Prolouge
“Alright class. Everyone is dismissed, except for Félicie and Taylor.” Mrs. Bedell told the class.
We nodded and slowly approached Mrs. Bedell. For a young looking woman she’s a very scary instructor, having to do splits every 10 minutes and all these competitions.
“As you both know we have a competition coming up. Dancers from all the packs will be there, and we need a solo and duo.” She explained. Please let me have a duo with Taylor or Alexa.
“Taylor you will be doing a contemporary duo with Alexa.” I mentally cried. I’m not good at solos.
“And as for you Ms. Manning you will be doing the solo, and your favorite too! Jazz.” I jumped up and down in excitement.
“I never get to do jazz anymore! Thank you Ms. Bedell!” I squealed walking off with Taylor after grabbing our practice schedules.
“You got lucky. You get a duo with Alexa.” I told Taylor.
“Well you get a Jazz solo! Who wouldn’t want to be in your position?” She accused.
“Tushé.” We laughed.
“Hey Taylor.” Rudy called after Taylor but we both turned around.
“Hey babe.”
Yeah you lost me at babe. I tugged on my coat and put all my stuff in my dance bag. I can’t wait to tell mom and dad I got a Jazz solo! My parents met at dance they were doing a duo on lyrical and ever since they shared their tale I’ve wanted to meet my match the same way.
“Need a ride?” Taylor asked me.
“With you and your boyfriend? On a scooter? Why the heck does he have a scooter if we live in snow?” I asked all these questions. She shrugged.
“You’re so pure Félicie.” They laughed. I growled in response and trudged home in the knee high snow. The ground was literally consuming me with out me asking, it was snowing and as I walked home it grew higher and higher giving me no choice but to walk in the road. I walked in the road and a black SUV pulled up in front of me skidding to stop.
I screamed and leaped out of the road. I lowered my head as if the driver would hurt me for being in the middle of the road. The doors opened and I felt a presence in front of me.
“I’m so sorry. It was getting hard to walk and so I had to walk in the snow... I’m so sorry.” I trailed off. I glimpsed at the mans leather gloves in complete jealousy. I rubbed my bare hands together and looked up at the man with the hood shadowing his face.
“You should get home.” The husky voice told me and I obeyed walking in the snow once again.
“Hey girl?” The man asked.
I turned again showing him my face while standing in the street light. I stood on my points to seem taller than I really am. “Yes?”
“What’s your name?” He asked. What a mutual question.
“Félicie.” I told him proudly.
“Well Félicie, do you need a ride home?” He asked and I shyly nodded. At this rate I’d get home at midnight standing around.
“Hop in.” He told me I’m and I obeyed.
“Is this some pedophile stuff?” I asked nervously playing with my hair. The stranger chuckled and shook his head.
“No, only helping someone in need.” He told me. “Besides, this is the Winter Pack. Where everyone should be pure.”
Well I’m pure but my family doesn’t believe in the moon goddess, we actually don’t worship Destiny either.
“What do you do for a living?” He asked making small talk.
“I dance at the Trumbull Dance Academy.”
“Instructor?”
I shook my head. “Student, I’m only 17.”
“Ah. Tell me about it.”
“Well I started when I was 6 and eventually began to enjoy dance so I danced the rest of my life and I have two friends who both spend more time with their boyfriends so I just dance and practice by myself. Don’t pity me because dancing alone helps me practice.” I told him.
“Have you ever danced a duo with a male?” He asked suddenly and I shook my head.
“Mrs. Bedell won’t give me any duos with males. She says I’m too pure so she never puts me in duos with boys. I’m usually ever in solos or group dances.” I told him smiling at the thought of Mrs. Bedell pulling me aside to tell me that one day that she wouldn’t put me with guys.
“Well this is my stop. Bye sir.” I waved and hopped out tugging my bag after me.
~~~~~~
“Everyone! I would like you to meet: Valiant. And today he will be performing a salsa duo with our one and only Félicie.” I nearly died. I glanced at Taylor and Alexa who’s jaws were dropped.
My jaw dropped as I stared at Mrs. Bedell.
“Mrs. Bedell? May I speak to you?” She nodded and I walked outside.
“I’ve never done a salsa before!” I exclaimed nervous.
“Nevertheless a duo with a stranger!” I shouted. I leaned against the wall and slid down it taking deep breaths.
“I’m sorry but he insisted to do it with you.” She lied.
“No you insisted on him doing it with me because I’ve never done a salsa dance or a duo.” I snapped.
“I’m sorry Félicie. I wanted to bring you out of your comfort zone, besides you still get to do your solo and group routine.”
I glanced up at her and stood up. “Fine but you owe me.”
I walked back inside the room and approached Valiant. “I’ve never done a salsa dance before so sorry if I hurt you.”
He nodded and took my hands in his gloved ones. “That’s what dance is about, falling and getting back up again.”
I nodded in agreement as we walked into a separate room from the group.
“Have you done a salsa duo before?” I asked and he nodded his head.
“Can you maybe come up with the dance moves then?” I asked nervously. He nodded and I took a corner in the room.
“How about we make this salsa dance about you teasing me?” He asked while walking over to me I nodded a yes. That would be fun.
“Follow me and we can go from there. You walk out and stand there while I start, then when it says 1,2,3 you do freestyle.” He explained and I nodded. He slid across the floor and I stood in his desired spot.
We finally finished the routine and rehearsed it for about 50 times.
