Halfway In Love (#Wattys2016)

19 - "All step back..... I'm 'bout to dance!"

<Update : 27/08/16>

A/N : Hey dear readers! Welcome back! Here's the second update just like I promised! (WOW I'm getting good at this updating thing :P)

So.... I hope you like it... and if you do, please vote for it!!

Happy Reading :)

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Chapter 19 - "All step back..... I'm 'bout to dance!"

The day started like any other in Stephanie Meredith Jones' life. Minuscule dirt particles swirled in the sun rays that radiated in the room through the slits in the curtains. I had sat through the night as the sky changed colors looking through my scrapbook, rediscovering my love, my passion. My dream. Nothing else held a candle to it. It was early in the morning when I decided it was time to get going.

"Hi sweetie. Oh dear, did you not sleep all night?" Mom's concerned voice jolted me out of my thoughts as I stumbled into the kitchen. Oh well, so much for disguising dark shadows as bold eye makeup.

"You're not going to school today." She declared checking my forehead. "Take a pill and sleep all day. I don't want you worsening your condition."

My eyes lit up. "You know what would make me fine?"

Her eyes furrowed before realization flooded her face. "Are you sure? What if you-"

I waved my hand cutting her off. "I'll be better than fine. And you know it."

She sighed. There was winning from me. Whoever said magic wasn't real, please know that a number of magic beans in milk that morning were enough to bring me back into this world. For those who didn't understand, I'm talking about coffee.

So after a cup or two, I was back in my room, packing my bag and preparing to leave. I texted Al that I would be taking the bus today (No lie there, I would be taking the bus. Just not to school.) left my phone on my desk so no one disturbs me later on; put my camera around my neck and I was good to go. I called out a cheerful goodbye to dad who sat with his glasses propped up on his nose, startlingly reminding me of Dumbledore for two seconds, studying a book, dressed to leave as well.

Mom checked my forehead once more, kissed me on the cheek, asked me to be careful and finally, finally let me leave. I knew, the prospect of being out the entire day was enough to make her worry and me fine. More than fine. I would be getting more pictures for my album for God's sake. How awesome is that?!?!

With a skip I stepped out the door and stood there for few seconds, closing my eyes and basking in the early sun. And then I was on my way to have an awesome day ahead.

"Hey there little fellow!" The squirrel ignored me completely, chipping on it's nut. I was crouched down, the camera held firmly waiting for it to look my way. I had traveled down to a nearby town, which had a much a bigger park than us. Not that ours was any less, I just craved for something different today.

"Sorry I'm interrupting a very important activity."

It shot me a look then, saying 'Exactly! Now shoo away.' I was too stunned that I missed the chance to click a picture.

"Hey! You should be flattered by this you know?" It made a noise that suspiciously sounded like a scoff. I sighed then my eyes widened with realization.

"Oh I see. You like candids, don't you?"

The picture of a squirrel baring its teeth at me with a nut in its hands was definitely going to be one of my favorites.

I walked around the park a little more with a skip in my steps, looking at all kinds of people and doing my favorite activity- imagining their stories. It was just so cool to lose myself in my own thoughts without a care in the world. The sun shining, the birds chirping, the hustle and bustle out on the street, the masters trying to reign their pets and kids trying to escape their parents' clutches. It was the best feeling in the world to be out on my own and do what I want.

"Hey! This is so cool!" I suddenly jumped, picking up a flyer at the end of an alley. Few people in formal attire, walking briskly, their steps moving like clockwork (pitifully like their lives) turned to stare at the crazy girl in blue sweats with earphones hanging around her neck completely tangled with the camera strap, hair tied up in a bun with a flyer in one hand and the other raised up, fist pumping the air.

"All step back..... I'm 'bout to dance!" I sang out loud jutting out my hips, their eyes widened and they rushed away leaving me laugh maniacally, my voice echoing in the now empty alleyway. In the distance I heard a girl shriek.

Ah, well. I aim to pleasure.

A group of five kids ran by me on the sidewalk. Giggling and punching each other. I adjusted the bag strap on my shoulder as one of them bumped into me throwing me off balance. I was about to tell them off but then I caught the laughter on the faces and suddenly I was ten again, flanked by Cal, Em and Al as we raced down the block.

"You are all girls! You can't beat me!" Cal declared in a superior voice. Em jumped on him, tackling him down on the pavement and shouting at us.

"Go Steph! Go Al!" Beneath her, Cal struggled to get up. We then finished the race, both at the same time and did our happy little dance, giggling uncontrollably. Em started laughing too there on Cal the poor boy, who was breathless from the not so little girl sitting on him while also trying not to laugh.

"We won! You lost! We want Ice cream!" All three yelled at the same time. Cal put his hands on his ears covering them from our shrill voices. He raised his arms when we quieted down.

"Alright alright! Look I have some money." He grinned happily at us pulling out his pockets. We skipped our way into the town's ice cream parlor when he stopped Em.

"No ice cream for you."

"Why!" She pouted.

"Because you cheated."

"No I didn't!"

"Yes you did!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!" A tear leaked from the corner of her eye. I could see right through it. She was using her fake cry again. But apparently Cal did not.

"Oh! Em! Don't cry! Please don't cry. I'll get you one."

"Really?" Her glassy eyes turned hopeful. He nodded vigorously and a grin split on her face. She hugged him then tightly, winking at us from across him and we struggled to stifle our laughter.

A car whirring past me brought me back to the present. I just realized how sly Em had always been. Then I realized how troubled she had sounded last night when she called. She only ever sounds desperate when it comes to her family. Then I remembered how crushed Greg looked when I cancelled the movie plans, not to forget bringing down Al's hopes for a grand party for her mom. Though it was absurd to throw one ages before it was actually the birthday, it still was a sweet gesture. And Hugh? Poor guy had in fact come to study, aiming to score best not unlike me.

The entire happiness I had been feeling since I left my house was brought down by these thoughts and I kicked a pebble pouting to myself. I felt bad, really bad for what happened yesterday. My head down, I bumped into someone. 

Shit.

Someone strong and someone guy. Someone who felt like a wall and someone really really really tall, so much so that it took me minutes before I met their eyes, opening my mouth to apologize only to have it stuck like that.

"Hey Stephanie!"