When Shirley came to dance lessons she had already been given a new partner. Carson. Alicia was dealing with it. The only reason they were together was because Natalia was Carson's old partner. Shiley and Carson were practicing the Rhomba, Carson was doing fine, Shirley was faltering, staring at Bo and Gina. Bo wasn't looking too happy, but good. He deserved it.
"Ow." Carson muttered, Shirley had stepped on his foot. Shirley turned and looked at him apologetically.
"Sorry. I just- I- sorry." She said helplessly. Carson looked at her sympathetically.
"I know all about it. Have you returned any of Bo's calls?" Carson asked.
"No." Shirley said flatly. Carson looked at her.
"I don't want to become involved in this but I owe you big time. He's really falling a part, and so are you. I may have a family with a history of mental diseases, but I'm smart enough to see you guys need to be together. You're too close." Carson said. Shirley smiled.
"Thanks for the psycho analysis doctor, but I need time."
Carson leaned closer as they prepared for a dip.
"Maybe Bo does too." He whispered. Shirley stared at Carson a moment, and noticed out of the corner of her eye that Bo was watching them. Her stomach turned, feeling nervous and sick at the same time.
"I think I'm going to throw up." She said. Carson lifted her out of the dip slowly, Shirley started her way to the bathroom, but a hand grabbed her arm.
"Are you okay?" It was Bo. Shirley glared at him, but her stomach felt worse, she walked into the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face and stared into the mirror for a moment.
"If this is how love makes you feel, you can have it." She said to her reflection, she noticed someone else behind her in the mirror. She swiveled around and saw Nicole, and noted that she was looking much healthier. She tried to smiled.
"Hi," Shirley greeted her, "What are you doing here?"
Nicole smiled, and then looked kind of sad.
"I just came to watch the dance. I'm sure Bo told you already about why I can't dance. I visit here when I get the chance... I just came to watch. I'm sorry you and Bo are fighting."
Shirley smiled.
"Thanks. But I've got to get back on the floor." Shirley said. Nicole nodded, the both walked out of the bathroom, Nicole waved good bye and walked towards the back of the room but not to the exit. Mrs. Hastings clapped her hands together.
"Alright, I want somebody on the stage. Jordan and your partner...Alicia, get up there and do your Latin number. Jordan, I want to see how you look for the Grand Prix."
Alicia and Jordan walked up on stage, Shirley smiled at her.
"Feel better?" Carson asked, coming up beside her. Shirley nodded.
Alicia and Jordan were into their Latin number and Alicia was surprisingly quite good. They were nearing the edge of the stage, and Shirley could tell that Alicia was trying to move back, suddenly a bright strobe light flashed on in front of the dancer's eyes. Jordan fell of the stage and to the floor. The strobe light switched off.
Shirley looked around the room, at the back there was a sign with an arrow that lead to stage lighting. Shirley ran to it. When she got there, she saw the exit door in the room swing open, when she investigated no one was there. But someone had purposley blinded Alicia and Jordan.
Shirley entered the dance hall again, Bo noticed her come out and gave
her a look, but Shirley had become a master of ignoring him. Mrs.Hastings
looked up.
"His leg's broken, would somebody please call an ambulence. How did
that light get on?"
"Will I be able to go to the Grand Prix?" Jordan's weak voice said.
Mrs. Hastings shook her head, Jordan sighed.
Shirley was barley registering this though. Jordan would've gone to Grand Prix. So would have Natalia. They both broke their legs, and Shirley noted both had a good enough chance at winning. They even had a chance at beating whatsiface and Gina. But none of the other students were anywhere near the stage lighting room.
Shirley thought for a moment. Who was desperate enough to see these people not dance? And if so, why? Who was the closest person to the lighting room? Shirley thought all this over when it finally dawned on her. There's was only one person she could think of that had the mean, motive and opportunity to do this:
Nicole.
-End of Part 4-