Ten Reasons Not To Die
Day 2 Dancing
When my mother was a young adult, she was already a prima ballerina. By the age of twenty one, she was already getting lead roles in ballet shows, playing from Clara from the Nutcracker to Juliet of Romeo and Juliet.
Before my parents died in a traumatic car accident when I was seven, she taught me how to do the basic steps of dancing. And when she died, I didn't give up. Even though I didn't have the money to go to dance lessons, I would train myself at home, working on my technique and flexibility.
I stopped when I was twelve, just because I had given up hope.
So When Evan asked me earlier today what I've always wanted to be, I made the mistake by answering, 'a dancer'.
He wouldn't tell me at first where he was driving me, but I knew immediately when I walked in, and faced the empty stage.
"You're going to dance today, just you." Evan smiled proudly, already dragging me down the aisle to get up the stage.
My eyes widened, as I shook my head. "You're not making me go up there. I haven't danced in four years!"
Evan chuckled. "Well, it's never too late to start again, yeah?"
He gave me one big push, as I stumbled up on that stage. The bright lights shined down on me, making it hard for me to spot Evan on the crowd below. I squinted, raising a hand over my eyes. "Evan, I don't think this is a good idea." I said.
"Come on! Just take off your shoes, and twirl around." Evan encouraged, making me cross my arms.
"Let's just go somewhere else, yeah?" I suggested, as I began to walk down the stairs.
Before I could, Evan stopped me, as he hopped on the stage himself. He pressed a button on the remote he had on his hand. Immediately, a song began to play from the speakers. The song was had a nice rhythm to it, and it was definitely lyrical.
"If you don't dance anytime soon, I'll make you." Evan warned, taking his hand in mine.
I pursed my lips, as he led me to the middle of the stage.
"Now, I don't know much about dancing. But, just follow my lead, okay?" Evan said.
I hesitantly nodded, feeling a familiar feeling in my stomach. Evan placed two hands by my waist, as I slowly placed my hands around his neck.
Needless to say, Evan was a horrible dancer. Too many times, he stepped on my foot. I stared up to his eyes, as they sparkled down on my dull ones. His eyes ignited With something that I haven't seen in so long, hope.
Soon, I began to lose myself to the music. I don't know when Evan started to let go, but he did. I let myself go as I did multiple turns, something I've been practicing for years. As I leapt across that stage with such graceful movement, I saw my mother standing by the stage, watching me With tears in her eyes, tears of joy.
I only realized that I was dancing a solo when the music ended, and I found Evan standing below stage, smiling up at me.
"That was amazing." He finally said, making me let out a deep breath of air.
"That felt so good." I whispered under my breath, but I knew Evan could still hear me. "I felt like my mom was there with me."
"So dancing, it connects you with your mother?" he asked, as I came down the stage, wiping the sweat across my forehead.
I licked my lips, as Evan stared down at me. "I don't know." I muttered.
Evan gave me a small smile. "Just think about it, Remy. If you performed as well as you did just now, you have a whole future ahead of you."
I laughed weakly. "But, I would never have enough money to get classes."
"Don't give up on it, Remy." He patted my back. "Sometimes, it's not about the money. It's about talent. If you love dancing, don't let go of it."
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Ten Reasons Not To Die
Day 3 Baking
Evan rang by the orphanage late in the afternoon the next Monday after school ended. I wasn't expecting to see him, but I wasn't surprised, either.
"Do you know this boy?" Mother Grace asked me after calling me down from my room. She tried her best to hide the shocked tone in her voice, since I never, ever get any Visitors.
My eyes locked with Evan's, as he gave me a small smile. "We go to school together."
"Oh." Mother Grace smiled back at Evan.
"It's nice to see you with a friend, Remy."
I licked my lips. "We aren't necessarily-"
"If you don't mind, Mother Grace," Evan shot her a sweet smile, "I'd like to take Remy out for an hour or two?"
Mother Grace nodded, patting me on the back. I groaned, rolling my eyes as she gave me a small shove towards Evan. "Take her out as long as you want. Remy barely ever leaves the orphanage, except when she goes to school."
Evan grinned. "I'll take good care of her."
With that, I followed Evan out of the orphanage. Mother Grace closed the doors behind us, as I gave Evan a look. "Where are you taking me today?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from my tone.
Evan ignored my sarcastic remark, as he told me to get in his car. "I'm going to take you to my uncle's bakery."
I frowned. "What are we going to do at a bakery?"
"We're going to learn how to make triple chocolate cookies." Evan simply said.
We pulled up at a bakery that was well known in our town. I've been here once before, but that was before my parents died. They once took me here on my birthday, and let me choose whichever cake I wanted. I ended up picking the tastiest and chocolaty cake there was. I even remember the sly grin on Evan's uncle's face when I told him what I wanted.
"Evan!" a man said with flour all over his hands. "It's good to see you, boy."
"It's nice to see you too, Uncle Frank." Evan pulled me forward, introducing me. "This is Remy Montgomery, one of my friends."
Frank raised an eyebrow at Evan suggestively. "Are you sure the two of you aren't more than that?"
My eyes widened, as Evan turned beet red beside me. "Yes, I'm sure Uncle Frank." He hissed. "Did you get all the ingredients out to make the cookies?"
"Of course, Evan!" Uncle Frank smirked.
"Your parents made sure I made the date perfect for the two of you. They were starting to get worried that you were turning gay, since you never went on a date before."
I muffled hack a laugh, as Evan fumed beside me. His arm latched around my wrist, pulling me towards the kitchen. "Let's go, Remy." He muttered with embarrassment.
"Have you ever baked before?" he asked, as we entered the kitchen area.
I shook my head. "All the nuns do the cooking back in the orphanage."
"Alright." Evan chuckled. "I've never baked, either. So, I guess we're starting from scratch."
I smiled slyly. "Great. So we start making the dough, right?"
Evan looked confused as he stared at all the ingredients. "Right." He muttered unsurely, taking a few eggs from the fridge. "Let's start by cracking these."
We cracked the eggs, occasionally getting some shells in the bowl. As I began to whisk the eggs and add sugar and salt, Evan was trying to figure out how to open the bag of flour. "Do we have any scissors here?" he asked, trying to rip open the seal. Just as I was about to hand him a pair of scissors, the bag of flour erupted onto his face.
He stared up at me with disbelief; face entirely covered with white powder. I hit back a laugh, as I handed him the scissors. "Still need them?" I asked teasingly.
Evan stood up, as the flour dripped down to his shirt. "You think this is funny?" he asked, raising a white eyebrow.
I grinned as he began to come closer to me. My smile faded once he began to open his arms out wide. "What are you-" I started off.
Evan pulled me into a bone crushing hug, rubbing his face all over my shoulder. I coughed from all the flour, pushing him off.
When I pulled away, I noticed powder all over my hair and clothes. I glared at Evan, picking up the carton of eggs. "You're going to regret that, Woods." I smirked, tossing a egg in his direction.
The egg landed on his chest, cracking open. Evan's face was priceless, as he took some baking powder out from a bowl. He tossed it in my direction, as the powder covered me entirely.
I glared at him. This meant war.
Not even after a few minutes, we were covered in baking necessities from head to toe. We looked ridiculous.
"How are the cookies going?" Frank poked his head in.
His eyes widened at the mess, as his jaw dropped. "Oh my Lord!" he yelped.
I bit my lower lip guiltily. "I-I'm so sorry. I'll clean it up."
"Oh no, honey!" he stared at me. "I'm not blaming you! I'm blaming Evan here! How do you egg a girl on your first date?!���
Evan's eyes shifted over to mine, as a grin spread across his lips. "Reason number three, Remy. Baking. We should definitely bake more often."
"Not in my kitchen!" Frank snapped.
Thanks for all the support on this story so far! Also, I 'm looking for anyone to make me a cover? :) I 'm really bad at them, so I 'd love for someone to make me one? Thanks!