There was something about the way she smiled that caused Mia’s heart to jump into her throat. Maybe it was the way that she never smiled with her full mouth, only pulling up the right corner of her mouth.
Wynn Reinhardt was Mia’s definition of beauty. The girl practically floated into every room she entered. Mia remembered Wynn mentioning that she took ballet. She never cared about dance or the arts, but if Wynn was, then Mia was definitely interested.
The school year was coming to an end. The flowers were beginning to bloom and the days were getting warmer. Mia was thankful for the heat. It gave her an excuse as to why she was sweating every time Wynn leaned close to her when she would ask about a math problem that the teacher was going over.
Wynn’s hair was the color of sunshine. Mia always chided herself for thinking that, but she couldn’t help the thought. Wynn had a way about her that made her seem like she was glowing. Everything she said sounded like music to Mia’s ears. Her voice was soft, never harsh.
It was the last week of senior year when Wynn stopped Mia before she left the class.
“Hey, do you like ballet?” Wynn asked.
“I’ve never danced, but I always thought it was cool.” Mia replied.
A slight shade of pink settled on Wynn’s cheeks. “Would you like to go to my recital? I dance for one of the big dance studios in the area, so you’d get to see some great dancing. And, uh…”
“I’d love to,” Mia replied a little too quickly, a little too excitedly. Her response was greeted by Wynn’s smile.
“Great!” She produced a piece of paper and a pen from her purse and scribbled a few lines and handed it to Mia. “It’s this Saturday at six. Seating fills up pretty fast, so you might want to get there a little early.”
“Of course,” Mia smiled.
Wynn began to shift her things and walk backwards. “We better head to class before we’re late.”
“Yeah,” Mia breathed. “See you later.”
The rest of the week passed in a blur of days and nights. Attempting to concentrate in class felt useless to Mia. She could only think of Wynn and her invitation. What did it mean? Was it just an invitation to watch some ballet, or was it something more? Did it mean something or was she just playing it up in her mind?
Saturday morning, Mia could barely contain her excitement. Her mom, Shery, finally asked what was going on.
“That girl I told you about, Wynn? She invited me to see her preform tonight.”
“You were supposed to take me to the mall to hang out with Meghan,” Mia’s younger brother, Zach complained.
“Are you going to be able to drop him off still?” Shery asked.
“Yeah,” Mia said and turned to Zach, “You need to be there at five, right?”
“Actually I’m supposed to meet her at –”
“Five.” Shery interjected. Zach began to protest and she raised an eyebrow. “You’re meeting her at five.”
“What’s going on?” Mia’s dad, Jay, asked as he entered the kitchen.
“Mia has a date.”
“Mom –”
“Oh,” Jay said in a sing-song voice. “Who’s the lucky lady?”
Mia blushed. “Wynn.”
“That Reinhardt girl you’ve been talking about for forever?” Jay asked.
“Yeah, the one that she hasn’t shut up about all year.” Zach said.
“Hush,” scorned Shery. “Go clean your room or else you’re not going to the mall at all.” She said to Zach.
“But Mom –”
“Go.” A heavy sigh broke from Zach’s lips as he stood up from the table and began to walk away. “Plate.” Shery said. Zach turned around and grabbed his plate and placed it in the sink as he passed it.
“So, when are you going to be home?” Jay asked as he picked up some bacon that was leftover in the skillet and put it on his plate.
“How long does a ballet recital last?” Mia asked, looking at her mom, who shrugged.
“Well, we know how much of a rebel you are.” Jay said sarcastically. “We’ll see you when we see you.” He leaned over and kissed the top of Mia’s head before he sat down. “Just be safe. Call us if you need anything.”
“I will.” Mia smiled. She finished off the last of her eggs and stood up, collecting her plate as well as her mom’s, who had finished a couple minutes ago. She placed them in the sink and rinsed them off a little with the tap water before she went upstairs. She had to figure out what to wear.
“What do people wear to a ballet recital?” Mia asked herself as she looked into her closet. Suddenly, nothing looked good enough. Most of her shirts were funny t-shirts or t-shirts from vacations or sporting events. Her chest tightened. What if when she got there, everyone was really dressed up? What if she dressed up, and everyone was dressed casually.
Mia threw herself onto her bed with a groan. “That’s it, I’m not going.” Mia said aloud as she squeezed her eyes shut.
“Oh really?” Shery asked as she cracked open the door. Mia opened one eye and looked at her mom.
“Yes, really.”
“And why’s that?” Shery asked as she sat on the end of Mia’s bed.
“I don’t know what to wear.”
“Look at you, being a typical teenage girl.” Shery chided as she poked Mia’s ribs. A soft laugh escaped Mia’s lips and she sat up.
“What does someone wear to a ballet recital?”
“Just wear a nice top and some jeans, sweetie.”
“None of my shirts look nice.”
“What about…” Shery stood up and walked over to Mia’s closet. The hangers clinked together as they were pushed around. “What about this one?” She asked as she pulled out a dark blue shirt.
“Perfect.” Mia smiled.
“Okay, Mom or Dad will be here to pick you up around eight.” Mia told Zach as he began to get out of the car.
“I know, Mi,” he said, using his old nickname for his sister. He shut the door and took a few steps then turned around and leaned on the frame, sticking his head through the open window. “Look, I don’t know if this chick likes you or not or whatever. But…just, good luck tonight.”
“Thanks Zach,” Mia smiled.
“If she doesn’t like you like that. Don’t worry, okay? You’ll find the perfect girl one day.” He tapped the door frame. “Don’t ever bring this up again, got it?” He said.
“Of course. Never happened.” Zach nodded and turned away. Mia watched to make sure he went through the doors of the mall before she pulled out of the parking lot and began her trip to the recital.
It was difficult to find a parking spot once she got there, but managed to find one near the back of the lot. “She did warn me,” Mia whispered to herself as she hurriedly made her way to the auditorium.
Once inside the door, her senses were assaulted with the smell and sight of flowers. People were selling them, and several adults where carrying bouquets as they entered the auditorium to take their seats. Mia stopped cold. Was she supposed to bring flowers? What would Wynn think if she gave her flowers? What would she think if Mia didn’t get her flowers? Would she be disappointed?
“Is this your first time?” A man asked. Mia looked up to see a college-aged man who looked just as nervous as she was.
“Yeah,”
“My girlfriend is in the recital, I’ve never even see a ballet performance before.” The man laughed nervously. He moved his bouquet from one arm to the other and offered his hand. “I’m Ethan.”
She shook his hand, “Mia.”
“Is your boyfriend one of the dancers?”
Mia shook her head, “No, but the girl I have a crush on is.”
Ethan raised his eyebrows, “Oh! Okay! What’s her name?”
“Wynn Reinhardt.”
“Michelle told me that she’s really good.” Ethan nodded. “She’s got real talent.”
“I believe it,” Mia replied, envisioning Wynn walking into the classroom with her light steps.
“Are you going to buy her flowers?” Ethan gestured to the flower stand. “I really suggest it. Girls go nuts for that kind of stuff.”
“I guess so,” Mia laughed.
Ethan handed her some money, “Go get your girl.” He said and walked away before Mia could offer him his money back. Mia turned to the flower stand and walked over. She grabbed the brightest bouquet she could find and paid the vendor. Wynn would like it, Mia affirmed herself. She was a bright, happy person.
Mia found a seat near the middle of the auditorium, close to the center of the stage. She wanted to see everything and not miss a single moment of the performance.
The lights dimmed and music began to play. The curtains on the stage pulled back and dancers twirled across the stage. Bodies leapt through the air and floated along the ground.
It didn’t take long for Mia to spot Wynn. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, it wasn’t flowing around her shoulders like normal, but it was still the color of sunshine. Wynn’s crooked smile lit up the entire stage and yet again caused Mia’s heart to lodge itself into her throat.
The performance ended all too soon for Mia’s liking. The lights came back on and people shuffled their way to the exit. Mia gathered that no one was allowed backstage to see who they came to see and had to wait in the lobby for them to come out.
Mia waited as close to the backstage door as she could. Her heart was beating so fast it was as if it was trying to win a race.
“Mia!” Wynn’s cheerful voice broke through the sound of the crowd. Mia turned to see Wynn dressed in a jacket and sweatpants. Her hair was still in the bun and her stage makeup was still on her face.
“Hey Wynn,” Mia smiled. She offered the flowers to Wynn, who grinned and took them into her arms.
“Oh thank you! They’re beautiful!”
“You were great out there.” Mia said.
“I messed up on the –”
“Wynn!” A female shouted as she appeared from the crowd. She was dressed similarly to Wynn and wore similar makeup.
“Mia, this is Michelle,” Wynn said, introducing them. “Michelle is one of my friends that I dance with, if you couldn’t tell.” Wynn laughed. Mia arched an eyebrow. Was that nervousness in her laugh? She mentally shook her head. Of course not. Why would she be nervous?
“You’re Ethan’s girlfriend, aren’t you?” Mia asked.
“You know Ethan?” Michelle asked, surprised.
“I just met him in the lobby before the performance.” Mia said with a laugh. “He actually gave me the money to buy the flowers.”
Michelle laughed. “Yeah, he’s like that. I love him to death though.” Michelle looked at Wynn and then at Mia and repeated. “Oh my God. You’re the Mia she’s been talking about nonstop!”
Wynn’s eyes widened in horror. “Mich–”
“Michelle!” Ethan shouted as he spotted his girlfriend. “I’ve been looking for you!”
“Sorry,” Michelle said sheepishly as Ethen kissed her cheek.
“These are for you m’lady.” He said with a slight bow. Michelle laughed and took the flowers and kissed him.
“M’lady? Are we in the olden days?” Michelle asked.
“No, but we’re going to be late for our reservation if we don’t hurry.”
“I’m sorry to rush off, but we have to go.” Michelle said apologetically to Wynn and Mia.
“You’re fine,” Wynn said through clenched teeth.
Michelle and Ethan turned to leave. After they were a few feet away, Michelle turned back, “Nice to meet you, Mia!” She shouted then mouthed ‘sorry’ to Wynn.
Mia turned to Wynn. “So…you’ve been talking about me?”
Wynn nodded as a blush rose to her cheeks. “Only good things, I promise.”
“You see, that’s funny.”
“How?”
Mia took a deep breath, “Because I’ve been talking about you to.”
Wynn smiled the biggest smile that Mia has ever seen grace her features. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Mia nodded.
“Mia?”
“Ye–” her words were cut short as Wynn pressed her lips against hers.
Mia’s body relaxed as Wynn pulled away. “I hope it was only good things.” Wynn said.
“What else would there be?” Mia asked.
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