He stepped over the line between the cracked sidewalk and the coarse black asphalt. Walking onto the basketball court alone under the grey sky was something he hadn't done in a long time. He had never been without his friends in this place. They were like his family, they were like his brothers, he was always hanging out with them…but now they were gone. Maybe they'd never talk to him again and he wouldn't blame them. He never told them the truth about where he was or what he was doing. That he was blowing them off because of some dance class. Tyler kicked a stone out of the way as he moved into the center of the court. He had brought this upon himself and he knew it. Nora might have let him stay if he hadn't gotten pissed off. He was so frustrated to see that dancer waltz in and assume his place as though he was just a fill in. He was more than a fill in; he had helped make it what it was. It was the most important thing he had ever helped create in his life. It wasn't just a dance either, it was their dance. His and Nora's. He was happier whenever they moved together to in the music. Whenever they spun or jumped in time it was beautiful, as beautiful as Nora herself. No he wasn't happier, he was happy when he was with her, truly happy. He stopped; his hood was pulled up over his head concealing his face. After all that had happened he preferred it this way. It meant he didn't have to greet the faces of the people he passed. He didn't have to see them trying to hide their pity for his bereft being. So completely alone now that she was gone too. Thunder rumbled in the background like a beat. And rain began to fall, drumming on the ground. Tyler stood feeling the natural rhythm all around. He didn't know why he did it or why he chose the court to be the place. It seemed a stupid thing to do now that it was over but he burst into motion anyway. He had heard the music so many times before he could hear it now in the rain. As he moved around the court, becoming wetter by the minute his clothes soon soaking, his hood flew off but he didn't care. Water ran down his face mixing with his sweat and he danced intensely droplets flying from his moving form. For a moment as his feet he kicked out the final move he felt a swell of happiness spring in his chest. It was as though he was playing with his friends, celebrating a win they shared, like dancing with Nora on the glossy wooden floorboards. A moment of ecstasy found in the storm and flashes of lightning. But it vanished as soon as it had risen leaving him here where he once played, the dance incomplete without her, his tears were all that remained.