Chapter 3

I swung my legs over my bed and ran outside not even bothering to close the door. My face turned to the sky and my arms were spread open like wings. I laughed for the first time in a long time. My neighbors thought I was crazy but I didn't care...for the most part. For the first time I danced not having a care in the world. I taught myself contemporary when I was a kid, ever since the first time I saw someone dancing contemporary I was hooked, and it felt like I was flying. I had become quite good over the years, but I never showed anyone. I let my emotions flow out seamlessly as I flew across the pavement. A black Mercedes sped by splashing water all over me and at that point I decided it was high time to go back inside.

Even though my body was drenched in rainwater I was satisfied and relaxed. I closed the front door behind me and chucked my wet clothes in the hamper, too lazy to do laundry now. I ran my fingers through my wet hair and sighed drying myself off. Looking through my closet I find a Pikachu onesie and decide to put it on before bringing my laptop with me on the couch and start typing. It was later in the day and all of the sudden I had this sinking feeling and I decided to check YouTube and there I was dancing in the rain. My hand covered my mouth as I silently screamed, hot tears pricked my eyes as I sat still watching. In my state of panic I shoved the laptop off of the couch and curled up into a ball.

No no no please this can't be happening to me! My thoughts screamed at me. This is what my mother warned me about I didn't want to be seen, I didn't want to be heard. My life will only get worse from here. The heated stares the whispers from around me will only grow in size I was screwed royally and there was nothing I could do about it. For the next few days multiple knocks were heard at my door. I was holed up in my room while my mother answered the door, well slammed it in their faces. The next thing I knew my covers were being ripped off of me and I was being dragged by my ankles out of my room. "Noooo my precious" I complained as I flailed my arms in protest. My mother glared at my childish antics as she dragged me outside.

All eyes were on me as I stood up, still in my newly washed pikachu onesie. I could hear the snickers from all around me. My legs wobbled as I stumbled forward, I felt like a newborn faun taking their first steps. With my heart in my throat and my stomach in knots, I ran as fast as my legs could take me. I ran until I came across a small wooden bridge in the park that crossed a small crystal-clear stream. My heart was pounding from the physical exertion and my previous anxiety. I heaved my stomachs contents into the trash can next to the bridge.

A hand patted my back and I froze in fear. "Are you okay miss?", said a concerned voice from behind me. I nod slightly not trusting my voice. "Salutations, I'm Sir Viktor the Great at thy service my lady", he said with all seriousness. He stepped in front of me and outstretched his hand in greetings and I flinched as I stared at in like a deer in headlights. He seemed to notice and retracted his hand wiping it on his sweatpants. I didn't dare to look at his face as I already knew what I would see. "What's your name?", he asked as I felt his eyes staring at me. 'A Alice", I mumble stuttering and he nods "That's a beautiful name, for a beautiful girl", he says softly feeling my nervousness. My whole body stiffened as I looked at the ground fiddling with my fingers. I was too scared to blush as I readied myself for the impact that never came.

I slowly lifted my head to meet his eyes and to my surprise they didn't hold any disgust or bad intentions, just concern. My heart started to beat rapidly again as his eyes were brown. He smiled at me and my heart stopped, I wasn't used to this. His skin was a light brown and he had this sweet boyish face that made you feel safe. His top lip was smaller than his bottom and they looked so soft. He was quite tall about six foot with a toned body and I had to admit he was attractive, but I was just... me. He had the same brown eyes that were in my dream I thought to myself. I gave him a small smile and started to walk away. I heard footsteps following me and as I turned, he was in front of me looking nervous. "Hey uh do you want to maybe hang out sometime?", he said nervously. My jaw dropped slightly, and I looked at him as if he had grown two heads. "You don't have to but I'm going to the café tomorrow to meet my brother at noon. I have to go but hopefully I'll see you tomorrow", he explains before jogging off in the opposite direction leaving me speechless.

My mind wandered as I walked aimlessly through the parks forest not really caring where I was going. The sound of my footfalls was thundering in my ears, I was so focused that I didn't notice the large tree root in front of me and I fell. My hands reached out to catch most of the impact, but the side of my head smacked against a rock. Disorientated I pushed myself onto my feet and stagger forward before collapsing in a small clearing. Darkness had surrounded me when I gained consciousness again. My mouth felt dry and my temple was throbbing. My whole body ached as I tried to get up on with great effort. A groan escaped my lips as I gazed up at the night sky before walking home.

It had started to rain again as I looked up to the sky, I let the rain wash away all the blood and dirt from my face. I always loved it when it rained, ever since I was a kid, I believed that when it rained it was all the unshed tears of the broken who had to be strong. It rained for the tears we couldn't shed for the feelings we couldn't express. When I got home I took a quick shower and plugged my phone into the charger knowing it was dead. I had a feeling I was out longer than I thought. My hand reached for my phone and it turned out I was right it was 12:30 a.m. the day after. I missed hanging out with that guy and his brother, oh well I thought to myself it was probably a joke anyways.