Dance for me

Today began sadly for Pen. She got a call from Mr. Palmers first thing in the morning, telling her that the search for her parents’ murderer had yielded no results. Then she got a call from Sam, telling her that the competition would be held on Friday. Which only meant that they only had a couple of days of practice left, and a dress rehearsal. Pen didn’t want to think about the fact that she still had to meet Ethan today. And after practice, she also had to go to work at the restaurant.

Wednesday had been a bad day for her, and it had only been half a day.

Nicky is at university right now, chewing on the science frontier. She’s studying marketing.

Pen got changed and left the house to head to Juilliard. She walked a few meters and was already outside the school.

“Hi,” Sam greeted her as she walked into the hall.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Sam, why did they change the day of the pageant?” She asked him that question right away.

“I don’t know, Pen.”

“I see, it means I won’t be able to perform in it.”

“But why, Pen?”

“Sam, I’ve missed too much, I don’t want to let you down at the most crucial moment, understand.”

“Pen, you’re my only hope, please don’t give it up.”

“I can’t, if you can, I’m sorry,” she replied and sat down on the bench.

“What’s wrong?” Sam realized that everything was for a reason. He sat down next to her to find out why.

“I’m tired of everything, Sam. Finding my parents’ killer isn’t doing anything, I’m not doing a good job at the restaurant, and Ethan.”

“What? Are you talking about my friend now?”

“Yes, Sam. He wants to help you, that’s commendable. But I don’t want to owe him anything. And that’s exactly what he wants.”

“I don’t understand you, Pen,” Sam said in surprise.

“Ethan’s been hitting on me for two days now. He’s been hitting on me for two days now.”

“I’ll talk to him, and he won’t do it anymore.”

“No! Don’t even think about it. He already thinks I’m small and stupid, and he’ll think I’m a coward.”

“Pen, is he the only reason you want to enter the contest?”

“No, it’s not just because of him. I’ve given you my reasons, and they’re a small fraction. I’m really worn out physically and mentally, Sam.”

-“Today’s practice will be just for you and David, so to make you feel more comfortable, I’ll call Ethan and tell him not to come.”

“Thank you, that would be great. As long as his friends don’t come.”

“We’re not a circus to watch you. Even if they come, I won’t let them in the studio”.

“Thank you,” Pen thanked him and hugged him. Sam got up from the bench and headed for his office, which was at the exit of the hall.

He began dialing Ethan’s number.

“Hi, Ethan.”

“Hey, Sam, I remember that there’s a practice today at three o’clock, I’ll be there.”

“I was going to ask you not to come.”

“What’s up?”

“Seriously? I asked you not to give Pen a hard time, and you did what?”

“Sam, me.”

“No, Ethan, don’t come tonight. I’ll take money from you, and I’d appreciate it if you’d help, but don’t touch Pen.”

“She complained to you about me?” Ethan guessed.

“Don’t you know how hard it is for her right now?”

“Sam, I really like her, I really do.”

“Don’t give me that fervent talk. I know you well, and your friends in particular. I’m sure they’ve made some adjustments, too.”

“Does she hate me that much?”

“I don’t know what you did to her, but because of you she decided to drop out of the contest.”

“I’m not coming to rehearsal, but I have to talk to her afterwards.”

“Ethan, I’m asking you, and you’re not hearing me.”

“I have to talk to her!” I already raised my voice.

“Fine, do what you want. But she has to take part in the contest,” Sam added and turned off the phone.

***

“David and Pen, you’re real smart guys.”

“Thank you, Sam. Of course, you dumbfounded me with the news that the competition was postponed this Saturday.”

“You’re not the only one,” Pen interjected, trying to open a bottle of mineral water.

“Let me help you,” Sam took the bottle from her hands and opened it.

“Thank you.”

“It’s Pen’s birthday on Saturday. It’s a good excuse to have a party. I hope it will be based not only on that, but on winning with her,” David said, reminding Pen that her birthday is approaching.”

“Sure, we’ll make it work,” Sam agreed with them.

“I’m going to take a shower, and I’ll be on my way, Amanda’s waiting for me in the park,” David said and made his way to the shower room.

“I’ll be going too, Pen. Please come to your senses. Don’t let David down.”

“Sam, please don’t.”

“I’m asking you, I can get down on my knees.”

“Okay, I promise to think about it.”

“Fine, then I’ll see you tomorrow, same time,” he said and walked out of the hall.

Pen sat down on the bench, exhausted from another workout that had been very intense. Sam didn’t comment on their movements this time, just watched.

When the shower room cleared, Pen went to take a shower. It didn’t last long, since, she wanted to get away faster. When she got out of the shower, wrapped a towel around herself, and walked into the studio to go to the locker room, standing in front of her was Ethan, whom she hadn’t expected to see, especially when, she was like this.