?"

"Miss what?"

"Your home"

"If I would, I wouldn't be here"

I decided not to push on more of the subject, afraid of triggering her somehow. " So how long have you been doing this?"

" I've been coming here since..." She scrunched her face as she thought "Last year..? Wait. Yes. Last school year"

"Then how come I haven't seen you here?"

" I usually don't stay until 5"

" Oh..."

"Well I'll be headed then"

"Wouldn't you want to stay?" I asked looking down at the floor.

" I wouldn't want to be a pest"

" It'd be quite the opposite. It gets quite lonely when there's no company"

" Okay, I'll stay"

" By when do you need to be home?" I hopped off the table and grinned as I took steps closer to her.

" Doesn't really matter, as long as my dad doesn't need anything from me"

"What about your mum?" I realized her expression darkened. I cringed at my mistake of words.

Ever so kindly she said "Let's leave that conversation for another day"

"Okay"

" Thanks for letting me stick around Mister"

" Don't be afraid to call me Louis, I won't mind"

"Okay, Louis"

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