dancing on your own | rain & evie

My lungs burn, my quads groans and my calves are on fire. But I push on, pumping my legs faster, pushing mind harder. A quick glance of my watch and the time blinks up at me. Not fast enough. A frustrated sound escapes my lips and I will for my body to move faster, but it does not abide, the burning in my muscles intensifying until I come to a halt, gasping for breath as my heart pounds wildly in my chest.

"Damnit," sweat pours from my brow, dripping into my eyes, dripping onto the cement, my hands braced in my knees as I fight the urge to puke. I had woken this morning determined to smash my personal best, I had been so sure that I could do it, that I was ready. But the number that blinked up at me obnoxiously was 30 seconds slower than my best. "Whatever," I straighten up, wiping a shaking hand across my brow before drops of sweat could fall into my eyes. "Next time," sighing I jiggle my though around slightly, before slowly making my way back towards the training center which glowed slightly in against the dark sky.

Not many woke around this time, usually allowed me to have the center to myself. But there was always that boy, the one who would sneak as the clock clicked 5. I would watch, lurking in the shadows as he moved like water. Fluid, and graceful, soundless as me worked his way around the room. He moved different to those I was sued to, and I find myself wondering what it would be like to face him in the ring. On more than one occasion I had found myself finding the courage to approach him, to ask him why he spent so much of his time lost in the music. It was as beautiful to watch as he was himself.

Maybe that was why I always found myself back in the locker room, just like today, too scared, too awkward to approach. Had Darla of been here she would have asked him weeks ago, her confidence seemed to be a never ending well.

Oh well, maybe next time, I lied to myself as shrug my bag over my shoulder and make my way home.

* * *

I had fallen into one of Darla's traps again. My eyes dusted with a gentle smokey look, my lips glossed and my body wrapped into a black dress that had been okayed by no one other than Darla herself. I had lost count how many dresses she had made me try on before she settled on this one, clapping excitedly as she rushed around the room tossing a few things into her purse. "Lets go, Eve!" When I had looked less than enthused she pouted, hands on her hips. "Please try and look excited," I had given her a smile, stretching it extra wide until she huffed a sigh and flinging open the door she had ushered us out with goodbyes thrown over she shoulder at our mums.

The sun had long set by now, Darla intoxicated as she danced in the center of a group, eyes alive and body covered in sweat. I had watched for a while before I had begun wondering around, tipping back so many drinks that the earth seemed to spin beneath me faster than I was prepared for. It was unusual to find myself in this position, head spinning, mind foggy as the drink in my hand slowly becomes emptier. Though, unlike Darla, I did not sway with the group, instead lurking around the edge, humming to the music I watch the ocean in the distance.

Taking another sip I spot a familiar face, the dancer. I feel myself begin to freeze up, but after another moment, and another sip of liquid courage I take a deep breath, forcing a smile to pull back the corners of my lips. Be brave, Evie. "Hey- hi!" I stumble over the greeting, giving him a small wave. "I've been watching you." What the hell, Eve? You sound like a creep.

A hiccup escapes my lips as I begin my back track, "wait, not watching like a creeper in the bushes spying," good one, "more like I see you around most morning in the training center." I speak too fast, tripping over my tongue. It's awkward and I give a small laugh, trying to salvage the situation. "You're good! You got some moves, I mean, on the dance floor."