A Girl Named Kieran

Chapter 8: Stolen Dance

 "So you and Gabriel really hit it off." Elliot says, but his tone is weird. I flush pink again.

"Yeah, I guess we did." I say quietly.

"Am I walking you home?" He asks.

"Actually I'm going to Haley's dance studio for a little bit to watch her practice. I'll probably bother the instructor some more about getting an audition." I say.

"Wait, you dance?" He asks, stopping to look at me.

"I practice at the dance studio at the rec center." I say.

"There's a dance studio there?!" He exclaims, which only makes me laugh.

"It's super small, there's not even a teacher." I tell him.

"Well that's super sad."

"Exactly! That's why I'm trying to get into Mrs. Grace's. I just can't afford it unless I get a scholarship. That's why I need a shot at an audition." I say, kicking a rock down the street.

"So you're like a good dancer?" He asks.

"Well I'd like to think so!" I laugh.

"Are your parent's good with me taking you there?" He asks.

"Yeah, my dad won't care." I say, and then I quickly correct myself, "I mean, he's totally fine with it." I say, faking a smile. Elliot stares at me for a moment and then slowly nods.

We walk in silence for the rest of the way to Mrs. Grace's. I wonder if he's mad at me, or if he's bothered by what I said about my dad. 

'You have to be more careful, Kieran.' I tell myself.

"Well, thank you." I say awkwardly.

"Anytime." He says, and then he heads back down the street without even a goodbye.

'Does he really mean that though?' I wonder.

I set my longboard down outside and push open the doors to the building, not being able to contain my excitement about telling Haley all the events of the day.

"Hi Mrs. Grace." I say with a big smile, leaning up against the front counter. She sighs, but as always, there's a faint smile on her lips.

"Good afternoon, Kieran." She says.

"You're doing well?" I ask, continuing to show her a pageant smile.

"As always, Kieran." She exhales.

"Mrs. Grace, I just wanted to talk to you again about--" I begin.

"Kieran, I love your enthusiasm. Your passion for dance is undeniable, but I just can't right now. I have a lot to deal with right now, and I'm way too busy today to be handling this again. Talk to me at a later date." She says and I nod.

"Yes ma'am. Have a good day." I tell her, moping away from the counter.

"Do not bother my dancers." She calls as a warning.

"I'm just gonna watch! I promise!" I tell her before slipping through the door to the dance studio.

I spot Haley across the room and head to that side to sit on the floor. After a while of watching her work through her routine, she spots me. She jumps over quickly, blonde hair bouncing behind her. I cringe when I see her wearing leg warmers with her leotard.

"You look like 80's barbie." I tell her.

"And you look like a homeless hobo." She says, flashing me a smile, "Now that we've gotten our insults out of the way, what did Mrs. Grace say today?" She asks, sitting down next to me.