Something between Us

Chapter 3

"Ally come on. We're going to be late." Chase calls into my bedroom from the hallway.
"Hurry your ass up, or do I have to come in there and carry you out over my shoulder." He pauses, for dramatic affect I assume, "again."
His laugher echo's getting louder and louder; I'm certain he's laughing at the memories of the many times I have threatened violence on the occasions he has actually followed through with his never empty threat. I'm sure he's remembering my screams begging to be put down after being thrown over his shoulder like I'm a rag doll.
"Go to hell," I yell back trying to maintain some authority in my voice.
Chase annoys me more than anyone I know; but he's my best friend. He knows exactly how to get under my skin, but for some unknown reason, I wouldn't have him any other way. I prance down the hall in my favourite white leotard decorated with gems along the bust.
"I'm ready calm down." I play it cool, "let's go," I say walking past him, playfully smacking his chest.
"Stop gawking at my butt and come on," I tease when he doesn't follow immediately.
I laugh hysterically as I watch the colour drain from his face soon replaced by a bright pink blush now covering his chiselled cheeks.
Once he recovers from his embarrassment he walks closer to me, "even in your dreams that wouldn't happen.
"So you and your scrawny ass better get moving," he steps closer, "or I won't come with you to your exam," he smirks, knowing fine well I'd hate that.
"Come on, lets got for before your head bursts from your ego."
I roll my eyes nudging my shoulder into him, grabbing my hoody from the coat holder as I pass. Chase is my good luck charm.
I couldn't imagine performing and him not being there.
Looking out into the audience before and after a routine seeing his face beam with pride makes my heart swell. His courage and belief in me gives me every bit of confidence I need.

I scrape my dark brown wavy hair back into my to hands trying tame the monster that nests on my head. It usually rests just above my hips, thick wild and hippie like; always a challenge to handle.
Chase looks at me and frowns, his electric blue eyes staring at me; a stare that, if you weren't his best friend would send shock waves down your spine.
His thick black lashes flutter at me, in response I let the hair in my hands fall down my face and he gives me his famous half smile, nodding in approval. He has always preferred my hair loose and wild like a caveman. 
I don't know why, but knowing Chase approves of hair untamed encourages me to embrace it. 

Chase makes his way to the stalls ready for my performance before he is out of view I yell to him. "Aren't you going to wish me good luck?"
I smirk already knowing the answer to this.
"Only losers who can't dance need luck Al," he smiles so wide that he bears his perfectly white teeth.
He's never said Good Luck, not once, he believes dancing comes as naturally to me as breathing, so what luck could his empty words really offer me, or so he seems to believe.
The smile he gives me before a performance is all I need. A smile that is only reserved for me.
His Ally.
I wink at him before heading to the stage to take my place.

I take centre stage and look to the judges and smile, taking s couple deep breaths to calm me. When the sweet melody of my chosen song plays my nerves slowly ease, as the song fills me with contentment.
I feel truly at home on stage.
My chosen song, 'It's real love' engulfs me and my dance begins.
I smile passionately throughout my performance, with sharp stride effortlessly across the stage, almost like a feather falling from the sky onto the ground. My toes point the whole time as I tilt my lean body to the side and stretch my arms as elegantly like a Swan trailing the lakes of its territory. I slowly snap my head around as the song and dance fill my soul with undeniable pleasure.
I am a girl lost in the wilderness of my mind, searching for more, yeaning for more with every correct step and each graceful move the feeling of telling a story through dance consumes me. It consumes me so much that when the music comes to an end I almost forget that there are people here. I am one with the stage, no one else is there, just Chase, smiling, proud... How I wish he would dance on this stage with me too.
My peace is distributed when I hear Chase scream, "Go Ally!"
There is much excitement in his voice and it gives me a burning desire to run to him. I want to revel in this moment with him and match his excitement. Remaining composed after a performance is important in displaying professionalism, this time however, I jump up and down. A natural response to Chases' cheers instead of bowing to my examiner which is an important way to end any dance recital.
My attempt to compose myself are thrashed when he cheers again.
"That's my best friend up there!"
I giggle a little too hard before rushing off the stage to find my best friend.