Foundation of Dance

Chapter 11

Olivia 

I finished pulling my hair into a tight ponytail and gathered my dance bag. It was Monday afternoon and I was getting ready to leave for dancing. I sling my bag over my shoulder and walked out of my room, closing the door. 

"Olivia."

I looked up my mum, her arms were crossed and her lips were pulled into a tight smile. "Yeah?" I hesitantly answered, "what is it?"

"Why don't I drive you to dancing?" Mum asked, I did a double take. I usually walk the 20 minutes to dancing and then Alexandra - my crush who I might be dating - drives me home. Mum has never offered to drive me before. 

"N-no thank you," I muttered, I walked past her but mum suddenly gripped my elbow. I looked at her in shock. 

"M-mum? Let go," I said, but mum only sneered. 

"Get in the car," she demanded. Mum started to pull me along by my elbow out the door, I wrenched my arm away. 

"Fine, don't get so pushy." I muttered the last part as I got into the passenger seat. Mum left the driveway and drove down the road towards the studio, we said nothing and I looked out the window. Ever since our Saturday date I couldn't stop thinking, Alexandra kissed me! Twice! Were we dating or was it a one time thing? I looked down at my phone, remembering the hour conversation we had the next day, I was too shy to ask if this meant we were official. 

We pulled into the dance studio parking lot and I went to get out of the car. Mum, like lightening wrapped her fingers around my wrist. "What is it?" I snapped, my other hand still on the handle. 

"That girl," mum said, "from Saturday, who was she?"

I pinched my lips together, did she really not recognise Alexandra? I was happy she didn't, otherwise she would be storming up to the studio doors or God knows what else, mum was unpredictable like that. 

"No one," I opt to say. Mum raised an eyebrow. 

"No one?" She repeats, I nod but this made mum snort. "So you just let random dykes snog you by our front door?"

I felt myself grow cold. Is that really what she thought of me? That I just snog random girls? Is that what Alexandra thinks of me? "I don't snog random girls!" I protested before I could stop myself. "I-I'm going to be late, let go of me!" 

"Tell me who she is," mum demanded. I said nothing and her fingers tightened their hold around my wrist, tight enough for me to feel the blood in my wrist stopping, I winced in pain.

"Tell me!"

"Let go!" I screamed trying to pull my hand back. I grabbed for the car handle but mum pulled me towards her.

"Say it!" She bellowed, her grip squeezed so hard I could feel my bone begin to hurt. The passenger side door opened and I gasped in shock as another pair of hands grabbed for me, pulling me out of the car.

"Mrs Forster!" Mrs Reynolds admonished, I sighed in relief when I recognised her. Mrs Reynolds pulled me against her and I could clearly see the rage on mum's face, she tightly gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning a sickening white. "What is the matter with you?" Mrs Reynolds said angrily, she was clearly mad and her grip on my wrists was tight, but a comforting tight, one that let me know that she wouldn't let go for mum.

"Don't you 'Mrs Forster' me, Molly!" Mum shouted using Mrs Reynolds first name. She pointed a long and shaking finger at her and I could hear multiple gasps. I finally took in my surroundings, all the other girls from the studio were there even a few other teachers, I didn't know why they were there though. I could understand the gasp, none of us would ever address Mrs Reynolds by her first name, not even the other parents. It was ludicrous.