Mile High

Chapter 1

I found myself heading to the studio more often lately, instead of heading to the beach with my friends. I always beat myself up about every decision I made so what does it really matter anyway? I never liked the month of August like I used to, not since my father died. He was everything to me and I can remember being upset that he missed my recital that weekend, I didn't understand anything back then. I hated myself for blaming him for anything he had ever done, I took him for granted and I never did that again. All I had left was my mother, honestly, she was the only person who could ever understand how I felt. No one knew about my family except for my mother, my father and I. I would also talk to my best friend, Jenny, at times about family issues, but that was about it. We kept our business in the family, nowhere else. Sometimes my father had to work late, or work weekends and nothing meant more to me than the weekends where I could see both of my parents watching me on that stage, but that whole year I never danced the same. My teacher always told me I had lost my happiness and grace ever since, and I've spent these 12 years trying to get it back. I didn't want to be a dancer as my career or anything but every time I dance I see the smile and pride on my father's face and it lets me know he is still watching me, he still dances with me.

"Baby girl, baby girl! Where you heading to?" I heard Aston running up behind me. He was my on and off boyfriend for about 2 years now but he was the last person I wanted to see. We just got back together last month but he was already hounding me about my morals, values, time management and whatever else didn't revolve around him.

"I'm going to the studio, Aston." I stopped when he grabbed my arm, I tried to wiggle it away but he only grabbed on tighter. I gave him a stern look and he finally eased his grasp, but only stepped closer to me as he spoke. "Why did you tell Avery you didn't want to go to the beach? You been at that studio all week, babe, come with us."

"Because I like going to the studio, it calms me down. You know I don't like being around people all the time, it's annoying." He gave me his huge smile but I only stepped back a little bit, all of a sudden I felt like my bubble was being invaded. Aston didn't make me feel comfortable like he used to when I first met him or even first started dating him. We were friends in high school but decided to make it official when we both went to college, which wasn't the best idea. Aston was a flirt and I had a mean jealous streak, plus he always made me feel like I was just his accessory at parties and gatherings with friends and family. All of the females I used to hang out with liked Aston for the simple fact that, they actually liked him. After my 19th birthday I stopped calling any of them my friends, except for Jennifer. I grew up with Jennifer and she was the only one who never liked Aston, so I knew I could trust her. I wouldn't even like him if he was one of my friend's boyfriends. "I've been missing you, baby girl. I can calm you down too, you know." He grabbed my waist, pulling me closer into him, he kissed my cheek. That was another reason we were having more arguments, Aston wanted to have sex and lots of it, but I had never taken that step with anyone before. About 11 months into our relationship I was going to give him my virginity but at that same exact party I happened to find him on top of the girls from his classes, Nicole, instead. He blamed it on him being drunk and being stressed about finals, and of course, I took him back but we had never been more broken. I knew I wanted to end it but he was my first real boyfriend and even if I didn't love him in this moment, I loved him before. I wanted to feel that feeling again, that happiness. He always said when we sleep together that I will feel better about everything, especially our relationship but I'm not stupid anymore. At the end of it all, I always felt like I was the one holding onto Aston for image now, at least until something or someone better came along.

"Look, just let me go to the studio for a couple hours and when I'm done showering and everything I'll come over and spend the night." I put my hands on his chest to give our bodies some distance, but he only held onto me harder. "You promise? Don't tire yourself out at the studio, leave some of that to me." He smiled again and kissed my neck. He never noticed when I gave him a fake giggle, but I guess I was grateful for that. We hugged and continued on our separate ways, but I started to jog when I felt like he was still watching me. I looked back and just as I thought, he was biting his bottom lip and smiling up at me. I shook my head and turned the corner.