The next day at dance, Mrs. Hastings started the lesson by showing everyone
some Latin steps for the number and saying,
"Would somebody tell me if their planning on breaking their legs? I'd
just like to know so I can take you out of the dance ahead of time."
Everyone except Shirley laughed. She was counting on Nicole to show
up today. It was so obvious. Nicole was trying to get rid of all the people
going into the Grand Prix because she couldn't stand to see them reach
the goal she never would. By doing that, she could be happy.
Shirley and Carson began their Latin number, and finished it with effect.
She saw Mrs. Hastings looking at them, and nodding approvingly.
"Alright! Let's just slow dance for a break, and then we'll move into
Swing." Mrs. Hastings put on a c.d.
"Switch partners!" She yelled. Carson made a dive for Alicia, and Shirley found herself dancing with Bo when there was no one else left.
"Putting the Damage On" by Tori Amos played. Shirley rolled her eyes, and could only really wonder if somewhere, someone was writing her life out for people to see and if it just may be Kevin Williamson. This was ridiculous.
"I think being with you has rubbed off on me." Bo whispered.
"What?" Shirley said, staring at her feet. She could feel Bo's eyes on her.
"These accidents. They're connected. And I think it might be Nicole." Bo explained.
Shirley looked up at him.
"Why do you think that?"
"Because she's here." Bo said. He turned her around in a dance, and over Bo's shoulder, Shirley saw Nicole in the back of the room watching them, she walked away.
"How long has she been here?" Shirley asked, her curiosity enabled her to put her anger in the back of her head.
"I just noticed her. We'll have to wait until the next accident then, won't we?" Bo asked. Shirley nodded. She felt herself leaning into Bo as the music played, but she pulled herself back.
"Can't you forgive me?" Bo whispered.
"Ask me when this is all over." Shirley said.
"We're talking... Shirley are you trying to tell me something?" Bo asked.
Shirley sighed.
"I think that I need a break..." She said nervously.
"A break?"
"Just until this is over..." Shirley said.
"Then we can talk?" Bo asked.
Shirley nodded.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hastings was wandering around, perfecting everyone's moves.
"Arms Harriet!" She shouted. Shirley turned around and noticed that Nicole was no longer around.
"That's good Ms. Holmes! Tuck in your tummy!"
Shirley felt as though everyone was looking at her. Maybe this is how Nicole felt. But Shirley knew it was all about posture and she wasn't fat. Why did Nicole think that?
Mrs. Hastings walked up on the stage and inspected it for a minute, Shirley watched this, she noticed that The Melleville Boys would be playing this weekend in the dance hall/theatre. She could see the set hung from above.
That's not all she noticed. She noticed that it was kind of shaking, the rope holding it was begin to snap slowly, she saw a petit figure on the balcony move back. She noticed that the set would fall directly where Mrs. Hastings was snapping, and if the force was powerful enough, it could break her neck.
"MRS. HASTINGS!!!!! WATCH OUT!!!!" Shirley screamed at the top of her lungs. Eveyone stopped to look at her, Bo regained his hearing.
Mrs. Hastings looked up, the last cord snapped, and the set began to fall....
She dived out of the way just in time. One more second and she wouldn't have been so lucky.
* * *
Needless to say, dance lessons were let out early. Alicia came over to Shirley's after school, and while they were both sitting on Shirley's bed staring at their math homework which made no sense, Shirley explained what was going on with Bo. Alicia's eyes grew wide.
"NO! NO! NO! NO! You cannot do this to me! I waited three years for you guys to start looking at eachother like a guy and a girl instead of best friends, and now you're turning into Dawson and Joey, or Pacey and Andie or Jen and that Ty guy! Wait, wait, wait... Dawson and Joey want eachother this season, despite that Eve girl. Pacey and Andie or Jen and Ty." Alicia exclaimed.
"Who was Ty?" Shirley asked.
"Jen's ex-love. Season two. Ty couldn't deal being with her because of her background. He was like WAY religious and he was just-ugh- very frustrating. Andie cheated on Pacey and they broke up this season. Bo is the male equivilant to Andie. 'Cept he didn't cheat on you." Alicia explained. Shirley rolled her eyes.
"You watch too much t.v." Shirley muttered.
"If you keep this up, I might not need to." Alicia said sourly, then she looked at Shirley, "Are you okay?"
Shirley stared at her, "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You can't tell me this is easy for you." Alicia said.
"I never said it was easy." Shirley muttered.
"Well you're acting like you don't care." Alicia said. Shirley stared at her and closed her mathbook. Hard. She walked over to the window and stared outside.
"Hey, I didn't mean it like THAT, Shirley... I just..." Alicia walked over and gave her a sympathetic look. Shirley turned to her.
"Do you think it'll be okay?" She asked.
Alicia patted her shoulder sympathetically, "Of course it'll be okay."
But really... she wasn't sure.
-End of Part 6-