It Just Sort of Happened (On Hold)

Chapter 8- It Just Sort of Happened

Turns, and turns, and turns, and more turns. That was my make-up for missing Monday’s practice. Technically practice had ended almost an hour ago but Miss. Danni was making me stay after to practice my technic. I’ve been doing pirouettes for the past hour trying to get it perfected. I needed to get five spins for the solo and I only had three down solid.

I watched myself in the mirror as I moved my arms from first position to second and twisted my body around forcefully into the spins. As I got to the forth spin I stumbled out like I had the last five hundred times. My head was still stuck in the spins leaving me dizzy and I figured it was from my spotting, or maybe just from the fact I haven’t taken a break yet.

I walked over to my water bottle that was resting next to the wall under the bars. Maisie didn’t want to wait for me to finish so I had to walk home from the studio, since my mom was working tonight. The lights all around the studio were dimmed and I was the last person there, not even Miss. Danni wanted to stick around and wait for me so I decided it was time to finally head out before it got too dark to walk.

I took a long sip from my water bottle before pushing through the studio doors to the outside. It was strange how early it was beginning to get cold. Usually it stayed around about at least 10 degrees until it reached around November, but right now it was just a few degrees above 0, or at least it felt that way since I was walking home only wearing my navy colored leotard and pink tights.

I grabbed at my hair that was pulled into a tight bun and let loose my curls to warm my neck and shoulders. I hung my point shoes over my back and strolled down the sidewalk away from the darkened Dysart School of Dance. There were street lights every fifteen feet or so, which lit the road allowing me to see where I was going.       

I hummed to myself as I walked thinking about the empty house I had waiting for me. Sure it was great having privacy and being independent but sometimes I really wish that I had my mom snooping through my cracked open door, or peering over my shoulder to see my text messages. It just always feels like she’s never around. Sure, she’s here for my recitals when my dad never stepped foot into one, and sure, she works double shifts because we need the money, but sometimes it would be nice to come home from school and see her there waiting with an afternoon snack or something.        

I thought back to the last few days as cars zoomed past me obviously going over the speed limit. I did my best to ignore Harry, but he fought full-heartedly to keep up this whole clean slate thing. During detention he would pass notes to me every so often about how Mr. Murray was too fat to be a P.E teacher or make fun of the way he snored while he was supposed to be making sure we didn’t sneak out. The notes did make me laugh and I could tell Harry was trying to make a difference so I tried to make one as well. I just didn’t want to make the process easy for him. So each time he’d pass a note my way I look over it and just pass it back with no reply. It seemed to be good enough for him, so it worked for me.       

I huffed over to a stoplight and pressed the button to make the light turn red so I could cross the street. I tapped my feet impatiently waiting and rubbing the goosebumps on my arms. Slowly the light turned from green to yellow and then yellow to red. I walked across the barren street and then suddenly heard a roar of thunder burst from the sky. I could just feel the denseness from the clouds wanting to burst. I had to get home quickly or I’d be poured down on.        

I turned the corner from the street I was on and walked briskly down it trying to beat the storm. I heard another roar but this time it didn’t come from the sky, it came from behind me. I turned my head and saw a car pass beside me slowly. The window rolled down and I saw Harry’s familiar eyes stare at me from the passenger’s seat.