AN: Had to come up with another fluffy one-shot to unfry my brain… This chapter takes place kind of in between chapters 6, 7 and 8 in A Fine Line, but I think it reads okay by itself. Fitting that I have finished this one because I also (finally) finished my second draft of A Fine Line.
Big shout out – talented writer/artist Somewei drew an awesome picture of Bronwyn and Vanessa…head to my profile for the link.
Ever closer to the actual date you can own a copy of The Line. Head over to the myspace page to see me with my author copy!
Possibly based on true events…how's that for ambiguity?
3.1.07 - Duh, the perfect lyrics.
A Fine Line 7.5: Bachata
"Bachata is a form of music and dance that originated in the countryside and rural marginal neighborhoods of Dominican Republic. Its subjects are often romantic; especially prevalent are tales of heartbreak and sadness."
(definition from Wikipedia)
We've just been introduced,
I do not know you well,
But when the music started
Something drew me to your side.
So many men and girls,
Are in each others arms.
It made me think we might be
Similarly occupied.
Shall we dance?
On a bright cloud of music shall we fly?
Shall we dance?
Shall we then say "Goodnight and mean "Goodbye"?
Or perchance,
When the last little star has left the sky,
Shall we still be together
With are arms around each other
And shall you be my new romance?
On the clear understanding
That this kind of thing can happen,
Shall we dance?
Shall we dance?
Shall we dance?
- Shall We Dance? (The King and I)
For not the first time in the past couple of weeks, the usually confident Lucy Karate was unsure of herself. Somehow, her senior year wasn't turning out the way she originally thought it would. Recent events with her current ex-boyfriend (?) were beyond complicated, she was constantly confused by the actions from the newest guy in her life, Wes Mallinson, and somehow, in the middle of all this, her good friend Mark had managed to talk her into a prank during the half time performance that would (hopefully) rule their senior year…or quite possibly get them kicked out of the band. While Lucy felt fairly confident in their dancing abilities, Mark, always more than ready to slack on school for something that really held his interest, had managed to convince his long time friend they should take a random Latin dance class to help improve their moves. The brunette was pretty sure that people were going to be so shocked when they ran out on the field and started dancing that the audience really wouldn't care too much about their technique, however, Mark's enthusiasm was hard to deny and so the Brookwood senior found herself sitting in the parking lot of Meadowcreek, another local high school, waiting for Mark's familiar mini-van to show up.
While waiting, the second bass drummer idly scanned e-mails via her phone and mentally started berating her friend. Mark wasn't the type that would traditionally flake – unless he had a very good reason. Pushing her Oakley sunglasses up, her hand immediately went back to the #2 button…part of her wanting nothing more than to press the stupid key, part of her wondering what he was doing and another part second guessing her recent actions.
Just call him…what's the worst he can say?
That he officially doesn't want to see me anymore. That he really had found someone else. I'm just not ready for that…
I wouldn't be so sure about that. I wouldn't exactly classify recent thoughts of Wes as 'friendly.'
Intentionally distracting herself, Lucy looked at the clock and saw that there were only five minutes until the class started. Where was Mark? Why was he going to stand her up? Just then, her phone beeped.
Family emergency – have to babysit. Sorry. C U in school tomorrow.
Lucy sighed. More often than not, she had been drafted by her parents to schlep Craig to a soccer practice, or look after him on some random weekend night, so she understood why Mark had to ditch the class. However, it didn't stop the obvious – she was stuck and had a major decision. To go to the class, or not? The flyer that Mark had picked up had said that partners were not required so she didn't have that particular excuse. She also was mostly caught up on homework, was dressed appropriately, or, at least she hoped she was. Lucy looked down at her feet – those were the only things in question. She and Mark had usually practiced in their bare feet, but the information for the class had stated heels would be okay, so Lucy had taken the opportunity to wear a gorgeous pair of gold ballroom heels she had picked up at the thrift store over the summer. Sam had, of course, made fun of her purchase, wondering where she would ever have the occasion to wear them. Lucy honestly believed there was something special about the obnoxiously flashy heels.
Who am I kidding? Magic shoes? Maybe I'm taking recent events with Sam harder than I thought…
Fine, all the more reason to go get your dance on. It will help you forget for a few hours.
Questioning her rationality, Lucy collected herself, shoved her feet in her flip flops, grabbed her heels and huffed into the school. Following the signs, she found a room near the band room (big surprise) that must be used by the drama department – inside were a random group of people, ranging from what Lucy assumed were kids close to her age maybe a few years older to a couple in their 50's. On the door was a sign that read, "Salsa Class tonight."
Suddenly shy, Lucy walked in and immediately took a seat, pulling her shoes out slowly and putting them on. She briefly debated walking right back out of the classroom, but then reminded herself that in all likelihood, she would never see any of these people again. Plus, it was inevitable that Mark was going to want to know what moves she learned, so she figured she should at least stay long enough to learn a decent part of the class. For the most part, Lucy had been picking up dance steps with a certain ease. She wasn't sure how much of it was Mark and his ability to lead – or her trust and confidence in her friend, since she knew it wasn't like he was going to laugh her off the floor or something, but tonight…
From under her lashes, Lucy looked at her class again, trying to look like she was busy with her shoes. She envied their easy communication and friendship, but realized instantly that this was what it must feel like to be on the "outside" of the Line, something she usually didn't have to worry about.
Mental note…try and include the underclassmen more often.
Heels securely on, Lucy's attention was instantly caught by what she could only assume was the teacher of the class. He was friendly looking and his partner was beautiful. They made a cute couple. The instructor held his hands up and said, "Alright, everyone, thanks for coming out tonight, let's start out with the warm up."
Taking her cues from everyone else, Lucy lined up with the rest of the class in front of the floor to ceiling mirrors as far back from the front as she could but where she could still see the instructor. The instructor nodded to assistant to begin the music and Lucy did her absolute best to get lost in it. For so long, it seemed that her brain refused to shut off, but here, in this classroom surrounded by strangers, Lucy was able to forget about drill, music, or being known as, "the drum line girl." Taking a deep breath and scanning the room again, Lucy decided there wasn't anyone around that she really wanted to make a particular impression on anyway. She let the foreign music take her away, and when she finally found a place she could see herself in the mirror was surprised to see a smile that lit up her whole face. Too soon the warm up was over and everyone was breaking into a vaguely circle form.
Oscar, the instructor, as he had introduced himself to the group, announced, "If you will all find a partner, we will begin breaking down this week's move."
For a moment, it was like being at a middle school dance, and everyone started pairing up. Lucy found herself alone wondering again, for the fifth time in ten minutes why she actually bothered to stick around for the class, and doubts about if she would ever find a relationship again started filtering into her head. With Sam around, she had always been one half of something. Her pessimistic thoughts grew until Lucy suddenly found herself next to someone...someone she hadn't seen before class, because she definitely would've noticed him. He wasn't too tall, maybe around Mark's height, but where Mark was lean and skinny, this guy was the complete opposite. He was wide in the chest and his arms were larger than any of the drummers she knew. Idly she wondered how a guy even got arms that big. Furthermore, she realized there was no way he was in high school – there was just something in the way he carried himself. He was older, but not by too much, maybe in his early twenties. Also, unlike many of the high school boys she knew, their attempts had facial hair usually ended up as well weird experiments, the guy next to her had an immaculately trimmed goatee that really emphasized the hard planes of his face.
Oscar looked around, and, apparently content that everyone had a partner, said, "Alright, we're going to work for the next hour on breaking down this move before we start the social part of our evening…"
Social? Like a dance?
Maybe I should just leave…I don't think anyone would really notice.
"Let's begin."
Lucy started freaking out, wondering exactly where she should put her hands and how this whole class thing as going to work. As if reading her mind, her silent partner turned his so-dark-mahogany-they-must-be-black eyes and held out his hand, putting the other one securely around her waist. The gesture was weirdly intimate to share with someone whose name you didn't even know. The Brookwood bass drummer wondered if he was going to bother introducing himself or not…looking up, he flashed her the briefest of smiles and she guessed he would be in the latter category. Being surrounded by an unusually loquacious group, there was something kind of nice about silence, Lucy mused to herself.
"And from the top…"
Following Oscar's moves, the way the mystery guy led her through the choreography with such understated assurance practically took Lucy's breath away. She wasn't sure if it was because she was used to dancing with Mark or just high school guys in general, but the kind of confidence her partner exuded was intense.
Oscar took his own partner and said, "After the basic step, we'll start with a cross body lead."
Lucy hoped she could keep up, but the steps seemed to come naturally to her. She was thoroughly enjoying the class, when Oscar announced, "Okay everyone, let's switch!"
Trying to keep the pout off her face, Lucy followed as all the girls moved one partner ahead. She risked a look back and was greeted by an intense dark stare in her direction.
Maybe I could see this thing all the way through…
What seemed like minutes later, Oscar ended the music and clapped for everyone, "Please, enjoy the next hour – dance with whoever you'd like and work on the dance moves we've been practicing over the last month."
Lucy again felt like she was suddenly stuck at a middle school dance and was terrified that she was going to be stuck on the sidelines watching everyone have a good time. The instructors lowered the lights in the room and cranked up some amazing Latin songs. The bass drummer had done okay during the class, and had introduced herself to each of her partners, and hadn't stepped on someone's foot or elbowed anyone in the face (although there had been a few close calls). Surprisingly, it seemed her concerns weren't founded, as soon as the music started, people began coupling up and she found herself dancing the night away – being led from once dance to the next with no lack of partners. Unable to help herself, she found she kept a very close watch of where her first partner of the evening was dancing.
Lucy got more and more frustrated as the songs led from one to the other and he didn't even seem to look in her direction.
Maybe I imagined that connection we shared…
Unreasonably aggravated, the brunette found her way to the water fountain and slurped down water like she was in second grade. Finally satisfied, she looked up, noisily wiping her mouth and was mortified to see her partner standing patiently behind her. He held out his hand and with a silent nod and smile from Lucy, he led her out on the dance floor. As they danced fluidly together, Lucy was reminded of a moment recently at band practice – a moment where everything came perfectly together. This was a similar feeling, except Lucy was more conscious of her body then she ever remembered being in the recent past. Although she would never admit it, there was something undeniably wonderful about the overwhelming control this mystery guy had over her near future. Lucy, quick on her toes, kept up matching step for step and turn for turn - laughing breathlessly when her ponytail whipped around in the guy's face. Whereas her usual conscience was focused on the four other, twenty other, or two-hundred other people around her, it was a good feeling to focus on one other person.
Is it my imagination, or does he spin me closer than other girls?
Contrary to popular belief – not every guy you come into contact with falls madly in love with you.
I know…
Far too soon the song came to an end, Lucy's heart beat faster, and not because of the fast paced dancing…she held her breath that he would bring her in for a dramatic and romantic dip. Green eyes locked on darkest brown and Lucy wasn't disappointed. She was dipped low and close by a pair of very strong arms and could hardly breathe from her excitement. It could be Lucy's imagination, but she swore he held her longer than was necessary…
Then, it was over, and she was spun out of the dip. The lights were turned on, and everyone was switching back to their regular shoes. Feeling a little like Cinderella once the clock struck twelve, Lucy stumbled out of her heels, her leg and feet muscles protesting, and was glad for the comfort of her flip flops. She didn't look for her partner as she walked out of class…maybe she would see him again, perhaps not. It was enough to have such a perfect night. Walking alone to her car, Lucy pondered the evening.
Did it even happen?
Maybe the dance didn't mean anything…but then again, maybe it was the universe's way of telling Lucy that there was more than one person in the world she could be attracted to. Knowing that the events of the next couple of weeks would get super busy, the chances of seeing her brawny partner again was probably next to nothing. Still, Lucy wasn't going to soon forget the feel of his strong arms as he guided her through turns, the look in his dark eyes, or the way he held her close when he dipped her at the end of a song. She shivered with delight. Best of all? For an hour at least, she had managed to completely forget the mess that was currently her life…
The next morning, Mark plopped himself down next Lucy in the percussion room, and asked, "Was it worth it?"
Lucy looked down, an uncharacteristic blush pinking her cheeks, "Definitely."
AN: Cute and sweet and necessary for me to actually be writing again! Editing and marketing will be the death of me!!!