Chapter 13
Aurora
Next to Sky on the bench in the dressing room, I examine the heel protectors of my dance shoes. Then I slip on the high heels. The straps immediately rub against my blisters. I suppress the hiss rising within me.
"Here, try this." Sky hands me a thin piece that I've never seen before.
I turn it in my hands. "What is this?"
"My secret tip," she answers with a wink, demonstrating how to peel off the foil so I can stick the piece onto the blister.
It's so thin that my shoes still fit perfectly. I take a few steps. "Wow."
Sky smiles satisfactorily. "Now nothing can go wrong during the class."
If she only knew...
I focus on the bustle in the dressing room, but memories keep flickering in my mind.
How my legs almost gave way when Maxime suddenly appeared in the park.
His lips on mine.
His hand on my heart.
His gaze that captured me with its passion.
The unity we achieved when we kissed.
And his revelation, which felt like an icy downpour.
My shoulders droop, and my head feels heavy.
Is he right? Is it really the right thing to pretend as if nothing happened? To never find out where our feelings could lead?
No. We can't give up so quickly. We should find a way to have both—the dance and the chance to explore what's between us. There must be a solution, we just need to...
"Aurora?" Sky shakes my upper arm. "Only two minutes left, we should hurry."
"Sure." My voice sounds hoarse.
We head to the dance studio. Along the way, Sky chatters cheerfully, but I'm not really listening. Because a resolution for this training is slowly forming in my mind. Until I find a solution, I will act neutral when Maxime and I meet. I will look him in the eyes like any other person. And if we have to touch, I will stay focused.
I can do this, I'm sure. Yet my heart skips a beat when Sky opens the door to the dance studio, and I spot Maxime, who is focused on the music system.
In his black training outfit, he looks absolutely delicious. The tight shirt leaves no doubt about what lies beneath the fabric. Heat rises within me even though he hasn't even glanced at me.
Together with Sky, I enter the studio. Three other couples, along with Sky's dance partner, Liam, are already there. He greets my friend, leaving me alone. Enzo not being accepted has put me in a difficult situation. I earnestly hope I'll get a fixed dance partner soon.
The others start warming up, so I do the same. I loosen my legs and arms, stretch my sides, and perform some dance steps to get ready. I focus entirely on the movements, and despite the distraction of Maxime's presence, it goes quite well.
Just as I'm about to start a quick turn, he claps his hands. "Welcome to the training. This semester, we'll be working on the Latin dances together." He smiles so brightly that I can't help but smile back. He doesn't even glance my way as he looks at the others in turn. "We'll start with the rumba," he continues with a firm voice. "Show me your basic steps." With those words, he confidently heads toward the music system.
Cuban rhythms fill the room. The couples around me take their dance positions. Rumba is the hottest of all Latin dances. A flirt on the dance floor. Dancing it alone feels strange, but I let myself be carried away by the music and take the first steps.
In the corner of my eye, I see Maxime observing the others. "Maintain your posture, Sky," he says attentively, then he turns around. "Show me your passion for the dance, Thomas."
I give it my all, but it's difficult without a dance partner.
