Because of You

Chapter 1

"What can I get for you Ma'am?"

"I'll have a caramel macchiato please."

"Sure thing. Can I get a name for that?"

I sigh and block out the noise from up front. I'm used to hearing all the chatter by now. I almost wish I could work up front getting drinks for the customers, but then I remember my extreme anxiety. I close my eyes momentarily, then get back to wiping the counters. I just want my shift to end so I can go back to my house and my dance room. Dancing is the only thing I can really do.

I rinse the rag I was using in the sink and walk back to see what else needs doing. As I'm awkwardly spinning in a slow circle, my hands in my pockets, looking for something to keep me busy, my boss walks over. "What are you doing Wendy?" she says laughing. I feel my whole face heat up.

"U-uh... I was jus–"

She cut me off. "It's ok Sweety, you don't have to talk. I decided to let you end your shift early today since we don't have much business."

"Th-thank you!" I grin. I quickly take my apron and hat off and run out the door. I can finally breath naturally again once I got in my car. People were really not my thing. I took a deep breath and started driving home finally free from any socializing I would have to do out in public. I pull up in my driveway, grab my purse, and walk up to the door. Opening it, I feel a sense of calm wash over me.

Here it's just me... and my cat Marley. "Come here Marls!" I yell. Strange that the only living thing I can talk to is a cat, but I love her. She's the only one who gets me. She comes running meowing and rubbing against my legs. I grin and pick her up. "Oh aren't you just the cutest!" I kiss her on the head and she squeals wiggling in my arms. Giggling I set her down again and she runs off sliding across the wood floor. The wood floor that's perfect for dancing.

Anyone else who came into my house would probably wonder if I was moving. I hadn't bought a couch or a tv or any chairs for the living room. Nothing was in there... because it was my dance floor. I grabbed a little snack and then turned on some music. I had to work on the solo I was doing at the studio. I never would've done a solo, even though I wanted it so badly, if my teacher hadn't approached me and offered to help me choreograph.

I was to shy to ask her myself, so when she had offered, it was like a weight lifting off my shoulders. Miss Nina was the only human I could sometimes say a full sentence to, so I was so glad she was the one helping me. It was silly that I was even still competing at the studio. I was 22, the oldest there that wasn't a teacher, but I couldn't teach and I couldn't stop dancing. Miss Nina told me I couldn't quit too. I smiled at the thought.

I pressed play on my old fashioned, portable radio and the song I was dancing to came on: Photograph by Ed Sheeran. I loved that song even though I would never have a love life. I wished in the back of my mind that I didn't have to be a cat lady, alone forever, but I knew my social anxiety was far too great to have a real relationship. I probably couldn't even manage a fake relationship.

Even so, the song had so much emotion and it was perfect for my lyrical solo. I shut my eyes and breathed in, taking in the soft beat of the music and when I opened my eyes I started dancing. I just did improv, dancing from my heart and soon I had the beginning of what could turn into an amazing dance. I sat breathing heavily on my dance floor and suddenly the phone rang. My breath caught. Oh god.

Phones were the worst. Even worse than actual interaction with people in my opinion. No one ever called me, so the sound had caught me off guard and I stopped breathing momentarily. I looked down at my phone and frowned... I picked up the phone warily. "M-mom?"

Heyyy! Hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story!! I will hopefully update this regularly because I think it's gonna be really cute and I'm determined to finish it! Don't forget to like, comment, and follow me! Lots of love😘❤️