To all the stars that light the road.
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The performances before ours ramped up my nerves to a whole new level. We were jumping up and down, going through our mental notes on specific moves.
"Are you ready for this?" I whispered while we watched Robert and Luna absolutely kill it with their duet.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
I took her hand. I rubbed the back of it with my thumb. Then we were called on stage.
We started where our adventure started. She was on the floor with her hands over her head, mimicking that first Saturday. I stood on the other side of the stage. I stared at her, remembering the helpless instinct that kicked in.
The music started, and that instinct kicked in once more.
Don't tell me this is all for nothing.
I can only tell you one thing.
On the nights you feel outnumbered,
Baby, I'll be out there somewhere.
We danced.
It was different than we had ever rehearsed. Our performance was filled with a feeling of love. We entered, together, the world that dancing brought to both of us.
The world of hope.
Of gentleness.
And of love.
I pulled her in for the hug on the last lyric of the song, and I felt her breathing hard against my chest. The applause felt so distant at the end, leaving us to our own world.
YOU ARE READING
Outnumbered
Short StoryChristian can tell that something is wrong with Arielle. They stopped being friends once high school hit, and there has never been a problem at their dance studio until now. When they are matched as partners for the next dance recital project, thing...
