"Look, you're out, I presume? But you're not advertising it." My head nods, my brain hasn't yet understood what she's getting at. "For dancing, it doesn't matter who you're into. To be honest, I'm more than glad it will never be me. That can be awkward as hell with partners and I’d hate to stop dancing with you, especially after tonight. You don't have to share your sexuality, it's nobody's business, but believe me when I tell you, nobody gives a shit either. The fact that you danced ballet for nine years on the other hand, gives us a performance advantage and we'd be stupid not to use it. Think about it."
Nika is right...
"And one more thing and then I'll shut up, I promise."
Why does she say things like that when I'm about to drink? Half of my water shoots out of my nose with laughter. Nika rarely shuts up with me. That’s interesting, because I know she’s very different with the others. "I want to dance with you again just like that! Soon. Modern impro.”
Chapter 4
Adrien
"What are you doing this weekend?" I look at Élias with raised eyebrows. He must have realized by now that I don't really have anyone but him. At least no one I get on so well with that I want to go out with them on weekends. Acquaintances from university, for a joint project or something, yes. Privately, nope. I'll go along if Élias is there too, but I've become cautious. "Perfect, then you have something to do now! Nika is dancing a competition here in the region, on the German side, but not that far away. And you’re coming with us!"
I'm caught off guard and instead of answering, I just look stupid. Élias immediately relents. "You don't have to come if you're not interested, but I've been alone twice now and that’s really not cool. And I haven't made friends with the other partners in the group yet. Probably because Nika never tried to be social before me.”
"No, I'm up for it. I've never been to anything like this before, I'm in! What does competition mean?”
“There is like a bunch of dance crews competing against each other with their choreos. There is usually a professional jury and an audience voting and together they decide who has won.”
“And these groups all come from around here?”
“No, they come from everywhere. Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Lörrach. Sometimes there are even some from Switzerland or France. This time there could also be crews from Strasbourg.”
I’m intrigued and I can't wait to see Nika dancing. Her just walking is already a show of its own. I mean, not for me obviously, but I still have eyes.
***
Nika is in a league of her own on stage. All the dancers in her group are very good and she stands out. But someone else has caught my eye and I’m a little distracted. "Who's that next to Nika in the front row?"
"Vicki."
What do I care about Vicki... "No, on the other side."
"Her dance partner?"
I nod, even though I'm not really listening to Élias. I'm completely absorbed by the young dancer next to Nika.
"This is Philipp. He's new. Nika is totally happy that she can dance with him. Her previous partner was good too, but the two of them have a great connection. They often dance together in the evenings after practice. He has to learn the old choreos and of course it makes sense to do that with his partner."
Yes, that makes perfect sense, seeing the two of them together is amazing. I've already seen a few groups today, but Nika's is by far the best. And no other group does what her crew does–they are so amazing because of the dynamics in their partner work.
Watching Philipp move his body is a completely new kind of experience for me. My eyes are glued to his every move. They are precise and powerful and, when he dances with Nika, his moves are at the same time so careful and so protective. And he looks good – damn, does he ever look good. Light brown curls, but only on top, the sides are shaved short. His body is lithe and toned, his arms muscular under his tight long-sleeved shirt. He is the only one who dances in long sleeves. His shoulders are trim, but in a way that matches his otherwise slim figure andforms a perfect V with his narrow hips. He is taller than Nika, probably about my height and I'm fascinated. "What do you know about him?"
"Not much really, just that he's new and is going to university in Freiburg, but lives in Nika’s hometown."
"How old is he?"
"The same age as us, 19 or 20. Why do you want to know?" Élias looks at me curiously from the side. Shit... that wasn't really inconspicuous now, was it? Damn it.
"Just because ah… he's good, isn't he?" Élias never believes this nonsense, but he doesn't probe any further and I'm grateful.
"What, that's it already?"
"They've just been dancing fifteen minutes full power, look at them, they're completely exhausted!"
Fifteen minutes? Seriously? It didn't seem that long to me, but if Élias says so... I watch Philipp as he bows, which is the wrong term because he simply folds in half. Fuck, how can he be so flexible. This is definitely not just useful for dancing.
I quickly shake my head to get rid of these totally inappropriate thoughts. But shit... he's so hot. Pretty sure he's straight and won’t be interested in me at all. I've always had a knack for falling for the guys who aren't into me.
