Chapter 24 A Dance Request
It’s been five days since I last spoke to Barth. And it also feels like he has been ignoring me as well. Yesterday, we accidentally collided on the stairs. He steadied me, his hands shot to my waist, his grip hard and hot that I felt it on my skin despite my thick sweater.
My breath hitched, and I was almost ready to melt into his arms just like old times but he didn’t even look at me, not bothering to looking into my eyes before muttering sorry and going his way. He was mostly never at home during these days and I wondered what he was up to.
Was he seeing Tan?
The thought of that made my heart ache and I shook my head. I should be happy right? If he was spending time with Tan, and we were both away from each other everything would turn out well. I was convincing myself that I was holding it together.
Until breakfast…
“So, Bree,” Mum said, leaning against the kitchen counter with a hopeful smile that made my stomach drop. “Aurick and I were talking about the function that will be happening in the university. The board had arranged this gala just to welcome new students. Seems it has been a tradition. It’s the biggest event of the year for the Vanguard elite.”
I stirred my cereal continuously, the milk turning gray. “That’s sounds cool.”
“It’s more than cool, honey. It’s an opportunity,” Mum reached out towards me, placing her palm on the back of my hand that rested on the counter. “You don’t seem to have many friends at the University and this can be an opportunity to show them just how special you are you know.”
I raised a brow at my mum’s statement. “What are you hitting at mom?”
“Aurick wants you to perform at the event,” She said softly. “A contemporary piece. Something to open the evening. He knows how talented you are, Bree. We both know and we think it will be great.”
The memory of my father rushed into my head. His stale breath that smelled of alcohol as he screamed at me to keep practicing until my toes bled. I shook my head, my throat tightening .
“Mom, I’m sorry but I can’t. I haven’t performed like that in years. Not since…”
“I know,” She whispered soothingly. “But you have to let the past go, Bree. You can’t keep letting the shadow of your father to keep haunting you. He’s gone and buried and you should bury your past along with him.”
“The same way you buried yours?” I blurt out before I could stop myself. Her soft gasp made me realize that my words were harsh.
“I’m so sorry mom. But I have tried believe me but I just can’t seem to get over it yet. The therapist said I should take my recovery slowly and not rush things yet.”
Mom sighed. “I know though and I don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want. But, would you feel better if I told you you won’t be dancing alone? Aurick asked Barth to be your partner and I’m sure Aurick will be so devastated if I told him your response considering the fact that he has always wanted to watch you dance.”
I looked up sharply from my bowl. “Barth is dancing?!”
“Yes,” She nodded. “Aurick mentioned that he wanted to show the board that we were strong as a family as some were doubting our relationship causing several drifts in his company so we had to grab this opportunity.”
“Barth is going to be part of your presentation. He’s going to be your partner for the final moments. Just a few lifts and turns nothing too technical for him after all we don’t even know if he knows how to dance just so he won’t spoil your image,” She laughed before quickly adding. “Don’t tell me I said this.”
I felt like my head was spinning while I was digesting all these information. It was mainly just for a public appearance not like I minded that anyways but why now? Barth wouldn’t even look at me or acknowledged my presence. I have been avoiding him but now he was going to hold me? To lift me? To touch me in front of hundreds of people!
That thought made me gulp down hard.
“Did he… agree to it?”
Mom nodded much to my dismay. “Yes, he agreed. He said as long as it would help the family then he would do whatever was necessary.”
Whatever is necessary… Not because he really wanted to. He just felt obligated just like me.
What a mess!
“Fine,” I said, the word tasted like bile in my mouth. “When do we start?”
“Tonight,” A deep, gravelly voice sounded from the doorway making us turn our heads.
Barth was standing there, his hockey bag slung over one shoulder, the stick poking out. His jaw was set into a hard, sharp line. His eyes met mine for the first time in a week and this time they weren’t filled with the raw, unfiltered hunger and lust like when we last kissed. This time, they were cold.
“The choreographer will be here at five,” he said, his voice flat. “Don’t be late sis.”
He dragged the word “sis” out a little bit and it stung. He then turned and walked away before any of us could speak.
So, this was how it was going to be then…