Heart of A Dancer

First Dance

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Adrian knew he had to do this right. Now he was the one hoping nerves didn’t get the better of him. What was the worst she could say? “What if the audition wasn’t your first dance since what happened?”, he asked.

Bethany nodded,“We do also have some time to practice. When Eddie gets back.”

Adrian sighed. He needed to do better than that.. Especially if he wanted a chance at that dance with her, “That’s not what I meant. If you have the chance to dance with someone else, before practicing. Would that help with the nerves?”

Bethany smiled a bit,“Most likely. But it’s just us.”

Adrian knew this was his moment. The chance he’d been hoping for. “Look, I’m no specialist like him, only know basic. But even that’s good enough to get by. What I’m trying to say is….

Adrian got up off of the bench. He tried to stay calm. Tried not to let Bethany know his heart was on the line. Don’t say no. Please don’t say no.

Once again, Adrian held out his hand. This time it was different though. This time it was an invitation. “ Bethany, may I have this dance?”

It only took a few seconds for Bethany to make up her mind. Adrian had been so nice, cool and funny so far. Not to mention he was cute. Plus, a dance before the practice would probably be good for her.

“Yes. Didn’t think anyone would actually ask me. “

When Bethany took his hand, Adrian couldn’t help but smile. He’d been waiting a year for this moment. Now it was finally happening. Thankfully, he’d been practicing.

“Open, transition to close, bit in close with a dip at the end?”

“Impressive combo for a beginner.”

“I even know a few tricks.”

“After I spin you into open it’s up to you. I won’t rush this, don’t worry.”

So far this plan was going just the way Adrian had hoped it would. Not only had he asked Behtany Harris for a dance but she’d actually said yes.

Adrian lifted his arm and started to spin Bethany into open hold. His other hand was ready to grasp her free hand. Time for their first and hopefully not last dance.

When Adrian spun Bethany around and caught her other hand in open hold she blushed a bit. Bethany might have been a troupe dancer but she was still a 14 year old girl. Dancing with a cute sweet boy who’d actually asked her to dance.

Adrian was the first boy who’d ever asked Bethany to dance. In the Troupe, the partners were always chosen for them. Once you were paired with someone it stuck. Kyle had never asked her for a dance. Never thought he had to.

Bethany knew better than to try at her full speed. Adrian was just a beginner anyway. He wouldn’t be able to keep up. Instead she slowed down to a more reasonable speed. Something a beginner could keep up with.

During the start of the open pass, she was understandably nervous. Even a bit shy. But after that she started to get over the nerves a bit. At least enough to actually look at Adrian. The way he was looking at her. Like she was the most beautiful thing in the whole world. No boy had ever looked at her like that before in her life.

By the third open pass Bethany knew she wanted to try for close hold soon. There was something about Adrian. About the way he danced with her. Dancing with him was nicer than dancing with Kyle had ever been.

When her fourth pass ended Bethany knew what to do. She let go of Adrian’s hands and let her hands slide up his arms. Initiating the transition from open hold to close. So far so good. Let’s see how this goes.

The moment Bethany started to go for the transition to close hold Adrian knew this was it. He gently placed his hands on her waist. For the first and hopefully not the last time, Bethany was in his arms. Don’t mess up now, he thought to himself. Don’t ruin this moment.

During the close passes, Adrian almost forgot that they were on borrowed time. So what if Eddie saw this? He must have known that Adrian would take the first chance he could.

Adrian had never felt this way for anyone before. It wasn’t anything bad though. Unless you called wanting to have something last longer bad.

When the dip finally happened, time seemed to freeze. All that mattered was the two of them. Even though Bethany didn’t know how Adrian felt about her, he hoped she’d know that their dance had been special. Even if it was just a beginning number.

As Adrian dipped Bethany, her back leg started to slide back. Then it lifted off the floor. Bethany hadn’t meant to end up balancing on the ball of her foot. It just happened. She’d never had her leg act like that before.

After Adrian swung Bethany out of the dip he gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was one of those couldn’t help himself types of moments. Adrian knew he would regret it if he didn’t kiss her.

That’s when he looked over Bethany’s shoulder and saw Eddie watching them. He’d likely seen the close hold passes and the dip. He was just too nice to pull a dance cut and steal Bethany. But now the dance was over. It was Eddie’s turn now.

After a final transition into open, Adrian thanked Bethany for the dance , dropped her left hand and spun her around to face Eddie,” She’s all yours now.”

Bethany hadn’t known that Eddie was right behind them. Why hadn’t he gone for a dance cut? Other Troupe boys she knew would have. Even if the other partner was their best friend.

Eddie took Bethany’s hand,” Come on, it’s time to practice. I’ve got a bit of a plan already. “

“ Bye.”

“ Bye.”

As Eddie led Bethany around the corner she asked,” So, what’s this plan of yours?”

Eddie smiled,” Trust me, you’re going to love it. Especially the ending.”

Adrian tried not to be disappointed. Those two were audition partners after all. If anyone had tried to steal Bethany from anyone, it was him. Besides, he’d actually kissed her.

Then he got a text from Eddie. “Nice going Romeo. Knew you’d take the chance. By the way, I thought you might want to have this.” The text that followed included a picture that Eddie had taken during the dance. He’d caught the dip. Even at the right moment; when Bethany was almost balancing on the ball of her back foot.

That picture was a definite keeper. No matter what else happened. They’d always have that moment. Not to mention, the kiss.

As Adrian watched Eddie lead Bethany away, he considered not staying. The intro and dance were part of the reason he’d even come anyway. But he knew he had to stay. To support Eddie. Part of him also wanted to be there for Bethany too. She didn’t have anyone else supporting her.