I set my bag down in the sand and looked around. There was no one on the beach today. Most likely because it's only 50 degrees out. It's spring, but not quite. I'm wearing my white thin sweater and a black t shirt underneath my black legging shorts were enough to keep me warm, barely. I take a deep breath and twirl around. I leap into the air and land on my toes, where I lift one of my legs to touch the other's knee like a flamingo. I reach my arms into the air gracefully and starts singing a Taylor Swift song quietly.
"Are we out of the woods yet? Are the woods yet are we out of the woods yet are we out of woods? Are we in the clear yet are in the clear yet are we in the clear yet in the clear yet? Good!" I sing getting louder. I do my routine carefully and get closer to the water. The cold, but soothing ocean waves grasp my feat. I actually smile at the sensation. I could see why Curtis was happy all the time. I could imagine all of it in color, but not quite. I saw the blue could be the waves, but didn't actually see it. I slowly wade into the water until it's up to my knees. None of my clothes were wet, so I'm very happy. I spin around and dance out of the water. The nice scent of sea breeze hits my nostrils and I smile again. Could this get any better? Yeah. He could be here, but that wasn't going to happen. Then I remember. I have practice tonight! I look down at my watch. Ah! It's 3:00! I dash and grab my stuff. Then I run to my red Subaru and climb in. I drive to the studio and walk inside. Janine waves to me with a smile and I wave back. "Hi!" I say with a half smile. She gasps and runs over to me with a squeal.
"A-are you.... SMILING?!" She yells, inspecting my face. I laugh.
"Yeah. So what?"
"You like, never smile!!!" She squeals and jumps up and down. I hold her shoulders to stop her from jumping.
"Save your energy for practice!" I laugh. Wow! I was doing great!!! I feel a hand on my shoulder and see Curtis with his walking stick. I turn red. "Hey there!" I smile and he must sense that because he smiles too.
"Oh my gosh!!! Your freaking smiling!!!" He says grinning ear to ear.
"I'll just leave you two alone. I've gotta stretch anyways. Keep up the smile Susan!" Janine says softly punching my shoulder then walks off with a wave. I turn back to Curtis.
"Yeah."
"How're you feeling?" He asks.
"Really I should be asking you that question!"
"Eh, can't complain. Same challenges and still happy from... You know..." I turn red at this comment. Curtis gets hot too.
"I'm ok. Went to the beach before practice and danced a bit," I say with a pirouette.
"Nice! Wasn't it cold?" He says. I shrug.
"Not really. We could go tomorrow! It's supposed to be warmer then. I can pick you up..." I suggest.
He nods. "That would actually be great! What time?"
"Does 2:00 work?"
He nods. "Sound awesome! Bathing suits?"
"Mhmmm. I can bring a picnic." I smile, looking forward to tomorrow.
"I can't wait! We should probably start stretching, what do you think?" He says putting his walker down by his stuff.
"Yeah," I reply. We head over to the wooden railing in front of the mirror and stretch our legs. "Oh! We're going to have to show Mrs. Adams our routine Ina few minutes!" I gasp, remembering.
He nods. "I totally forgot! Let's head over there."
I start walking with him and we reach the room. Mrs. Adams comes in a few minutes after.
"I thought you two had forgotten. Now let's see it!" She says with a smile and presses the play button on the speakers. The soothing piano music softly plays and I twirl then stop and jump in the air. He catches me and I see Mrs. Adams write something on her clip board. We both focus and continue until the very end of the end. Mrs. Adams claps vigorously. "Oh my goodness!!! I thought it would be hard for you two to work together, especially with you both having eye troubles, but I was wrong! That was wonderful!!! The performance isn't until another month!!!" She praises us. I smile and so does Curtis. He sets me down. "Oh! And you're even smiling!!! Susan and Curtis!!! You two have a very bright future!!! Keep practicing!!!" She exclaims walking out.
"That was the best time yet! Nice job!" Curtis says offering a hand for a high five.
"Thanks! You were so awesome too!" I say accepting the high five offer. "I think we need to celebrate with a milkshake! Wanna meet at Sonic tonight?"
"Sure!" He replies. I grab his hand and lead him to the main room since he doesn't have his walker. Mrs. Adams waves to us. It was a short practice, but worth it. Curtis grabs his walker and spots his mom. "Hey, mind if I go with Susan to get a milkshake at sonic?" She asks her.
"No way! As long as she bring you home I don't mind at all. Have fun," she replies giving me a smile and winks. I smile back and go out to my car. Curtis follows and I open the door for him. He gets in, shuts the door and buckles his seat belt.
I do the same and start the car. We drive to Sonic quickly and walk to a table. "What do you want?" I ask him.
"I usually get the peanut butter jelly shake," he says laughing. I join him. "It sounds weird but tastes great!"
"I bet!" I walk over to the menu and press the red button.
"Welcome to Sonic. How may I help you?" A dreary voice asks me.
"Two medium peanut butter jelly shakes please."
"Your total is 6.65. Will that be cash or credit?" The man asks. Curtis walks over with his credit card.
"Credit, please," he says.
I frown and whisper to him, "I'll pay for it!"
He smile at me and kisses my forehead. "No way!" He feels around for the credit card slot and inserts it.
I huff. "Fine, but next time I'm paying for it."
"Deal," Curtis says with a little laugh. Our shakes come out and we both start sipping them.
"Wow! You're right! This is really good!!!" I exclaim.
He nods. "Yeah. That's why I get it!" Curtis smiles and looks to my face. I know he means to look into my eyes but I ignore it. He taps his fingers against the table as if he's nervous. "Sooooo... I was wondering if... Maybe... You wanted to go out on a date or something..." He looks up and gives me a hopeful look. My heart starts beating wildly and I become speechless. He asked me out!!!
"I-I- I'd love to Curtis! Why me though?" I ask, confused.
He feels around on the table and finally finds my hand. He grasps it. "I really like you Susan. Not just because we are very similar, but because you're extraordinary," he says. This time he was looking right into my eyes.
"Extraordinary?"
"Yes Susan. You are the most beautiful, most kind person I've met. We're also the same age," he smiles a bit. That was true. We were both 17... I lean over to him and he must sense this because he stands up. I stand as well and he steps close to me. I can feel his warm breath on my face. We're a mere inch away from each other and I lean and kiss him gently. He kisses back and holds me close. I smile and start thinking. If being happy is what this feels like, I'll try my best.
