Dance your heart out

t beginning to set as

ia, made their way t

village. They have been

a was supposed to leav

he air, as the local f

d laughter wafting thr

e main square, the si

hift platform construct

anners, and a small orc

g for the night's ent

ettled on a group of p

t, colorful costumes c

then he saw her. A gir

her shoulders, and ey

as if time slowed dow

as he gazed upon her.

dn't tear h

ey adjusted the straps on her

ed for her performance.

, she had been invit

ght of dancing in fron

intimidating. As Alic

t her routine, her g

e faces of the people

on a boy standing towa

taring at her, his e

ing else, something al

ing, and Alice's body

ach twirl, was perfe

s captivating. She w

t the stars, and Kris

The music started pla

e rhythm. Each step, e

esence on stage was

efly dancing amongst th

ble to look away. Her

ch movement executed w

her hair flared out b

es sparkled with an in

The audience was enr

of her lithe form, but

ely drawn to the woman

art in her slender, d

r, Sophia, noticed the

the stage, his face a

cribed as fascination.

-haired dancer moving

her, and a small, kno

brother gently, a li

ic

spered. "I've never seen

his attention broken. He looked at

But the flush on his c

e the truth

n," he replied,

lacking in conviction. Sophia laughed softl

on. I know that fac

by her. A

his mouth

is lips as he returned

down his spine as she

owed, his throat suddenl

intrig

d, her gaze lo

d, huh? That's a pol

ctically d

d his eyes

ent. "I am not droo

in his voice, only a

it," he continued,

she's an incredible d

ng lik

d, her expre

hould introduce you

he perf

e to his sister, his

ding? I can

leaned in, a misch

t like she's going to

usly, the thought of

alms sweaty. "But.

f she thinks I'm a

"You're seriously over

e yourself some credit." She gave him a ge

e says no? Life goes

you t

nning a hand th

but the thought of re

y the pull he felt tow

s chest every time

e stage, catching a

spun. "Okay, I'l

to himself t

iving him a quick pa

's get closer. I don

e stage, Kris' heart th

e his eyes off Alice,

ularly graceful move. His sister leane

te

e, his heart still r

he realization that he

feel both excited and

rousers, his mind alr

ifferent

n eternity, the dance ended with

took a bow, her cheeks

audience. It was then

ng for a brief moment

heat rise in his

whispered, her voice f

you. Now's y

but he knew that his sister w

" he mumbled. He took a step forward a

As he approached, Alice was sur

em congratulating her

the group, his heart

rmers not

u?" a performer

on in h

ered, "I was won

who was just on stag

p and down, taking in

urning t

meone here to se

ing to

alking to another per

with Kris'. The corner

l, curiou

ed, her voice c

as a hint of intrigue i

up, her eyes never le

or y

denly finding it ha

iful up close. "I..

round nervously befor

to say that your da

reathta

e widened, a

. "Thank you," she

shy gratitude. "I'm

t in her mesmerizing e

ake on a hot summer's d

ng else to say, someth

Luckily, Sophia chose

e scene unfolding from

r brother a bit of a p

Alice with a friend

said cheerfully, "b

He's been staring

to Kris, her smile tu

ed, her voice lac

me sound like a creep..

on his

ant. "I'm just stating the facts, b

glare, his cheeks bur

took a deep breath and

her to ignore his siste

ce seemed more amused

e soft, melod

ling," she said, her gaze s

ed, not expecting tha

e cheeks were now a d

k to Alice with a

, Kris? She do

nudging

like he was being to

couldn't deny the thri

isked a glance at her

njoying this as muc

s stuttered, hi

sight of her smirk. He

of her fellow perform

o head to the pub for

the tension. Alice turned to look at h

So

, right? Maybe yo

o we won't get lo

damn well that one of t

could easly le

her directness, but then he c

utiful. He looked at

eyes practically glea

ed, feeling a newf

d with a clear purpo

a

nd her hand, silently

und c

id, her eyes spar

f our costumes, and we

of performers moved

e area, leaving Kr

heart pounding in hi

eve that she was really

le, was grinning at h

smooth," she tease

actually going to sho

esse

s retorted, th

s words. He was too bu

es

Sophia said,

. "You're doing grea

ng stupid, and you'll

o y

her skeptically

ancer, Soph. From the

me all t

yourself short,

his self-deprecati

still here, asking yo

uld've just said bye w

nstead..." Before she

off with

t being poli

for me for being s

d, exasperated. "You

too much, alright? Yo

with any other girl. Ju

And hey, she invited m

your ass in case she tu

chuckle at that. Desp

. "All right, all r

r, if you embarrass m

pushed him playfully

she teased. Kris ro

his lips. He shoved

tension of the situat

ce and her gro