Chapter Eight

Nigel's POV

It's a Tuesday afternoon and we're all in dance class. Oh the joy. Kuki's lucky she caught a cold and had to miss out. Actually maybe not, she seems to enjoy dance class. But how I wished I could trade places with her. We all chatted amongst ourselves while we stretched. "Aint dance a drag?" Abby mumbled.

"Couldn't agree more." Wally strained to say as he stretched out to touch his toes. He gave up and sighed, leaning back on his hands. "It sucks."

"Well, for your information, we're going to be learning the tango." Lizzie said to them both. "They say it's the dance of love."

Wally stuck a finger in his mouth and started imitating gagging noises and Abby chuckled. "Oh grow up." Lizzie snorted. "But me and Nigey will be dancing up a storm of love."

I slapped my forehead with my hand gently and groaned. Lizzie can be such a pain when it comes to love and certain things like that. "Well whoop-dee-doo." Abby chanted monotonously, spinning her finger around in a circular motion. Lizzie shot her a deadly glare.

"Okay class." Miss Kantanino addressed us as she walked though the door. "Today we'll be learning the tango." She stomped her foot and brought her arms out above her head, holding her fingers in a delicate yet firm position. "And as some like to call it… the dance of love and passion."

Her attempt at a Spanish accent caused the whole class to groan. Her gleeful expression turned suddenly into bummed out. "Couple up with your partners from last lesson." She groaned. Lizzie quickly took my hand and held it so tight she probably cut the blood circulation. Over her shoulder she glanced angrily at Abby and she seemed to be taken aback by this.

"Uh… miss?" Wally called out to the teacher, raising his hand to chest level. "My partner is sick. Who am I going to dance with?"

"Yeah, an' where tha hell is Ace?" Abby raised her voice.

"I forgot to tell you." I said to her. "Ace received detention again."

"Oh yeah about detention…" Wally started to say, rubbing the back of his head. "I got after school detention so I won't be able to catch up with you at the mall."

Miss Kantanino rolled her eyes. "Well since Mr. Beatles' partner is absent like yours Miss Lincoln I suggest maybe you dance together hmm?"

The two turned to each other and held hands as Wally put his hand around her waist. This made my blood boil and I could feel my teeth gritting against each other. And I don't even know why.

"Right!" Shouted Miss Kantanino as she turned towards the stereo and pressed play. Music played from the speakers once again. "Just watch me."

She started moving her feet while holding an invisible dance partner, like she always does. She signaled for us to start and the class nervously shuffled their feet before actually dancing. "Oh Nigey." Lizzie giggled. "Isn't this romantic?"

I nodded, just for the sake of nodding. I looked over to Abby and she looked back at me. 'Did you tell her?' she mouthed. 'No not yet.' I mouthed back. She made a face saying 'do it!' and I pulled a face back that said 'I will!'. "Nigey?"

I turned back to Lizzie. "While we're dancing I'd appreciate if you stopped looking at other girls."

I laughed nervously. I looked back at Abby and she seemed to be laughing with Wally… a lot. Like she was actually enjoying herself. I eyed her suspiciously. I looked down towards Wally's feet and he seemed to be accomplishing every single step perfectly. He didn't step on Abby's feet once. Now I got really suspicious. "Ow!" Lizzie yelped. I jumped. "Nigey, concentrate!"

"Sorry!" I whispered.

The song drew towards an end and I stole one last look at Abby and Wally. Wally dipped Abby towards the ground slowly, leaning over her. She lifted a leg and her braid touched the floor delicately and coiled as Abby got lower and lower. Then all of a sudden Wally pulled her up. And she was grinning. Grinning! Since when did she enjoy dance? My blood boiled so much I could feel my face getting hot.

"Nigey?"

I turned back to Lizzie. "Dip me." She whispered almost seductively. But I was so angry I didn't concentrate and dipped her to fast, she fell to the floor and I fell next to her. I could feel everyone's eyes on me and I didn't dare look up.