Dancing With Raven (The Young Shakespeareans Series) (10 page)

Chapter Six

One Sweet Kiss

A
S
S
HE
D
ROVE
D
OWN
V
ENTURA
B
OULEVARD
, Tori dreaded what lay ahead. Not only did she have to face Madame Martine’s disappointment regarding SBT, but she’d have to cope with Jenny, Deborah, and Kirsten too. One of them was responsible for the “moose” campaign at school. Although Kirsten was the likeliest candidate, both Jenny and Deborah had avoided talking to her all day—out of guilt, perhaps? When Raven had expressed interest in watching her dance, she’d had a few blissful hours to daydream about walking into the studio with him by her side. Now she had to deal with the coming ordeal by herself.
I was so stupid and naïve to assume SBT would hire me! Maybe Madame Martine will have connections to dance companies for giants.

Even after Tori parked, she wondered if she shouldn’t just go home.
No, I don’t want to give anyone the satisfaction of thinking I’m broken—although that isn’t far from the truth.
With resolve as firm as she could manage, she retrieved her dance bag from the trunk and hastened through the double doors of the busy dance studio. A class for children was in still progress in the main room, and she had only a few minutes to change.
First, I must speak with Madame Martine.

The dance instructor was in her office. As the woman glanced up in response to the knock on her door, Tori gave her a sad smile. “Things didn’t go well for me on Saturday.”

Gasp. “What happened?”

“Mr. Saltare felt I was too tall for his company and wouldn’t let me audition for him.”

The woman looked stricken. “
Oh, non! Je suis désolé
. I’m so disappointed for you, but I’m not entirely surprised. You’ve grown quite tall, and Saltare is known to be very particular about his ballerinas.”

“I was hoping you might have another suggestion.”

“There are many careers open to a girl of your considerable beauty and talent,
ma chérie
.”

“My heart belongs to classical ballet.”

“It’s time to branch out a little,
peut-être?
Many classically trained dancers have found careers in the film industry and musical theater.”

Not the response she’d sought. “Yes, Madame.” Her throat tightened and Tori felt tears sting the back of her eyelids. “Excuse me. I must change for class.”

As she fled the office, she nearly collided headlong into Raven. He reached out to steady her. “Oops.”

“What are you doing here?” she exclaimed.

“I wanted to watch class, remember? I’m so sorry, but I got hung up with Mr. Thresher after school. I hope you didn’t think I stood you up.”

“N-No, I…”

Her emotions, already in turmoil, threatened to overwhelm her. Without thinking too much about it, she gave Raven a hug. Over his shoulder, she spied Kirsten and her mother on her way into the studio.

“Kiss me,” she murmured. “I’ll explain why later.”

Without missing a beat, he bent his head forward and claimed her lips in the sort of sweet, slow, tender lover’s kiss she’d only read about in romance books. His fingertips caressed her face at the same time, and the sensations aroused by his touch shot down her spine and to her core. When she stepped back afterward, she felt almost woozy. Kirstin and her mother must have already passed by because the only people around to watch were a pair of giggling five-year-olds.

“I just, um…I’m sorry about that,” she managed. “I’ll see you after class.”

Bemused, Raven watched Tori hasten off toward the dressing room. He asked a little girl where he could watch class, and she pointed him toward the observation area. As he settled into a seat, he had a few moments to reflect on what had just transpired. The most amazing kiss he’d ever had still lingered upon his lips, and he didn’t know whether to be triumphant about it or angry with himself. When Tori asked him to kiss her, it was as if his self-control and reason had evaporated.
I should be protecting my heart and instead I’m letting it float away like a helium balloon.
He folded his arms across his chest and squared his shoulders, vowing to get a better grip on his emotions.
I can choose how to feel—or not to feel—about Tori Moss. Friendship with a side order of cool detachment is on the menu.

The students in Tori’s class began to assemble in the practice room for class, their feet and ankles encased in dainty light pink slippers with pink ribbons and boxed toes. Several of the girls seemed familiar, and he remembered them from school. One blonde had a hideous imp intertwined in her hair and a self-important smirk on her sour face. If he’d been unobserved, he would have called the imp to him and sent it back to Hell. As it was, he focused his attention on Tori instead. Even during the routine barre exercises, he was amazed by her grace, flexibility, strength, and expressiveness. His expertise in ballet was limited, but he recognized extraordinary talent when he saw it.

Twenty minutes later, the students lined up to practice various leaps and turns. Tori’s balance was perfect, and she seemingly hung in the air when she jumped. Her movements radiated joy. Mesmerized, Raven leaned forward in his chair, his mouth slightly open. A few parents were sitting in the observation area next to him. A middle-aged woman with brassy hair touched his arm to get his attention. “Excuse me, but is Tori your girlfriend?”

“Oh, er, no. Not exactly.”

“It’s such a shame she’s so tall.”

A flash of annoyance traveled down his spine. “I think she’s absolutely perfect.”

Titter. “Well, love is blind.”

Shocked at the woman’s rudeness, Raven gave her a level look. She bore a distinct resemblance to the sour blonde.
A stage mother who deserves to be smacked down a bit.

“You’d have to be completely blind not to see Tori is the most talented dancer in the class.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “I disagree.
My
daughter is dancing with the SBT company this summer.”

“Well, bully for you both. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Tori. I expect it’ll be something quite unexpected and marvelous.”

With a sneer, the woman turned her attention back to the class. Another mother, sitting in the corner, pressed her lips together as she tried not to laugh at the exchange. Raven gave her a wink.

I can’t believe I asked him to kiss me!
It was the craziest, most impulsive thing Tori had ever done—but she wasn’t sorry. In comparison to the other kisses she’d had, Raven kissed like a dream. Tender. Sweet. Soft. Lovely. Melting.
Romantic.
Definitely not gay. As she stepped into her leotard in the dressing room, her whole body felt buoyant.

Kirstin was dressing nearby. She curled her lip in Tori’s direction. “That was fast work. The Moose and London Snog.”

Her imp pulled its lower eyelids down and stuck out its tongue. Still flying high from Raven’s kiss, however, Tori merely smiled in response to Kirstin’s nasty remark.

“Congratulations on SBT. I’m very happy for you.”

“Yeah, right.” Kirstin flounced off.

Jenny and Deborah entered the dressing room, giggling. As soon as they saw Tori, they both fell silent.
I suppose it’s up to me to break the ice.

“I’m glad you’re dancing with SBT,” she said. “When you perform, I’ll get a front row seat.”

Seemingly relieved, her friends came over to give her a hug.

“I’m
so
sorry about your audition,” Deborah said.

“I thought I would
die
when Saltare wouldn’t let you dance!” Jenny said.

“Me too,” Tori admitted. “But if I can’t dance with SBT, I’m thrilled you two will.”

While they finished dressing, Tori pressed Jenny and Deborah for details about the audition. Although she was still disappointed, she tried to mask her feelings.
If Raven wasn’t here, I don’t think I could do it.

As Tori followed her friends into pointe class, she slid a brief glance toward the window to confirm Raven was there. His grin and wave warmed her heart. She took a place at the barre which would afford him a good view.
If I couldn’t impress Saltare, I want Raven to see how well I dance. Today, I’ll dance for him.

Class was almost always enjoyable, but today’s was particularly satisfying. Her body seemed to be singing a joyous song through movement.
And to think I almost skipped it!
Since Saturday, she’d been in the depths of despair, yet this afternoon she could almost pretend the humiliating debacle of her SBT audition hadn’t mattered so very much. Saltare had been cruel and scornful, and she still felt the sting of his dismissal. But he couldn’t take away her love of ballet, no matter what he said.
I still admire Saltare’s ability and achievements, but I shouldn’t have put him on a pedestal. I’ll go on, somehow.

After the final
reverence
, Tori glanced toward the observation area. Raven rose and came to meet her outside the classroom. Deborah and Jenny stared at him, wide-eyed, as they passed by.

“Tori, you were amazing,” he said.

A flush of pleasure. “Thank you. Can you wait for me while I change?”

“I’d be happy to.”

In the dressing room, her fingers flew as she untied her toe shoes.

“So what’s that all about?” Jenny said. “Is Raven your boyfriend?”

“Er…not exactly.”

“They were sucking face before class.” Kirstin spoke loud enough for everyone in the dressing room to hear. Tori suddenly found herself the focus of attention.

“It was a sweet kiss!” she retorted. “We weren’t making out or anything.”

“If he’s not your boyfriend, what is he?” Deborah asked.

“He’s her consolation prize for missing out at SBT,” Kirstin said.

Gasps followed her words, and Tori flinched. “I wouldn’t want to be you for anything in the world, Kirstin. You’re as mean as a snake and not as sexy.”

The dressing room erupted in laughter. Kirstin stuck her nose in the air and flounced out.