Strangers To Stardom

06

June hurried off the basketball court as soon as practice ended, her heart still racing from the drills. She spotted Asher waiting by the gym entrance, his hands tucked into his pockets, watching her with a distant expression. She quickly said her goodbyes to her teammates, giving Paige a quick hug.

"Catch you later, Paige!" she called over her shoulder, before jogging over to Asher.

"Hey," she greeted him breathlessly, flashing him a bright smile. "Thanks for waiting. Ready to head to dance practice?"

Asher nodded, his expression not matching her enthusiasm. "Yeah, let's go," he replied, his voice clipped.

June's smile faltered slightly, but she brushed it off, hoping his mood would lift during practice. They walked together toward the dance studio, June trying to fill the silence with conversation.

"So, how was your day?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"Fine," Asher replied shortly, his eyes fixed ahead.

June tried again. "Did you finish that project for English? I'm still working on mine."

"Yeah, I did."

The silence between them grew more pronounced, and June felt a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach. She wasn't used to Asher being so distant, and it unsettled her. She tried to focus on the upcoming dance practice instead, hoping that once they started moving, things would get back to normal.

They entered the studio, and June quickly changed into her dance clothes. The other dancers were already warming up, stretching and going over the routine. June joined them, glancing at Asher as he did the same. His movements were automatic, lacking the usual energy and focus she admired in him.

Today's practice was for their couple's dance, a routine they had been working on for weeks. It was a complicated piece, full of lifts and close interactions, requiring complete trust and harmony between partners. Normally, June loved the way they moved together, the way they seemed to communicate without words as they danced. But today, something felt off.

The music started, and they took their positions. Asher's hand found hers, and they began the routine, moving in sync with the rhythm. But June could feel the tension in his grip, the stiffness in his movements. She tried to lead with more energy, hoping to draw him out, but his responses were still mechanical, distant.

They moved through the first sequence, their bodies close as they executed a series of turns. June's heart wasn't just racing from the physical exertion—she could feel the emotional distance between them, and it was throwing her off balance.

As they approached a lift, June hesitated, her usual confidence shaken by Asher's cold demeanor. She leaped, trusting him to catch her as he always did, but the lift was clumsy, lacking the usual fluidity. He set her down, and they continued, but the awkwardness lingered.

Finally, they reached the end of the routine, finishing with a close, intimate hold. June looked up at Asher, her breath coming in quick gasps, searching his face for any sign of what was bothering him.

"Okay, what's with you two today? You made such good progress in the last week. What happened?" Ms. Teresa asked as she stopped the music.

"Asher," June said softly, still holding onto him. "What's going on? You're not yourself today."

He looked down at her, his eyes clouded with something she couldn't quite read. For a moment, it seemed like he was going to say something, but then he just shook his head slightly.

"It's nothing," he muttered, stepping back to put some distance between them.

June let go, feeling the loss of contact like a physical ache. "It doesn't feel like nothing," she pressed, her voice tinged with concern.