DANA'S STOLEN CADENCE

“Heyo my sweet Dana, ain’t you joining us for a drink?” Dana tightened the strap of her deep orange coloured bag and shook her head. “Not at all, thanks. I wanna be myself today.” Daisy looked at her from across the room and laughed. “Girl, how was practice today? And how did I look? Did I look dreamy, beautiful, beau…” “Would you just keep quiet with this dreamy and beautiful fantasy world of yours?” Dana interrupted. “My ears need rest.” “Well, I know you’re jealous.” “Oh please. Spare me. Be fast, let’s get going.” Daisy was already digging through Dana’s wardrobe. She pulled out one shirt, frowned, and tossed it back. “Babe, you’ve got nothing girly here. Just ripped jeans, hoodies, polo's, bumb shorts, awkward T shirts and Salsa gowns.” “I told you already. I don’t do those your kind of chick gowns. I’m a normal dancer.” “Look, girl, I’m also a good dancer, but yours is totally inside your head.” Dana flopped onto the bed. “I agree. My whole life is into dancing, so why not go home and prepare?” Daisy pointed at her. “Fine. But if you wear those weird things I saw in there, I’m gonna thrash your ass.” “You wouldn’t dare.” They arrived at the party in time, thanks to Daisy’s hired cab. Music floated through the house, couples clung to each other, and colourful lights moved over the walls. “Oh my goodness This is so romantic!” Daisy whispered. Dana pinched her. “Ow! What was that for?” “Get hold of yourself.” Daisy dragged her to the bar. “Vodka, please, sexy barman.” “Don’t tell me you wanna get drunk tonight,” Dana warned. “I didn’t ask for your help, Mummy Dana.” Then the lights went out. A beat dropped. Bright colourful lights flashed across the stage as a band appeared. The guests immediately moved with the music. Dana watched for a moment, then her eyes settled on the lead singer. He was handsome. Very handsome. “He is handsome, right?” The whisper in her ear made Dana jump up. “What the f**k! Daisy, why did you do that?” Daisy laughed. “Nah, stop that. I understand. He is so handsome. Don't even try to tell me that you can't recognize him. His name is Michael Wayne, a very popular artist.” Dana tried to look away, but the music had already caught her attention. Michael sang with an ease that made the entire room seem to follow his rhythm. For a strange milli second, Dana forgot where she was. In her mind, she imagined him walking towards her. Hey, my love. She imagined herself smiling. Yes, my heart. Heaven knows I missed you. Then she imagined herself drawing him close. The next thing she knew, she was actually kissing someone. Dana opened her eyes. Michael Wayne was staring back at her. Her heart nearly stopped. “Oh my God. I’m… I’m so sorry!” She jerked away. Michael said nothing at first. He simply stared at her face, her pink lips, her dark curls and the embarrassed expression she was desperately trying to hide. “No ish,” he finally said. Dana blinked. “I understand.” Daisy appeared beside them. “Whoa! What do we have here?” She looked at Michael, then at Dana. “Oh, Michael, can I have your autograph? You know what? You just kissed my friend and, oh my gosh, you are so handsome!” Michael smiled modestly. “Thank you. You’re equally beautiful. So is your friend.” He signed Daisy’s neck and looked at Dana. “Where do I write yours please?” Dana grabbed her bag. “Daisy can we leave now?” Daisy stared at her. “ahh, But you guys just kissed!” “Look, Michael, I’m so sorry. Just pretend this never happened.” She turned and walked towards the door. Daisy sighed and followed her. Before leaving, she looked back at Michael. “Sorry, my guy. That one is a girl who doesn’t let a guy mess her up.” Outside, Dana breathed deeply. She had danced in front of hundreds of people without fear. She had performed difficult routines while judges watched every mistake. Yet one accidental kiss had shaken her more than any stage ever had. She told herself it meant nothing. She did not know that Michael Wayne was already thinking the same thing. Only he was thinking about it for an entirely different reason. Dana had always believed that a person could choose what mattered and what did not. For her, dancing mattered. It had carried her through difficult mornings, long practices and evenings when her body wanted nothing more than sleep. Music never demanded explanations from her. It simply began, and she knew what to do. Daisy knew this about her friend, which was why she enjoyed teasing her. “One day,” Daisy said while they rode home, “you will meet somebody who makes you forget your precious counting.” Dana laughed. “That will never happen.” “You said the same thing before tonight.” Dana looked through the window. “Tonight was nothing.” “Nothing kissed you back.” Dana covered her face. “Please can you shut up for goodness sake.” Daisy laughed all the way home. But when Dana finally lay in bed, the room was quiet enough for her thoughts to return. She remembered Michael’s surprised expression. She remembered the warmth of his lips and the way his eyes had remained on her after she pulled away. She turned onto her side. “It was just an accident,” she whispered. The words sounded convincing until she remembered that she had been the one dreaming about him seconds before it happened. Daisy was right about one thing. Dana could pretend to be fearless, but even fearless people had moments when their hearts betrayed them. She had spent years learning how to control her body, yet she had never learned how to control the sudden warmth in her cheeks. She wondered whether Michael noticed. Somehow, the thought embarrassed her more than the kiss itself. Still, beneath the embarrassment was curiosity. She wanted to know the man behind the voice, the dancer behind the famous name and the quiet person she had glimpsed when the music stopped. For now, however, she would keep telling herself that nothing had changed. Tomorrow she would dance and that would be enough; for all she cares. At least that was what she told herself before sleep finally came. The next days became more busier than before. Dana kept practising so hard every single morning. Michael Wayne off course noticed her efforts from the side quietly.