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I move across the floor, spinning quicker than most people’s feet could carry them. I watch every perfect fluid movement in the mirrors of the studio.
With my hands above my head I raise one leg and point my toes turning away from the mirror when the music picks up in rhythm. I crash across the floor with a beautiful grace and drop to my knees.
It’s an old routine I worked on for one of the performances I was in and I received a standing ovation.
I’m thankful to Mrs. Julie for letting me stay after her class to get some of my stress out. She was my teacher back when I was dancing my heart out. And she was glad to have me back even if it wasn’t under her wing.
I stand up taking my place and start all over again, doing the same moves I remember. I float across the floor and stop right at the mirror. I move my head to the side and then the other side watching my body and how my muscles work.
I forgot how much I love to dance. I pick up the remote and flip to a different song. A fun song I never in a million years would apply to my dance training, it’s more a club song.
I bend at the knees and work my hips, doing my best twerking to the music. It doesn’t take long before I am fully entranced in the song and shaking things I normally wouldn’t shake.
I pop up and grab the bar, doing a mean strip tease, shaking my tits and my ass. I move backwards watching my moves and laughing. This is fun. I shake my shoulders, clapping my hands and bouncing around the room.
I could do this all day. I bring it down low and press my palms into the ground working it.
The door opens. “I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
I stop thrusting my pelvis and fall to my knees. My cheeks burn. “Mrs. Julie told me I could use the studio.”
He throws his jacket over his shoulder and comes a little closer. I’ve never seen him before.
“Mrs. Julie is my grandmother.” He smirks. “That was some good ass shaking.”
I right myself and push my hair out of my eyes. “I was trying to relieve some stress.”
He nods. “I understand.” He offers his hand. “I’m Ben. Julie’s grandson. You have some good moves.”
“Thank you, Ben.” He lifts the remote and turns up the music moving along to the beat a big stupid grin on his face. His blue eyes twinkle with this sick excitement someone has when they know they embarrassed you.
“I take it you dance?” I ask.
He moves a little closer offering his hand. I take it and allow him to swirl me around the room. “I’ve been around dancing my whole life. I know enough.”
I nod and collect my water bottles and gym bag. “It was nice meeting you. I was just heading out anyways.”
Ben runs a hand through his dark hair. “Did it help?”
“Did what help?”
“The dancing. Did it help with whatever is stressing you out?” He raises an eyebrow.
I shake my head. “Maybe for a minute.” I’m not feeling stress free anymore after being caught dancing like an idiot.
“I know this will come off as me flirting with you, but I know a place that is really good for relieving stress.” He shrugs.
“I have a boyfriend.” I bring a hand to my hip. “Not that you are flirting with me. But I want to throw that out there.”
“And I have a girlfriend.” He brings a hand to his hip mocking me. “I swear it’s a lot of fun.”
I sigh, I guess it couldn’t hurt to do something out of the ordinary. “Okay. What is it?”
“There’s this place up the street, they have these open mics.” He hits the back lights. “A bunch of poets trying to bleed their heart out on stage.”
I frown. “And let me guess. You sit in the audience and mock them?”
He shakes his head. “No, I force myself to get up there and do the same.”
I’m debating on saying hell no and running for my car. Yeah I sing and yeah I dance but poetry, I don’t know anything about it.
“I wouldn’t know what to say,” I tell him.
“That’s fine. You can sit in the crowd and boo me if you want,” he says, heading for the door. “And don’t tell my grandma I didn’t clean up this place.”
I shrug. “Sure. As long as you don’t tell anyone I was in here twerking.”
He smirks at me.
“This is Magma. The best place to get trashed and spill your heart.” He opens the door for me. “And they have a dance floor if you feel like twerking.”
I roll my eyes. “No I don’t feel like twerking or drinking.”
He takes a seat and pulls out a menu. “They have really good mozzarella sticks too.” He touches his stomach. “I usually gain five pounds before I leave.”
I look him over. I don’t see a hair out of place or an ounce of fat on him. He’s tall and willowy with big blue eyes and perfect hair. He’s not what I imagine him to be, his personality doesn’t fit his preppy exterior. He’s laidback and silly and easy to get along with.
“You’re not from around here are you?” I ask.
He drops a hand down on his khakis. “I’m not. I’m from Vermont. I came here a couple years ago for school.”
“I see. Now it makes sense.” I loosen up a bit.
“I met a girl, dropped out of college and now I sell my art on the street for extra money.”
“Yeah right,” I laugh.
“No, I’m serious.” He pulls a phone from his pocket and shows me he isn’t full of shit.
“These are pretty impressive, Ben.”
He nods in agreement. “Everyone seems to think so.”
I hand him his phone back. He stands up. “Wish me luck.”
I say good luck and watch him climb the stage.
“I call this one crash.” He clears his throat. “My mind shows me a thousand pictures, a thousand words. A million different reasons I should do it...but no matter how many times I tell myself my existence is just an existence I can’t pull the trigger. I have so much to live for but at the same time I don’t know what I’m doing.
I’m running, slipping and sliding through life, one hand poised for the gun, the other wants some ice cream.”
He backs away from the mic and everyone claps. I can’t believe he is for real. And I can’t believe everyone bought into all the drama and hijinks.
He takes the seat again next to me. “I didn’t hear any boos.”
I shake my head. “Nope.” My phone buzzes in my pocket. “I have to take this. Thanks for this.” I head outside so I can hear.
“California is just as shitty as ever,” Slade says.
“I take it you made it?”
“Almost an hour ago. And things are weirder than ever.”
I raise an eyebrow digging for my keys. “How is that even possible?”
“Hutch’s picture is plastered all over the place. I guess everyone is looking for him in connection with the pastor.” Slade sighs and lets out a laugh. “I guess that’s a good thing.”
“I guess so.” I find my key and open the door of my car. “I’m heading home. I’ll call you in a few.”
“Where are you?” Slade says.
I bite my lip. “I ran into my old dance instructor’s grandson who I didn’t know existed and he invited me to a poetry reading.”
“Already hanging out with a new man,” Slade says. “I think you just broke my heart.”
“The first thing I told him was I have a boyfriend. And he has a girlfriend.” I buckle up. “And I only have eyes for you. Now I have to go so I don’t run off the road. Tell Lucy and Erica I said hello.”
“I will. I love you.”
“Love you too.” I toss the phone onto the seat and start the car. Like always I look up into my rearview to make sure the coast is clear. But this time something is blocking my view.
“Oh. My. God.” I can feel my heart falling to my knees.