Read Online No One's Watching by Sandy Green - Free Book Online

whispered to the girl next to her, “I get to hold Kitri’s hand.” Like that was a good thing. Something special.
    Mr. Sean selected a song on the CD player and rushed back to join the group, holding the hands of two other twelve-year-old girls. “Make your circle wide. No letting go.”
    With Blake holding my right hand, I didn’t worry about that.
    â€œTry to maintain your distance and not tug on each other.” He tapped his foot as he counted the rhythm. “Ready. One-two-three-four and one-two-three-four.”
    The circle moved to the right with wide running steps, like pas de bourrée couru in ballet, only wide open. Blake and I moved in small steps. Wrong. Mr. Sean corrected us. Then we hopped and pointed our feet, made a quick cut and started to the left.
    â€œBigger.” Mr. Sean gestured with his open arms. “Open your steps more.”
    We switched to the right again. My feet fumbled. It was like learning a new language with your body.
    â€œDon’t bounce. Not in this particular step. Glide more.”
    It reminded me of square dancing. Only with a lot more class. Elegant, sweeping. The music ended, and we dropped hands. I swept mine to my face and detected the faint remnants of Blake’s cologne. How long could I go without washing my hand?
    â€œI know it’s a lot for Kitri and Blake to absorb, but we have to move quickly so you’ll be ready to perform your duet.” Mr. Sean pointed to the corner. “Let’s do some under-overs. Lindy, why don’t you demonstrate?”
    The curly, blond-haired girl stood in the corner and waited for the music. When she danced, it was like a step in ballet we do in the center of the room. Only snappier. Lindy darted down the diagonal with a slight pop instead of skimming from side to side.
    I studied the little girls as they moved across the floor, marking the steps in my head. When it was my turn, I stood in the corner and pointed my left toe. In the mirror, the black ghillies looked strange on my feet, but since everyone wore them it wasn’t weird.
    So many things to remember. Turn out on the floor, but not in the air. Count one-two-three and one-two-three. I started off and sailed across the floor.
    â€œGood.” Mr. Sean followed me across the studio. “Keep those arms quiet.”
    It was just as hard to do nothing with my arms as to use them in ballet. I scowled.
    Blake followed me, his steps stuttering. When he reached the other side, he scratched his head. “You’re getting the hang of this Irish dance stuff. You’ll learn it in no time. You don’t need extra rehearsal.”
    Oh, no. Even though I wasn’t going to continue with Irish dance, I’d love to help him out. Did that mean he didn’t want to meet with me after supper?

Chapter Eleven

    I pushed a few stray hairs behind my ears. “It was just luck I figured it out.”
    We lined up along the back of the room and waited for another turn.
    â€œIt’s like Pas de Basque .” A ballet step I knew Blake would know. One of the girls leaped across the floor. “Only moving forward the whole time.”
    Blake marked it with his feet as we stood in line. “Yeah, you’re right.” His delighted face resembled a toothpaste model’s. “Thanks.”
    Class ran overtime. Mr. Sean dismissed us with a little speech about the lyrical dance we’d be learning for the performance — a slip jig, the ballet of Irish dance and, even though boys didn’t compete in slip jig in popular Irish dance competitions, we’d both have the easiest time learning. “Blake and Kit, you may be wondering why I selected you for this performance class. Both of you are excellent dancers who pick up steps quickly. You have great posture and leaps, clean feet, and know how to interpret the music. All important in Irish dance.” He waved. “See you tomorrow.”
    I sat stunned. When I