Waiting for the music to start

For the previous edition of "Twirl," go here.

"Vivi!" the voice cried again. "Vivienne!" Cursing, Vivi slid her arms from around Wade's neck and turned, raising her eyes to the one face she really didn't want to see right now.

"Hello, Mrs. Angelson," she murmured through gritted teeth, curtsying as she dropped her head. "I didn't know you stayed at the studio this late."

"I didn't realize you danced this late either," her ballet teacher said, arching one ornate eyebrow perfectly. "Cross-training, are we?"

"Yes, actually," Vivi said, trying to force her burbling temper into submission. She didn't need this right now. All she wanted to do was dance with Wade and end the night with a good night kiss. And now,it might all be ruined...

Her teacher stared at her and Wade coughed softly behind her. "Excuse me. Mrs. Angelson, this is Wade. Wade, this is my ballet teacher here at the studio."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Wade," Mrs. Angelson said, gently touching her fingertips to his outstretched hand. "What are you teaching Vivi? She is one of my prized students, you see. The best in our class. Her father would have it no other way." She gave Vivi a pointed look. The blush that exploded onto Vivi's cheeks betrayed her.

"Well, country western dancing, ma'am," Wade said, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Vivi's real good at it. A complete natural."

"I don't doubt it," Mrs. Angelson murmured. "I had no idea you had an interest in country western dancing, Vivi."

Vivi shrugged, her jaw tightening. "I enjoy the freedom and creativity it allows me, as opposed to other types of dance." Her teacher narrowed her eyes and Vivi felt a brief flash of triumph.

"Ballet is very disciplined," Mrs. Angelson said, tightening her black wrap around her leotard and leggings. "Wade, may I have a moment with Vivi please?"

"Sure," Wade said, his grin fading in the glow of the streetlights. He gave Vivi a worried look, and Vivi flashed a smile she didn't feel towards him. Squeezing his arm, she turned to follow Mrs. Angelson. She heard him sigh behind her and felt her chest constrict, but said nothing. She didn't dare with her strict teacher so close.

Vivi followed her teacher across the parking lot, fury zipping through her. All the love and joy she had felt was gone. Her teacher had ruined it. She had ruined the only thing Vivi had that was real. And now she would ruin it for good by telling her father. Tears threatened to leak from her eyes and she had the overwhelming urge to throw herself to the ground kicking and screaming.

Mrs. Angelson stopped under a streetlight, her wrap blowing in the soft warm breeze. Vivi stood and waited for what seemed like an eternity. Her teacher simply hummed slightly to herself. Glancing up at Mrs. Angelson, Vivi tapped her foot against the asphalt. She was not going to talk first. Her teacher's face was serene as she gazed up at the night sky, her voice melodious and soft.

"I'm surprised, Vivi."

"About what?" Vivi snapped.

Mrs. Angelson looked down and smiled. "I wouldn't have figured you would fall in love with a cowboy. Personally, I thought it would always be Damien."

Vivi scowled. Damien was the only male ballerina who wasn't gay and wanted every girl to know it. Bristling, she crossed her arms. "So what, then? What do you do now? Are you going to tell my dad just because I like some guy?"

"Why shouldn't I?" The teacher seemed amused by her horrified grin.

"Because he'll never let me see him," Vivi snarled. "You know my father."

The wrap fluttered in the breeze as Mrs. Angelson tried to hide her grin. "And what does Wade think of this?"

Vivi sucked air through her teeth and tried not to scream. "He wants to meet him," he muttered. "He wants to show him how honorable he is. But he doesn't know what he's really like. He doesn't know what he'll do..." Her voice trailed off. There were some things even her teacher didn't know about her father, and she had trained with him from childhood.

"A true gentleman," Mrs. Angelson murmured, her eyes twinkling.

Vivi took a deep breath. "Listen, Mrs. Angelson," she began, her voice cracking. "I really like him. I've never felt this way about anyone. He makes dancing alive for me. Please don't ruin this for me."

Mrs. Angelson's grin grew wider. It seemed like an eternity before she spoke again. "I was young once too, Vivi. I once loved someone that made my life like Christmas morning every day..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes watching a part of her life that had long ago died. Then she straightened and cleared her throat. When she spoke, her crisp voice was back to the Mrs. Angelson of the studio. "I'll make you a deal. I won't say a word to anyone, in return for a favor."

"What favor?" Vivi asked.

The teacher ducked her lithe body into the shadows, sliding through the dark. "You'll find out," she called as she glided against the parking lot. "You'll find out." Vivi heard her chuckle as she climbed into her car and drove away.

Worry drilled into Vivi's belly as she rushed back across the parking lot towards Wade. In the glow of the streetlight, she could see him scuffing his worn boots against the concrete. He looked up, and his blue eyes twinkled. A slow smile eased across his face. Vivi felt herself beaming as he took her into his arms.

"Everything all right?" he asked.

"Oh yea," Vivi said, ignoring the twinge of worry in her belly. "It's all right."

She leaned his head against his warm chest, inhaling the scent of cologne and dance hall. He stroked her curls, tangling his fingers through them. It was all she could do not to cry.

"She say anything bad?" he asked in a low voice. "You're not in trouble, are you? I could talk to her..."

Vivi grinned and turned her head so her nose touched the pearl snap buttons of his shirt. He wanted to rescue her. For once in her life, someone wanted to take care of her. He didn't demand, didn't expect her to do anything. The freedom she felt threatened to lift her off her toes and carry her through the stars.

"Oh no," she heard herself say reassuringly. "She just wants me to do her a favor. Something with the big performance coming up, I'm sure. I'll probably have to mail out invitations or something."

Wade's hand slid down her back and towards the waistband of her jeans, trailing across until he found her car keys dangling from a belt loop. He unhooked them and pushed the button to unlock the car. Pulling the door open with one arm, he kept her close to him as he leaned inside and pushed the radio button. A slow country song filled the empty air of the parking lot.

"I know what you need, darling," he said softly as he took her hand in his and placed his other on her waist. "A proper send off." His eyes twinkled and joy exploded within her chest. "Ready?"

"Ready," she whispered, letting him lead her under the yellow glow of the streetlamp. As they waltzed among the broken glass and weeds to the car radio, Vivi felt her toes lift her higher and higher off the ground until she was sure they were dancing among the stars.

For as long as she was twirling with Wade, she knew that everything was all right.




Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a double dose of pumpkin goodness, a delightful story Friday and another Kitchen Magic this weekend! Be sure you enter the stocking giveaway!