Chapter Three

I slept soundly that night not awakening until the sound of my alarm went off. I got up peering outside to see cloudy early morning. Perfect weather for me. I walked quietly to the bathroom not wanting to wake anyone up that was sleeping and took a quick shower. The warm water felt superb. I hopped out of the shower drying off and putting on clean clothes. Not bothering to mess with my hair I walked out the front door and headed to work. I walked silently along the sidewalk glancing every now and then to the people around me. Such busy people, stressing over senseless things while I lived everyday just going with the flow of things. Honestly, I believed my life to be quite easy compared to everyone else. Before too long I was walking in the front door of the dance studio. I walked inside, no dancers to be seen, and walked to the cleaning closet to get my cleaning supplies. I got out the broom and headed to the dance room. I walked inside seeing the instructor. “I’m here to start cleaning ma’am.” I said. She glanced up at me then to the clock. “You’re early,” her face was rock hard and expressionless. For a minute I thought she was actually angry that I was early. “But I like it.” she finished with a dazzling smile. For someone that was as stern as she was she did have an absolutely gorgeous smile. “Well, I should be getting started then.” I said heading to the very back of the room and started sweeping. Cleaning was never something I particularly enjoyed, but I learned to live with it; especially when you never know when you’re going to get your next check. I needed the money plain and simple. Being picky about what job I wanted was not a good idea. I swept the floor, mopped the floor, and polished the floor until I could see my reflection. Right as I finished putting away all my supplies the dancers started to show. One by one they filed into the, newly cleaned, dance room. They’re faces scanned the room smiling. I heard whispers saying “It’s so clean.” and “It’s beautiful.” I just chuckled and stood in the back of the room to watch them practice. One face I didn’t see and wanted to see was Coraline’s. “Where is Coraline?” I heard the instructor yell. By the tone in her voice I could tell she was not happy. “Ma’am she had to stay home, family problems.” one of the students said quietly. “Well then I hope that she is well, but we must get started. Ready. One, two three, four…” and class began. Before too long girls were leaping across the room. All I could think of was Coraline and what was going on. I waited quietly in the back until the class was over. I glanced up and watched them leave before darting to the cleaning closet to get the few cleaning supplies I would be using now. I hurried and cleaned the room I needed to find Coraline somehow. I didn’t know how, but I needed to. I finished cleaning putting the supplies up before running out the door. I walked hurriedly back to my apartment. I had left my phone at home and needed to get to it and call Coraline. I turned the corner to go up the steps to my apartment and there sitting on the steps was the tear streaked face of Coraline.

**

Of all the places I could have went after the argument I went to Jesse’s apartment. Why, I don’t know he wasn’t even answering his phone. What made me even think he’d let me in. It’s not like we were particularly close or anything. For some reason though I wanted to be here I felt the need to be here right now. I waited outside for what seemed like ages before I finally saw him start to walk up the steps. I thought he’d ask me why I was here or tell me to go home, but he hugged me. He didn’t even say a word he just walked up to me and hugged me. His hug was warm and caring and I hugged him back breathing him in saving this moment in my memory. “What happened?” I heard him ask. First I didn’t know what he was talking about then I figured that one of the dancers probably told the instructor what was wrong and he overheard. “My parents and I got in an argument. I didn’t know where else to go so I came here.” I looked up at him and smiled. “I feel safe here.” At that he smiled back at me. “Well, I’m glad to have you here why don’t we get you inside.” He put a hand on my waist leading me up the stairs and into his apartment. “Looks like no one’s home.” He said looking around. “Finally I have the place to myself. I’ve been hoping they’d leave at some point in time. They’re here way too much.” He chuckled looking back at me. “They’re probably out scoring with someone.” I looked at him with a confused look. What was he talking about? “You know, scoring drugs. They’re drug addicts.” He said heading to what looked to be the kitchen. “Oh,” I said, I had no idea they were drug addicts. “Are you a drug addict?” I asked him. I figured it would be a good thing to know. I mean I was crushing on this guy and I would like to know if he was a drug addict or not. “No, I’m not.” he said pulling out two bottles of water. “Here,” he said handing me one. “I wouldn’t trust the tap water here to save my life.” he said with a chuckle. I smiled opening the bottle and taking a sip. I was already feeling better. “So, feel like talking about what happened?” he asked me walking into his room and sitting on his bed. I opted for his desk chair. “Well, I got home after school and my parents had already been arguing about god knows what. Then as soon as I walked through the door they asked me about you. I don’t know how they even know about you. I think one of the dancers talked to them or something and they started asking me all these questions about you and it really pissed me off.” I stopped realizing I had said all of that in one breath. He looked at his bottle of water before looking up at me. “Well, to be completely honest with you I never have cared what people thought about me. I mean I don’t really care what your parents think about me. I’m not trying to impress them or anything.” He shrugged grabbing what looked like a journal from under his pillow. He sat his bottle of water on a nearby lamp stand and started writing. “What’s that?” I asked him taking another sip. “Well, it’s a journal. I write in it.” You know I just noticed how much of a smartass he is and for some reason I don’t mind one bit. “Well, I sort of guessed that.” I smiled looking out his window. “You have a nice view of New York City.” I gazed at all the lights and cars racing here and there. It was fascinating. I’d never seen New York City from this view. “I’ve never seen New York City from up here. It’s nice.” I kept gazing out the window. “It’s only the outskirts of New York City if I was in the big city you wouldn’t be able to see anything, but another building.” He had a point, but still it was a beautiful and stunning sight. I had no idea what time it was, but I had no plans of going home. I wanted to be myself for a night. To be free for a night. I was not going home. “You don’t mind if I stay here tonight do you?” I asked him turning to see him putting his journal away. “Don’t you have to go home?” he asked obviously confused. “Well, I don’t want to go home. I want to be free for a night.” I got up and sat down by him on his bed. “Well, sure I don’t mind, but don’t expect me to give you alcohol or drugs.” He chuckled and I smiled at him. “I wouldn’t even think about asking for those things.” I looked at him and the sudden urge to kiss him hit me like a tsunami. I looked at his eyes then down to his lips leaning closer to him. He looked back at me leaning in towards me. He planted a soft kiss on my cheek before leaning back and looking at me. “I also won’t do those sort of things.” He smiled and I knew he was doing it out of the kindness of his heart. I nodded feeling stupid for thinking that he would. “Well it’s late and I have work in the morning. So we better get some sleep.” I nodded kicking off my shoes and lying down next to him. “Thanks for letting me stay here tonight.” I said more to the air than to him. I figured he was asleep anyway. Most guys I knew fell asleep relatively fast. “Anytime.” I heard him reply. A few minutes later came the soft sounds of him breathing. He was asleep and it was time for me to get some asleep as well.