Page 18 of Set the Moment
It felt good to see and be around my girls, even if it’s only been about a week since the recital.
I miss teaching them and their little pouts when they don’t understand a piece of choreography.
As the girls pack up with their moms, I begin to do the same.
My body is exhausted and my limbs feel like they’re on the verge of snapping. This morning, I had another early morning Ballet course as well as a three hour lecture on the history of modern art.
History isn’t my strong suit, so sitting in that lecture on a hard wooden chair for most of my school day took a toll on my body.
Rolling my shoulders out and stretching my neck, I let out a relieved sigh.
Todays over…luckily, there wasn’t any crap with parents or—
“Daddy!” a familiar voice squeals. My body shutters as the sound of little feet pattering against the ground echoes in the emptying room.
Delilah’s father is a tall, handsome man, and the most annoying parent that I’ve met thus far—and that’s saying a lot considering I’ve only met himas her fatheronce…when I cursed him out at the recital.
BeforeHadescame and took over my job, I taught at the studio for two and a half months. In that time, I’d only met Derek twice: once when I babysat Delilah and thought he was her brother…and on the night of the recital when he missed her performance, showing up late.
Besides those two instances, I’ve only ever met Delilah’s abuela, Lidia, a short, older Latina woman who loves hugs. Lidia has picked up and dropped off Delilah from every single practice. So when I realized that it washimwho neglected his child, I saw red.
A fiery inferno burned inside me and like a phoenix, the old “sweet” Sienna died. It was the first time I’d ever cursed at someone, and boy did it feel good. Since then, from what the other instructors have told me, Lidia has remained the sole person to show up for Delilah’s practices.
My mind thrums with unbridled rage as our eyes lock. Any human who is negligent towards their kid isn’t a parent in my eyes.
As I walk past the two I stop, expecting Derek to ask about his daughter’s progress like the rest of the parents, but he doesn’t.
Hescowlsat me, deep, brown eyes burning bright with rage. I’m a rather tall woman, but the man is a giant. And from what I heard from other young instructors, he plays hockey, too.
Figures. I bet he and Jace are friends. Two men who act like Neanderthals. One who scowls and refuses to speak, and the other who bangs on his chest and speakstoo much.
Could Jace be friends with a person who isn’t present in their child's life?
He wouldn’t be, right?
My mind is infiltrated with thoughts of the blond, pulling me into the past almost instantly. The memory of us ten years ago flashes before my eyes, sucking me in.
Jace’s small, lanky arms are cold as they pull me into his side. His childish body is smaller than mine, but he still manages to hold me as if he were huge like his brothers, Asa and Jackson.
“I’m sorry your mommy and daddy didn’t come again, angel,” he pouts, his sage eyes dim as he looks down at me. Jace’s cheeks are rosy as he blows a frustrated breath, the scent of grape soda on his tongue.
My heart falls at the reminder of my parents.
Could he tell that I’m upset?
I thought that I hid it well…
“I saw you crying in the room…” he says, his voice soft as he tries to tug my small body deeper into him, like a Doe trying to protect their Joey.
“I—”
“It’s okay, angel. I won’t tell anyone, it can be our little secret. Pinky promise!" The young ten-year-old boy’s voice is bright as he holds out his pinky to me, promising to keep my secret.
“Promise?” The softness of my voice is almost inaudible to my ears, but Jace hears me perfectly.
“Always, I won’t ever abandon you. I’ll go to all of your shows and be the loudest in the room!” he exclaims energetically, his pinky looping with mine as he smiles at me. The sun shines beneath Jace’s irises and he reminds me of that one Greek guy that my aunt Melody likes to talk about so much.
Heracue…
