Warning: almost non-con, almost rape. Please be careful and don't read if this is a trigger.
Fast forward to high school. For two years they threw sideways glances at each other and hid their thoughts . They ran in different crowds but were nonetheless quite aware of each other's existence. To her, he was like a strange exhibit, a paradox-a Latino boy who seemingly had no idea what that meant and thus did not act like one, too straight-laced and cold. To him, from afar, she was bright and exotic, pulsing with life. He was afraid to get close. It did not help that Miguel was his brother and thus had her around a lot. Tom never felt comfortable when she came over-he would leave the room asap. She figured he was antisocial, stuck up.
It was only a matter of time before their paths collided. Literally.
Harlee was already late, in a rush. Not being careful, she rounded a corner and smacked into a living wall. "Shit! ", books flew everywhere and she knew she was going to get it from coach. Slightly dazed, she crouched down to pick up her things and was taken aback when her gaze fell on long pale fingers holding out her book. Harlee felt her skin crawl and got up, frowning. "Thank you", she mumbled avoiding any eye contact and got the hell out of there as fast as she could.
Three days later.
"Harlee, this is your new partner!", coach bellowed and she whipped around. Hardwood dance floor usually held her tight but now she felt unsteady all of a sudden. Speechless, she stared at Tomas towering over her while coach blabbered on. She had no idea he danced, and, apparently, was good enough to partner with her. So she just stared. His mind went blank, too. He knew in advance whom he was meeting tonight but reality struck him stupid-she was as brilliant as the sun.
He'd never asked Miguel about her, things being already awkward at home, and now he wished he knew something of substance about her, then perhaps, he wouldn't have panicked so much.
And then it began, a grueling process of getting to work with each other. They had good days and bad ones. She was quite willfull, not entirely willing to take his lead. He kept inwardly rolling his eyes but on the surface tried to be as patient as his 17 yo self would allow. He did have an urge sometimes to let her butt hit the floor but he would never allow himself to do that. That was simply not a gentlemanly thing to do.
"Connection, connection! Pay attention!", yelled the coach. "Use that floor! Don't pull him! Jesus!". They tried and tried, and then tried some more until his shirt was wet through and through and her knees were bruised.
"Ok, that's enough, guys. Go home".
He walked her home silently. By then the streets had grown quiet and magnolia lanterns swung in the breeze.
"Good night", she said not looking at him and walked up to her door.
"Good night", he said as she disappeared into the darkness. Neither noticed Miguel smoking on his front steps.
Walking home, Tom kept thinking about what he was feeling when Harlee was close. He's had his share of partners and knew how to handle a body in an effort of being the best on the floor. His passion looked striking but it was nothing romantic- he was that good at theatrics. But with Harlee he began to feel all the things he should not have been feeling. Desperately, he wanted to hold her and feel her but not in the studio. He wanted to mess up her tight bun and run his fingers through the abundance of her hair. He wanted to touch her where no one else could. He felt ashamed at his urges but they grew stronger nonetheless. Sometimes, he gripped her hand so tightly that her eyes widened and he had to will himself to hold back. He wondered if she, too, felt something, anything.
"Mom, Mom! We won! it was awesome!"
"Oh, honey!...We are so proud of you, guys! Say Hi to Tom!"
"I will mom, I will! Love you!" Harlee hung up the phone, smiling, and returned to the family bash in the back yard. There was music and food, her friends and her cousins, and... him. More than a partner, she hoped, more than a friend.
She slipped into the greenhouse and stopped at the altar. Grandma felt it was fitting to keep it where beautiful things thrived and grew. Harlee knelt on the ground and closed her eyes.
She hears steps on wet earth behind her. "Tom!", she scrambles up and excitement dies on her lips. He hesitates, does not look at her then runs up and squeezes her tight, face to her neck. She wants it-so she lets him hold her like that. She searches his eyes and finds they are sad. He is silent. She knits her eyebrows and reaches up to touch his face.
"What's wrong, Tomas?"
"I am leaving", he offers.
"Come again?"
"I have to leave," he repeats. Her heart stops. She shakes one hand out of his and palms her mouth.
"What do you mean? Where? When?"
"Away. Now."
"This is not happening",her voice shakes.
"Does it mean you care?..."
"As a partner, no. As me..a thousand times yes."
The old door creaks and a woman steps in. Blond, beautiful, flawless.
"It's time", she is angry, direct.
" I love you" he whispers. Her eyes go impossibly wide.
This is what it takes? A fucking disaster for you to tell me?
But on the surface she waits. He is quiet. She feels herself starting to shake, from her knees to her chin.
The door creaks open. This time it's men. Four. Severe.
What the hell?
"Now, Tomas". His mother repeats. They wrench Harlee away from him, ripping her dress in the process. She whimpers. Two hold Tom, the other one-Harlee. This man, fierce and huge, places his hand on her back and shoves her down. Tom fights to get out but can't. He is powerful, strong, but not a match against them.
Harlee's captor fumbles with his belt buckle. " Want me to continue?" he looks at Tomas.
"Leave her alone", Tomas says. That earns him a punch and a bloody face.
"Pity-a tasty seashell like that-I would take her if she wasn't so stiff and whiny. Her mouth, however, doesn't look half bad. Your choice, puppy,-you stay here longer- I fuck her. You go with us quietly-she is saved. " He grabs Harlee's hair and she cries out.
"Stop it".
"I can't hear you! "
"I said I am coming with you!"
"Good boy, now remember - I can always come back if you don't obey."
They drag Tom away but she cannot cry, tears stuck in her throat. She folds herself into the ground.
Miguel finds her like that.
