Girlfriend

15. Ebony

Mom found out I didn't go to dance so she forced me to go this morning. When she pulled up to the studio, David was hanging out in front of the place, just my luck. Mom could've dropped me off in the back.

I got out of the car and tried to hide from him but he saw me. He waved.

No, no, no, no, no.

I kept my head down and walked as fast as I could into the building but then he clamped onto my wrist, pulling me back from my destination.

"Hey," he said, smiling like nothing ever happened between us.

"Please let me go," I pleaded, trying to pry him off my wrist.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?!" I cried. "Do you remember what happened the other day?"

"Are you still upset about that guy?"

"I'm upset because you kissed me!"

David finally let go of me and kept his hands to himself. He understood now.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," he said.

"I really didn't like that. Just saying." I continued my walk to the dance studio.

"Is it because you like Michael instead?"

"Actually, I do like Michael. I like Michael a lot! So if you'd leave me alone, I'd really appreciate it," I half screamed.

David was furious but I was livid. I didn't need anyone getting in the way of my relationship with Michael and if anyone wanted to try, they can know now that they will lose. David is living proof.

"Well, I like you too," David countered, standing in the way of the door. "You don't really want to go to dance, do you?"

"I do now. Get out of the way."

"Cathy Jean, listen to me."

"No! I don't like you like that, David, just accept it!"

"I can't be just friends with you," David explained, not breaking eye contact with me. "I really like you."

"That's great, but I like Michael and Michael likes me so the deal is done."

"Who even is this Michael guy? How is he better than me?" David asked, crossing his arms.

"First of all, I actually like him the same way he likes me. Second, he didn't grow a huge ego overnight like you did. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go dance."

I forcefully shoved him out of the way and walked inside to put on my pointe shoes. I just wanted to get this over with so I could go see Michael.

Warmups were better than usual because there was a different teacher. She didn't yell once and she smiled at me. A real genuine smile.

"Good morning, dancers. My name is Ebony and you can call me just that. Madame LaDeux is out sick today so she called me to sub," the new teacher announced.

There were some claps and cheers. No one liked Madame LaDeux. She could be out sick forever and no one would miss her.

The weird thing is that Madame LaDeux is never sick and even if she was she'd always come to class. And I never thought the sub would be black. As much as Madame LaDeux hates me in her class everyday, I never thought she'd ask someone like me to sub for her class.