Dazed

Chapter 5

I breathe a sigh of relief as Ms. Winter nods at me reluctantly.

"Alright Layton. But don't you or Katrina pull this SHIT ever again," She whispered through clenched teeth, as she smiles and gestures at the guy walking past Terry in the second row. I can see Terry slumped down in her seat... she may have passed out.

It's definitely Laurent. A black beanie covers the top of his head, and his twists are loose and falling around his shoulders. He's wearing all black down to the socks. I could see his smile even before he'd hopped onto the stage in one graceful leap and was standing 3 feet in front of me. "Hello," He says in a meek voice with a sheepish grin. His accent makes it sound so much cuter.

 I'm stuck, oh god I'm stuck.

"Welcome to Columbia University, sweetheart. I'm Danielle Winter, the dance instructor of the program. Annddd... you must be Laurent." Ms. Winter smiles radiantly and holds her hand out to him. Laurent takes her hand, smells it, then kisses it. I look at Ms. Winter, and her mouth is slightly ajar. "It's very nice to meet you, Mademoiselle," He says smoothly. He's literally towering over both of us, and I've never felt so small.

I thought I was the one who was stuck, but Ms. Winter's whole body had gone rigid. He smirks, obviously amused by her reaction. "A-And this is my team captain and your choreographer, Layton." Ms. Winter manages to say as she motions toward me. Suddenly he's looking right at me. I've never had someone's eyes touch my soul and I don't know if I want it to happen again.

"H-Hi," I stutter, kicking myself internally for not being able to come up with something more clever. He takes a big step toward me, and I catch myself having to bend my neck back to look up at him. Instantly, he envelopes me in a big hug, making my heart jump. "Oh my gosh," I breathe into his chest. His body is hard underneath the sweatshirt he has on over his shirt. He smells like what I imagine my heaven will smell like. 

I'm completely frozen, and I don't know whether to hug him back or keep hanging there like a rag doll. He lets me go before I have to make a decision though. I'm so dazed that I barely hear or see Katrina walking up next to me.

"Hi, I'm Katrina. I'm your brother's dance partner. It's nice to meet you," She pipes up, sticking her hand out for him to shake. He slaps it away and hugs her too, but unlike me she hugs him back. 

"I'm very excited to meet you all," He laughs. "My brother will be here shortly. He's always late. I like to say that being early is the new on time."

"Ohh, I like you," Ms. Winter smirks, as she checks him out. She was not being discreet at all. I thought we were trying to be professional. Lord. "I'm on my way out though. I have some business to attend to. It was very nice to meet you and I'll see all of you tomorrow. Take care of them, Layton." 

Ms. Winter walks off with a hard twist. Laurent looks at her walking away for a few seconds before he turns to look back at us. He snaps his fingers effeminately before he begins to mimic her hard twisting and Katrina snorts. "Your teacher is very pretty," He says, swinging his arm around Katrina's shoulder, fanning himself, and pretending to faint. "Yes indeed she is," Katrina chimes in, making him chuckle.

Right then Mercy comes sprinting through the doors, hopping on one leg, while shoving her foot into her ballet shoe as she scurries up the aisle. She throws her bag down and jump slides onto the stage.

"I'm here! I'm here! YOU HEAR THAT MS. WINTER? I MADE IT!" Mercy calls out loudly. She's in such a rush that she doesn't even notice Laurent with his arm around Katrina until she turns back to me.

"Oh fuck," Mercy whispers, pausing in place. Laurent freezes too, mocking her face as she stares at him bug-eyed. I am in awe. I can't believe this is even happening right now.