In the Shadows

Chapter 7: Well we need to hang out.

           

I awake with a start after checking my phone to see I am later for school than usual. God I am so not a morning person and I do not need this stress in my life. One of these days I am going to protest the institution of American public schools. After my odd morning ramblings I decide to throw some leggings on with my oversize sweatshirt I wore to bed the night before deeming it presentable enough. After that I run down the stairs, skipping steps, and make my way to the kitchen to grab a protein bar, water, and my keys. Hey breakfast is the most important meal of the day and this is better than nothing. I pull out of the driveway and speed to school, after managing the difficult feat to find a parking spot I run to class.

The bell rings just as I manage to plop in a seat. Thank God I don't have to walk in late, the ultimate way to get attention. The day drags on slowly as usual and I manage to hide out in the library during lunch. I make it through undisturbed unlike yesterday and enjoy my lunch peacefully with my music and book. Finally I get to Lit and I breathe a sigh of relief. Fifty minutes till freedom. I grab a seat and pull out my book, a minute later I am unable to continue as the book has been ripped from my grasp.

"Hi James," I greet remaining to stare where my book should be.

"Hello Kitty Kat," James replies with a smirk remaining on his face, "I couldn't find you at lunch. I was sorely disappointed to not have my kitty to play with."

I let out an exasperated breath, "One, don't call me Kitty Kat and two, I was hiding."

"Well that's not very nice. You know what I have decided what my demand is," James says is his usual cocky manner.

"Oh God," I answer burying my head in my arms on the desk.

"Now, now sweetheart, as nice of a compliment I am in fact not God. You have to sit with my friends and me at lunch. You start tomorrow and will continue for all of next week," He looks prideful, to prideful with his demand. He knows that it is reasonable enough that I will have to comply, yet torturous enough to make me miserable.

I look up," You have got to be kidding me."

Just then the bell rings and James hops in his seat sending a smirk my way. Ms. West talks to us for a minute before resuming the movie we began watching yesterday. I pull out my notes and attempt to pay attention. I say attempt because James decides that now would be an opportune time to annoy me. Of course he would. Throughout the movie he begins poking me, then whispering in my ear, then drawing and writing on my notes. He actually isn't a bad doodler. Finally Ms. West pauses the movie with 5 minutes left of class.

"Ok class so I just want to give you these next few minutes to talk with your partners for the project. Please keep the volume down to a quiet roar and I will see all of you tomorrow to finish the movie," Ms. West tells us, wrapping up class.

"So Kat," James begins.

"Yes James," I breathe out annoyed.

He chuckles at my tone," Well we need to hang out."

"Why!" I whine out.

"Well if we want a good grade it would do us some good," James explains. I groan knowing that despite how much he probably is enjoying this that he is right.

"Ugh fine. Where do you want to go?" I give up because my grades are important if I want to go to NYU.

"Well," he says hesitantly," why don't we go to your house." I glare at him in response figuring why, "Hey! I only put that out there because I figure you learn a lot about a person based off their room and home. We can go to my house next time." James defends his idea.

Silently I try to weigh out the pros and cons of actually letting him come over. Despite my head screaming no I decide to let him. For the project right?

"Ok fine," I give in. I give James my address and the gate code figuring I can trust him enough with the information. We decide that he will come over an hour after school gets out so I have time to tidy up and he can check in with his family. The bell rings just as we finish making plans so we go our separate ways. I make my way to the parking lot and head home.

I pull into the driveway and make my way into the house. After picking up my room I still have 45 minutes before James is supposed to arrive. I really want to dance... Do I have time? Well if I get changed quickly I should have half an hour to improv and then 15 minutes to run through a shower and change. I am desperate to dance so I decide my plan will work. I go through my drawers and pick out a pair of Nike pros and a cute blue sports bra with straps that form a pretty pattern on the front and back. After changing I grab a pair of Twylas and run to the studio.

Once I started Brentwood (the preforming arts high school) my parents decided to turn one of our many guest rooms into a dance studio for me. The studio is one of my favorite spots in the house. One wall is covered in mirrors, another with a barre, and a surround sound stereo. The floors are sprung and covered in marley, making it a quality surface to dance on. The place is my sanctuary and I would be lost without it. I plug the aux cord into my phone and turn on one of my favorite playlists. I run to the center of the floor and start moving to the music.
I keep going song after song, losing myself in the music. Just as I was about to call it a day one of my favorite songs comes on; Devil Side by Foxes. I can't resist and run back to the corner of the room. I feel angsty but also suggestive as I move to the song. The beginning is slow so I use that as the heart wrenching part putting everything I have into it. During the pre-chorus I do a sequence of fouettes into a triple piroutte and throw an aerial to come out of it. Moving into the chorus I do a jete, then an illusion, and then drop to the floor. After some floor work and more big movements the second verse begins. I change the tone of my dancing as I move snakily and suggestively. I continue dancing through the song letting everything go and when it ends I drop on the floor gasping for breath. That's when I hear it. A slow clapping. I whip around to find James standing at the door.

"WHAT THE HELL!" I scream at James.

AN: I know I'm horrible. I am just going to leave this here and slowly back away... But due to this story hitting 500 views (I can't believe it!!!) and people's support I feel more encouraged to keep writing. Thank you so much to all my readers and all the people who have added this story to their reading lists! I really want to keep writing so lets see how it goes...