LA to The Bay

Chapter 24: Sedona (3)

'I don't know? That's my question too.' I spit at Harry as Leah turns on the music.

'Hey everyone, so this is Paolo.' Our argument is halted as Leah introduces the man who has suddenly appeared next to her. Where did he come from, did she click her fingers et voila he emerged from a cloud of smoke? Where ever he's come from you couldn't get more clichéd male dancer; tall, dark, handsome but a ton of slime just oozing from him and his greasy swept back hair. He makes me almost glad to be partnered with Harry.

'Paolo is my dance partner back in LA, and he's come all the way out here to dance with us, so you better put some effort in for him!'

'Hello everyone.' Paolo speaks. 'So today we are going to be learning the waltz. It's really simple. Men, I want you to copy me.' He stands tall, his head held high and proud and he holds out his arms in a square position towards Leah.

'And ladies, you link hands with your man just like me.' Leah is in her element, cocking her head back like she thinks she's some sort of queen seductress engaging in a debauched mating act, as she interlocks her hands with Paolo. Gross. 'Remember, you need to have straight backs, and it's 1, 2, 3 and repeat. Let's go.'

They wrap up their demonstration as quickly as it began and suddenly everyone is off, twirling about the room like they've been practising for this moment all their lives. How the hell does everyone know what they are meant to be doing so easily? Even Louis? He was always a rubbish dancer, yet here he is, suddenly smiling wide as he glides Lottie around the floor with pride.

'Are you going to get in to position then?' Harry holds his large hands out to me, now adopting the straight backed pose he has been instructed to.

'You cannot be serious?' I am wide eyed in horror. 'You can't actually think that I'm going to dance with you?'

'I don't think you've got a choice.' His smug smile is back as he looks down at me expectantly.

'No way.' I stand firm, my arms clamped straight to my side as I shake my head.

'Why do you have to be so difficult all the time?' He is running his hands through his hair again like I truly am exasperating him, for real this time.

'You two!' Leah screeches over at us like a roaring teacher losing patience with her most disobedient pupils, 'you better stop arguing and get dancing now or I will stop everyone and make you dance solo in front of them.'

Obeying her command Harry grabs at my hand whilst I stare at her, appalled.

'She can't do that to us you know?' I try to snatch my arm away from him but he is too strong, 'she can't force us.' Even if he has taken control of my arms then I can refuse to move my feet.

'Well I don't want to argue with her so just get dancing Niamh.' He speaks hurriedly, grabbing at my waist and pulling me in to him, his left hand holding at my right one firmly.

'Ouch, you stood on my foot!' I try to break from him but he's ignoring me, pushing me backwards and then a slide to the side and I don't stand a chance when I try to fight back.

'Just stop arguing and let me lead you and it will be over with before you know it.' He continues to hold on to firmly and I'm getting tired trying to fight him, he's just too physically strong for me to break from. 'I'm sorry that it's all so painful for you.' He continues, as we manage to achieve some sort of rhythm to our movement. A very shaky rhythm but we are moving at least.

'It's only painful because of your insistence on humiliating me.' My pathetic voice falters as I speak, revealing the extent of my vulnerability to the last person I want it to show to.

'I don't understand?' Again he looks offended at my suggestion that he has ever done anything other than show the upmost pleasantry to me, 'when have I ever humiliated you?'

'Er all the time.' I can't believe his audacity, that he genuinely believes that he hasn't tried to embarrass me.

'Give me an example?'

'Let's see, first of all on the plane, when you kept telling me that I need to get over Louis, like my coming here only makes me look desperate.'

'You do need to get over Louis, but I don't think you being here makes you look desperate. You've as much right to go travelling as the rest of us.' His voice is suddenly less aggressive as he looks, well, almost concerned.

'And then in Tijuana when you couldn't get enough of seeing me fight off the tequila and yesterday in the pool.' My face burns as I remember the cocky grin on his face on both occasions, like he knew he was the one to have the upper hand.

'You actually think I enjoyed seeing that waiter force you to do something you clearly didn't want to? And what about yesterday? I thought we were having fun?' He looks genuinely shocked that he is having to defend himself.

He's gone quiet. Have I said something to upset him? I didn't think it was possible to break down his smugness or maybe he just can't handle the truth and his ego is bruised that I can see through his bravado? Whatever it is I'm tired of arguing so I resolve to continue dancing in silence, for now at least. His right hand remains placed on my waist but it is a lighter touch now, as if he has admitted defeat too.

'Look at you two!' Leah breaks our silence, 'I knew you could do it once you stopped arguing. But still so much sexual tension.' She waves her arms in front of her face gesturing an image of chaos. 'Not like these two.' She gently touches Louis and Lottie as they move passed where we are now standing still, both Harry and I floored by what she has just said. 'These are dear friends I can see, comfortable with each other. You guys will be like this when you have finished being lovers.' She is speaking like she thinks she is a wise fortune telling witch or something equally ridiculous. How would Leah know the first thing about any of us? If she was an actual clairvoyant then she would obviously know that it's Louis and I who were in the relationship and that it is the resurrection of it which is the only sexual tension in the room thank you very much.

'I need the bathroom.' I break from Harry, who is still holding on to my hand despite the direction of the conversation. 'I've had enough of dancing for today.'