“I'm not mad okay?” She cut him off as she tucked her hair behind her ears.
Aside from being pretty, smart and a great dancer, she must also control her nerves. But he didn't actually care about her cracked nerves. 
Silence bloomed between them for a while and as if he read her mind.
“Are you alright?” He asked softly as she bit her lower lip and sighed.
She threw a glance at him and quickly looked away as if she was avoiding peering into his mesmerizing blue eyes. 
She felt speechless for a moment before her curiosity kicked in. She faced him and decided to keep her gaze rested on his forehead instead of his eyes.
“What do you want from me?” Her voice was cold but he still didn't mind it.
He looked her in the eye. “I want to get to know you better and who knows, I might become someone you need.” 
Then her gaze locked in his. She was surprised but she didn't let it show. 
She just thought he was so brazen and for what's worth, she found it attractive. 
She bit her lip. “I'm sorry, I won't be needing anyone.” She blurted and ‘I won't be needing you’, she wanted to add but decided against it. He moved closer to her a little.
Her unstableness amplified seconds after seconds by his proximity. She tried to ignore the strange effect and awkwardness it inflicted on her.
Even though he wasn't so close to her, she could swear that he was messing with her mind.
“Alright, I understand it's not easy to trust or believe my sincerity_”
She blinked severally and mumbled. “You're right.” 
“But I really want to be friends with you.” He said slowly as he drew closer to her like he was conjuring a powerful spell on her.
“What if I refuse, what happens then?” She muttered.
“I know you're not mean, so don't try to be. Besides, why the awkward tension? It's just friends, nothing more.” He smiled at the look on her face.
She swallowed the lump at the back of her throat, digesting his words. Her stomach did a flip-flop as she took a couple steps back away from his strange and mesmerizing warmth.
She looked away and cleared her throat. “Nothing more, right?” She mumbled awkwardly.
He chuckled. “You make it sound like I'm a bad boy with no good intentions.” 
“Well, I don't believe you have good intentions but I think you deserve the benefit of a doubt.”
He shook his head and smiled. “A pretty good start, I must say. So what do you say, friends?” He offered a handshake in agreement whilst she stared down at his hand with clear hesitation.
“Friends.” She mumbled as she shook his hand. He smiled with satisfaction. 
She quickly slipped out her hand from his end cleared her throat. “I've gotta go now.”
She made to walk away when he spoke.
“I'm glad you accepted my proposal to be friends.” He slightly nodded at her.
“Right.” She looked away from him and slowly walked away.
**
“Hello Mady.” Isabelle said and tossed her leather bag on the couch.
“Hi Isa, how are you?” Madina asked whilst trying to stitch up a few clothes.
“Good. Where's Natanie? She's not here?” Isabelle looked around for her friend and decided to pour herself a glass of the usual lemonade Madina always prepared.
“Thought she was with you?” 
Isabelle shook her head. “No, I haven't seen her in a while.” 
“She must have probably gone home.” Madina said as she thought to ask Isabelle about Dave. 
“Isabelle, is there anything strange about the director?” 
“You mean Dave?” 
Madina nodded.
“No, why do you ask? Do you think there's something strange about him?” 
“No, I'm just asking.” 
“Well, for further information and clarity if need be, Dave's loving and also sweet. I think he's the sweetest man I've ever met and I like him.” 
Isabelle smiled dreamily and picked up her leather bag, and yanked it over her shoulder.
“You like him? You seem to be very fond of him.” 
“I am _ very fond of him.” Isabelle said and smiled her way out of the room.
Madina sighed, a part of her relieved that the director is definitely not how Natanie perceives him to be.
**
After another round of rehearsals the next day, Natanie walked down the hallway and raked her hands through her hair continuously. For some reason, she wasn't in a good mood and then she bumped into Sharon down the hallway. Natanie rolled her eyes whilst Sharon's full eyebrows furrowed with excitement at the sight of their star dancer.
“Hi Natanie.” Sharon greeted but Natanie isn't having any of it.
“Hi.” She tried to sound less annoyed.
“You're really doing great, I love your moves.” Sharon complimented.
“Thanks.” Natanie said coldly.
Sharon on the other hand, tried to force a smile in pretense that Natanie's attitude towards her wasn't so daunting. She's always wondered what she did so wrong to make Natanie hate her.
“Ugh _ see you later.” Sharon masked the awkwardness she felt and walked away.
Natanie rolled her eyes at her retreating figure. 
The one thing she hates about Sharon is her ability to not let her be. It was strange and awkward when she was a newbie at the Dance Palace but ever since she turned a cold shoulder, Sharon had limited her craziness around her. It's better this way, she thought.
She looked away as soon as Sharon was out of sight. She walked out of the building and out into the vast space. 
She froze on her feet when she caught sight of Isabelle, Dave and Fred. What is his doing here? She thought. God, just when she wants to avoid seeing people and more people show up.
She swallowed hard and approached them. 
“Hey there.” She managed to say to them as her eyes settled on Dave, before they rested on Fred.
“Hey.” Fred said as she smiled at him.
Fredrick looked like we was ready to devour her and he noticed the stress lines under her eyes.
“You look stressed.” Fred said as he further examined her with his eyes.
“I am_ stressed.” She mumbled, but trying to sound composed in front of Dave. Why was she trying to please him? She thought to herself. 
“I am too. Today's rehearsals really got everyone worked up.” Isabelle spoke as Natanie agreed with her. 
“Although, I must admit that you look more beautiful now more than ever.” Fredrick sounded cheesy which made her smile awkwardly in front of him. 
Dave hasn't said a word since she got here and Natanie finds that disturbing. 
Isabelle chuckled. “You two look good together.” Isabelle blurted as Natanie almost rolled her eyes. 
“We. Are. Good. Together. Right, Natanie?” Fred smiled at Natanie who bit her lip at Dave's awkward silence. His scrutinizing gaze and awkward silence made her head smoke.