How Can I Keep Dancing? [ON HOLD]

How Can I Keep Dancing? ~~~ Chapter 1 ~~~ *Book 1*

All too soon, I come across the small hidden river to which I’ve found no one has yet discovered it other than myself. My own secret river. I smile to myself at my miniature vacation. The river itself was calm and nearly unmoving, and filtered by the rocks upstream, the water is almost clear – fresh.

I look around unconsciously, making sure no one seems to be sneaking up on me before I begin to take off my shoes and strip off all my clothes. The heat today is nearly uncomfortable, and already the sweat that has beaded up on my forehead begins to stream down the sides of my face. It feels unusual to be standing nude in the middle of the woods, yet some rebellious part of me lets out a tiny giggle at the feeling of my slight freedom.

I drape my clothes on a nearby tree, and without hesitation, I dive into the deep river, letting out bubbles which rise in the water from my giggles. I immediately feel the heat on my skin melt off as I am lost in the cool waters of the river. The soft ripples caress my bare skin, and after I can no longer hold my breath for any longer, I begin to float up. As I break the surface, I draw a small breath, running my hands through my hair and stand up in the waist deep water.

Then I open my eyes to see that I’m not as alone as I’d thought.

“Oh!” says the boy, turning away immediately, a slight smile playing on his lips.

I yelp as I turn in the opposite direction, my hands flying up to cover my chest, feeling my entire face burn with embarrassment.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize someone else was here.” He exclaims apologetically, yet I hear a slight hint of amusement in his voice.

“Just hand me that dress, will you?” I yell, sinking down in the water. I wish I could just drown.

I hear him shuffle slightly, and then a splash comes from behind me. I turn reluctantly to see him standing knee deep in the water, deliberately turning his head away from me, holding out my dress and undergarments.

I rise unenthusiastically and snatch my clothes to cover myself. “Well, stand over there and don’t look, then.” I order him, pointing off towards a few trees some twenty yards away from me.

He ambles off to where I suggested, leaving his back facing deliberately towards me.

“You better not peek,” I grumble.

“I’m not going to look, Charlotte.” He says with half a laugh.

I hesitate for a moment, shocked that he knows my name. Turning my body away from him, just to be safe, I hurriedly pull on my underwear and dress, ignoring the way the clothes stick to my wet skin. I begin to turn, but remember myself quickly. I brush my fingers through my long hair, trying to style it as best as possible, and quickly pinch my cheeks to bring out the color.

“Okay,” I call, turning, “you may…hey! I thought I told you not to peek!”

He looks slightly abashed, color flooding his cheeks, but quickly his face turns cocky. “Well, I couldn’t help it.”

I put my hands on my hips, pouting my lips in a scowl. “How lovely, you’re arrogant and you’re a pervert.”

“Arrogant, maybe. But a pervert, I beg to differ.”

I decide not to argue, but my scowl continues to grow. “Well then, how do you know my name?”

A smile creeps onto his lips. “We go to the same school, but we’re in different grades. I just graduated this year.”

“Oh, and I bet that’s just all too convenient for you.” I say sarcastically.

“Touchy, aren’t you?”

“Are you kidding? I just got walked in on while I’m swimming naked! Don’t you think I might be a little irritable at the guy who thinks this is all a joke?”

“Well, then, let’s start over.”

I raise one eyebrow at him.

He holds out his hand with a smile. “Hi, I’m Elijah Mackenzie.”

After some due hesitation, I sigh and shake his hand. “Charlotte Rhodes.”

“What a beautiful name you have there, Miss Rhodes.”

I snatch my hand back. “Oh, so now you’re a charmer as well?”

“I’m doing my best,” he chuckles.

I give him a slight glare, staring at his deep blue and green flecked eyes. Then recognition settles in and my face falls slightly. “I remember you.”

He looks at me questioningly. “Thought you forgot me?”

I ignore his comment. “You were known as ‘Macka’ at school. I remember now. You were that popular asshole, right?”

His face shows amusement, but I was watching his eyes closely – some part of him flinched at the insult. Yet, he continues to look unaffected. “Yeah, I guess I am, aren’t I?”

I give him my best fake smile and begin to walk off.

“Hey, wait…” He calls.

I turn, clearly frustrated.

“Do you mind if I take you out?”

“Excuse me?” I ask incredulously.

“Do you mind if I take you out?” he repeats.

“You’re asking if I mind?” I ask sarcastically.

He shrugs.

“Where exactly?”

He shrugs again. “The town’s summer carnival is here this week, do you want to go?”

I pretend to think about it. “Hmmm, sorry, but no.”

“Why not?” He asks.

“I have ballet practice.”

“You dance all through the night?”

“And my mother wouldn’t let me.”

“Your own mother wouldn’t let you out for one night?” He gives me a questioning look.

“And, I don’t want to go out with you.” I answer simply, quickly turning away from him, before he can reply and jogging along the familiar trail towards where I left my bicycle. It’s not until I reach it that I realize I’d left my shoes back at the river.

“Damn it.” I curse, not wanting to go back and face him again. I step lively onto my bike instead, planning on going back later to grab them, when hopefully he’s no longer there.