To Twirl

For the previous edition of "Twirl" go here.

After the week whirled by in a mixture of neon lights, school and hours of dance practice, Friday finally came. Vivi stood outside The Club, tapping her foot impatiently. It was twenty after nine, and Wade should be there any minute. She smoothed her dress with her hands, shivering slightly in the cool night air. It probably wasn't the smartest thing to stand on a sidewalk downtown in heels and a strapless red chiffon party dress, but Vivi hadn't been smart since she met Wade. If she was smart, she wouldn't be sleeping four hours a night because she couldn't tear herself from his arms at night. She'd spend more time studying instead of listening to his soft drawl on the phone after her parents had long gone to bed. If Vivi was smart, she would work on her leaps and turnout instead of her two-step.

If Vivi was smart, she'd turn around right now, walk back into the Club and forget all about Wade and how he made her feel like she was dizzy when she was standing still.

Her red heels stayed planted on the sidewalk. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see her friend Bette, short for Elizabeth.

"Hey Bette," she greeted her. "What's up?"

"What are you doing out here?" her friend frowned, brushing her dark straight bangs out of her eyes. "The floor's packed, girl. Come dance with us."

"I will in a minute," Vivi said, craning her head to check down the sidewalk. "I was just waiting for Wade."

Bette rolled her eyes. "Forget Wade," she said, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder with a coy smile. "You know, Damien's been asking where you've been. I think he's hot for you."

"Damien's only hot for himself," Vivi snapped.

"I'm just saying," Bette shrugged. "With the performance coming up and auditions in two weeks, it wouldn't hurt to align yourself with talent, you know?"

Vivi rolled her eyes. "I don't care about talent," she said, an image of her father popping into her brain. "I care about twirling."

"What?" Bette cocked her head. "Twirling?"

"Never mind." Vivi checked her watch and sighed. 9:45 p.m. She glanced down the sidewalk and shook her head. "He must be running late. Let's go inside and I'll come out in a little bit."

Bette grinned and took her arm, pulling her up the sleek black stairs. Inside, red lights glowed over a slick black floor. Black couches and liquid-smooth tables lined the walls as bored-looking patrons sipped martinis and colorful drinks in pewter goblets. A deep pulse echoed in Vivi's brain as Bette pulled her onto the dance floor. The silver floor glimmered with flashes of colorful lights as dancers gyrated to the beat of the pounding music.

Vivi joined her friends, feeling as though someone had thrown her into a Christmas present that had exploded. She had become accustomed to the rowdy calm of wooden dance floors and local country bands, not a club that served truffles and women wearing body paint.

Several of her girlfriends pulled her on the dance floor, and Vivi let her body sway and move to the music automatically. Her eyes scanned around the room for Wade's face, but all she saw was the usual club crowd. Shimmying and wiggling her hips, she felt a pair of hot hands on her waist. She turned, her smile fading when she saw the owner of the sweaty palms.

"Damien," she said in a neutral tone. "What's up?"

His eyes flicked over her with a lecherous grin. "You look good, Vivi. Hot dress."

"Thanks," she said, stepping back out of his grasp. "Thanks for coming to Susanne's party. I know she appreciates it."

"I didn't come for her."

Warning bells rang in Vivi's ears and she stepped back. Damien's grin grew. He reached forward and pulled her toward him, his arm wrapped around her back.

"What did you come for?" she asked, pressing her lips together.

"To talk to you," he said with a smirk. "Mrs. Angelson stopped me the other day. She thinks we should work together for the audition, create a duet of sorts."

Vivi shook her head. "I work alone," she said in her most polite tone. It was the same tone she used for telemarketers and car salesmen. "Thanks though."

Damien's grin grew bolder. "She wants us to recreate the Lover's Dance from the Firefly."

Vivi sucked in her breath and tore herself from his arm. The Firefly was one of the most passionate ballets ever choreographed. Her father had a starring role in it during his prime years. The Lover's Dance was so intimate that it was the cause of countless divorces, marriages and illegitimate children.

"No," Vivi said, shaking her head so hard her hair stung her eyes. "No. Absolutely not."

Damien scowled and grabbed her wrist, jerking her toward him. "Vivi, you know you're the best in our class. Hell, other than me, you're the best in the school. We need each other. We need this dance."

"I don't need you or anyone," Vivi snarled, pounding her fist into his collarbone. "Let go of me."

"I'll tell Mrs. Angelson," Damien threatened, his fingers digging deeper into her small wrists. "She can make you."

Vivi responded with a kick to his shins, jerking her wrist from his hand. Damien yelped and lunged toward her, his eyes blazing. A calloused hand slammed into his chest, knocking him into the ground. Vivi turned and saw Wade standing with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a daisy threaded through the belt loop of his worn jeans.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Damien howled, climbing to his feet.

"Someone who's going to keep you from messing with my girl," Wade replied in a hard voice. He pointed to the edge of the floor. "Git. Go on now. Don't be ruining this girl's birthday." Vivi's jaw dropped as she watched Damien slink off the silver dance floor. She turned to Wade and beamed.

"I thought you weren't coming."

Wade put one finger under her chin and tilted her head up, pressing his soft lips to hers. "I always come," he said, running a hand over her hair. "I told you that, darling." He entwined his fingers with hers and said, "Now, who is Susanne?"

Vivi turned and pointed to her friend, who was watching Wade with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. "Susanne and Bette, this is Wade."

Wade dipped his head and handed Susanne the bouquet of flowers. "Happy birthday. Thanks for inviting me."

Susanne giggled and buried her nose into the blooms. "You're welcome anytime, Wade." She winked and nudged Vivi. "We need a big strong man like you around."

Wade blushed and murmured a thank you. He turned to Vivi and handed her the daisy. "For you," he said with a smile. "And I must say, you look wonderful tonight."

"It's for you," Vivi blurted before she could stop herself. "I wanted to look pretty for you."

"Darling, you don't have to," Wade said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're pretty all the time." Vivi felt her legs weakening as he pulled her onto the dance floor. "But do you know when you're prettiest?"

"When?"

"Just like this," Wade said, dipping her and pressing his lips to hers.

Vivi closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. From the other side of the club, a pair of eyes watched with a grimace.

To be continued....

This weekend, the end of Kitchen Magic! And we have a fun week ahead! Stay tuned!