Forbidden Dance

m, 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, shootin

mmate isn’t here yet, thank God, and I’m hoping she won’t show

her her along faster. “It just need

e said or done something stupid, which is almost always. “Your father and I aren’t

is funding this excursion, which is even worse because Sadie got to choose which college I enrolled in, and the only one I actually wanted, far away from her and far away from Seattl

ght? Yeah, I

lly, I’m free, eighteen, and in college … and I still can’t get rid of her. Even now, sitting in my new dorm room, I’ve been forced to dress in what Sadie refers to as appropriate clothing. A kne

ng his balls to speak up. It’s rare, but it has hap

head in, flashing the three of us an awkward smile as she pulls a suitcase full of luggage in after her. I

sk. “I’m Faith. It’

ercing. This girl is the last sort of influence Sadie would have picked for my roommate, and that fact alone has me silently gloating. “Nice to meet you, too,” she says, and i

n again. He’s bored, I can tell, and I don’t blame him. “L

fore she wheels on me again, hands poised on her hips like she’s

lose my eyes and recite what she wants to hear. If I don’t, I’ll nev

as the words leave my mouth. From the corner of my eye, I see Tara’s ja

nto mine. As I meet her gaze again, my jaw locks,

my gaze to the floor. I’m weak. I

economics at this school, and I refuse to sit by and watch you throw it

ra thinks of me now. With my luck, she’ll have reque

oom to give me a quick kiss on the che

, ri

e, D

me goodbye as she follows my father to the

nds like she’s heard nothing as she leaves the

, I can

k at Tara, embarrassed she’d heard the lecture. But she d

the not-so-cozy bed. I don’t care that it’s not expensive or fancy. I’d s

ly tight clip in my hair to undo it, letting my golden

ys with a laugh. “The hate is real. Sh

even a little. Sadie is beyond a

continues, her bold brown eyes scanning me, sizi

a bloodsucking demon from the outside, but on the inside, she

g. I watch her for a moment, smitten with this girl already. She’s unabashedly her, and

ervative garments Sadie had bought and packed for me. More long skirts, more leggings to go under said skirts, and too many sweaters

?” she asks. “Sweater

pull out the remainder of my clothes, the ones that had been safely hidden beneath Sadie’s mess of crap. A glittery, spaghetti strap top with the word Dance scrolled across the front, as well as a pair of f

aybe you’re not the lost

down with disgust at my current outfit. “This is al

feeling I’ve made my

bout you throw that spicy little number

r one last thing; a small bag of hidden makeup that Sadie never

of our dorm room and toward the quad, where new freshmen orientation is taking place. Strangely enough, the vile weather seems to have vanished ri

reath of the bitter air. “I love when the rain w

one single thing as we walk through the quad, glancing between the booths showing off their organized activiti

r; she’s got that hood rat kind of vibe going on, but only in the best

hat was my first pick

me, her silver nose ring catchin

o ridiculous and far-fetched no

don’t laugh, she stops smirking, plastering an apologetic look on her f

awa

u’re a

l. It’s easier that way. “I used to be,” I sa

alking, giving me a moment to compose myself as

s, but something in her tone of voice assur

getting into Julliard had always probably been nothing but

op music pulls my attention from the sidewalk, and I look over my shoulder, turning in the direction of the music. Out on the damp lawn, a team o

ich I can only describe as a fascinating concoction of hip-hop, jazz, and dancing dirty. Three men and two women shake their asses to the beat. It’s ent

small whistle. “Hopefully

was a nervous tick, and as I watched the dancers on the lawn, my nerves felt sky-high, though I wasn’t sure why. Envy, maybe. Apprehensi

lawn, Tara glances at me with raised eyebrows. “Check it,” she says, nu

Tara has me by the arm and is dragging me towards their little booth, right in the direction of the kid—or should I say, man—handing

akes me cower. His gaze flickers over the scrawl on my shirt, and I want to kick myself for putting it on befo

here but here. “I used to,” I say. Next to me, a scoff of irrita

ate, Faith,” she

authority, and I can almost tell just by the way that he holds himself that he must be the team leader of this little troupe. As my hand touches him, a shock of electricity pulses down my arm, and I yank away, growing mo

aybe still

lame him. I’m not exactly offering enthralling conversation topics. “We’re always looking for backup dancer

lding the sheet in half to shove it into my back

on focuses on me again, and his dar

es

rts his attention back to me and smiles for the first time since saying hello. “We’r

, I k

aking over my body as if trying to d

nny has vanished with his team. All I can think about as he drills me for information is what Sadie will think when she catches wind of my litt

under her breath. “Ar

rd

really don’t have time for this. I’m not suppose

at your mommy told you?” He’s teasing, but a shard of ice

say. “And good luck with findi

es out, taking me by the arm and pulling me to a stop. I’m so surprised by this that I don’t f

, but there’s something about you that ma

n’t t

the auditorium,” he continues, cutting me off. “T

at,

u think you’d like to kick ass this semester, t

down on me before the semester has even begun. But since it doesn’t seem like Danny is keen to let me go until I acknowledge this, I nod my head, just once, and then pull my arm out of his grip before turni

ing to catch up with me. “Tha

m f

e walk, insisting I tell her the trut

Tara is my roommate now, and unless I plan on lying t

” I tell her. “It’s

toxic and probably abusive.” She must notice the tears in my eyes because she draws me in for a hug. For a second I resist, but then I let it happen. It’s been a long time since anyone has hugged me

ut

If by tomorrow you think you’re ready to escape that witch’s