Chapter 6
Two hours later, Laurie yawned. She had spent the afternoon practicing how to walk on a stage. She had never thought that simple walking could be so difficult. She and Debbie had met a couple of girls from the other school. They had laughed and joked, teased each other and giggled like little girls do.
But Laurie was glad that they could go home now. She was tired and had a headache. Her feet hurt as well.
The group of girls stood outside in the hallway, discussing their next meeting, when Laurie heard music playing in the studio ahead. Curious, she left the girls and turned to the door. It had a small glass window through which she could grab a glimpse inside the room. Her eyes widened in awe.
A boy was dancing – no, she corrected herself immediately – flying. He took off and turned around in the air like a feather in the wind. No sound of his landing could be heard. Not a single thump. There was just the soft melody of the piano. She could not take her eyes off him. He was dark haired with an athletic figure.
Seconds later, she felt someone standing next to her, smiling. It was Nancy, her teacher.
"Who is he?" Laurie whispered.
"That's Alex, our best student", Nancy replied and Laurie could hear the pride in her voice. "He is wonderful. Just look how he absorbs to music."
Laurie could only nod, not being able to talk. In the corner of her eye, on the opposite side of the studio, she suddenly saw someone else in the room. Alex wasn't alone. Laurie gasped. Her brother Keith was quietly sitting on the floor, cross-legged, backed up against the mirrored wall. He followed Alex' moves with his eyes, just like Laurie had done seconds before.
She didn't want him to notice her, so she quickly pulled herself away from the small window.
"Did you notice the boy on the floor?" Nancy asked. "He comes every day and watches Alex practicing. He never moves, never says a word. He just sits there motionless. It's been more than a week now."
Yes, I saw him, Laurie thought, I saw him.
That evening was the same just like all the other evenings before. After dinner, Keith went to the garage, played his guitar for a couple of minutes, and then sat in the darkness for at least an hour, doing nothing.