All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Free!
As I danced, I felt free. I felt that no one could touch me. Well, except for my teacher.
“Come on! You can do better than that!” She started the music over again. I took a deep breath, relaxed, and started over. After practice, I went to the gym attached to the studio, worked out, and went home. The next day at school was torture—just like every day – but today especially. It was spirit day. Everyone was in their Stipes, North Dakota shirts and school shirts with our mascot—the tiger. Today was the day guys like Austin—the school god, the all-star athlete (the total jerk)—got to prance around and have people fawn over him even more excessively than normal. It’s also the day that I have to accidently bump into him.
“Oops! I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
He smiled at me and said “Oh, that’s okay. No harm, no foul.” I smiled back and walked away. That was the start of Austin’s “crush” on me.
That day, after practice, I felt the urge to skip going to the gym and just go home. On the way to my car, I noticed Austin, who was literally screaming at this kid. “You’re such a loser! What good are you?” The boy said nothing. After a few minutes of this, Austin left and I watched him go. As I turned back to the boy, he was staring right at me. He sat there watching me for a few seconds. It felt like hours. Then he left. The ride home was nothing like I’d ever felt before. I was sick with guilt that I saw this bullying happen and had done nothing about it. I decided that tomorrow, I would find this boy and talk to him.
The next day, as I was walking through the busy, crowded halls, I saw him. Gathering my courage, I went and said hi. He looked at me and said
“Please don’t tell anyone.”
I replied “I wouldn’t dream of telling….why was he talking to you like that?”
“Oh, I’m a transfer student and am going to be taking dance classes-“
I cut in. “Are you going to be taking Miss Zuklov’s class?”
“Yeah…Why?”
“I’m in her class.”
“Cool.”
I shyly asked, “Do you want me to meet you after school? I could show you where to go.” I tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Sure.”
“See you later then.”
“Okay. Bye.” He walked away. I had mixed feelings as I watched him go. It was weird and awkward, that conversation, but I think he’s nice. I just hope that he doesn’t get hurt more because of me being Austin’s new “obsession”.
After school, we met at his locker and walked to the studio. While we walked, I had a chance to study him better. He was pretty tall—about 6’5”, compared to my 5’7”—and had short, wavy hair. His skin was smooth and creamy, but tan, probably from where he lived before— Florida. When we got to the studio, we warmed up, and talked and got to know each other better. Then, we started dancing. I taught him some dances and he taught me some. Now, I’m a bigger girl. I weigh 130lbs. So feeling him lift and twirl me was surprising. He was really strong. I looked so white next to his tan, muscular body. When we were done, we skipped working out and talked. Over the next few weeks, we practiced together and became good friends. One day after practice, we were in the parking lot when Austin walked up to us—mainly to Jake. He started saying so many cruel and abusive things to Jake but he took them without flinching, when he started talking about me. I was confused and a little mad. I asked him
“Hey, what did I ever do to you?”
His reply—“Nothing. You just chose this punk over me.”
That’s when Jake calmly asked for him to apologize. Austin sneered at Jake and Jake went and punched him in the face. Austin went down and Jake said “I’ll say it again—apologize.”
Austin stuttered out an apology and ran off. Jake turned to me and said “Kiara. Thank you.”
He could see my puzzled expression. “Without your friendship and without seeing your strength and courage every day, I wouldn’t have had the courage to stand up to Austin.”
“Oh!” was all I could manage to say.
Then, he said the words I had been dying to hear.
“Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?”
I smiled with joy.
“Of course”
I smile and look back on those weeks now, thankful for them. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today—happily dancing around the world on one of the best dance companies with Jake. Who knows where the future will go, just as long as I have Jake, I know I will be all right.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.