20. Dance

As promised, I was at the college by 7. We practiced in the music room for an hour. When it was time for Adam's school, I got home to pick him. He was ready when I arrived and we drove to his school. Way to the school was quiet and we arrived within minutes. We were waiting out of the principals' office. I took a deep breath before entering and with one step we're in.

"Have a seat Miss. Troustkey." The principal said, only his torso was visible as the rest of the body was hidden behind the desk. When we sat he began his complaint.

I am the one who should be complaining. The one who's guilty is the other boy with whom he fought. It wasn't a fight though. There's his fault but that boy was the initiator.

"You should control your brother, he painted a boy's face black." Principal said.

"I know what he did s-" no I am not calling him sir- "but that boy was the one who first ruined his painting."

"If that boy ruins his painting will he ruin his face?" He questioned.

Yes!

"The thing here is more than ruin. That boy did it on purpose, by envy, ego, jealousy. Which is worse to have." I know I overused adjectives here, no matter what, I am not going to blame Adam here. I'll scold him, punish him, explain him but, not going to blame him in front of anyone.

"Listen, Miss. Troustkey. Adam is growing without parents, neither of them is present to show him what's right and what's not. It's your responsibility to teach him."

This is bad! Who is he to say that? I know my brother.

"I know that. Why are we only one who's here? Where's that boy and his parents?"

"I already talk with them and that boy is much obedient."

Why is he praising that boy?

Before I could say anything, there was a knock on the door and a teacher entered with a complaint while pulling a boy by his arm.

"Levy," Adam whispered, pulling my sleeve.

"Hmm." I tilted my head towards him.

"It's him." He said.

This is interesting.

I turned towards the teacher and asked with a smirk on my face.

"What has he done, Miss?"

"He tore a book of his classmate." She began complaining. "Sir, we are tolerating him because he's your family." She continued her complaint. Where the principal was massaging his forehead.

Facing principal, I stood from my chair. Adam followed my action. "Excuse us, you have some other thing to deal with. Thanks for your time." I took Adam by his hand to leave, with the hope that he should not stop us. When we reached the door, the boy gestured some actions towards Adam. In response, Adam sticks out his tongue which I didn't stop him from doing. It was just Newton's third law.

When we were out Adam was bouncing with joy. I sat on my knees and warn him not to mess with anyone. The next complaint will be directly forwarded to the brother.

He nodded and hugged me. "Thank you, I thought you would scold me."

"I'll scold you when you'll get home."

He broke his hug and stared at me. I laughed and hugged him back. "Only if it's your mistake, but I don't find any here."

"I'll not hide anything from you, Levy." He spoke softly.

His trustful words melted me. "You're getting late for your class."

I said and stood on my feet.

"Can we go home? I am already late." He beamed his smile at me.

"If we go home, I'll tell brother why I am here today," I smirked at him.

"No! I am going." He ran to his class.

~~~~~

I was back to the college, there were buses ready to leave. Jeal was waiting for me on the bus with number B2.

"Where is Jacob?" I asked.

"These buses are only for participants, he's driving there." She pulled me in. "We are getting late."

Late has become my all-time partner.

I sat near the window and Jeal beside me. Jacob was all over my mind, it's the first time I am going somewhere without him. We haven't talked after that game and I am curious about his wish. Because of the office, we weren't able to spend time together. I'll plan a day with him. This office thing brought back Loren. Why can't he stay away from my mind at least for a while? When I recalled yesterday's scene goosebumps raised all over my skin, then a touch distracted me.

"Look, we arrived." Jeal pointed her finger through the window.

It was a big semi-circle stadium covered with glasses all over it. We got in and saw Jacob there. The whole place was crowded with many different students. I don't like the crowd. However, slowly we're beside Jacob.

"Jake!" I called and we took him backstage.

"I was searching for you, are you girls ready?"

"Yes!" Jeal smiled and I just nodded, not sure how much I was ready.

People began to take their seats. Jacob hugged us with good luck and went to his seat. When we were back from the changing room, my observation was on. Jeal was wearing a long white dress and I was wearing a black one reaching below my knees. I wander my eyes on the sitting arrangement, the stage, the curtains, everything and found Loren. Why is he here?

"Jeal are lecturers invited?" I asked.

"Of course, why?"

"Nothing." No no no, I am not going to play, no!

He was surrounded by four-five girls one of them was Afrodoid, who was asking him to watch their performance. He gave them a nod with a smile and averted his gaze from them. Damn! Why would they ask him? I furrowed my eyebrows at the scene and met his gaze. Before I could turn my head his eyes were locked on me and soon we're staring at each other. His look was indicating something which was hard to understand from this distance. I was focusing to get his unspoken words then a hand touched my shoulder, breaking our silent conversation.

"Levy?" Jeal said.

"Sorry, do you say something?" How long was I staring at him?

"We are next." She took her violin and stood behind the curtains. I followed her.

Within some minutes we're on the stage and I was damn nervous. I took my seat in front of a grand piano and waited for Jeal to start. In the beginning, my hands were shaking but as we continued playing I was enjoying it. Is Loren watching? Why am I bothering? Our performance ended with applause. We bowed and walked backstage. The moment we reached back, she hugged me with joy. We stood there listening to others. Jacob came and hugged us with praising words. I am getting a lot of hugs today. One after another performance ended as time passed. We decided to go out for lunch. The results will be sent to our college. Jeal asked me to return her lucky broach which I left on the piano frame.

How can I be so careless?

I excused them and rushed before the doors could close. The stage lights were off with dim light illuminating from the ceiling, seats were empty dark. I found the broach where I kept it. When I touch the piano frame, I couldn't believe I was playing it on this huge stage with thousands of eyes watching. I sat on the stool and pressed one key, then another and another, until I was playing it again. Enjoying every moment and sound, I kept on playing when I felt warm fingers on mine. With a swift movement, I turned my head and found Loren. My heart skipped a beat on his presence.

"Loren, what are you doi-" I subdued my words when he set the music on autoplay and took some steps back after whispering something in my ear. "Have a dance with me."

My heart was jouncing and my body affirmatively stood up without my permission. Taking a step back from him, I bend down a little, vertically. Keeping my back straight while holding my dress on either side respectfully. I don't know how to dance. My inner voice screamed. This action was something that I read in a book. He smiled and slightly bowed his head folding his hands back. Stop. I can't dance. But my body was on it's known, was ready to mimic his actions.

He quickly took a long step forward so did I while folding my hands back. And we're standing exactly in front of each other with an inch distance separating us, staring into each other's eyes. He raised his hand in front of his chest where his palm was facing me. I mirrored him and raised my hand to the same level keeping air distance between our hands. Without breaking our eyes contact he step back his left leg, mirroring him I step forward my right leg.

We continued it one step after another with our one hand facing each others' palms at the front and one folded at the back. Engulfed in his eyes, I was completely lost when we stopped. He was wiping away the distance between us and slowly entwined our fingers while keeping his other hand on my waist, I kept mine on his shoulder. We again continued our dance. His warmth was filled all over me. My cold hand was captured in his warm one. I don't want this feeling to end, I was enchanted with him. Surrounding was dark with dim light making us bright like a fantasy being played in real life.

My little fantasy ended when I heard a voice calling me. It's Jeal, what if she sees me dancing with a teacher? why does he have to be my teacher? This might look awkward. I departed from him and turned to walk but his hand holding mine halted me. When I faced him again, he slowly pulled my hand, making my form close to his. I was staring into his eyes and he was too. Bending to my face level, he raised my hand to his lips and skirmished his lips on it's back. My cheeks turned bright red and ears turned hot. His actions always surprise me. 

•••••••••••••••

How was the chapter? Did anyone expect the Dance?

LOCKHART.