Caught in The Dance

Chapter 4

As morning light filled the room, Juliette woke up peacefully, finding Reya gazing at her with a soft smile. She teased, "Is there something on my face? And how long have you been awake?" Reya leaned in, gently kissing her lips. "Shh, just relax," she murmured. "I'm only admiring the view. Any plans for today?" Juliette blushed, returning the smile. "Fortunately, no plans for me. What about you?" Reya pulled her into a warm embrace. "Perfect," she said, "that means I have you all to myself. I was thinking we could stay in—I don't really feel like going out today."

"We should at least get up and have breakfast; we can't keep ordering in," Juliette said, slowly slipping out of bed. But Reya pulled her back into her arms. "Let's just cuddle a few more minutes, then," she murmured.

Juliette smiled. "Wow, I never pegged you as the clingy type."

Reya grinned, replying, "I prefer to think of myself as passionate—and you know you like it." She winked and leaned in, giving Juliette a quick kiss that made her smile. After a few more moments in each other's arms, they finally made their way down to the dining hall, finding it packed with students who were also late for breakfast. Through the crowd, they managed to secure a table and were soon joined by Violetta and Bliss.

"Hey guys!" Violetta chimed in, interrupting Juliette and Reya's private conversation. Both stopped talking and greeted their friends, who sat down with their plates of food. Bliss asked, "So, what's everyone's plan before classes start tomorrow?"

Violetta replied, "I'll be working on some designs since I didn't get anything done yesterday. How about you two?" She glanced at Juliette and Reya, who exchanged a brief, awkward look. Reya quickly broke the silence. "Jules and I are going to visit my place to grab a few of my art supplies. What about you, Bliss? And where are Mercy and Shantel?"

Juliette admired how calmly Reya delivered the little white lie. She noticed Violetta giving her a curious look but said nothing. Bliss answered, "I'll be going to church with my family, followed by our usual family dinner. As for Mercy and Shantel, I think they're also spending the day with their families at church."

The girls continued chatting, and soon they finished up and left the dining hall. Once they reached their room, Reya took Juliette's hand and said, "I was thinking we should visit my place. The weather's great, and I have a rooftop pool with an amazing view. It's better than staying in, and we'll have some privacy. What do you think?"

Juliette eagerly agreed, and they both got ready, taking a cab to a residential area in Camps Bay. When they arrived at Reya's apartment complex, Juliette was in awe of its beauty. The apartment's interior was even more stunning, with a sleek modern design and elegant African décor. Her gaze fell on a unique painting of Reya with an older woman, both smiling warmly. The colors in the painting spoke to her—not only was it expressive, but it reminded her of her love for her family and the beauty of Cape Town.

Reya noticed her admiration and asked, "You like it?"

"It's beautiful," Juliette replied. "It makes me think of my family. Did you paint it?"

Reya smiled. "Yeah, that's my sister and me. She's one of the few people who really gets me—or at least she was until I met you."

Juliette felt her heart warm at Reya's words. "Where are your sister and your parents?" she asked.

"My sister's away at university, and my parents don't really live here—they're always traveling," Reya said with a hint of sadness, making Juliette decide not to press further.

"Anyway, let's get changed and go for a swim!" Reya suggested. They headed to the pool area, which had a breathtaking view of Camps Bay and the beach. As they changed into their bathing suits, Juliette couldn't help but admire Reya's beauty—her tanned skin glowing in the sunlight, curly hair catching the breeze, and legs that looked straight off a runway.

Juliette, however, felt a twinge of self-consciousness. She hated her thick thighs, the stretch marks from puberty, and her not-so-flat stomach. As a dancer, she found it hard to lose those few extra pounds and often compared herself to the other girls in her class, not to mention the mean girls who had once teased her.

Reya noticed her hesitation. "Jules, why are you so shy? You have a gorgeous body. That swimsuit doesn't do you justice. Let me grab something from my closet for you. And don't worry—it's brand new and has never been worn."

She returned with a violet two-piece swimsuit featuring a high-waisted bottom. Juliette hesitantly put it on, feeling self-conscious with so much skin exposed. She instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, trying to cover up, which prompted Reya to walk over and gently loosen her grip.

"Jules," Reya said softly, "I don't know who made you feel this way, but you are absolutely stunning. And beyond that, you have such a beautiful soul. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you—sexy, confident, especially when you dance. Let go of all that negativity and embrace who you are."