Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 64 - Fifteen Minutes With You

Lunch on Monday had been a subdued affair. Christian had apologized for Tasha's behavior, and Dimitri had just shrugged his shoulders. I knew he didn't blame Christian, but it would have helped if he'd actually told him that. Lissa spent the time trying to introduce topics of conversation, which no one chose to follow, and then as soon as she'd eaten, Mom said she needed to get something from the unit and she'd meet us at my next class. I think we were all a bit relieved when the bell rang.

Eddie followed Dimitri and me to our next class in the gym. As Mom was not with us, Dimitri was doing near guard, and Eddie automatically slipped into the far guard position. I'm not sure if he was even aware he was doing it, but Dimitri noticed and smiled.

Mom was waiting at the gym, holding a plastic bag. Peeking inside, I saw it contained several pair of high-heeled shoes. What the? But once we walked in, I appreciated why. Instead of Stan and staking mannequins, Alberta was waiting for us with a bunch of female Dhampir and Moroi staff.

"Thank you, Janine, I really appreciate this," she said to Mom, who was sitting on a bench, strapping on a pair of glittering high heels. They looked ridiculous with her Guardian uniform, but because Mom was so short, she needed them to make her a reasonable height. Because today the Novices were being taught how to dance ahead of the Graduation ball in five weeks - and since there were a lot less female Novices to partner their male classmates, Alberta had roped in additional female dance partners to even things up.

"Take my word for it – you might as well learn how to do this in heels," Mom said looking at me before flicking her eyes to Dimitri. I knew she meant that with a partner who was six foot seven, I'd be dancing in heels a lot! She'd brought three pairs from my wardrobe for me to choose from. With a grin, I selected the tallest – a pair of four-inch black patent leather Christian Louboutin heels I'd bought with Suzanne that second day in Santa Monica. The ones I'd worn when I'd given Dimitri a lap dance a couple of days ago. They actually didn't look too bad with the skirt and top I was wearing today - and I caught a twitch at the side of Dimitri's lips as he recognized them. A couple of my classmates seemed to be checking out my legs too.

"You didn't want to start with the lower ones?" Mom asked.

"Nah - I'm up for the challenge," I smiled.

The Guardians assigned to the class were lining the walls smirking in amusement as Alberta quickly assigned reluctant Novices their partners. Eddie was standing beside me, so we paired off together. I had to have a giggle as I noticed a classmate's look as they were assigned to my mother. To be fair, she didn't look thrilled either.

"Please raise your hand if you have any experience formal dancing" Alberta started. A few people did me one of them. I was surprised to see Dimitri also raise his hand. Dimitri? Dance?

"Ahh good. Guardian Belikov. Could you come here please and show the class the correct way for a man to hold a female dance partner?"

His face impassive, Dimitri moved towards Alberta, putting his right hand just below her left shoulder blade, she placed her left hand on his upper right arm. His left hand was out to his left at shoulder height, holding her right hand. Alberta discussed correct hand positioning, including that it was considered discourteous for a man to let his hand wander any lower down a woman's back, and certainly never as far as her bottom. Of course, the whole class tittered.

Alberta then instructed us on how to perform the box step. After the third time Eddie stepped on my shoes, I was thinking Mom should have brought me steel caps instead of a thousand dollar pair of heels to practice in. Eddie really did have the proverbial two left feet.

"Belikov? Can you partner Rose please? I'll try and help Castile here," Alberta ordered, a kind look on her face.

"I didn't know you could dance Guardian Belikov?" I asked politely, conscious that other people might overhear us.