Silent Love [Watty Awards 2013 Finalist]

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

What was he doing here? Why did he even show up here? As I began questioning myself and trying to figure out all the reasons he would be here Coach Libby walked up.

 “Ahh, Taylor you’re still here. I want you to meet your new dance partner. You two will being doing a duet for States, before we get to Nationals. Taylor, this Sha—”

 “Mrs. McMahon, we’ve already met. No need for formalities,” he interrupted being the rude arrogant jerk I know him to be.

 “Okay, alright then. Well Taylor, it’s the same duet from States last year, I’ll be back to work on it with you. Begin stretching, will ya?” Coach Libby asked.

 I nodded, my eyes pleading with Coach to not let me be partners with him. She didn’t catch on and continued talking.

 “Great, we have about two hours. That should more than enough time for you two to practice.” And with that she left the room.

 Great, States was in two weeks. How were we supposed to perfect it by then? Hell, I still don’t understand why he’s even here, other than dancing with me. But why?

 “So are we gonna get started or what?” He asked, a bit rudely too.

 I outright glared at him; he had no right to talk to me like that much less even show up here, and become my dance partner.

 I walked back into the studio tightening my ponytail.

 I began to stretch again, my muscles sore from my earlier two hour session. He followed me, and began stretching also.

 “You guys ready?” Coach Libby asked, walking back into the room with a cd in her hand.

 I nodded, just wishing there was a way out of this, but unfortunately he had to intervene.

 “Yes we are, Coach. I’m so glad I get to work with Taylor.”

 “Ok, as I said, the duet is contemporary, and it involves partner work."

 Partner work? Is she serious? I thought it was the routine from last year. There was no partner work in that one!

“I know that look Taylor. I changed the dance a bit to making it more interesting. It’s supposed to be a love story,” Coach beamed.

 What? A love story? With him? She’s got to be out of her fucking mind!

To successfully pull off a partner dance, the two dancers had to be comfortable with each other. I was nowhere near being comfortable around him. I couldn’t stand him.

 I nodded, knowing Coach Libby. She expected all her dancers to be gracious and do as told because she knew best. I had to perform this duet without a hitch whether I liked it or not.

 “Well, it’s a good thing we both know all about that then,” he replied.

 What? I took a long slow blink. What is wrong with him?

 Coach Libby’s face brightened, “Great, it will all work out. Let’s do this shall we?”

 Coach Libby took out her book, which she kept every routine she’s ever choreographed in.

 “So you’ll start on opposite sides of the stage, facing each other,” she instructed.

 I sighed, walking over to the side of the room.

 How am I supposed to get through a duet with him? I couldn’t stand him.

 We worked for two hours, and thankfully we had no problems. It was a good thing we were just marking the routine. I didn't have to interact with him physically.

 The routine was a hard one though, lots of acrobatic movements, and pirouettes. But it was style I liked, and I enjoyed every moment despite the male specimen in the room.

 “Good work you two,” Coach Libby said. “See you here Monday after school. Say, four o’clock, okay?”

 She left the room, and he turned to speak to me.

 “I think we should hang out more and get to know each other,” he said, as we both began to pack our bags.

 He wants to hang out with me? Haha, no.

 “It’ll be good for our dance,” he continued, “and we’ll be able to do the dance better without any problems.”

 I looked at him bug-eyed. There was no way I was spending anymore of my time with him.

 “Come on Taylor. Please talk to me. Let’s hang out at your house, that way you’ll be more comfortable.”

 I nodded, giving in. I motioned for him to follow me.

 We both walked silently to my jeep, and I waited for his slow self to get in the car before I locked the doors and started the engine.

 “We’re going to your house now?” He asked, while I was pulling up to Starbucks.

 I shook my head, and gestured for him to stay in the car. I got out quickly, and went inside to buy some coffee. Lord knows, I was going to need it.

 I bought my latte, and a hot chocolate for him; his favorite drink. I walked back out and got into the car. I handed him his drink, and continued the drive home.

 Fifteen minutes later, I pulled up into my driveway. I got out, and went to unlock the front door. Thank goodness my mother wasn’t home. I didn’t need her fussing over the fact that he was in the house.

 I went straight in for the kitchen, sitting down at the table and taking off my shoes. He followed me right in, doing the same and just plain staring at me.

 “Let’s play game.” He stated, still staring at me with pure curiosity.

 I nodded, and went over to the television. I took out two of the Wii remote controls and handed him one. I popped in the FIFA 2013 disc, and joined him on the couch to play.

I don’t know how long we played for but eventually after I won numerous times, he gave up.

  During this time, I didn’t hear the door open, but my mom stepped in the room.

 “Hi Taylor, how was pract—“ She cut her own sentence short.

 “Hello, Ms. Lewis.” He said simply.

 “Hi Shawn. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, how are you?” She asked, surprised that he was even here.

. . .

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Thanks,

T.L.