Branded

Chapter 12

Dance, dance, dance. That's all that has filled my mind. I haven't gone to work at all because of how much practice I've needed.

My costume is on, my makeup is done. All that's left to do is wait for the show to start. Ryland comes and finds me and tells me its time to start. Breathing quickly becomes voluntary as I force myself to not get sick. I get into my position and wait.

~Nikki's POV~

She dances beautifully. She was so nervous and for no reason at all. Leanne dances so beautifully that even Michael tears up a little. Well, sort of, his eyes water a little when she dies, but he says its just because of the air conditioning in the room. Calum sits to my right and doesn't say a thing the whole time. I can tell he's smiling though.

His appearance was a surprise to even me. The night after graduation, Lee and I got smashed. As we were stumbling home Calum and Michael showed up. They offered to take us home, but Lee and Cal got into a fight. They were screaming at each other and making a scene. She said she never wanted to see him again and he said that she wouldn't have to worry about that. He even swore he'd never step foot in a building where she would be dancing.

Well, Lee had a nervous breakdown and a relapse of sorts. She fell into a depression for three days and didn't eat or drink. Michael soon told me that Calum did the opposite and drank too much. I went to talk to him a few days later and was able to show him reason. Though, I still wasn't sure if he'd show up or not.

Where he is sitting in the crowd would be hidden from Lee's sight if she were looking. It's the perfect spot. I place my hand on his and give him an encouraging squeeze. He's got some balls to show up here after what him and Lee went though. But I know she'll be happy to see him.

The ballet ends and we all stand and clap. It was truly amazing. Calum picks up the bouquet of flowers he got for Lee and walks off towards the dressing rooms.

~Lee's POV~

I quickly change out of the costume and wrap my robe around my body. I wash off most of the makeup and just sit down for a minute. There's a knock on the dressing-room door and I answer it quickly. Ryland stand in front of me with a proud smile.

"You did amazing, Leanne. I'm very proud of you" He says as he gives me a long hug.

"Thank you so much for everything, Ryland. I couldn't have done it without you." I say as our hug ends. He places his hand on my face and gives me a kiss on my forehead. He leaves a white rose on my vanity mirror. He gives me one final smile before leaving.

I start to take my hair down and brush it our when I see a new figure in my mirror. He wears a dark suit with a black tie. A slight smile plays on his lips as he watches me notice him.

"C-Calum?" I say as I turn to see him. He holds a bunch of black flowers with one red rose in the middle. And even the rose's petals are trimmed with black.

"I didn't know you were so good at what you do." He smirks as he closes the door. He walks over towards me slowly and throws the flowers behind me onto the table. I stand and prepare myself for another fight. But before I know it, his hand is on the back of my neck pulling me in, and our lips are colliding. I want to push him off with all of my strength, but instead, I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him back.

I've craved his lips since the night at the beach and I wasn't going to let the opportunity pass to have them. I kiss him, hungrily, as he slides his hands down my sides. He squeezes my bum and causes me to jump. I wrap my legs around him and hold on as he slams me against the wall. I gasp and pull on the back of his hair by accident.

"Someone is feisty" Calum says through the kiss.

"You're one to talk" I say breathless before continuing to kiss him.

One of his hands starts to travel up my thigh and under my robe, but I grab his wrist and stop him, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Saying I'm sorry for the arguments."

"This isn't how you do that" I protest.

He gives me an irritated look, "And how would you like me to apologize?"

I shrug, "I don't know. You can start by saying the words 'I am sorry' and then taking me out to dinner."

Calum gives a small smile and a light-hearted laugh, "Alright. Go change and I'll take you out." He puts me down gently. As I start to walk away, he grabs my arms and growls in my ear, "But after, it's my turn to apologize the way I want to."