“Don’t you speak that word to me again!” I exclaimed, still laughing. After quieting down, I frowned in thought. “Any chance you can teach me that head spin thing you do?”
He looked at me in surprise. “Seriously? I thought you just said you can’t dance.”
I shrugged. “It looks less like dancing than acrobatics. Maybe I can do it.”
The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them and I couldn’t help but wonder if I had offended him. He stood beside me quietly, scratching his head with narrowed eyes. To my relief, he shrugged. “Okay, I’ll do my best, but you won’t get it right the first time around.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” I agreed.
“In order to do this correctly, you first have to know how to do a headstand…would you happen to know how to do one?”
I shook my head.
“I didn’t think so.” He took one step back and pointed towards the floor. “Here. Place your head on the floor and brace your hands on either side of it. Kick up and I’ll catch your legs in the process.”
Okay, maybe learning how to do a head spin wasn’t my brightest idea. I gulped. “Are you sure about this?”
“Do you trust me?” For some reason, I did absolutely, wholeheartedly trust him. I nodded my head slowly, which seemed to satisfy him. “Okay, then. Do your thing.”
Shaking slightly, I lowered myself and placed the crown of my head against the floor. My palms were sweating, and as I placed them on either side of my head, I couldn’t help but wonder if they’d slide out from under me at any moment. That’d be just what a needed, a broken neck.
“Jacob—” I mumbled, suddenly growing second thoughts.
“Don’t worry. I’ll catch you.” For some reason there seemed to be a deeper meaning behind his words.
I sucked in my breath and kicked up, but right before I thought I was going to crash flat on my back, Jacob caught my legs easily. His hands slid down the thin material of my leggings until they rested at the curve of my thighs.
I gulped and stammered, in full disbelief at what was happening. I tried to focus on anything else other than the fact he was touching so close to the areas of me that seemed to scream for him more. I trembled a little and coughed out, “N-now what?”
I kept my gaze glued on his signature red sneakers, but even there I could sense the tension in his body.
His voice came out deeper, almost velvety. “You up for me running around in a circle so you get the sensation of spinning? This is actually how I sort of learned.”
“Really?” I urged, despite feeling as if the blood were already rushing to my head.
“Oh, yeah. I’d have someone hold my legs and push off so that I could spin around. It really helped me work on balance.”
“That’s nice.” God, was I lame.
“Are you ready? I won’t let go, I promise.”
I took a deep breath. “Okay.”
His hands gently traveled back up towards my ankles, squeezing me gently. My shirt rolled down enough for me to feel the cool air of the AC blowing against my bare navel. Though I couldn’t see him, I felt his stare burning into my skin.
I shut my eyes, trying to ignore the ache in my core to focus on what was about to happen.
“Here I go,” he warned.
Just as he was about to push off, we heard the studio door slam open. Startled, I inadvertently kicked out, knocking Jacob in the head. He groaned in pain, stumbling back slightly enough to make me lose balance. Before I knew it we were in a pile on the floor, my sneakers just inches from kicking his groin.
“Oh! I didn’t think I’d be interrupting anything.” I scrambled to my feet to find a very surprised and very pissed off looking Gemma. Her dark eyes grew even darker, narrowing slightly.
“Hey, Gemma,” I squeaked. “Um, Jacob was just showing me some moves.”
“I see that,” she replied flatly.
Jacob looked more relaxed as he stood up. “Yeah, I told E that she’d do much better if she knew exactly what she was photographing. Figured I’d give her a little lesson so she’d appreciate the art form just a tad bit more.”
Gemma visibly relaxed. “Well, um, since I didn’t know there’d be any private lessons today, I guess I’ll just come back when everyone gets here.”
“Gemma,” Jacob warned.
“See you later.” She was out the door before he could stop her.
Groaning, he threw his head back and sighed. “Passive aggressiveness at its finest.”
I brushed myself off and pulled down my shirt, feeling awkward. “What was her problem?”
“She’s a bit possessive.”
You think?
“Oh? Really?” I acted as if I hadn’t noticed.
He nodded. “She’s been my protégé for some time now and every time it looks like I’m teaching someone else…well, let’s just say she gets a bit of an attitude. It’s the reason why Vivian hardly comes back anymore. She basically scared her off into joining another crew.”
I lifted my eyebrows thinking of the “tough as nails” girl at the library. It was hard to imagine anyone remotely getting to her. “Do you think Gemma will be okay?”
“She has to remember I don’t belong to anybody.” He turned and shot me a melancholic smile.
I felt my heart plummet. Once again I was viciously reminded that he was married to the dance and there was no way he’d belong to me one day.
“You up for trying again?” his deep voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Um, no thanks. I’m good,” I practically whispered.
“Are you sure?” There definitely felt as if there was a deeper meaning to his words.
No, I’m not. I need to stop kidding myself. I’ll never land you.
I nodded my head sadly. “Yeah, I’m good.”
Chapter 18
“How’s your project doing?” David replaced the lens cap on his camera and sat back into his seat, stretching out his long legs in front of him. It was odd being the only two people in the photography lab, but given I was going to miss the next day’s class, I figured I might as well take advantage of free lab. Luckily, David agreed to keep me company.
“It’s going.” Though not as well as I intended. “How about yours?”
He rubbed the back of his head and laughed. “I hate to admit it, but for once in my life I’m sick of skating.”
“Skating?”
“Skateboarding,” he clarified. “My friends and I skate all the time, so I figured it would be the best thing to shoot. Didn’t know that making it homework would cause me to absolutely despise it. Seriously, I am getting so sick of staring at trucks and wheels.”
I had to laugh, despite not knowing what the hell he was talking about. “I guess I’m lucky that my project isn’t a hobby of mine. That would suck to get sick of something I loved doing; not that I would get away with taking pictures of me reading, but you know what I mean.”
“What’s yours on?”
I tapped my fingers across my desk and lifted my chin a bit higher. “Believe it or not, breakdancing.”
“Breakdancing?” he repeated. “That’s cool. What made you interested in all that?”
Only the hottest guy ever.
“Just thought it was…amazing.” I cringed once the word left my mouth, but thinking twice about it stifled a laugh. Oh boy, my word vomit would haunt me forever, I was sure of it.
“You know, I wish you told me you were into all that. I know someone who’s really good at breaking. He probably could have helped you out.”
“Really? Aw, well, it’s okay. I got a friend showing me the ropes.” And my friend was the best at it. I was sure whoever David had in mind couldn’t compare with Jacob.
“That’s good then,” he replied good-naturedly.
A lull fell over us as we tinkered with our cameras. From my periphery, I noticed David fidget around anxiously.
“You okay?” I asked with a frown. “You seem all out of sorts today.” A sly smile
spread across my face. “Don’t worry, I don’t think we’re getting a sub anytime soon, Mr. Hot-For-Teacher.”
He smiled apprehensively and placed his camera on the table. “Um actually, that cause is long gone. I’m hot for someone else now actually.”
“Oh?” I murmured absently. As usual my mind had wandered back to Jacob, wondering what he did with his battle-free Saturdays.
David’s voice dropped a few octaves. “I wanted to ask you something. Sorry if this is a bit random.”
“Okay,” I murmured, still only half-listening.
He scratched his head and let out a soft laugh. “Might as well ask you now before I lose my nerve. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve tried to do this, but failed.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the lost look on his face. “What’s up, David?”
“Do you think…maybe we can hang out? Like outside of class? Get dinner or something?”
My mind went blank. The only thing I could think of were Anna’s teasing words: Friends can make the best lovers.
I rubbed at my throat and flinched. The only reason why my ‘relationship’ with David was so easy was because we didn’t have one! We were just friends—platonic, plain and simple. At least that’s what I thought we were.
David’s face fell. “I’ll take your silence as a no.”
Guilt constricted my heart as I eyed the crestfallen expression on David’s face. Knowing full well what rejection felt like, I waved my hands quickly in front of my face as if I were trying to brush away all the stale feelings floating between us. “No! It’s not like that!”
“So, it’s a yes?” he asked hopefully.
I shook my head. “David, I don’t want to ruin anything we have going here.”
“And what is that, exactly?”
“This.” I gestured between us. “We’re friends, and as pathetic as this makes me sound, it’s the only reason why I’m so comfortable hanging out with you. I don’t exactly do well interacting with the opposite sex, but you make it so easy.”
“Is that what I am to you? Just training wheels?”
The blood drained from my face. Had he heard me speaking to Anna?
“No, of course not. I’m just saying that you’re one of my only friends. I don’t want to jeopardize that. You mean a lot to me and I just can’t risk any bad blood between us.”
“Fine,” he said, sounding a bit glum.
The air felt heavy around us. Deep down I knew our friendship was probably ruined already, which saddened me to no end, but I couldn’t force feelings where there was none. With a gulp, I stammered, “A-are we g-good? Things aren’t going to be weird between us now…right?”
A beat went by before he replied, “Yeah, we’re good.”
If only I could have believed him. For the next half hour he sat quietly, avoiding my gaze, only speaking to me when absolutely necessary. Feeling a need to call the awkward night off, I began to pack my things without saying a word. In fact, I couldn’t get out of there quickly enough and practically sprinted out the door. If I had known saying no to save our friendship would actually destroy it, maybe I would have said yes all along.
When I was halfway out the door I skidded to a stop. What the hell was I doing? By running away I was just going to make things worse.
“David!” I called out, turning around. He was dragging his feet behind me as if he didn’t want to be anywhere near me. I hated to admit it, but it hurt a lot.
“Yeah?” he asked half-heartedly.
I shifted my weight. “Um, I won’t be here tomorrow.”
“Did I really make things that awkward for you that you’d want to miss class?” He let out a stale laugh.
“No.” I frowned. “I’m actually going to the All-Styles battle next week at State. I have to take some pictures for class.”
“Oh.”
“Um, do you mind getting together when I get back so you can show me what I missed?”
He looked up blankly. “I don’t appreciate a pity date.”
“It’s not a pity date.” Or any type of date for that matter. I sighed and shot him a weak smile. “We’re friends and I need my friend’s help to catch me up on class.”
His lips scrunched to the side but he nodded his head in agreement. “Okay, whatever. Call me when you’re back.”
“Thank you.” I swallowed and took a deep breath. “Not just for taking notes, but for everything. For being cool to me. You have no idea how much that means.”
He nodded once and quickly made his way past me. My insides clenched as I watched him jog away.
“There goes another friend,” I whispered under my breath. “Maybe it really is just me.”
Chapter 19
“He’s just sour because you rejected him. Don’t worry about it; he’ll come around.” Anna gripped the steering wheel, turning toward the freeway.
I watched the California canyons fly past and for some reason it gave me a sense of calm. At least I’d be away from Cal U for a bit and wouldn’t have to face David in class that day. Though I couldn’t say with the utmost confidence that it’d be easy to see him any other day.
I leaned back into my seat and blew a lock of hair from my face. “I guess you’re right. I just hate how he’s making things all weird between us.”
“He’ll get over it.” Anna drummed her fingers in tune to the music. It was something other than her usual punk, which I was most grateful for. “So, are you ready for this weekend?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I chomped onto my fingernails nervously. Jacob had invited Anna and I to crash in the hotel room he had rented for him and his friends—though there’d be at least seven of us squeezing in together in a tiny room, and just the thought of being in a hotel with Jacob did things to my body I’d never felt before.
“Mmhmm. Well, by the looks of your nail tips, you are more than ready,” she said with a laugh. “Seriously, are you bleeding yet?”
I lowered my hands sheepishly. “Shut up.”
“I thought you were ‘over’ your crush with Jacob.”
“I can still think he’s cute,” I argued.
She shrugged. “I still say you should go after that David guy. The fact that he doesn’t leave you chomping at your nails is a good sign.”
Is it though?
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. Let’s just get to State safely, okay?”
“As you wish.”
***
State wasn’t as large of a campus as Cal U’s expansive layout was, but the school was still pretty hard to navigate. After a few wrong turns, Anna and I found ourselves wandering in between lush palm trees and stomping our way through newly paved walkways.
“Wow! This place is gorgeous!” I spun on my heels looking around in awe.
“Good to know their tuition money is going somewhere,” Anna grunted. “I feel like I’m going into debt for nothing.”
I grinned and continued to admire our surroundings, finally spotting a group of beanie topped students. “Hey! I think that’s where we’re supposed to go.”
“Yup, a bunch of clones who insist they’re individuals. Definitely where we need to go,” she replied flatly.
I grabbed onto her arm and pushed her forward. “Okay, emo chick. Let’s leave the judging for the real judges, okay?”
We pushed our way through the crowd and found ourselves inside of a huge gymnasium. When I say ‘huge’ I mean huge. I wouldn’t be surprised if the building had the capacity to hold an NBA game. It was so odd that such a small campus could hold such an expansive building, then again Anna did warn me that this school was known for their exceptional basketball team.
“Where do we sit?” I patted my camera. “I need a spot where I can see everyone.”
“Let’s sit on those bleachers over there.” Anna pointed toward a tower of wooden bleachers, which were quickly filling up. I let out a sigh of relief, knowing I wouldn’t have my eardrums blown out again.
As we meandered our way bet
ween people, I heard my name being shouted. “Estelle! Over here!” Followed by, “Yo, E! Are you ignoring me?”
“Oh, look. It’s your boy toy.” Anna giggled.
I elbowed her in the ribs. “Shut up!”
She smirked as Jacob came bounding our way with—surprise—Gemma trailing behind him.
“Glad you guys made it.” He reached out to give me a light hug, which instantly took my breath away. I know, the reaction he had on my body was pretty pathetic. Sue me.
As he pulled away he placed a lanyard around my neck, grinning widely. “Here you go, sunshine.”
“What’s this for?” I asked, yanking at the plastic sleeve.
“All photographers need a pass to get on the floor.” He winked. “Figured you’re an official photographer now, so I took the liberty of grabbing it for you.”
I was speechless. “Wow! This is awesome. Thanks!”
Gemma gazed at me curiously, but soon turned her attention to Anna. “How you holding up?”
“What do you mean?” Anna replied, frowning. She shot me a questioning look, but I merely shrugged in reply.
Gemma nodded toward the side. “Shawn’s here with a new girl. Just walked in a few minutes ago.”
“And I’m here with the pristine knowledge that I have done so much better.” Anna grinned and flipped through her phone. “Boo-yah! Check out this pic of my new man.”
“Oooh!” Gemma whistled in approval. “Nice.”
Jacob rolled his eyes and gently grabbed my elbow. “Since I’d rather not stare at another man’s abs, why don’t I help get you situated?”
I glanced over at Anna, who did nothing but fawn over her boyfriend’s stomach. “Is it okay with you?”
“Oh yeah,” she said, hardly hiding her giggles. “Go ahead.”
I pressed my lips together tightly and followed Jacob across the gym floor, dodging active cyphers. Jacob pressed his hand on my lower back, gently guiding me through the narrow spaces. I sucked in my breath, savoring the feeling of his fingertips against me.
“Are you ready? You think you’ll blow this out of the water?” he asked, jogging me back to reality.
Breaking Hearts (B-boy Book 2) Page 11
