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Chapter 4

Beth sat in the dining hall playing with the remaining food that was on her plate. The first month of the summer had gone by quickly. The days were filled with rehearsals and most nights she spent with Trent. This had been her first morning off since one of the guests had dropped their lessons once they figured out that they had two left feet. The extra bruises that adorned her feet were proof of that.

Around the room people were talking in hushed tones while Beth sat alone waiting for Parker. They had been friendlier to each other lately and even though they weren't perfect their dancing had improved by leaps and bounds. She could thank Troy for that. Having them dance apart had shown Parker that she wasn't totally lacking in dance technique and given the opportunity she could make a good showing.

"I hope you haven't been waiting long," Parker said taking the seat beside hers.

Despite the fact that she was taken she couldn't help but notice how handsome Parker looked this morning. His face was flushed and she smiled knowing some guest had given him a workout.

"Not long. I'll just be nice and refreshed when we practice this afternoon."

"Good because we need to go over the lift."

Beth groaned aloud making sure he knew how unhappy she was about it.

"You'll do fine. You've improved a lot lately."

Her head snapped up at the comment wondering if she had heard him wrong. Had Parker just given HER a compliment? Beth turned to the window and started looking around.

"What are you doing," he asked.

"Looking for flying pigs," she said matter-of-factly.

Parker chuckled before stabbing a piece of broccoli that was on his plate. "I'm on scholarship," he blurted out.

"And I don't eat meat on Friday. So, what?" She was confused about where he was going.

"The reason I told Missy that I needed another partner was because I'm on scholarship. I need to make company and I was worried that you would hold me back. Truthfully I sabotaged us."

She took it all in waiting for him to go on. After all that had happened that year the truth was that they had hurt each other. Neither one of them had given their partnership a chance.

"I don't own three dance studios like you do, if I don't get offered a job that's it. There will be nothing for me to fall back on."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"I thought it was fair since you told me the truth."

Beth felt herself blush at his comment. She hadn't really told him as yelled at him. If Trent had not come to get her she may have never talked to him again. "Maybe we can start over."

Parker smiled and stuck out his hand. "Hi, I'm Parker."

Beth shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you Parker. I'm Beth. Since we have just met I should tell you that I am a ballet dancer. Does that intimidate you," she asked mischievously.

"Not in the least, you see I also enjoy dance."

"Then we should partner up some time," she winked at him.

"Nah. I already have a partner."

Something amazing had happened. They had called a truce.

Later that afternoon they were again huddled in the studio with Trent and Lexie off to the side bantering back and forth. The only thing different was the fact that Parker and her were doing the same thing. He was a nice guy. It had only taken her a year to figure it out.

"Are you ready," Trent asked.

"We got this," Parker answered. "We're going to put you and Lexie to shame today."

"Big words. Let's see if you can deliver."

Trent stood off to the side and turned the music on. Beth counted off in her head all the times she had felt broken and trapped inside herself. She thought about meeting Trent for the first time and wanting to push him away. Somewhere inside her she could feel an explosion of emotions. In her head she could see Parker and Missy talking about her and she recalled her inability to speak of the hurt he had caused. All of this she would use to dance the best dance of her life.

Beth swayed and moved with the music ready for Parker to join her. They moved like they had never moved before becoming one with the music and each other. When it can to the part where she jumped into his arms she didn't hold back as she had done before but sailed right into his arms. At the last line Parker placed her back on the floor and took her face in his hands where he noticed her crying. A single tear fell from her eye and trailed down her cheek, which was stopped by his thumb. Their faces were inches apart and she couldn't tear her eyes from his. There was something going on between the two of them. Something she couldn't name. A minute after the music had stopped they had yet to move out of each other's arms.

"That was amazing," Lexie's voice broke into their moment.

Beth stepped back away from Parker who dropped his hands from her face as if he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. She looked over at Trent who wasn't moving. Maybe something had happened like the world had shifted slightly and only the four of them had noticed.

"Do you think we should go over the double turns? I think we may have been a little off," Parker asked Lexie.

"No, it was perfect. We may need to add some filler near the end of the first verse but the rest was great."

"What do you think, Trent," Beth asked him.

"It was good," he pushed off the wall and walked away.

Nail number three….

Before she even opened the door, Beth could hear music playing from the entertainers cabin. She hadn't spent much time there this summer since she had enjoyed time alone with Trent but since he was gone she thought a night out was a good idea.

Tonight she was dressed in a black skirt that fell to mid calf and a white tank that she had fixed to show off her flat stomach. She had put on her ballroom heels hoping to get some dancing in that had nothing to do with the final show or the Academy.

The night was warm and the lack of air conditioning in the cabin made her happy with her wardrobe choice. On the dance floor she saw many of the same people who had been there the year before and only a few she couldn't name. The bar was empty and she took a seat asking for a bottle of water.

"I never see you here," Parker took the seat beside her. "Where is Trent?"

"Lexie and him have a show at the Shelldrake tonight."

"Good. That means your dance card is empty."

"You want to try some real dancing ballet boy," she asked him incredulously.

Parker grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. "Yeah. I'm just worried you can't keep up."

The bodies beside her knocked her from side to side until they stopped near the center of the dance floor. "I can hold my own." Beth moved with the salsa beat that was blaring from the speakers above their heads. Parker fell into step with her and they danced holding each other close.

They spent an hour on the dance floor changing styles as the song changed. They would go from a fast beat to slow and back to fast enjoying each other's company like they never had before. She was surprised that Parker could keep up since he had been classically trained since he was four. Her father had always taught her as many styles as he could and she had learned to adapt.

"Why don't we take a break," she yelled over the music.

Parker nodded and took her hand leading her out of the cabin. There was a small bench right outside the door and she plopped herself down ready to get off her feet.

"That was fun," he said breaking the silence.

"Yeah," she agreed. "Where did you learn to dance salsa?"

"Picked it up somewhere."

Beth leaned over and undid her shoes pulling them off her feet. She winced at the pain noticing her bruises that still hadn't healed. She was sure her feet hadn't been a normal color in the last eight months.

"You should really take care of your feet," Parker insisted.

"I never thought I would hear you worry over me."

"I'm serious, Beth. This could turn into a big problem."

Beth felt a chill go through her because of the way he was looking at her. He was truly concerned about her and she wondered how two people who had hated each other a few days before had become so close.

"I will," she rubbed his arm. "Right now though I think I'm going to head back to my bunk. I could use some extra sleep."

She went to stand and felt his arm on her back and the other under her knees as he lifted her up. "Where to," he asked.

"Bunk three."

He walked slowly carrying her like a small child. She rested her head on his shoulder covering the yawn that escaped her lips.

"I guess you are tired," he joked.

"Well, you wore me out today. If we weren't so brilliant we wouldn't have had to go over it a million times for Lexie."

Parker stepped up on the bunk porch and placed her on her feet. Beth wobbled and Parker grabbed her arms to steady her. "You good," he asked.

Beth nodded feeling her mouth go dry. Parker tilted her face up with his thumb and she saw that their faces were inches apart. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said but didn't move. Then his lips were on hers. He tasted sweet and she felt her knees go weak. Parker deepened the kiss pushing her back against the door and put his hands in her hair. A voice in her head told her to stop but she couldn't seem to do it. Beth clung to him aware of his steady heartbeat against her palm.

"I hope I'm not intruding," she heard someone behind her. Beth pulled back and looked up at Parker before turning to find Trent standing on the steps.