- Not that one! - I hear Brooke say, when I walk into the dance hall...
- What's going on? - I ask with concern.
Brooke was standing in a corner of the hall with his hands on his waist and a face of frustration.
- I've got a dance performance in two weeks.
- And what's the problem?
- Leon got fired. - she says snitching. - They caught him with one of the students and now I don't have a teacher anymore.
- Oh, boy.
- I didn't have a dance partner either. - she says looking down at me from top to bottom. - What are you doing here? Why are you holding that bow? Are you going hunting, by any chance?
I let out a laugh because of the ironic way she uses to say the last sentence.
- Actually, I'm coming from a shooting lesson. - I say. - Problem is, I've been in that class for months and I can't hit an arrow on the target.
- Well, that doesn't explain why you're here. - she says folding her arms. - You know I like a lot of concentration when I'm dancing.
Brooke had forbidden me to attend his rehearsals because of the clowning I did or the opinions I gave in his program.
- Well, yesterday at the country club, I was watching the rankings of the shooters and their name comes first. - I say smiling. - I didn't know you liked shooting with a bow and arrow.
- Actually, I don't! - she says emphatic. - My mother forced me to practice in order to attract members and encourage the "sport of kings". I ended up getting too good and no one can beat my score record.
- Why did you stop?
Brooke sighs.
- Because, like I said, I didn't like the sport and I only did it because my mother demanded it. She used emotional blackmail to convince me. - she smiles, bending her head to the right. - When I reached the age of majority, I began to reject everything that I did not like and that she forced me to do, at a ridiculous whim.
That was something else we had in common. My father always thought of me as the judge he always was. He wanted me to pursue his career at all costs, but I wanted to have fun. When I met Leila, things changed. I changed my mind and decided to graduate, become a successful lawyer and a family man, but those bastards had to change everything.
- Well, I was thinking... Brooke frown, staring at me with curiosity. - Since I need to aim better...
- You want me to help you with the shooting test, don't you? - she assumes. - It's okay! It's okay! No problem! We're already helping each other with the final exams anyway. Fitting one more task into my timeline won't be a big deal.
She sighs, going to the backpack. I keep looking at the amazing girl that was in front of me. Brooke studied and worked hard, barely had time for fun. She said she didn't like ballads, but I was inclined to believe it was a lack of time. She gave up everything for the sake of her dreams and was still ready to help me.
- I'm gonna change since I can't rehearse today. - she sighs, grabbing her backpack.
On one impulse, I release the bow on the ground and go to meet her. Grabbing her hand, I pull Brooke towards my chest, spinning her around and starting to waltz with her.
- What are you doing? What are you doing? - she laughs at me.
- Who says you're without a dance partner? - the cute one, bringing Brooke back. - Since you're going to help me with the shooting trials, I might as well help you with your presentation.
- You? Dancing? - ...she lets out a laugh. - I don't know, no!
- You doubt that? Wasn't it you, dancing with me at Six? - Brooke makes a face. - What's that? I know the steps and the choreography. We can do this together. We've spent so much time with each other, what's a few more hours?
Brooke stares at me, sighing and then smiles.
- All right! All right! - she says settling down. - I'm not gonna get anything better anyway.
- Whoa! It got heavy! - I say pretend offense and she laughs. - We can start now, if you want.
She sighs when we stop dancing.
- Unfortunately, the room is closed today because of Leon's resignation. - she says
