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

finally untied my ghillies , little furrows dug in my skin from the round shoelaces snaking over the tops of my feet. I rubbed them.
    â€œYou’ll get used to that—" Megan plopped next to me, crumpling her legs under her, “—once you figure out how tight or loose to pull the laces.”
    Blake strode over. “What did you think of what Mr. Sean said?”
    My mind replayed his words — “excellent dancers.” “Nice.”
    â€œCool. It would still be a good idea if we ran through some of this new stuff.” He held up a shiny CD. “Mr. Sean loaned me this so we can get used to the music, too.”
    My heart leapt to my throat, and I covered my lips with my hand so it wouldn’t jump out of my mouth. “Good idea.” Another page from a graphic novel materialized in my mind. Two figures. Blake and me, our heads touching, as we sat on the floor listening to the sad strains of Irish music. A flute solo drifted from the CD player.
    I bundled the shoes in my bag, too nervous to wrap the laces neatly around the soles, like I always did with my pointe shoes. I couldn’t wait to tell Candace about getting to be alone with Blake.
    Megan planted herself in front of me. “What time should we meet?”
    â€œWe?” I blinked.
    â€œHow about seven?” she suggested.
    Blake shrugged. “You don’t have to practice with us. You guys already know this stuff. You’ll be bored.”
    Yay, Blake. And so thoughtful of others’ time.
    Megan shook her head. “You both need help from experienced Irish dancers. Just because you’ve taken ballet classes doesn’t mean you can miraculously learn Irish dance in a couple of weeks.”
    â€œIrish dance isn’t so different from ballet. Weren’t you listening to Mr. Sean? He wouldn’t have picked Blake and me if he didn’t think we could cross over.”
    Megan shook her head. “From what I saw in class today, you two need all the help you can get.”
    I stood next to Blake. Two five-foot-eight towers. Sorry, Megan, three’s a crowd.
    Lindy sidled up to us, her eyes the color of Sleeping Beauty’s blue tutu. “Can I come, too? I can help. I compete in Prizewinner.”
    â€œPrizewinner? Are you talking about boxing?” Blake huffed a laugh.
    Megan ignored him. “I’m in Prizewinner, too. Good idea. You should come, Lindy. Even if I’m in the corps , I don’t want to be embarrassed on stage by a couple of newbies.”
    Newbies? I’ve been dancing since you’ve been in diapers, sista. I bristled at the comment, about to explode.
    Blake shrugged. Did his eyes twinkle? “You can both come and practice if you want to.” He swung his dance bag, masquerading as a sports bag, over his shoulder. “How about seven thirty?”
    â€œPerfect.” Megan slapped her hands together.
    Lindy nodded so hard I expected her head to dislodge from her shoulders and roll across the floor.
    My heart dropped into my stomach, split into my legs and then slid into my aching feet. They throbbed with each beat. It wasn’t a date after all. Just extra practice. Could something work out for me for once?
    Blake glanced at the clock. “I have to go. I need to meet someone. See you guys later.” He raced out of the studio. Had he called for Shelly? She appeared next to him.
    My gaze lingered on the hallway.
    â€œDon’t worry.” Megan tugged at my arm. “You’ll get the hang of it. Mr. Sean did say he personally chose you and Blake because you both have great technique and pick things up quickly.”
    Okay. My anger simmered and evaporated as my heart bungeed back to its rightful place. “Tell me more about Irish dance. What does ‘prizewinner’ mean?”
    Megan and Lindy launched into a detailed discussion of the different levels of solo dance competition. Beginner, Novice, Prizewinner, Preliminary