Unexpected

Leon had proposed?

Chapter 14

It was hot. Why did it have to be so hot this early in the morning? May would have expected the weather to cool down with the rainstorm they had yesterday, hell, it was a borderline typhoon. She hoped that it wouldn't be too hot, that's why she had decided to take her jog at 5:30 that morning. She ran in nothing but a pair of coal shorts and a purple sports bra, she could feel her long black hair brush against her back which was damp with sweat.

She slowed down and paused for a minute, measuring her heart rate. It was relatively normal, a sign that her endurance was good. The sand on the beach was still wet from the rain that lasted through most of the night, she was lucky enough to have gotten home before the downpour. She could see the sand collecting on the sides of her sneakers and could feel a little inside one of her socks, this always happened when she ran on the beach; you'd think she'd learn.

She heard the soft sifting sound of footsteps in the sand. She guessed there was someone else who had decided to jog on that particularly hot and humid morning. She just stood, waiting for the other runner to overtake her. She could hear the steps getting closer.

Suddenly a pair of hands was on her and she felt a sudden pressure on her shoulders, she didn't have much of a chance to brace herself but at least she kept herself from falling into the damp sand as a shadow sailed over her. She straightened up and looked at the figure that had just vaulted over her.

She couldn't help but smile at Ken who was bowing for an imaginary crowd.

"What are you doing?" She asked, a small smile present.

"Well good morning to you too." He said sarcastically. "I thought you might want some company."

"At 5:30?" May asked incredulously, had he really gotten up that early just to go jogging with her.

"Well I didn't really have anything better to do, I guess." He said, trying to sound indifferent. May just laughed and started running again, passing him.

"Just try to keep up." She called behind her. Ken grinned as he assumed a track starting position. He chuckled as he took off, intending to make her eat her words.

Sora watched from the production booth as the show progressed. It had been a few days since the typhoon-like storm. May was doing a good job as Christine and Rosetta was made for the part of Carlotta. She'd brought out her inner diva just perfectly; she had improved a lot on the trapeze since Sora had last seen her. She got a pretty good view of the stage from up in the booth, she watched curiously as the tech crew worked at the controls, the various knobs were turned as music was controlled and lights flashed.

She turned her eyes back out the window in time to see May stand, Leon's arms around her, holding her like a lover. The view made Sora's chest ache, even though she knew it was only an act, she saw May reach up and remove Leon's mask, Leon turned his face away. May placed a soft caressing hand on his cheek and turned his face to hers. She moved her hand just enough for the audience to not be able to see that it was only a stage kiss, though Sora knew no contact was made, she could feel her heart drop and her lips tingled. She turned and walked out of the booth, her eyes stinging.

Leon looked around after the show. She was gone. Leon couldn't help but notice that Sora had already left. He knew that she was there at the beginning of the show but never saw her leave, which was odd because no matter how hard he tried, he still struggled to keep his eyes off of her during the performance, but he couldn't help but occasionally glance up to the production booth between stunts. He hoped May hadn't noticed that he nearly dropped her halfway through.

He was on nearly at his dressing room when he heard the whispering.

"I can't believe her of all people!" A nameless brunette who worked with the sets had said. She was whispering with Charlotte and Julie, who were so wrapped up in the gossip that they hadn't even noticed that Leon was right behind them.