The Art of Dancing in the Rain

Chapter 8

"The dance is over, the applause subsided, but the joy and feeling will stay with you forever." --W.M. Tory

Chapter 8

I sat in my room, planning what I'd say to him if he talked to me.

"Oh thanks for the ride home."

"Yeah yesterday."

"Oh the weather seems way better today."

Or maybe the off topic response.

"You look nice today. Did you do something different to your hair?"

"Oh man that math problem sure stumped me." 'Stumped' when had I started using words like 'stumped.'

"I've been making up stuff to say to you for hours and I still can't make up a correct decent intelligent adult like response," I groaned into my hands.

Yes that's what I should tell him then he'd never say another word to me again. That would solve a lot of problems and not only the math kind.

I really had to get to school they already called me and said my detention was being extended for next week.

I did my old routine, just a different set of sweats. My hand were sweating like crazy and my car in the junk yard, so I'd have to walk or take the bus.

Public transportation was not my thing so I walked the 15 blocks. My breathing hard, but oddly I was early. Great. Walking onto the school grounds I saw a big group rushing out of the school the security guards running after them. The group led by some sophomores, all running towards me. I should've gotten out of the way, but I couldn't.

A body pushed me out of my frozen state taking both me and them out the way.

"Did you want to get trampled? Or are these compromising situations usual for you?" Drake asked. I gulped, nodding would hopefully get me out of this.

"I'll take that a yes for both." He said eyebrows raised. It was then I noticed his whole posse had seen what had happened and my face burned a bright red. June and Melissa giving me the most calculating looks, looking between me and Drake.

"Thanks." I said hurriedly picking up my book that dropped. And running into the building. That was close. I closed my locker hard. 'How could one person have so much embarrassing moments?'

It's safe to say I didn't show up for math class today. I just stayed in the bathroom until it was over.

When the bell rang I went to English, which went pass slowly. Gym, Biology, and now hopefully lunch would be uneventful. I walked pass the lunchroom and outside. Only some people were brave enough to walk outside. I'm not brave just didn't want to stay inside.

All of them sat under a tree and I considered walking back inside, but instead ignored them (at least that's how I hoped it looked) and went over to a area a little farther away. Opening up my book and reading.

'Cindy turned giving me the guiltiest look. Was it true? Did she have to go so far away? How would we contact each other? What would I do without her she was my best-' before I could finish reading I felt a pair of eyes on me or well a couple pairs.

I tried to continue reading thinking maybe they'd look away. I buried my face back into the book. I hated and loved Savannah's character she was so strong through all her struggles, but I hated it because she could be so strong in front of others too, unlike me.

You could say I was a bit jealous of the fictional character. Nobody was saying I was sane.

Two girls approached me. I eyed them suspiciously before putting down my book.

"We sit here." She said eyeing my spot under the tree, looking annoyed.

The other one kicked my shoe with hers.

"Now move dork were hungry." Her friend laughed.

By now most of the group was looking at me, but what I saw in front of me surprised me more. June, Melissa, and a couple other girls from there dancing group were there. In front of me. Right now.

"She can sit wherever she wants." Melissa said defensively.

"Now scat." June added. Moving her hand. As the two girls scurried off.

"Would you like to join us?" Melissa offered kindly. I would've snorted, but that would be unladylike.

I wasn't a charity they didn't have to help me I was actually fine on my own.

"No thank you." I mumbled softly not meeting any of there eyes. I heard some relieved sighs and inwardly winced. They didn't want me to join either, I guess. I couldn't blame them I was a troll compared to them.

A ugly, messy troll. I heard June say something to one as she huffed and left.

"We're sorry about her. She doesn't like new people." June spoke up.

"It's alright." I said. Picking up my books putting it into my book bag and walking off. Call me rude but I really wasn't in the mood for any of them.

I wasn't in the mood for school. I couldn't even understand why I still came here.

So I just left, yes it was cutting. Yes I would get an extended detention. But did I care at the moment? That's a solid 'no.'

A rigid body bumped into me when I stopped.

"Ditching." The voice laughed helping me from falling on my face.

"No." I responded.

"Then what are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"Nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes"

"Are you going to keep giving me one word answers until I stop?" He asked irritably now following me.

"Pretty much." Ha two words.

He huffed annoyed.

"Fine I guess I'll come along." He reasoned.

"Go ahead." I said walking ahead of him. After five minutes of me getting the both of us lost. I turned and looked at him.

"Are you really this stubborn?" I asked seriously as he smiled widely.

"What?"

"You said a full sentence. Well a question, but still it counts." He laughed.

"Your crazy." I said seriously, but ended up laughing at the look on his face.

A couple of guys came out of the ally we were near. I was about to run, but he laughed and held my hand.

"These are some...friends." He smiled not the same smile though this one didn't have the safeness. It honestly scared me.

"Hey Drake. What you doing round here?" One asked.

"Nothing." He said blandly. Ouch. I hated how much the word stung. Was this really nothing.

They smiled at me "Well we wanted to know if you were still up for the party tonight." They said stopping.

He looked at me with the the cruelest smirk.

"What are you still doing here? Want me to walk you home?" The words sounded so cruel and demeaning. As if I asked him to come along. He was laughing at me and so were his friends.

I turned the other way and ran.

I hated it. I hated the smirk. I hated his rudeness. And I hated how much his words hurt me.