Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,36

And maybe, just maybe, fall in love for the first time.

I was a few steps away from taking that leap.

The one Jared had promised he’d catch me from.

15

WE PULLED INTO A PACKED PARKING LOT OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SCHOOL. Jared cursed as he looked at the clock in the car.

“It starts in two minutes,” he grumbled, getting out of the car and taking the flowers.

I opened the door and tumbled to the ground. Luckily, I caught myself before I scraped my knees on the asphalt.

I had to run, which wasn’t easy in heels, to catch up with Jared’s long stride.

“It’s in the auditorium, of the high school,” he said, more to himself than me. “They expected a high attendance and the ballet school she goes to is small. They only have room for attendance of fifty people.

Jared pushed open the doors to the school and we followed the signs to the auditorium.

People turned to glare at us, for coming in late. A dance was already beginning.

Somewhere in the middle, someone stood and motioned for us.

Jared reached for me, but then let his hand drop.

We squeezed past the people already sitting and I flinched anytime my bare skin touched someone. Jared noticed, and sent me a sympathetic glance.

Two empty seats were waiting for us and Jared made sure I took the seat next to Patsy, while he took the one next to the stranger. I leaned over and saw Dan and Holden there, as well.

I giggled to myself when I saw that Holden held purple tulips.

“I’m so glad you could come, sweetie,” Patsy whispered in my ear.

“I’m happy to be here,” I told her. I leaned across to Jared and he shivered from my proximity. “Thanks for taking that seat.”

“It’s not a problem,” he said, wiggling in the seat, trying to get enough room for his long legs. “You smell good,” he blurted.

“What?” I gasped.

Even in the darkened room, I could see the color flooding his cheeks. “You smell good, like strawberries and flowers.”

“Um… thanks,” I said awkwardly, sitting back in the chair.

All different age categories were performing, from youngest to oldest, so it took a while before Karlie came on stage.

Jared leaned towards me when she came out. “That’s Karlie,” he pointed at a striking girl with dyed red-orange hair pulled into a tight bun, “and that’s her dance partner, Rodney.”

I watched the couple dance gracefully across the stage. They were breathtaking, every move so precise, the emotions playing across their faces were believable.

I found my jaw dropping open.

Karlie and Rodney danced like pros, like people twice their age.

When they finished, everyone in the auditorium stood to clap.

“They were incredible,” I told Jared. “Amazing!”

“I know,” he grinned, clapping like a proud dad.

Holden whistled from beside us, and on stage, Karlie caught his eye, blushing.

There was only one other dance number after Karlie’s and Jared sat impatiently waiting to congratulate his sister.

When the lights came on, he jumped up from his seat.

We weren’t allowed to go back stage so we all waited in the school’s hallway for the dancers to come out.

Karlie emerged, wearing a pair of jeans and a lightweight sweater over a tank. Her hair was hanging loosely down her back. A smile lit her face and she ran into Jared’s arms.

“Thank you for coming,” she told him as he slung her around in circles. “I know ballet isn’t your thing.”

“I’d do anything for you, squirt. You know that,” he told her, putting her down and ruffling her hair. “Here’s your flowers,” he handed them to her.

“Thank you,” she took them from him.

“I got you flowers too,” Holden cleared his throat. “They’re your favorite, right?” he held out the tulips.

“Yes,” she blushed, “they are. Thank you! I can’t believe you remembered,” she whispered the last part under her breath.

“I remember everything you say,” Holden told her, his blue-gray eyes raking over her.

Karlie blushed an even brighter shade of red before hugging Dan and Patsy.

“I’m so glad you guys came,” she told them.

“We wouldn’t miss our little girl’s performance for the world,” Dan said, hugging her tighter.

Jared cleared his throat. “Karlie, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Oh,” she let go of Dan.

Jared motioned me over. “Karlie, this is Katy. Katy, this is my sister, Karlie.”

“It’s so nice to meet you!” Karlie exclaimed, opening her arms for a hug.

I backed away and cowered behind Jared. My breaths came out in strangled gasps and embarrassment caused tears to sting my eyes.

I started to run away, I remembered seeing bathrooms