Strung

“Do you want to dance?” Nat asked shyly once we walked into the gym.

She looked so cute. I couldn’t turn her down. I grinned, and pulled her into my arms. Now dancing? I could do. I knew where my strengths were. I may have issues talking to her, I may have issues even touching her, but dancing was like music, I let it take me to another place.

Nat was having a hard time keeping up with me. Which I kind of loved, because it made her face all flustered and sexy.

She kept apologizing when she tripped on her feet. I rolled my eyes and laughed then pulled her flush against my body, rolling my hips against hers a bit to get her to follow the movement of the music. Instinct took over. She was a good dancer, as long as I led the way, and as long as I didn’t let her go.

Last year one of our popular songs was remixed into this crazy tango beat that had dance clubs all over going crazy. Fans posted Youtube videos of choreography to the song, and I knew Nat had to know it. So I started with the first move, she followed with the second, the crowds had parted and it was just me and her on the dance floor. I loved it. I’m sure Demetri was watching from backstage laughing his ass off — but for right now, it was just me and her… Dancing at Homecoming. Funny how things can feel normal but actually be the exact opposite.

The chorus hit, I lifted Nat into the air then placed her leg around my hips and twirled until she dipped below me, her hair falling to the floor in a wave, I twisted her back around until she was on the floor and then went into the Tango, which surprisingly, she knew.

Mouth dry, I watched as Nat moved to the ground skimming her heeled foot between my legs and then kicking to the right and left, before twisting and then standing.

Holy shit. That was hot. As in, my mouth was still open and I was ready to kiss her right then and there.

Once she faced me again, I turned her around, moving my arms slowly down her shoulders and then across her stomach as I lifted her into the air and grabbed her legs so she was clinging backwards to my body, I twirled around the dance floor. People started clapping, and I probably looked insane. I hadn’t danced like that in a long time.

The music died down. People clapped, and I put Nat back on wobbly feet “I think I may have a crush on this Alec,” she joked out of breath.

“This Alec?” I asked; sweat trickled down the side of my face.

“The one who seduces girls on the dance floor and puts Justin Bieber to shame… hey, um, can I have your autograph?” She fluttered her eyelashes.

My mouth dropped open, I cursed, “You suck.” I hated it when she brought that guy up. Way ta kill the moment, Nat.

She winked.

And I lost it.

We both threw back our heads and laughed. The music switched to a slow song; she rested her head on my chest. I couldn’t help but sigh, and just enjoy the moment. Because I knew it would be over way too soon.

“Nat, I—”

The lights flickered. That was my cue.

I grinned. “I’ll be right back.”

I ran backstage and met up with Demetri. He was shaking his head at me, “Dude, did you have to show me up and go and dance like a freaking maniac?”

“Yup.” I nodded.

He was still laughing. I almost asked him if he was on drugs because old Demetri would have been pissed that I was flirting with his girlfriend, instead, he looked… overjoyed.

It grated my nerves.

Because it made me think that maybe — things were going to be great between them, and I’d gone and ruined the one thing that had kept a smile on his face for longer than six hours.

“Sorry about that, folks. The dancing will recommence after this special performance,” the principal announced loudly.

“You ready?” Demetri asked.

“Always.” I nodded. “Let’s do this.”

A surge of adrenaline rocked through me as I made my way onto the stage.

“It is my pleasure to announce, AD2!”

The stage went dark.

And then lit up like a Christmas tree. Demetri moved to the middle.

“Nat,” his voice rumbled in the microphone. “This one’s for you.”

I moved behind him with a guitar and stood in front of the microphone.

The tune Demetri had used to write the song was haunting, it started on sharp notes, slowly pulling the listener in with its eeriness.

“Torn Like Rain,” I said into the microphone staring directly at Nat.

Brown eyes, blond hair, I can’t help but stare. She’s got me hypnotized. I need her, like oxygen, I can’t explain the way she makes me feel inside. Like rain, washing my fears away, she makes me feel like I can say all those things I’m too scared to say.

Breathe in, breathe out, sometimes you just gotta shout your love. Shout your love. Inhale, exhale, the beauty of your love will always be enough. Enough.

Demetri sang the first verse and chorus. I was in charge of the bridge. My voice was different from his; it had a type of rasp to it where as Demetri sang so clear it was ridiculous. I didn’t realize I was still staring at Nat until her eyes flickered from me to Demetri. His body tensed next to me, as if he saw the raw expression of hunger on my face.

I could never hide my emotions when I sang. That would be like trying to put a shield over the sun, eventually it burns through, singing everything in its path.

Demetri belted the chorus with a desperation I’d never heard him use before. Almost as if he was willing it to be true, willing her to love him forever, willing her to be his and not something he had to share — something he had to give up.