-Beth-
Just like it was mechanical or something, I danced to the music as if it were a part of me. I knew every move of by heart and could probably dance this whole thing with my eyes closed, but I didn’t want M. Rose to think it was something that I did wrong or whatever, which is something she would prolly consider a fault.
As I piroutted around the room, I noticed a look of praise as I flashed by M. Rose. She looked insanely pleased. I took this as a compliment because she seemed to be the type of person that wouldn’t give out compliments, even if you did deserve them. By the time I was half way through with my performance, I was nearly breathless. Not practicing for awhile can really damage you. Seven pirouttes in a row would tire even the greatest dancers, but I kept my concentration and before I knew it, I was done, in the final resting position and the music ended.
I took a deep breath, not allowing my fatigue to show. M. Rose was smiling broadly, and when I smiled in return, she quickly turned her smile into a thin line across her face. Taylor was grinning, too. Oh, how great it was to see him after my dance. I’m really glad he agreed to come along with me.
“Well, Miss Guinesson, that was indeed very impressive. I would not be stretching the truth when I say that you would be categorized in one of, if not the highest classes that my teachings offer. Just curious dear, how long have you been in ballet?” M. Rose asked me.
“I honestly don’t remember.” I answered truthfully. Her eyes narrowed. Great, there goes my chances. I’ve pissed her off.
“She’s been dancing for as long as I can remember. Probably since she was three or four years old.” Taylor chimed in. I stole a look at him, silently thanking him. He smiled in return.
“Interesting,” was all she replied. “I’m not going to keep the truth from you; class is very strenuous. Be here at 4:30 sharp tomorrow. We’ll see if you fit in with the class.” She said, then turned and walked out of the studio. Oh my gosh, I made it!
“Taylor, I made it!” I shrieked when she was out of hearing distance, and threw my arms around Taylor’s neck. I was so happy. Ballet was so important to me, and now I would finally get back into it again!
* * * * *
-Taylor-
As we walked back to her house, she clutched my hand so tightly. I loved every minute of it because I knew that she was so happy about getting into the school. I looked over at her, and she smiled at me and I knew that everything was going to be alright.
“Taylor, I just can’t even begin to explain the rush that I got when I was dancing.” She said.
“Me either.” I replied, knowing that I accidentally said what I was thinking out loud. She looked over at me and smiled one of her sexy smiles and I really liked it. The wind was blowing gently and it was just pushing strands of her hair away from her face, making her look absolutely ravishing. I sighed, thinking that I had to have been one of the luckiest guys in the world at that moment in time.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Time passed, and things between Beth and me seemed to die down a little bit. It got to the point that we didn’t really make out anymore, which kind of disappointed me, but at the same time, I didn’t really care because our relationship is more mental and emotional than it is physical. I’m not really complaining because what we have such a strong bond with each other, but at the same time I am complaining because when we first started going out, we were always all over each other, but now ... I can’t even remember the last time we did anything remotely spontaneous.
As Valentine’s Day grew nearer, I realized that I wanted to get Beth something really special. But what? She already has basically anything a girl could want. She told me that anything I would give her she would love, but still, I want it to be something really big. Something that she’ll never forget.
Plus, getting my license* really opened up a lot of doors for us. Now I would be able to actually take her somewhere without having a chauffeur driving us all over the place.
I’m the kind of person that waits until the very possible last minute to do things, so on the afternoon of Valentine’s Day, I drive into downtown Tulsa to find what I wanted to get Beth. I already had something in mind, now it was just the matter of actually purchasing it. I pulled into the mall parking lot and hurried in, to the nearest jewelry store.
“So, you want something for your girlfriend?” the salesman asked me. I nodded. The look on his face seemed to ask me how long we were going out.
“Oh, it’s been about months now.” I said. He nodded again, reached his hand inside the display case and pulled out the most perfect bracelet I ever saw. It was simple, but beautiful all at the same time. It was gold, with little x’s and o’s going around the whole bracelet. I smiled when I saw it, imagining what Beth would say when I gave it to her.
“I’ll take it.” I told the salesman. He smiled, then went over to the cash register to ring it up.
* * * * *
-Beth-
“Beth, hey, wait up a second.” I heard Mark calling as I was about to go outside to wait for Taylor to come pick me up. Mark was my partner, and I had to admit that he was definitely very good looking, not to mention a terrific dancer. Sometimes he could be sort of “slow”. I was somewhat attracted to him, but then I thought of how much I care about Taylor and quickly push the thought of Mark from my head. I turned to face him.
“So, you have plans for tonight?” he asked me. What kind of moron was he? He knows that I have a boyfriend, and that it IS Valentine’s Day ... owell, I’ll go easy on him.
“Yeah. Taylor should be here any minute to pick me up.” I replied. Mark nodded, looking sort of disappointed. “Do you?”
“Nah, Nicole and I broke up at the end of January, and I really haven’t hooked up with any one yet.” He told me. Suddenly I felt sorry for him. I knew how much he liked Nicole. She was in our ballet classes on Wednesdays, and she had been cheating on him basically throughout their whole relationship.
I reached up and put my hand on the side of his face, silently telling him that I was sorry, but didn’t want to say it out loud because I knew that he didn’t want to talk about it. He put his hand over mine, and closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them, I saw Taylor coming down the road. Before I had a chance to tell Mark that Taylor was here, he leaned down and kissed me.
Shocked, I pulled away. I couldn’t believe it.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” He told me as I opened the door of Taylor’s car. I smiled, then shut the door behind me.
“What the hell was that about?” Taylor asked. I could tell that he was gonna be getting angry. He saw him kiss me. Shoot.
“What?” I asked him. I decided to pretend that I didn’t know what he was talking about.
“Why did he kiss you?” he asked. “Is there something going on that I should know about?”
“Taylor, God, no. Mark is just my cavalier! It’s nothing to get worried about.” I said then slumped back into the seat, adjusting the seat belt.
“Well, it looked like more than that.” Taylor said after awhile. I took my seat belt off and slid closer to him on the front bench seat of his Ford Explorer^.
“You don’t have anything to worry about with Mark.” I reassured him, then rubbed my hand along the inner part of his right leg. He smiled, but kept his eyes on the road. I leaned my head on the perfect spot of his shoulder until we reached my house.
“I’ll be right out.” I said, hurrying into the house to change my clothes.
*I don't know if Taylor has his license or not, I'm only saying it because it fits into the story
I took my position on the floor. Before the music started, I looked around the room and noticed that it was considerably smaller than the dance studio I belonged to in Santa Fe. I would have to alter a few of the moves, but everything should turn out alright. Right before the music began, I caught a glimpse of Taylor, who smiled, as if he was encouraging me. I didn’t show it, but I was really nervous.
I knew that she was going to make it. She was so great at it, it would’ve been a crime for M. Rose not to accept her! And I have to admit, watching her dance like that, man, it made me quite a bit excited.
I can’t believe that it’s Valentine’s Day. I hurried and put all of my dancing stuff into my duffle bag, then took my hair out of the bun and brushed it. I smiled to myself, thinking of Taylor and what I was going to give him. Tonight’s going to be the night, I thought silently.
^I don't know if Taylor actually has a Ford Explorer or not