The day bleeds into nightfall

'To be together and forever be true'

Trigger warning: This chapter contains mentions of overdosing, suicide and depression. Read at your own risk.

Monday 3rd August 2037

'You might say this is another boring love song.' The music echoes out, as Maddie's back arches into the hold. 'To be together and forever be true.' They are stepping in time to the music, and for the first time in a while, Maddie feels okay, not brilliant but okay. And she would take that, for now.

Being back in the room, it almost felt like nothing changed at all. It was just the pair of them, as if nothing in the world mattered.

'That was good, we just need to get those steps, just at the end.' He mentions, they had a show coming up in October and the pair of them were dancing this number. They hadn't been sure if Maddie would want to perform, but she had taken the decision on Sunday that she was going too, she needed a distraction, and this was the perfect opportunity, a focus.

'I do love the foxtrot.' She grins, sitting on the floor stretching her legs out.

'I don't know how you stretch like that.' Jack grins, collapsing next to her. 'And I prefer the jive.'

'At this rate, I don't have the energy for a jive. I didn't anticipate how hard this would be. I've missed it.'

'I missed you, it wouldn't be right, not having you as my partner.' Maddie grins at how soft her partner is sometimes, she was supposed to be sentimental one, not him.

'Jack, you do say some of the nicest things to me.' She stands up, using his shoulder to help her stand up. 'You're so soft sometimes.'

'And you're a pain in the arse.'

'Ah, but I'm your pain in the arse' laughing as his face changed, 'but I wouldn't want anyone else to be my partner. Anyway, where did you find this song? I actually really like it!'

'It was in a TV show' grabbing the hand that Maddie held out for him, 'I was watching it with Josie and it came on, did a quick google search and decided that this is perfect music.'

'I was sceptical at first, some of your choices have been a bit dodgy.'

'Excuse you, combine harvester would have been a perfect American smooth.' He's met with a punch in the arm and an eye roll. 'Come on, we are only here till seven.' He looks at the clock, it reads 5:30 PM. Their studio allowed them to practise, even while on summer break, having been given the role of choregraphing some of the junior routines for the show.

Their studio was like a fitness centre, and it was open every day throughout the holidays. 'I'll show you how to take me.' Maddie sings, as they dance around the room, the music building up. 'Go down, go down.' They practice the routine a couple more times, each time getting a little better, before deciding on a break.

'Thank you.' She rests her head on his shoulder. 'Thank you for agreeing to this.'

'I was a little surprised when you texted me.' He had been sitting in the garden, reading a book, when he got the message asking if he wanted to dance. He didn't have much planned, he had been on his family holiday, and he had nothing better to be doing.

He missed dancing, he hadn't danced either, since Ruby. At least he hadn't done any ballroom or Latin, it didn't feel right, having another girl in his arms, it felt like cheating. He had gone to their lessons, helped choregraph some routines, when Emily McCool from the year below him wanted to practise, he declined. If he couldn't have Maddie in his arms, he didn't want anyone. He knew she would come back, and he knew he would be waiting for her when she was ready.