The Ballerina

Chapter 7

Niña was already sitting down when I walked into Mrs. Anderson's class. I slung my book bag over the chair.
"You never responded to my text," I said as I sat down.
"I didn't check my phone until this morning," she hesitated. "I-I- You didn't make me uncomfortable," she paused. "I just wasn't expecting that from you... and honestly I'm not ready for that, it's just that-"
I nodded. "I understand," I forced myself to say. "You have ballet," I muttered, trying my best to hide my annoyance, but was unsuccessful.
Niña frowned. "That wasn't what I was going to say, don't put words in my mouth," she snapped.
She waited a few seconds for me to reply, but I couldn't figure out what to say so I kept quiet.
"I was going to say that I've been through a lot," she whispered.
"Like," I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My boyfriend, well ex boyfriend, we had been dating for a year, but we were off and on. He um he kept cheating on me so... I'm just not ready for that kind of thing right now," I said.
I thought about Cara, the majority of the time we had been dating I was banging Ashley on the side. I felt horrible for hurting her and now knowing that some guy had done that to Niña, it made me want to redeem myself in some kind of way. I wanted to treat her better than her ex ever did.
"What are you doing tonight," I asked, changing the subject.
She sighed. "I already told you, I have ballet."
"I mean after that."
"Taking a shower and going home," she replied.
I rolled my eyes and chuckled, she was so stubborn. "What time does it end," I asked.
"Eight-thirty."
"Okay, I'll be there at eight," I stated.
"Excuse me," she asked taken aback.
"I'll be there at eight," I said slowly.
"Why?"
"I'm taking you out to eat, maybe we can go downtown or something," I suggested.
"I-I-" Niña stuttered.
"You don't have an option, I am taking you out to eat, but you can choose what we do after that," I smiled.
"My um dad takes me home and I don't think he'll approve of you, I mean who knows how long we will be out-" she babbled.
I smirked. " I'll talk to your dad about it when I get there and I will most definitely have you home by curfew, I wouldn't want to make a bad impression on your parents," I said, winking.
Niña rolled her eyes and smiled. "You are unbelievable," she says, chuckling.
"What," I ask the smile vanishing from my face.
"Nothing," she said, smiling. "It's just that you are so persistent... it reminds of someone I used to know."
I nodded.
"I think my dad and mom will like you," she continued.
"And why do you think that," I asked.
She shrugged. "It's just a gut feeling."
"Well, we will see whether your gut feeling is right or wrong tonight."
Her eyes widened. "You can't be serious."
"I thought we were done with this part of the conversation," I sighed.
"You're joking, right?"
"No, it's Friday, Niña you should have some fun for once."
"I have had fun this whole week, thank you very much."
"Like what?" I asked.
"I read finished Pride and Prejudice, watched Swan Lake several times performed by professionals and I went to rehearsal and practice this week," she smiled.
I pretended to yawn. "Well that sounds boring, this is why you need me, so you can actually have fun."
"It was fun for me," Niña responded, sounding defensive.
"Whatever you say, princess. That won't be stopping me from taking you out."
Niña groaned. "You are so annoying."
"Thank you," I smiled. "I really do try," I said sarcastically.
She laughed. "You're an idiot."
"And you're a nerd," I said, chuckling.
Niña shrugged. "I am not, I'm just more advanced than your peanut sized brain," she smirked.
"Well I'm not that big of an idiot," I said.
"Are you sure about that," Niña asked, laughing.
"Yes. A true idiot wouldn't be able to tell how truly beautiful you are and not on just the outside, it's on the inside too."
"Well aren't you just a romantic," she said, hiding her face.
I knew she was blushing. I learned that earlier this week she always hid her face when she blushed, even though I just truly wished she would look me in the eyes and smile when she did. I wanted to pick her face up and force her to look at me-
"Um, Niña?"
I looked over and saw Victoria hovering over Niña and I's table.
Niña looked up from her paper. "Yes?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Can you check this," Victoria asked politely.
"Sure," Niña forced a smile.
"Okay, thanks," Victoria flashed a quick smile. She kept her hand on the table and let it slide across the table. Victoria placed a hand on my chest and let her other arm drape over my shoulder. She leaned down and whispered in my ear. "Maybe you could come over tonight, I haven't seen you a very, very long time," she said. Victoria tugged lightly on my earlobe with her teeth, before kissing a soft spot right behind my ear.
I bit my lip and closed my eyes, trying to keep myself together. "I'm busy tonight," I said, my voice strained.
"Hmm," she pouted. "You don't even have a little time to play," she asked.
"Nope," I said, moving closer to Niña.
She took my hand and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. Niña leaned into my side and placed a hand on my chest, removing both of Victoria's arms. "He's mine so back off, sorry not sorry," Niña said sassily, as she looked at her.
Victoria pursed her lips and walked away.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Not a problem play boy," she said, kissing my cheek.
"I'm not a play boy, at least not anymore," I said in a low voice.
"Once a play boy always a play boy," she said.
I frowned. "That isn't true."
"Mhmm."
I sighed. "Let me take you on a date to prove it to you," I suggested.
Niña looked up at me and frowned. "No, thanks. I've already been down that road, I'm not going down it again."
"Then don't call me a play boy," I stated.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine."
"Thank you," I exhaled.
"Yeah, yeah," she hesitated. "We should probably stay like this just in case."
I nodded and Niña got comfortable, fitting her body perfectly into my side. She laid her head against my chest.
"This isn't weird, right?"
"Not at all," I said, enjoying every bit of it.