Page 19 of Piece By Piece

“What? But it’s my birthday,” I protest, trying not to sound too pouty or upset. No dancing? What is he talking about? He reaches out and gives my hand a squeeze.

“I know, Amo, I’m sorry but one must follow the doctor’s orders,” he teases, nodding to his right leg. That puzzles me enough to forget being upset.

Instead, I ask, “What? What’s wrong with your leg?”

“Dislocated my knee two weeks ago. It’s still healing. I actually went back to the doctor today for a check-up but I’m afraid I’m blocked for the night. That’s why I met you guys here. Sorry, I really tried,” he explains but I’m already shaking my head.

“But how did that happen? Did you do something wrong at practice?” I prod.

“Not exactly,” he replies wryly. Before I can push him for answers, Sebastian joins us on the platform and redirects my focus.

“Look who decided to make an appearance. How lovely,” I tease him. He just rolls his eyes at me and falls back on the unoccupied couch.

“What are we talking about?” he asks, looking between Mattheo and me.

“Nothing,” my friend replies at the same time as I say, “He won’t tell me how he hurt his knee.” My eyes briefly snap to Mattheo’s in question at his dismissal, but he keeps looking at his friend across the platform. I follow his gaze. The men share a look I don’t understand until finally, Mattheo looks away glumly while Sebastian turns his eyes to me, arching an amused brow.

“Well, Aliena, sometimes people just don’t want you knowing all their business,” he provides unhelpfully. The innuendo about how we first met and how he still holds a grudge because of that isn’t lost on me. Sometimes, I really don’t know what goes on in his head. I think we could’ve gotten along great if only he hadn’t been a dick to me the second I stepped into his house.

As if I wouldn’t have stayed quiet about our first meeting if only he’d asked me to. It could have been our little secret. Instead, he made it the reason we can’t be friends. Idiot.

“It’s her birthday, dipshit. Be nice,” Andrew pipes up. Sebastian just raises his hands in surrender and melts into the couch cushion. For a second, I’m just standing amidst them, unsure of what to do. Then, I decide that this isn’t how I want to spend my birthday and I let go of Mattheo’s hand.

“Well, it’s a real shame you can’t keep me company but I’m sure I’ll find someone else to dance with. Y’all have fun sitting here, losers.”

Chapter 12

Sebastian

I watch her in the crowd as my friends talk around me, unable to look away. It’s like she hypnotized me, that silhouette dressed in green silk. It should have been impossible for me to find her once I lost her out of sight on her way to the middle of the dancefloor. Yet, there she is, just another dancing body. One that’s infinitely more interesting to watch.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen her dance but even after months of getting used to it, I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it. The way her eyes stay closed and she moves with the music as if it possesses her, surrounds her, and uses her as a marionette to express the meaning of its beat.

The downside of that is, that I’m not the only one that sees. The other people are just as drawn to the dancer amidst them, and I have a perfect view of all the guys that look at her longingly. And the ones that try to do more than look.

She entertains a few of them by innocently dancing with them for a few minutes before leaving them and moving a few feet away. I enjoy seeing those slugs’ greedy hands on her about as much as I’d enjoy being shot.

I roll my eyes at the next dude that clumsily dances up to her and take a sip of my drink. And then another when I see him standing right behind her, whispering something in her ear. When his hands find her waist and they start dancing, his eyes closing in pleasure, I down the rest of my drink.

Then, I get to my feet and excuse myself from my friends with a quick, “I’m getting another drink.” I walk into the crowd, heading toward the bar rather than straight for Aliena in case my friends are watching. Of course, they’re too invested in whatever they’re talking about to care but I like to take precautions.

I finally make a turn halfway to the bar and find the girl in her green dress in a matter of minutes. The closer I get to her, the more urgent my steps turn.

“Really, I should get back to my friends,” I can faintly make out her protests as she tries to extract herself from the guy behind her. He just shakes his head and tightens his hold on her. I see her wince, and my hand shoots out to grab the guy’s hand the next moment, twisting one of his sweaty fingers. He cries out and takes a step away from me and thereby also from Aliena. That’s good enough for me.

I let go of his hand and level him with my most withering glare. “She told you to piss off. Try to take the hint the next time. When you have to beg someone to keep dancing, you’re just proving that you’re better left untouched,” I yell over the music.

He just averts his eyes and flees into the crowd. I turn to Aliena. “You okay?” I ask.

She grins softly and nods. “Thanks. Oh, that reminds me, I have more to thank you for. I’m very grateful you came so quickly that night, first and foremost, andI can never repay you for the invitation to the gallery. So thank you, for all of that.”

Her words combined with that sincere look on her face have something warm taking over my chest. I take close care not to let my face give away too much of what I’m feeling.

“It was no big deal. I’m glad you liked it,” I brush her off, uncomfortable with the intimacy. It’s not entirely true since I had to ask my father for the invitation and everything including him is no easy feat – most of all asking for his help – but I survived. Besides, mom was happy to see me swing by no matter how short the visit was. That made it a little more worth it.

“I loved it. It was unbelievable. Just the building is art in itself. I’m pretty sure I walked in with my jaw on the floor. And then there were all the paintings inside! I’ve never seen anything like it. I felt like I was a royal back in the day or something. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a place that hurt so much to leave,” she rants, her eyes lighting up.

The unbidden thought that she’s absolutely enthralling takes firm hold in my mind again.

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