If only all love was so pure

Chapter 10

The sound of birds chirping woke me from my sleep. I lugged myself out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom. I washed my hair before changing into casual clothing. I didn't have work today, which was fortunate. I could spend my time on more important things.

I put a slice of bread in the toaster and started to fry up an egg. I buttered my toast and placed my fried egg on top. The scent of the egg and the toast made my mouth water. I boiled the kettle as I started to eat my breakfast. I finished it before the kettle boiled. I made myself some tea before heading back to my room.

I opened my PC and began my homework. I didn't have much but there is no point in leaving it until the last second. An hour passed and I finally finished. I took the last sip of my now ice-cold tea before heading back to the kitchen.

I looked at the time on the microwave. 8:32 am. Did I really wake up that early? I washed my cup and plate which I neglected earlier. As I washed the memories of Friday night came back to me. Was that even real? Did Ren even kiss me? Did he even like me?

I returned to my room and emptied my overnight bag on my bed. I picked up my neatly folded hoodie and I couldn't help but smile. It looked so cute on him. I unravelled it and a piece of paper fell out. It read:

To Naomi,

Thank you again for letting me borrow your jumper. I also want to thank you for being a great friend and an amazing dance partner.

About my scars, I will tell you one day, it's just too soon for you to know and difficult for me to share. I hope you understand that. I don't want to keep things hidden from you but, this is one thing I cannot share.

On a happier note, I have thought of more moves for our routine. ^-^ It is coming along well. I have about 50% done. On Monday let's both show our version and then we can go from there.

I just realized that I don't have your phone number. Mine is 04XXXXXXXX.

From your new best friend,

Ren

He is too cute. I folded the note back up and placed it in my desk draw, but not before reading it one more time and punching his number into my phone. I grabbed all my clothes and headed to the laundry. My dad was already preparing the next load of washing.

"Morning Dad." I say entering the small room.

"Morning munchkin. How long have you been up?" He asked, as he set the washing machine.

"I have been up since 7 am. The birds woke me." I said as I placed my clothes in the 'to be washed' pile.

"Damn birds. Anyway, I am heading out today to do somethings for work, so I'll be back around 7 tonight." We headed to the kitchen and I made him a cup of coffee. Mia walked out of her room and made herself weet-bix and milk. True Aussie.

"I am going to a friend's place for the day, I'll be back later." She said once she finished her bowl.

I was alone in the house and it was only 9:30 am. I grab my laptop and flop on my bed. I open Netflix and find a show that piques my interest. Like always it's a romance drama. I watch three and a half episodes before shutting my laptop. I get off my ass and check my phone. 1:15 pm.

I connect my phone to my speaker and blast music through it. I dance my way to the kitchen and make myself a ham and cheese sandwich. Or two. I sit at the table and eat my sandwiches, still jamming to my tunes. Under my skin by Taemin comes on and I can only think about Ren. I imagine him dancing to this song, the way he moves to the music and how the music become one with him.

I finish eating and wash all the dishes in the sink. Grabbing my speaker, I head to the laundry. The washing machine finished, so I took out the clothes pacing them in a basket, before going outside to the hill hoist.

I hang up all the clothes before heading back inside. Loading up the next wash, I fall backwards and land on another pile. I breathe in and instead of the smell of stinky socks, I breath in a warm comforting smell. Sitting up I find the source of the smell. It was my hoodie. I picked it up and bring it to my nose. It smelled like a warm summer morning. It smelled like Ren. I returned it back to its pile before turning the machine on.

Disconnecting my speaker from my phone, I flopped back onto my bed. I watched Netflix until I fell asleep.

--

The 3 weeks that followed the sleepover were amazing. I gained confidence in myself and held my head up. Ren and I have less than a week until the first round of the competition and we could feel the pressure.

The sun was setting on the last Wednesday before the competition, and Ren and I were still in the dance room practicing. Mrs Parker was watching. Not happy with our performance.

"Again. More feeling!" She yelled. This was the tenth time she said that. I still don't know what feeling she is looking for.

We start from the top and I try to feel the music more, letting the lyrics flow through me.

In the end everyone is the same.

I will do exactly what you want, I will do exactly what you want, all the things you want.

You probably think about it lightly, that person is probably happy.

Oh, but your wrong.

A sad expression crosses my face as the words of the song travel throughout my entire being. I focus on the feeling and transform my movements into more elegant ones. And when the song ends, Mrs Parker couldn't be happier.

"Well done to you both. You finally felt it." On her face dawned a smile, which I reciprocated. I glance over to Ren, he was breathing heavily and was sweating profusely.

"Ren, are you ok?" He didn't respond to my question. "Ren!" This time he hears me.

"Huh what, sorry. I zoned out." He said puzzled, you can tell he was tired.

"Time to go." I said smiling. It has been a long day. He smiled back.

By the time we exited the school it was 6 o'clock and the sun was almost completely gone. The air was still warm, and the birds' songs slowly quieted down. The streetlights were already turned on and only a few cars drove past, probably office workers heading home for the evening.

"Ren how far away do you live?" I asked, curious.

"I live about a half an hour walk from here." He replied looking at his phone, probably checking the time.

"If you want you can have dinner at my place tonight. We are having chicken wings and fried rice." I offered. I didn't want him to walk a thirty-minute walk home on an empty stomach.

"Really? But wouldn't I be-" I cut him off.

"No and dad always makes heaps. So, come on." I grab his hand and we walk the five-minute walk to my place.

Upon opening the front door, the smell of chicken, bacon and spice fill my nose. I can practically taste it. I look at Ren and he is practically salivating already.

"Hey Naomi dinner is just-" Mia stops talking when she sees Ren. "Who is this?" She asks with a hint for cheekiness in her voice. I roll my eyes.

"This is Ren." I introduce.

"Nice to finally meet you Mia." He says. He reaches out to shake her hand when he stops. My hand is still intertwined with his.

"DAD! Naomi got a boyfriend!" Mia teases. I hear dad yelling from the kitchen.

I let go of Ren's hand and the comforting warmth of his touch fades. "It's not like that Mia. We aren't together. She was showing me the way here and got a bit carried away." Ren says. His voice sounded sad, and his words pained my heart.

Do I like Ren?