Chapter Eleven


    Valentine’s Day at Forestglade College began under a threatening, all-encompassing thick cloud of grey that only intensified the humidity sticking to Lila as she marched from the bus stop to her school locker. Despite the gloomy backdrop, there was an infectious buzz amongst the entire student body that Lila tried to pay no mind to as she battled her way to her locker, dodging couples displaying serious PDA left and right.


    Upon shoving her bag inside her locker, Lila pulled out her smaller bag containing her gym uniform and threw it over her shoulder, making the lonely trek to the school’s gymnasium at a casual pace. Despite the humidity, Lila found the walk itself quite pleasant, stopping every so often to admire the recently trimmed shrubbery, native proteas and other seasonal plants dotting the landscape.


    Along the way, she heard many exclamations and squeals of delight as students presented each other with gifts of flowers, chocolate, teddy bears and the like before classes commenced. Lila momentarily wondered what it would be like to be showered with such gifts but shrugged the thought off as fast as it had come. Wishful thinking wouldn’t help her with the more pressing matters that she needed to address.


    By the time she arrived, there weren’t many other girls in the change room, which filled Lila with relief. Facing the cream brick wall, Lila quickly began to change out of her school’s alternative blouse and skirt combo. The buttons on her blouse easily came undone, much to her chagrin – she wasn’t able to find her newer uniforms as they were all in the wash at home. Lila, having slipped on her much roomier PE polo and shorts, was pulling her runners on when Ayla and another female student waltzed in, giggling amongst themselves.


    They didn’t appear to react to Lila’s presence in the change room and were instead absorbed in their conversation about who had received what that morning and speculating who might get asked out that day. It didn’t pique Lila’s interest in the slightest, so she left, her heart just about leaping out of her chest.


    Now that she had actually seen Ayla, the thought of talking to Ayla sent her nerves on edge. What would she even say? ‘“Hey, are you talking about me?” Yeah, right. As if she’d answer that one…’ Lila gritted her teeth at the thought as she slowly made her way to the spacious, full-sized basketball court within the gymnasium. The gymnasium also had a stage, given it was used for assemblies and other important events at school, but today it was curtained off. It didn’t appear that any students were lingering on it either.


    Ms Wright, an athletic, young, brunette teacher with a severe fringe and bright pink glasses, was already standing in the middle of the court in her PE tracksuit, stretching. Behind her sat a conspicuous silver wireless speaker, which stood out to Lila as being odd for PE. Some students were following Ms Wright’s stretch routine while others were splayed around the court floor, chattering excitedly.


    Since starting Grade Eleven, Lila had noticed that most of the Core classes that she had shared exclusively with her Pastoral Care (aka PC) classmates for the past several years now contained a mishmash of students across the whole cohort, PE being one of them. Lila knew this was to account for the various combinations of the higher-level classes that her cohort was now taking, but it still took some time to get used to. Disappointingly, she hadn’t been lucky enough this year to have had Grace or Elise share her PE class and so had thus far kept to herself as best she could.


    However, she was also unfortunate enough to share PE class with Asher. Whilst it hadn’t been a problem for the beginning of the term, due to her intent on remaining as invisible as possible, this fact now made her anxious, given his strange behaviour yesterday and the circumstances they now found themselves in that she was trying to resolve. After a desperate, wild glance around the court, Lila couldn’t see him and breathed a small sigh of relief. She then picked a spot near Ms Wright to sit down and wait.


    It didn’t take long for the rest of the class to file through. Once everyone was seated, Ms Wright called the roll before clapping her hands together, a mischievous grin making its way across her face.


    “In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I have some news. For the next couple of weeks, we will be practising dancing,” Ms Wright exclaimed, her voice echoing against the gymnasium’s walls. All background chatter ceased immediately at these words. Lila stared up at Ms Wright in shock.


    “This is to prepare you all for semi-formal, of course,” Ms Wright continued, pacing in front of the class. “I can finally tell you all that the semi-formal will be held on the 21^st of April, in this very hall.”


    Several hands instantly shot up from the crowd of students.


    “Yes, Ayla?” called Ms Wright, pointing to an especially outstretched hand.


    “That’s not nearly enough time to prepare,” replied Ayla in an almost whine, her own voice also reverberating across the gymnasium. “Why isn’t it in, like, the middle of the year?”


    “It’s always been held towards the end of April,” Ms Wright replied simply, shrugging. “I would know – I did attend Forestglade College too. I did not realise that it would come as a shock that this tradition would continue.”


    Lila heard indistinct grumbling amongst her classmates but focused on Ms Wright as she continued to speak.


    “The semi-formal will require you all to know a couple of dances. Each PC class will be assigned either Dance A or Dance B and called upon during the semi-formal to dance. Additionally, there will be some two-person songs played, so I’ll need to teach you the waltz box step as well. We’ll start with that as it’s the simplest of the dances. So… I’ll grab a student now to demonstrate the waltz box step…”


    Lila immediately tried her best to look as though she was a part of the floor to no avail, particularly as no other students were sitting around her to provide any sort of cover.


    “Lila, please join me to demonstrate the feminine role in the waltz box step.”


    Sighing, Lila stood up and approached Ms Wright, dragging her feet as much as she could in displeasure. It didn’t help Lila’s case that Ms Wright was also the hockey coach for the past several years, which Lila had been a part of since grade eight. Ms Wright was clearly enjoying Lila’s despair at having been called up by the fact that she appeared to be holding back a smile.


    “Alright, I’ll lead,” announced Ms Wright once Lila stood in front of her. They went through the steps of the waltz box step, including a small twirl, a couple times before Ms Wright turned back to the class, seemingly satisfied with Lila’s progress.


    “Okay…” Ms Wright said, looking towards the crowd of students for a moment. “Asher, please join me,” she called out, “I’ll need you to demonstrate the masculine role. Lila, get back here. You’re not dismissed yet.”


    Lila flushed bright red and returned to her previous position. Her attempt at slinking away into the crowd had failed, causing a ripple of whispered conversation to emerge amongst her classmates.


    Asher coolly stood up from where he had been seated and made his way over to Ms Wright and Lila. He did not look at Lila once.


    Once they were finished going through the waltz box step, Ms Wright beamed at Asher and Lila. Lila’s heart dropped as she began to realise the next stage of their demonstration. She tried desperately to convey to Ms Wright that she should be sent back into the crowd wordlessly through her body language and her wide, anxious eyes, but Ms Wright didn’t appear to notice.


    “Alright,” Ms Wright said, “now you two will need to put together what you’ve just learnt and demonstrate to the class, please.”


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    It felt as though the blood in Lila’s legs had been replaced with lead. She couldn’t find the strength to move any closer to Asher, who was still refusing to look directly at Lila’s face. Internally, she was screaming to escape as fast as she could, but her body wouldn’t respond. He inched his way over to her with his hands firmly in his pockets. It felt like Lila forgot how to breathe with each passing second in his presence. Now that they were so close again, she could see that, while Asher remained markedly untidy, at least the circles under his eyes were far less pronounced.


    They stood almost arm-length apart, Lila awkwardly averting her eyes from his face, blindly fishing for his hand. Upon finding it, Lila hoped that the heat from her face was only perceptible to herself. His hand was warm and much bigger than hers. As it gently cupped hers, Lila felt a rush of tingles run down her arm. She couldn’t tell whether it was his hand or hers that was slick with sweat but prayed that either way, he didn’t notice. Asher moved his hand slightly and Lila realised that he was trying to ensure there was as much distance between them as possible without breaking formation.


    Lila could hear her classmates giggling and whispering as they stood in an awkward embrace, waiting for Ms Wright’s cue to begin. This was absolutely the worst situation she could have found herself in while trying to combat the rumours swirling around them both. ‘Why did Ms Wright have to pick ME?’ Lila complained to herself, looking down at their feet. She tried to suck in a deep breath, slow her racing heart and loosen her tense shoulders, though this proved futile.


    “Come on, get closer. You’ll just end up looking terrible,” Ms Wright said sharply, grasping Asher and Lila’s shoulders and shuffling them closer together. Lila could feel Asher’s heat even more intensely. If she wasn’t flushed before, she certainly was now.


    “And look at each other. Please,” Ms Wright added, stepping back. “You’ll just step on each other’s feet if you keep staring at them. And as you’re dancing, try to get into a rhythm.”


    A shrill shriek accompanied by fits of laughter from several classmates burst from the students on the court. Ms Wright sighed heavily, turning towards her charges with her hands on her hips.


    “Guys, this is not on,” she said sternly. “You’re in Year Eleven now. It won’t be long until you’re adults in the real world. There’s no need for this childish behaviour.”


    “Sorry ma’am,” the class mumbled in unison. Lila could still hear a snicker here and there, but the class fell silent otherwise.


    “I expect you all to be watching,” Ms Wright called, stepping away from Lila and Asher now, folding her arms. “Because in a few minutes, you’ll all get into pairs and do it yourselves.”


    Dissatisfied grumbles cropped up from the crowd but Ms Wright either didn’t notice or pretended not to notice as she clasped her hands together.


    “Alright you two,” she said, nodding encouragingly. “Off you go.”


    A basic waltz beat began to sound from the speaker behind them. Lila tentatively raised her head to look at Asher’s face. His eyes were looking behind her, but Lila could have sworn that his face was tinged with pink. They continued to stand together, unmoving. Panic began to settle in Lila’s chest as she tried to search her memory for the instructions to the waltz box step. She came up empty.


    Keeping in time to the beat, Asher abruptly began to move, firmly grasping Lila’s shoulder and guiding their footing with apparent ease. He almost seemed like a professional dancer, until he trampled Lila’s toes. She winced but persisted along with the routine regardless. It didn’t take long for Lila’s body to fall into step with Asher, joining his rhythm and adding her own sway on occasion.


    Their initial awkwardness completely melted away as Asher spun Lila, catching her again immediately. A smile began to blossom on Asher’s face as they continued and he finally looked into her own eyes, a blazing intensity behind his expression that she couldn’t fathom. It caught her off guard. Lila stumbled slightly, and his expression quickly returned to neutrality as they recovered their rhythm. At the slightest hint of pressure, Lila followed Asher’s guide and after a few more completed box steps, Asher twirled her again. This time, however, he didn’t meet her eyes, looking instead just past Lila’s right ear.


    Ms Wright began to clap, and smatterings of applause from their classmates followed her lead. Asher and Lila slowed their steps down to a halt, their breathing slightly laboured.


    “That was brilliant, guys. Good work. You can take a break while everyone else gives it a go,” Ms Wright grinned, pausing the music. Lila returned to her original spot on the court, sitting down and pulling her knees to her chest. Her body felt alight with tingles, which began to fade now that she was no longer in Asher’s vicinity.


    The class erupted into loud discussion as Lila’s classmates began to pair up. Ms Wright roamed the court, adjusting postures and reminding students of the flow of the dance before returning to the front of the class, arms akimbo.


    “Let’s see if you guys can match Lila and Asher’s moves,” she said with a wry smile, winking at Lila and turning the music back on.


    There were more boys than girls in this class, and Lila watched on in amusement at a couple of paired boys, Justin Daly and Connor Williams, who tried to outdo everyone else in the class through added twists and flourishes as they danced. This included an impressive high kick from Connor that resulted in his shoe flying across the court. Many classmates complained of their partners treading on their toes, and others remained so uncoordinated that even Ms Wright’s personal instructions couldn’t rectify them. The majority of the class seemed to get the hang of it though and it wasn’t long before Ms Wright made her way over to Lila, bending down to her eye level.


    “Are you ready to continue practising?” Ms Wright asked, removing her glasses to wipe them on her shirt.


    “U-Um, I don’t think-”


    “Perfect,” Ms Wright said cheerily, straightening up. She gestured for Lila to stand, which she reluctantly did. Ms Wright briskly walked over to Justin and Connor, both of whom were now shoeless and kicking the air ferociously. Lila trailed behind curiously.


    “Boys,” Ms Wright said exasperatedly, interrupting their interpretive dance that resembled two chickens having a stand-off far more than the waltz box step. “Whilst I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves, unless you want to look like a fool in front of all the girls at semi-formal, I suggest you try and rein it in. Lila, please pair up with Connor. Justin, I’ll have you with Asher. Follow me, please.”


    Ms Wright swept past Connor, making a beeline towards Asher, who was looking at the floor as if zoned out. Justin was close behind with his head hung low.


    Connor turned to Lila, a cheeky grin across his freckled face. He gave her a low bow before standing up again, assuming the correct formation for the masculine role.


    “Let’s dance, m’lady.”


    A wave of repulsion washed over Lila, however, she settled into the correct stance all the same.


    “Please never call me – or anyone, actually – m’lady again,” Lila said drily as they began to dance. Connor’s face turned beet-red but he didn’t say anything in return. Try as Lila might, she could not fall into a comfortable sense of rhythm with Connor, partly because he kept kicking her feet accidentally. Somehow dancing with Connor felt flat and aimless, even when he twirled Lila. As they kept practicing, his arm slowly drifted down her back. Lila quickly ducked, ensuring his hand rested back up on her shoulder, but it began making its way lower yet again.


    “Oi,” barked a voice behind them, “hands should be by the shoulders.”


    Connor and Lila both sprang apart, staring about in the direction of the voice. It was Asher, dragging Justin along stiffly. Actually, it looked more like Asher was propping Justin up like a ragdoll than anything else. Asher’s eyes were sharp and narrowed, glaring at Connor.


    “Or what?” Connor asked, lowering his hand again. “Don’t want me touching your side woman when you’ve already got a girlfriend? Don’t be greedy, mate.”


    Asher threw Justin’s hands off him, who emitted a surprised whimper, stepping toe-to-toe with Connor. Connor, being several centimetres shorter than Asher, immediately receded under Asher’s intimidating shadow, stepping backwards. Asher’s face was white, his hands balled up and shaking. His mouth was set in a hard line as he exhaled forcefully. It seemed, for a moment, like he was going to punch Connor. Many of their classmates were now openly staring in their direction, craning their necks to see the scene unfolding.


    “Asher, it’s fine,” Lila said immediately, attempting to step between the two. Asher’s eyes quickly flickered to Lila before he turned away, grabbing hold of Justin’s wrists and dragging him back to where they had come from.


    Lila gaped after Asher before slowly turning to Connor, who still looked fretfully in Asher’s direction. She hadn’t ever seen Asher get aggressive like that before now.


    “S-Shall we?” Lila said hesitantly, getting back into the proper stance. Connor nodded slowly and rejoined her. This time, he seemed to have gotten the hint loud and clear. He thankfully behaved, glancing over his shoulder every so often, for the rest of the lesson before Ms Wright called the class together to debrief.


    “We’ll come back to this dance next lesson,” Ms Wright told the class once they had sat back down on the court. Some, mostly males, groaned in response. Ms Wright raised her hands, gesturing for silence. “Once I’m satisfied you’ve got the hang of it, we can move on to the group dances. Those are a bit more fun.”


    Ms Wright checked her watch briefly before clapping her hands together and dismissing everyone to the change rooms.


    Now that her class weren’t entertained by their dance partners, Lila felt the now-familiar feeling of too many eyes on her as she scarpered to the change room. An ominous feeling flooded through her as she tried to ignore the stares. Whilst she was glad that Ms Wright had paired her up with Connor after the demonstration, she was sure that the commotion hadn’t been unnoticed.


    ‘So much for Asher trying to stay away from me to help the rumours die down,’ Lila thought as she threw her gym clothes into her bag, her face burning.