"Eclipse"

CHAPTER 36: RUSHFORD KINSTON POV

“Everybody can dance,” I reassured him, bringing him to his feet. I put the needle on the C.D. in the gramophone, and a nice, soft melodious sound started playing.

“Do you trust me?” I asked.

He nodded.

I gently folded his waist and pulled him closer. My other hand intertwined with his while his free hand rested on my shoulder.

“Follow me,” I whispered in his ear.

I took a step backward, causing him to follow me. We started slowly, matching the beat with our squared steps. I looked at him. He was staring at his feet, trying not to make a mistake.

“Look at me,” I urged. “It's just us two here. Keep your focus on me.”

I looked into his eyes. I always found them to be bright and full of light, but today I saw the storms that dulled them too. The red spots around the corners of his eyes made him look tired, but they were still the only pair that had ever drawn me in.

Slowly, the tired and sad eyes grew confident as he danced without a mistake.

As the speed of the song increased, so did our pace. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable and excited Noah looked. I twirled him and pulled him closer. He was slowly getting the hang of it.

The sound slowly stopped in the background. It went faster than I anticipated. I didn't want to let go of him right now.

It was only now that I realized this was the first time I had held him this close. I looked at him up close. I had never wanted time to stop as much as I did at this moment. I never wanted to let go of him.

But I did.

“You're a natural, Noah,” I said with a smile.

“You think so?” he questioned.

I nodded. “You will be alright at the ball. Or should I say the center of the ball.”

“Come on now,” he said, playfully hitting me.

“I made fruit tea and got some peaches. Do you like peaches?” I asked.

“I love them,” he answered gleefully.

We both sat down and sipped tea and ate peaches.

“Why do you have dark circles under your eyes?” he asked. “Have you not been sleeping well?”

“It's the rain,” I confessed. “I can't sleep on nights when it's pouring.”

“Oh,” he said. He looked outside the window. “Do you think I need any more lessons for today?”

“No, you're all good,” I assured him.

“So let's sleep together,” he suggested.

I choked on my tea. “What are you talking about?” I coughed

“You haven't been sleeping well and neither have I, so let's just lay down and sleep together,” he said.

“Oh, okay,” I agreed. “Sounds good.”

I then placed the bed and comforter for us to sleep.

As we both lay down, I couldn't fall asleep at all. I tossed and turned, waiting for sleep to come, but it didn't. I finally lay straight and attempted to fall asleep when I felt a weight on me.

I looked to see a sleeping Noah hugging me.

I gently brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. "I hope those bastards rot in hell,” I whispered. "I should too," I thought to myself.

I hoped his friendship with Estelle would rekindle soon. It was affecting him negatively and it would be bad for it to extend as none of them were at fault.

I was.

I held Noah back gently and closed my eyes.