Ch 2: Extend
AN: Sorry this is so late and short! I've been really struggling with a delema where as soon as I sit down to write, my muse is like "Nope girl! Write this other thing" and it's so annoying! But I hope you enjoy!
Prompts are for Challenges by the dozen and deja vu in Caesar Palace Prompts.
The cream flowed into the coffee, swirling into the dark brew and turning it a warm, brown color. The air smelled strongly of coffee, the bitter-sweet, strong aroma filled the room and comforted Reyna. The early morning sunlight streamed through the room and bathed the wooden tables in their soft glow.
Move and Dance was partly located over a coffee shop. Reyna had lived most of her life in the studio, so of course she had spent many hours, and dollars, in the coffee shop below.
She sat by the window, hunched over her homework and ballet bag. Reyna chewed on the eraser of her pencil, a disgusting habit she really needed to stop.
"Give reasoning why the U.S. has a relativity stable government," Reyna read her homework question out loud. "Umm..."
She pondered for a moment and then picked up her pencil and pressed it against the paper. "No," she said to herself. "That won't work."
Jingle. Tingle. Thunk. The door burst open and rattled the small, rusted bell, and Reyna instinctively looked up. A blonde mop of hair quickly strode in, and Reyna buried herself back into her work. It was the boy from yesterday.
"Why, God?" Reyna murmured under her breath. "Why here? Why?"
She kept her head down and pretended not to see the boy. She pretended to be engrossed in the judicial branch of the government, which wasn't very engrossing. The boy, Jason, was idly strolled and glanced around, and she could feel his gaze land on her.
"Shit," Reyna softly swore under her breath. "Why God. Don't come over here!"
As if God heard her request and said "screw it," Jason grabbed his coffee and began to walk towards Reyna.
"Hey, Reyna," he said awkwardly while trying to balance the large latte.
Reyna glanced up from her notes and forced a nonchalant shrug, "Hey, Jason."
Jason glanced around, "So, umm, what's up?"
"Nothing much," Reyna said. "Just homework and classes."
"Yeah, me too. Mind if I sit down?"
Reyna shook her head, "Go ahead."
After maneuvering into his seat with one hand, Jason plopped down and smiled. Reyna could feel heat bloom on her neck.
"So, ummm, you're a good dancer—" Jason started. "I mean, I guess you already know that because everyone tells you that."
"Yeah?" Reyna really did have no idea. All her teachers did was correct and correct her. Sure, many other people did say so, but, until her teacher approves her, Reyna will never be "good enough."
"Yeah. Really. You're really good. You're probably even better than me!" Jason burst with excitement until he reached the last sentence. Realization of what he said, and how prideful it sounded, wiped off his grin.
Reyna couldn't help but laugh, "Really? I think all that coffee must've gotten to your head!"
Jason laughed awkwardly along with her, "Yeah too much coffee. Do you drink?"
Reyna smiled and looked towards Jason's lips. They were stained from the coffee and chapped. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and Reyna instinctively shoved them down. "No, I enjoy tea."
Jason laughed, "Tea? That's so classy. You must that artsy girl."
Reyna began to nod, but then she remembered what her sister always said. Be wary of men, for they will kiss you on the lips and say, 'I'll love you forever' and leave right after. Guard yourself.
Her smile faded and she began to pack up her things. Guard yourself, and don't let your heart be broken. Not like before. "Umm, I have to go. Bye, Jason."
Jason's smile faded, "Is everything okay, Reyna?"
"Yeah," Reyna walked towards the door. "Yeah, everything's fine."
"Oh, okay," Jason started towards her but then stopped. "Well, I forgot to tell you this, but don't forget to extend your arms when you dance!"
Reyna quickly hurried out the door, her ballet bag bouncing. She tried to calm the heat in her cheeks she always got from talking to boys. Outside the coffee shop Reyna cursed herself. "You idiot! Why couldn't you just be friends! You just pushed away someone else. You idiot!"
Reyna slowly shook her head at her conscious, "No. It's going to end like before. Friends don't work that way... and it'll end like before."
i swear, i never have any control over these stories. it always ends in such different ways.
