Part One: Torrence – Queen of Ice
Chapter Three: Facing Problems
Torrence shivered from the chill she created inside herself. She stared into the eyes of Larry Levine, who lay beside her, half clothed in the same disarray she was in. She beat herself up inside, wishing that she was braver and stronger. She just couldn't break it off with him. He had a power over her that she couldn't resist.
Lazily, she sat up, leaning back on her elbows, the strap of her tank top dangling on her arm. Her eyes shifted to the right where her moon amulet lay, thrown off before she, once again, committed the sin of the flesh. Tears glazed over her eyes. This wasn't right, using sex and Larry to fill a void in her life where her real parents should have been.
Larry's hand touched her thigh, and eerie chills ran through her body. She jumped away from it. He smiled at her curiously. She managed to throw a smile back at him as she began to redress.
"What's the rush, Torrie?"
"I have to get back to Charlie. She needs me to teach a new kid some tricks and be back in time for Mark's 'Welcome Home' party." She pulled her tank all the way on.
"You need a ride?"
"Nah. I'm catching the bus," she informed.
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Torrence placed her hand on Auriella's bare stomach, feeling the muscles tense and vibrate off beat. She laughed, fluffing the other girl's blonde hair.
"Am I at least improving?" Ella asked. She was trying to learn this dance to help with Torrie's performance.
Vanessa, Ella's mom, nodded. "I think you look better. What do you think, Tor?"
"Definitely, Mrs. S," Tor agreed.
She mimicked Ella's moves, and the girls goofed off on the stage of Charlie's studio. Vanessa laughed, her blue eyes twinkling.
Vanessa was also another mother figure in her life. She practically raised Torrence. And did a good job of it. She could have ended up like Kristina, overzealous.
"How was the date with Gavin?"
Ella stopped moving, her smile wide. "It was…fantastic, Tor."
Vanessa stood. "This is my cue to talk to Charlie."
Ella sat on the edge of the stage and Torrie joined her. Torrie twisted a green and black strand together. They sat in silence, creating an icy fire in the comfort of themselves. It flicked along the palms of their hands, nice and warm.
"You didn't break it off, did you?" Auriella finally asked.
"No," Torrence whispered. "There's something about him. Like he hypnotizes me, and I can't even think a rational thought."
"I'm scared for you, Torrie. You need someone who cares for you."
Torrence stared off, her hand waving throught the fire. Here eyes misted. There was no one, no guy, who would ever want her for more than her body. Sensing her friend's distress, Ella hugged her close. They held each other, a connection forming between them.
A cough interrupted them. "Sorry, I wasn't aware anyone else was here." Robert seemed embarrassed.
Torrence smiled. Auriella watched her friend's eyes brighten. "Who's this, Tor?"
"Oh, um, El, this is Robby. My new partner."
Ella smiled brightly at Robby. "I bet you're real good if Charlie stuck you with Tor."
"I was just lucky, Miss El," he said, kissing the back of her hand. She giggled, then gasped.
"Oh, I, uh, just remembered. I, um, need to buy a dress for the party. "She slipped down and ran to the door, only pausing to mouth 'Invite him'.
"She seems nice," Robby said.
She nodded. "Auriella is my best friend."
He smiled up at her, his sapphire eyes bright. "You two don't seem to have a lot in common. Except, maybe, that fire beside you."
Her heart stopped as she looked down at the frozen flames. They had forgotten their product! No one except Auriella knew of her gift. Robby's hand touched the flames, surprised at the warm, ticklish feeling he felt.
"I won't say a word, Torrence," he promised gently.
She looked up at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Why wouldn't you say something?"
"I see your fear. I don't want you to be afraid of me. How will we dance if you're scared?"
"Not very well," she laughed. "Hey, you want to go to a party?"
