Chapter 9

A few hours later and her stomach lurched when the doorbell rang. Clara couldn't tell what had made her invite him round her house, but she could hardly turn him down now. Unlocking the door he stood there awkwardly, and it was oddly surprising to see him in casual clothes. He wore tight fitting trousers and a holey jumper, paired with doc marten type boots.

She raised an eyebrow, letting him in. He respectively hung his frock coat up and proceeded to the sofa.

'I noticed a motorbike down there. Is it yours?'

'Yes. Most people say I'm not badass enough to own a motorbike or fly a plane because I'm a ballet dancer.'

'Wow. Anyone who owns a motorbike and can fly a plane is pretty badass to me.'

His comment put a twinkle in her eye.

'Nice place you have here.'

'Thanks. It's small, but cosy enough.'

His eyes swept round the flat, marvelling at the pictures on the wall, inspecting the old-fashioned fire grate and bookshelves beside the TV.

'Let's get this over with then.'

She smiled, handing him a cup of tea and jumping onto the sofa herself.

'What's this?' He asked disgustedly as she laid the pizza box on the table. She reached for a slice and took a bite, offering him some.

'This is bad for you. You can't be eating this, Clara!'

'Oh come on, it's a Saturday. I've been good all week.'

'You should be eating healthily. Protein shakes.' He said, putting the dreaded bottle on the table.

'Not a chance. If you don't want pizza I'll eat it all myself.'

'Fine, but it won't help you with your strength. Protein shakes can do you so much good Clara.'

'You and your protein shakes, could you stop for just one minute obsessing over them and have a slice of goddamned pizza?'

He did as commanded, quieting down.

She nodded victoriously.

'You may be the leader of the dance, but you do as you're told in my house.'

He chuckled, nibbling his slice and catching her eye.

John finally relaxed against the cushions, watching the screen. As soon as he saw Patrick Swayze he snorted.

'Yeah, that's a weird choice of comparison. I definitely don't look like that.'

'But you have the same flare. You're both charismatic and you dance the same way.'

He crossed his arms, rolling his eyes yet again. She knew deep down he was secretly pleased.

She noticed the way he flicked his feet, played with his thumbs, moved his lips slightly to the music as if he was counting the beats. She realised he never got out from the studio or stepped down from the stage, not really. John was always part of a dance, be it mentally or physically. When he saw her looking over her eyes averted to the screen and a conceited smile played on his features. Jerk. She stared at his callused fingers resting by the side of them and noticed a signet ring on his finger. Why hadn't she noticed it before? It gleamed up at her and for just one second she began to wonder if he hadn't told her everything. Curiosity finally got the better of her.

'That's a nice ring.' She pointed out.

He raised his eyebrows surprisedly.

'You want to know if I'm secretly married. I told you, I've been on my own for practically my entire life.'

'Someone must have been important to you.'

He sighed in defeat, looking down at the ring with a sadness in his eyes.

'My brother. One of them passed away. It was actually his engagement ring but he gave it to me just before he died. He told me it was lucky and I'd find someone. It hasn't quite worked yet.'

'I'm sorry.'

'It's fine, that was over ten years ago now.'

They fell awkwardly silent, turning back to the TV, and Clara couldn't help but curse herself for thinking he had lied to her. Anyway, what would she care if he was married anyway?

Their awkward silence soon grew to normality and John spoke out randomly.

'So if I'm Johnny, does that make you Baby?'

Clara almost choked on her pizza. He had no idea what he was saying. She was fairly sure when they came to it he would realise it had been a complete mistake. She couldn't even look at him anymore and didn't reply at all. Knowing what happened between those two characters later on in the film made the situation even more awkward and Clara cringing inside. She wouldn't be able to watch it in the same way now.

Sure enough, when the moment came John stared horrified at the TV screen and the realisation of what he had said kicked in.

'Clara, I never meant-'

'Its fine.' She said, laughing at his expression.

'I'm just your instructor.'

'I know.'

He was still appalled and embarrassed at the idea but he soon settled down.

'What did you think?' She asked, after the film ended.

'It was alright. Not what I expected but good ending.'

'Don't lie, I know you secretly love it.'

'Yeah, of course.' He said sarcastically.

He noticed the empty box and started another of his rants on healthy eating. Clara only half listened and watched him amusedly.

Suddenly his eyes were on hers and she was once again entrapped, transported to another world. Why did they always have such an effect on her? She could feel him drawing closer, or was that her? Too close. She grasped the protein shake and thrust it right in front of his face, his eyes crossing at the shock and gladly accepting the bottle.

'Uh, thank you.'

Nothing else could stifle the awkward tension in the air, she was sure they had been literally inches from kissing. It was awful to comprehend, and she could tell John was feeling the same way. Kissing him was out of the question. The age gap for starters was unnatural. Never mind that it was John Disco and he annoyed her greatly.

He glanced at his watch, claiming it was half nine.

'I should go,' he explained, rising from the sofa. She couldn't hide the tiny part of her that was just a little bit disappointed. He made his way toward the door and wrapped his navy coat round his thin frame.

'I'll see you tomorrow.'

'Yeah.'

'And, uhm, thank you for letting me stay.' He said politely.

'No problem. Glad I could introduce you to a good film. Just one question before you go,' she leaned against the doorframe, smile playing at her lips, 'do you like watching Strictly Come Dancing?'

He looked at her with a mockingly dangerous glint in his eye, and slowly shook his head in disgust without saying a word. He turned away and as soon as she shut the door every single regret about not kissing him plagued her mind until she couldn't think straight anymore.