After September 23rd

Chapter Seven

Victor's Perspective

Wednesday, August 19th, 2037.

Dance Hall.

11:15 AM

The music began and Ms. Monet started announcing the first steps. Our classmates danced except us. I waited but Mikaela kept staring at my hand.

"You're supposed to take it..." I whispered.

"Um..."

"Hurry! We are falling behind..."

"I...I'm not comfortable... with touching... others..."

I stood up straight.

"We don't have to dance," I whispered.

"We'll fall behind... and I'll begin the projects on a low grade... and it will be my fault," Mikaela muttered, "I don't want my grades to slip... I can't let them slip..."

"Yuki?" I called. She didn't answer me. Instead, she kept muttering those phrases, completely out of it.

"Mikaela Yuki!" I called again, a bit louder this time.

She looked at me and then at our classmates. They were already ahead of us, dancing to perfection.

"We're behind..."

"We'll do fine," I shrugged her off, "I'll need you to cooperate, so hold my hand,"

"I don't like holding anyone's hand. It restricts my movements," Mikaela confessed.

"Oh! It makes you anxious!" I blurted.

"It does," She sighed.

"How about 'the relaxed lace' it's perfect to hold hands," I smiled and placed my hand on top of the other. "There's distance, and if you feel too anxious, you can just swipe right out," I continued and demonstrated the quick release.

"So? What do you think?" I asked again, "Want to try?"

She stared at me.

"Estúpido, ¿por qué tienes que ser tan agradable y gentil?" Mikaela grumbled.

"Spanish or Italian?" I asked.

"None of your business," She replied, "I do want to try,"

Mikaela placed her hand on top of mine. She continuously let go of mine and watched with amazement. By the twinkle in her eye, I assumed she was comfortable with this.

"Are you going to keep practicing how to release my hand or are we actually going to dance?" I asked after the 10th time she let go of my hand.

"The dance! Of course!"

She placed her hand on top of mine, and we began the waltz extremely behind. The music was already far in, and we were a mess dancing.

"Don't copy my steps You're screwing us up," I grumbled.

"I am not! It is you who can't follow instructions!" Mikaela blamed me.

I scoffed and moved my feet away when she took a step towards me.

"You almost stepped on me! You really can't dance, can you?" I glared.

"I can, dancing is just following instructions,"

I let go and took a step back.

"Just following instructions?" I repeated.

"Indeed,"

"Oh, you can't possibly think that," I scoffed.

"You can't possibly think that," Mikaela repeated.

She took a minute to think about her answer, flicking her fingers, and shook her head.