Forbidden Dance

The weather outside is frigid, matching my mood, as my stepmother Sadie runs a single manicured finger over the windowsill of my dorm room, lifting it to her face a moment later to inspect the dust that has settled on the tip of her perfect finger. She makes a face, shooting a glance over her shoulder at my father who has been standing awkwardly to the side as she tears apart every little thing about my room.“It’s dirty,” she announces to no one in particular. My new roommate isn’t here yet, thank God, and I’m hoping she won’t show up until after my dad and step-monster finally leave me in peace.“I don’t mind,” I say, trying to usher her along faster. “It just needs a little wipe down. I can do that.”Sadie turns in my direction, her nostrils flaring like they do when she thinks I’ve said or done something stupid, which is almost always. “Your father and I aren’t paying for you to be here and clean,” she huffs. “That’s the school staff’s job.”I bite my lip to keep myself from remin

“You’d be crazy not to go to this thing, you know.” Tara is lying on her bed in our dorm, flipping through a grunge fashion magazine as soft music plays from my laptop in the background. I’m cross-legged on my bed, munching on a bag of chips we’d snagged from the dining hall, pondering her words. Since we’d run into Danny and his team earlier, she’s been relentless in reminding me that I’m a big girl now (her words) and that if I want to dance, I can fucking dance. Also her words. And while I know she’s right, it doesn’t make the prospect any less intimidating. I haven’t even started classes yet. If Sadie caught wind of my tryouts before my first homework assignment, shit would hit the fan. “Yeah, you keep saying that,” I remind her, licking Cheeto dust from my fingers. Chips aren’t the only thing we’d snagged from the dining hall. Cookies, pastries, crackers, and an assortment of other junk food currently litter my bed. Sadie never allowed it in the house, so it’s safe to say I’ve be

Thanks to Tara, I now own more than a handful of ankle-length skirts and knitted sweatshirts, so I’m already feeling more confident walking into class dressed in a sleek pair of black leggings that accentuate my butt and a hip sweater than hangs off one shoulder. I’ve done my hair today, letting it fall in golden waves down my back, and the small pallet of makeup I invested in lights up my features today.If Sadie saw me, she’d have had a stroke. I won’t dare tell her that my food allowance went to clothes and makeup. Eventually, I’ll have to come up with a better solution, because Sadie will cut me off the first chance she gets.I feel extra giddy today due to Danny’s text message last night. I had been certain they wouldn’t even consider me, so I’d been pleasantly surprised to see the message come through.But I was still hesitant. If Sadie found out that I was dancing, she’d cut me off. As of right now, she and my father were funding my college experience, and that had been one of

Sparks feel like they’re flying from the tips of my toes as Mark kisses me, but just as soon as I’ve fallen into his seduction, I pull away, wanting to slap myself. I raise my fingers to my lips, feeling where his lips were against mine. Mark is staring at me, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his head. For a moment, I think he might try to kiss me again, but after a second he shakes his head and shuts the door before walking around the car to get into the driver’s seat. For a few seconds, neither of us says anything. We don’t know what to say. The car becomes a stifling cocoon, filled with an uncomfortable silence. My heart pounds in my chest, and I struggle to catch my breath. The intensity of Mark's kiss still lingers on my lips, sending a jolt of confusion and desire through my veins. But as the haze of the moment begins to clear, a wave of guilt washes over me.I turn my gaze towards the window, trying to compose myself. Thoughts race through my mind, my emotions co

I hobble out of the doctor's office, my right foot encased in a clunky black boot. The sprained ankle is a painful reminder of my clumsiness during dance practice, but I know Theo feels bad. Mark, Danny, and Theo are by my side, their concerned expressions reflecting their genuine care for me. Yesterday, I was sure that not a single one of them even gave a damn."I can't believe I have to wear this thing," I grumble, my voice filled with frustration. "And I won't be able to dance for a few days."Mark's gaze flickers towards me for a brief moment before he averts his eyes, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. I notice the subtle tension between us, remnants of the unexpected kiss shared between us last night. The memory sends a shiver down my spine, but in front of Danny and Theo, I have to keep my emotions in check. What would they think if they found out about the kiss?Danny shoots a glare at Theo, his irritation evident. "You should have been more careful, Theo. You know how im