Friday, January 02, 2009

Two steps in the past

To read the previous Twirl, go here.


***Special Saturday Announcement! OK, I know you're dying to know what happens after this. All questions will be answered Sunday! Stay tuned!

For the next few hours, Vivi was swept away in the muggy dance hall. Her frizzled curls were plastered to her forehead, her leotard slicked with sweat where Wade's hand pressed against her lower back. Her feet ached and her legs burned.

But all she wanted to do was dance.

Wade's bright blue eyes crinkled at the edges as she twirled across the floor. In his gaze, she felt like the prettiest girl in the world pirouetting in a lovely dress that swirled around her in smooth waves, instead of her ancient jeans and scuffed tennis shoes. Old couples smiled fondly at them and young children gazed up at them. Her fingers were locked against his, their feet sliding in a steady rhythm. She didn't even notice when the bands changed out and the sun slid behind the trees.

All she could do was dance.

The beat slowed, and Wade pulled her into his arms. Leaning her cheek his shoulder, she breathed in his scent.

"I have to tell you something," she blurted out.

"What's that?" His voice was amused.

Pulling away from him, Vivi looked up into his eyes. "I've never been happier than I am with you, dancing."

Wade nodded, his face breaking into a shy smile. "That makes two of us."

"I mean, I know that this is really forward," Vivi babbled. "And I know things are moving fast. I mean, after all, we've just known each other a few weeks. You've already met my friends, you know about my weird family and my crazy teacher...but still, I just feel like I'm skating across the sky when I'm with you. And when we're dancing, it just feels like...I know you probably think I'm coming on too strong and overthinking things and I want to assure you that I'm an independent, well-adjusted individual who is not expecting any sort of--"

Without warning, Wade's lips pressed to hers. At first, it was a soft brush. His blue eyes locked onto hers. Grabbing the sides of his stubbly cheeks, she leaned up. With the same rhythm as their feet, their lips moved together slowly, tenderly. But the burn in Vivi's chest wasn't tender at all. When Wade raised his head, she gasped. He had quite literally taken her breath away.

And she thought that was only something that happened in movies and trashy romance novels.

Taking her hand, Wade pulled her off the dance floor. Her lips tingled as they ducked behind the wall of the stage, huddling under the rig that held flashing red and yellow lights. Wade's lips brushed her ear.

"You know what I saw when I looked at you at that old dance hall the night we met?" he half-shouted.

"What?" Vivi murmured.

"Joy," he replied. "I saw pure joy. And I thought, I want to feel just like how that girl is feeling. I want to be as lit up inside, as excited by an old pile of boards as she is."

Vivi couldn't move or speak as he took her hand and rested his chin on it. He leaned his other arm against the wall.

"And tonight, I'm full of joy," he told her. "Thanks to you."

His eyes met Vivi's. Her lips parted.

And then Wade's fist went through the wall with a loud crack. He cursed, pulling his hand out of the wall and brushing splinters of wood off it. The music stopped and people rushed toward him. Vivi peered at his hand, terrified at what she would see. She glanced at Wade and opened her mouth to comfort him. But Wade wasn't looking at his hand. He didn't even look like he was in pain. He was staring at the wall, his jaw hanging low. Vivi peeked closer at the wall and blinked.

"What is it?"

To be continued....

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a fun whimsical post tomorrow and find out what's in the box on Monday! Next week we have all sorts of fabulous things, including barbecued chicken from the new recipe series and Bear and Bitty's search for a moose. Stay tuned!

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why the heck did he do that? What's going on? I can't believe you stopped right there. =:O

Spring M Fricks said...

How in the world did he put his fist through the wall? Ugh. Your writing reminds me of the Old West readers where people went to the post office every week to get another piece of the story. I love it!

Kalei said...

OOOOOOhhhh! Can't wait to see in the box! Happy New Year: "Hau'oli Maka Hiki Hou" (Hawaiian)

3 Bay B Chicks said...

I came to your blog today to take another peek and now, I fear, I may be hooked. I just keep clicking and clicking on the previous installments of the story between Vivi and Wade. What is this loveliness that I have stumbled upon? Are you writing installments of this story each week or it is already completed and you are posting just enough to keep us all coming back for more?

Whatever your approach, I love it.

-Francesca

Cathy said...

Don't make us wait too long for the next installment, please!

Happy New Year!

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

Whoa! There's a plot twist for you.

Anonymous said...

All right, all right...cough it up! What's he staring at??? ;)

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to more of your great stories in 2009...

...and getting back to work on mine, too. :-)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Did he find some hidden treasure behind the wall that will save his ranch so he can go back to school?
~ingrid

Silvia - Magnolia Wedding Planner said...

my dear! sorry for being absent but I had to work a lot during these holidays, but now i'm here to wish you a wonderful new year full of serenity and health! a kiss
:-D
Silvia

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Ohhh I love Wade. But don't leave us hanging there! What's going to happen????!

XOXOXOXO
Jen

Navita (Gupta) Hakim said...

m waiting...;p

n thank heavens for tht error not showing up anymore..i had no clue...
n thnks for tellin me that

xoxo

Reeni said...

I have to know! What is it? What could it be? Your very good at that! The leaving us hanging and wanting more! I love it and hate it at the same time!!

Jane said...

oh no you have to go and leave us hanging there, frozen in mid air with our jaws on the floor. Don't stop pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease. Jane x

Marjie said...

I'm thinking he saw her father through a crack in the wall? He couldn't have just turned into the psycho loony-toon from hades, after all!

Happy New Year to you and Ben!

Lisa magicsprinkles said...

OMG!!! Fist you give me goose bumps and NOW you leave us hanging! Wade! What's wrong?

Anonymous said...

hello
your message on my blog in France made me immensely happy. I wish you a very good year in 2009 and your family, your friends and all those who pass on your blog
good evening

Mallory Elise said...

thanks! happy new years to you as well! i'll have to read around your blog a bit...i have to say i like the header "be a happy ducky" and i LOVE "stay tuned invisible friends" great phrase :)

Elizabeth said...

I was hoping to find out what was in the box today! :) I can't wait until Monday!!

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Uh-oh....I'm guessing...now I have to wait for the next installment, or the next, or the next....to see if I'm right!
You Blonde Duck...continue to amaze me!
I'm staying tuned...

raining sheep said...

Oh no, you are leaving us hanging....Happy 2009 to you my dear. I wish you all the very best, happy things and much abundance. Hugs.

Pam said...

You have to stop leaving us hanging like that. Why did he punch the wall??????

Anonymous said...

Does Wade need anger management classes?

Grace said...

Happy New Year Duckie! I've been MIA and have gotten so behind on your stories!!!

Michelle said...

I am going to call you the "hanging queen". :) There is one scene in here that reminds me of a B rated movie I saw with Shelley Long and Steve Guttenberg. Not sure if you've seen it, it's called Don't Tell Her Its Me. Have you seen it? I LOVED this movie! I think now I will have to find it on CD.

Ashley said...

Happy New year! I love that your going to start posting recipes! yay!
xoxo

Marie Rayner said...

Love, Love, LOVE it Miranda!!! I mean Duckie! ;-) I can't wait to see what happens next! I can't wait til Monday to see what's in the box! Oh and the barbequed chicken, that's one of my favs. Heck I just love everything I find here every time I come to visit! Love you to bits my sweet friend! XXOO

LORI said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU, TOO!

Lilly said...

What was Wade staring at? Ohhhhh - hate the cliffhangers but love them at the same time....so all will be revealed on Monday!!

Bunny said...

Oh wow!! Now I have to wait to see what he's looking at, maybe he put his hand through the wall and hit pay dirt!!!???

Cakelaw said...

I love this story - can't wait for the next instalment. I read all 4 Twilight books back to back over the holidays because I couldn't wait - this will kill me ...