Fourteen

Waking up with the sun shining in my room, and I rub my tired eyes. I had loads of trouble sleeping last night. My mind is pulled in a million different directions. I am happy for Corey. He needs income, but I feel so awkward about him working for us. I would rather just give him the money his family needs.

My legs climb out of bed. I walk towards the bedroom. I was lucky to have a bathroom right across the hallway. I turn on the shower, the hot water feels warm on my body. It relieves the tension boiling up in my head.

Reaching for my bathrobe, which is hanging up next to the shower, I put it on. It was silky and black. It feels smooth against my skin.

I step out of the bathroom and walk through the hallway. My eyes pop out of my head. I see Corey sitting at the kitchen table with my mom going over paperwork.

He looks at me with a smile. I feel my face turn red.

"Sadie," my mom says, realizing I am only wearing my robe. She looks shocked.

"Thanks for the warning," I glare at her.

My feet move toward the coffee pot. "Would you like some coffee, Corey?"

"No mama," Corey answers. I can hear the laughter in his voice.

"Sadie, go get dressed," my mom says in a huff.

"I need to get coffee first, he has already seen me half-naked, so what's the point?"Corey chuckles, but he tries to cover it up with a laugh.

"Corey will only be here Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings," my mom explains.

I nod. "That's like working every day a week with his community service."

"I don't mind, it keeps me out of trouble," Corey says.

"And that's a good thing," my mom says with a smile.

"I think all the papers are signed," my mom tells Corey.

"Yes, Ma'am, I will be here Saturday," Corey smiles.

He gets up from his chair. My eyes couldn't help but watch his every move.

"I'll walk you to the door."

He smiles. "Sure."

I take a quick peek at my mom. She looks astonished. I shouldn't be so friendly around my mom with Corey. I like him, and it's getting harder to hide.

Once in front of his truck. I move closer to him. "Working for my mother?"

"I already do, and you're the one that suggested Saturday and Sunday," he tells me.

"Yeah, to help me at the academy."

"If you're mad, I will tell her I change my mind," he tells me.

"I am not mad."

"I guess it gives me more reason to see you," he tells me, moving the hair from my face.

I feel my cheeks turn red. I want him to kiss me so badly.

I hear the front door open and step back from Corey. I walk towards my mom, and she looks far from happy.

"What is going on with you and that boy?" She asks in a huff.

"Nothing, I consider him a friend."

"A friend?" she repeats.

"He's nice."

"He's a criminal," she tells me.

I nod.

"I'm going into the academy, and hopefully you will be in soon," she tells me.

"Yes."

I walk back into the house. I feel so defeated. She'll never like Corey or accept him the way I do. Will I ever date him?

******

Hours later, I find myself dancing with my student dancers. We are looking good for the upcoming recital. Though I haven't practiced my routine. I will probably just tell Mom that I don't want to do a single routine. I know she's going to flip.

"Get a drink of water."

All the dancers rush to their water bottles. I see mom walking in.

I walk to meet her.

"They are looking great for the recital," she tells me.

"That's what I want to talk to you about. I don't think I'm going to have a single routine prepared."

"Sadie, you can't be serious." My mom's face turns red, she crossed her arm over her chest.

"Mom, I am. I am a teacher, not a dancer here, and you have plenty of other routines."

"Wow, this used to be important to you," she tells me.

"It is in other ways, like preparing the students."

"So you don't want to dance anymore," she yells louder than I wished.

"That's not what I am saying, I just don't have a performance for this recital."

"Sadie Anderson, does not have a performance?" My mom rolls her eyes.

"Do you ever think I want to be something else besides the ballerina?"

"You don't need to be anything else," my mom tells me.

I see Corey watching us. He is washing the windows. I look down, trying to hold in my tears. All I want to do is scream that I quit at the top of my lungs.

"I just want to prepare my dancers for this recital."

My mom nods. "As you wish."

I notice the dancers watching us. Even they are whispering that I'm crazy. Maybe I am.

I finish up the dancer's routine. The girls are happy leaving the dance studio.

"You look stressed," I hear Corey's voice behind me.

"You're not kidding."

"I only have 10 more minutes, stick around and come over for dinner," he tells me.

"I'll meet you there?"

He nods. Giving me a wink.