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JARED

“Fucking hell.”

I pull into the parking zone, and it’s completely mobbed, so stuffed with automobiles that I’ve to circle thrice earlier than giving up and parking half on the curb so I gained’t find yourself even later than I already am. Fuck it. A parking ticket is a small worth to pay to verify I don’t miss my daughter’s mid-semester efficiency.

I barely get to see her since she moved for school two years in the past, however I attempt to verify I get right here for necessary occasions after I can. Hopefully, if my switch to the brand new workplace will get accepted, I’ll be capable of be right here a lot sooner. I used to be solely eighteen after I grew to become a dad, however I used to be decided to take advantage of issues. Laura’s mother and I have been by no means greater than a fling, however we obtained alongside effectively sufficient to verify Laura obtained to see us each rising up.

It’s nonetheless insane to me that the little lady who used to fall over spinning round in my front room is twenty now and attending a prestigious dance faculty at that. Although how she doesn’t nonetheless fall over doing these speedy turns she does is a thriller to me.

I rush to make the final of the queue outdoors the theater, providing the door steward a grateful smile as they shut the door behind me. Me and the opposite late-comers file into the theater, and I’m glad I pre-booked a superb seat as a result of this place is simply as packed because the parking zone outdoors.

I take my seat as the doorway music begins to play, and a stern-looking lady takes the stage, introducing herself because the Principal of the dance program and giving a protracted speech concerning the efficiency.

I zone out, flicking by this system leaflet till the lady stops speaking and the precise performances start.

Laura made me promise to not embarrass her, however I can’t assist however stand and cheer as she bows on the finish of her solo, guaranteeing she hears me over the applause. My daughter glances as much as the place I’m cheering, breaking character to smile and shake her head a bit of, earlier than she sweeps off the stage to the wings.

I’m ready to zone out once more till the showcase is over and the afterparty begins after I can provide Laura the flowers I delivered to congratulate her and take her out to dinner.

However when the following dancer takes the stage, I discover that I can’t look away.

The dancer folds herself right into a beginning pose, arms unfold outward like wings and toes pointed, chin raised so the stage lights illuminate her face. Blonde hair is slicked away from her face in a basic bun, and her pale pores and skin glitters with some form of make-up, including to the best way she glows. She’s delicate and stylish, completely entrancing as she begins her dance.

The pale pink gown she wears flutters round her hips and waist as she spins on her toes, making her appear to be some form of ethereal creature, far too excellent to be human. A fairy maybe, elegant and magical and enthralling.

The remainder of the world fades away as I lean ahead in my chair, my blood heating with each dip and twirl the dancer makes. The dance isn’t imagined to be sensual, the music and her outfit are each classical, however God, the best way she strikes is sinful. Or blissful. Both manner, when the music stops and the dancer bows, smiling as the group roars with applause, I can hear my very own blood speeding in my ears.

I pressure to observe her as she walks off stage, my physique jolting with the necessity to go after her, to seek out her and discover out who she is. The showcase continues, however I’m not watching. My thoughts is consumed with that little fairy, that insistent tug from deep in my chest nagging me till the performances lastly finish and we’re instructed to file out to fulfill up with the dancers within the reception room.

In a daze, I seize Laura’s flowers and observe the group out. I grind my enamel and shake my head like I can bodily clear my thoughts of all of the completely inappropriate ideas swirling round in it.

The reception room is a well-lit ballroom with waiters strolling round providing drinks and canapes. I ignore them, instinctively scanning the rising crowd in hopes of one other glimpse at that dancer.

“Hey, Dad!” a well-known voice calls out, grabbing my consideration.

I flip in direction of my daughter with a smile, opening my arms as she barrels into me for a hug.

“You have been wonderful, Laura,” I inform her as I hand her the flowers. “I’m so proud.”

“Aw, thanks, Dad,” she says, grinning.

The dancers have all modified out of their efficiency garments, however Laura’s hair remains to be tied up within the fancy updo that one way or the other hasn’t moved regardless that she danced with it in. My daughter spots somebody over my shoulder and darts to the aspect, waving her hand in a come-here movement. “Juliet! Over right here!”

I flip simply in time to lose all of the air from my lungs as I see simply who’s jogging over to us, grinning at my daughter.

Juliet.

My dancer.

Like Laura, she’s modified out of her pink floaty outfit and into a brief blue gown fabricated from a delicate, clingy materials that reveals off the curve of her hips and dip of her waist. Plain black flats have changed her pointe footwear, and her cheekbones and eyes nonetheless sparkle with the shimmery stuff that caught the lights. Even flushed from her efficiency and grinning as she and Laura hug, Juliet seems to be simply as otherworldly stunning as she did on stage.

I blink when she and Laura draw back from one another and switch to me, mind whirring.

“Dad, that is my finest buddy, Juliet,” Laura introduces fortunately. “Juliet, that is Jared, my dad.”

Juliet seems to be up at me, and my coronary heart rattling close to stops as our eyes meet. Hazel inexperienced eyes lock onto mine, and her full lips half in a small oh, her breath hitching. Her lengthy lashes flutter as she blinks up at me, the blush on her cheeks darkening.

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