This is a shift day [see above]. There was another upload this morning: For the Rest of Our Lives.
"Tender Love & Care"
7. Plus Thirty
She'd gotten a text from Mike to ask if she'd meet him at the studio before her class that day. He wouldn't say why, but she'd find out soon enough. So she'd gathered her things, and she was on her way. It was a bit lonely to ride there on her own after he'd been riding with her the last few weeks, but then she'd arrived, and her curiosity regained control.
She went in, up the stairs. She heard the music and it drew her in. She wasn't sure what was happening, but part of her must have… She felt shivers already, and then she'd opened the door.
He was there, on his own… dancing. She felt the caution in his steps, but still it was much more free and daring than the last time she'd seen him dance, two weeks earlier, it was… him… her old Mike. It had been one month since his injury, one month since she'd seen him like this… and it brought tears to her eyes.
When he spotted her he stopped, smiling. "Mike…" she breathed, moving up to him and hugging him tight; he held just as strong.
"What do you think? How'd I do?" he looked down to her, still holding to her hands.
"You were amazing!" she promised. "But how long…"
"A couple days ago I finally just decided it was time, so I went for it. I'm still going to be careful, but that's a good rule in general. I just needed this," he breathed out… He looked so alive.
"I'm so glad, this is just…" she couldn't find the words, but he understood.
"I think I've decided something else, too," he went on.
"What's that?" she asked.
"I'm quitting the team. Not just sitting out the season, I'm not going back next year," he shook his head. She blinked in surprise.
"What? Are you sure?"
"I want to concentrate on dancing instead," he went on. "I think maybe this needed to happen for me to see it. In the end I was sad to lose football, but… I was scared to lose dance."
"I know you were," she nodded.
"Are you going to be okay with that? Dating a dancer instead of a jock?" he asked and she stretched on her toes to kiss him, held to it for a few seconds.
"I'll be happy with anything you choose," she promised. "What about your parents though?"
"I haven't figured that one yet," he admitted. "But I will," he added. "This is what I need to do."
"You'll be great at it," she beamed with so much pride.
"Couldn't have made it through the last month like this without you," he spoke with so much love in his voice she was afraid she'd start weeping again in a moment, but she held it together.
"Just needed to know you were okay."
"But it's more than this month. You've made me discover so many things. If it wasn't for year I'd still just be dancing in my room, not here, not taking classes. You got me here, you got me to try."
"You're going to make me cry," she tried to joke it off.
"Well I had to say it," he nodded.
"And it was very nice to hear," she promised.
"Did you think last year it would come to this? Me, 'de-jocked,' and you, the Cheerio…" he leaned forward and she laughed.
"I think I might lose my efficiency. Most of my cheering was aimed at you… But I do kind of like it all. Chalk it up with the other 'who-would-have-thought,'" she told him and he smiled.
"Just pretend I'm still out there."
"Would you consider standing on the other side of the field during the games, then I'll just stare at you?" she joked.
"I'll get right on that, sure," he nodded.
"You do that," she told him, looking to her watch. "The class will be here soon. Are you joining in?"
"Well…" he hesitated.
"Baby steps," she guessed. "I get it."
So Mike sat out the class again. Judging by the minimized dance steps he was doing from his chair though, she knew it would be the be the last class he would sit out.
When they were done they'd gone on to get a Slushie and then started walking toward the bus stop. As they went, all of a sudden, she was presenting him with a book.
"Is that book four?" he took it from her. "How'd you know I finished the third?"
"Well, you're a machine, and with how much you had left the last time I saw you with it. I had a feeling you might be needing this soon."
"You're the best," he grinned.
"Well just pace yourself. That's the last one until the fifth one comes out, and I have no idea when that will be," she warned.
"Got it," he nodded. "Next series of books, it's my turn to lend some to you."
"I'm intrigued," she smiled. "Any hints?"
"Well I haven't decided yet."
"Whatever it is, I trust you," she replied.
"Good," he looked to her, then, "I'm making the right decision, right? About dance versus football?"
"I can't decide for you. But if that's what you want, then it's the right thing," she declared.
"It is," he confirmed.
"Well there you go," she nodded.
"It's just… my parents," he sighed.
"They love you. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"I hope you're right." He took up her hand and she smiled. "You've been taking such good care of me this month, I should do something for you."
"You don't have to," she insisted.
"I know, but I want to," he explained.
"Fine, then I want a chocolate fountain," she smirked and he laughed.
"Do they sell those at the mall?"
"Probably not…"
"Well I'll keep you suggestion in mind…"
THE END