a dance?

Eight - Valerio

Eight - Valerio

"SHE'S UP ALL NIGHT TO THE SUN, I AM UP ALL NIGHT TO GET SOME, SHE'S UP ALL NIGHT FOR GOOD FUN, I AM UP ALL NIGHT TO GET LUCKY!" My voice sings like no one's listening, however, my sister is- "VALERIO I SWEAR I WILL TURN OFF THE MUSIC IF YOU DON'T STOP!" her high pitch skills are getting better and better every time I sing in the shower. My brain says to stop, but my heart says otherwise- "WE'RE UP ALL NIGHT TILL THE SUN, WE'RE UP ALL NIGHT TO GET SOME, WE'RE UP ALL NIGHT FOR GOOD FUN, WE'RE UP ALL NIGHT TO GET LUCKY!" I sing out of tune, but Nile Rodgers is far ahead of me.

"YOU'RE ALREADY LUCKY MY BROTHER, NOW STOP, YOUR VOICE COULD BREAK THE GLASS. TRUST ME I DON'T WANT ANOTHER GLASS INCIDENT!" Luna's voice reaches the top of her lungs and that stops me from going higher. The steam increases, fogging the glass doors- while I stop scrubbing myself. I can't help but wonder why Renee left like that, did she feel uncomfortable? Did something happen to her? Did one of the guards find out- no, Luna said no one found out? I sigh, turn off the tap, and dry myself with a towel.

When I come out of the washroom, footsteps get closer to my bedroom door. Papa barges in "What was all that yelling?" He questions both of us, eyes looking at me first then at Luna. Luna speaks first- "If I must be honest, Rio's singing couldn't get more annoying, especially in the shower." Luna 'hmphs' looking into the window like she's angry, which she's, but I'd rather say she's annoyed.

Papa's look softens, all of a sudden he cracks up. Both of us exchange looks, and once papa is finished he asks me "What's put you in such a good mood young man?" I scratch my neck, Luna notices my nervousness, before I can let her stand up for me, I say "Tonight's felt like a fairytale, and I just couldn't believe it got over so fast," I admit. Papa's shoulders raise, "See, I told you kids tonight's going to be a blast, and now look at you two feel all nice." He flashes his big smile where all his teeth glow.

"Well, you can dream about it-" Papa is cut off by Luna "Don't push it paps," She says, gathering her stuff and leaves the room. "O-Okay then, I am going to bed now, tomorrow's a new day," My father exhales, "Goodnight papa," "Goodnight son," he closes the door behind him, and silence fills the room. I exhale as I change into a t-shirt and plop onto my bed. The sheets aren't filled with the scent of lavenders, they aren't Renee's scent, and I don't know when I am going to see her again.

------

Light crashes into my window, making my eyes flinch at the sudden arrival. I rub my eyes and rise up. I push the comforter away from my legs and rest my legs on the ground. I yawn as my arms stretch like they've done strenuous work. My heels take me to the living room, where papa's reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee in his right hand. His glasses are making a comeback, and he still looks so cool in them. I can hear water running, so I guess Luna must be in the shower and mama is nowhere to be found.

"Good morning!" I exclaim, feeling good. "Son, did you sleep well?" he enquires, "Yes, I did, have you slept well?" I take a seat opposite him at the dining table. "Yes," Papa was about to say something, but Luna comes in with a towel drying her hair, "You can use the washroom now, Rio." She says. I hope she's not feeling down from last night, instead, I ask papa about what he wanted to say- he looks at me and says "Mama has just gone to get some vegetables," he adds, and I can't believe how people can just read my mind.

As I brush past my sister, I whisper "Everything alright?" She glares at me and says "You were so close to telling papa-" I shush her, and I take her towards the guest room. "No, I didn't- what I said yesterday could mean anything." I defend. "Look, I am just looking out for you okay? Already papa is still trying to support you for your music, and you falling in love with Renee is the last thing he would want." Luna's right, papa is trying his hardest to like my music, Renee shouldn't be involved. "Plus, we shouldn't get carried away but just one night, you don't even know if you'll see her again," Dang! Luna and her facts.

"I am home!" Mama calls out, clicking the latch on the door as Luna and I hear the grocery bag plop onto the kitchen island. "Okay, I am going to take a shower-" I say, heading to my bedroom. "Rio, if you're planning to sing again, choose a different song on your playlist, and a decent volume." My sister teases me before following me out of the guest room. "You betcha," I click my tongue-

"No NOtHiNg EVER lasts forever no, one minute you're HERE and the next you're gone, so I respect you, you wanna take it slow HEY! I NEED A MENTAL RECEIPT TO KNOW THIS MOMENT I OWE!" The hot water feels the mood I am in today morning, as my voice cracks unintentionally. I am telling you Pharell Williams just knows how to put you in a 'feel good' mood, the way his voice goes up and down like a rollercoaster. God bless his music.

"DO YOU MIND IF I STEAL A KISS (CHOP CHOP)," My arms go up and down like the disco moves, so close to overlooking my soap. "I NEED A SOUVENIR, CAN I STEAL IT FROM YOU?" I am now singing to my soap, as the running water flows through the faucet. "TO MEMORIZE THE WAY YOU SHOCK ME!" I try my best not to let my voice go any louder than this, but the song just doesn't allow me.

Suddenly, the washroom door is slammed as the speaker signs off. "HEY! WHAT'S THE DEAL?" "YOUR VOICE!" Luna yells. I peek out of the curtain, "Luna, that was a good song, you know?" I explain to her, she nods in disbelief, "I know, but I just turned it off to let you know how amusing your voice sounds when it's out of tune." She giggles, "The water is going to get cold," She says, the speaker beeping, and leaves the door shut.

"Don't be afraid to catch feels, ride drop top and chase thrills-" I sing softly now, the towel wrapped around my waist, as I open the closet and go through what I plan to wear today. A yellow t-shirt catches my eye, it has a sunflower as the pocket design. It takes me back to when I first saw Renee, and my sister had held a bouquet with sunflowers as one of the flowers.

That's when it occurs to me, I have always known when I am going to see her. She's a florist, and I know where the shop is. She must be packing bouquets for customers today (at least I hope) I immediately pop on my shirt and wear some shorts along with it. "Valeri-" My mother tries to speak but watches me dart out of the house with glee.