"You know that my grandmother prays a lot that's all," Marielle responded to Francie's question.
"So, she didn't do anything weird to rid you of whatever you saw?" Francie asked while he observed his friend closely.
"She told me what to say if ever I was confronted by something paranormal," Marielle replied.
"Well, that's not in my comfort zone, I have to tell you," Francie responded with a shudder. "Will you be able to do something like that though? Will you be able to cast off an actual ghost, Marielle?"
"We're gonna practice for if ever there's a need for that, but I really don't want to have those experiences," Marielle whispered sombrely as they walked into foyer of the dance studio.
"Oh, please don't invite me along when you do any kind of vanquishing," Francie responded.
Marielle's phone went off in her bag then. She took it out and glanced at it.
"It's Cliff," she announced before reading his text message.
"He isn't coming to class today because he isn't rehearsing," Marielle announced when she was done with reading the message.
"Maybe he can catch up with us in town," Francie responded before he walked into the male change room.
Marielle tried hard to focus on her leaps during the class.
"I have to raise my standard to match those Russian dancers' level," she told herself as she turned and jumped according to the fast paced music. Saturday morning dances were more contemporary and less classical. Marielle usually loved them. Today she was struggling to keep her mind from wandering off, though.
She spotted Kiara on the other end of the hall. She looked self-confident during her routine.
"Why would she have a problem with my progress?" Marielle asked herself. "It doesn't make sense because we're good at different techniques. We both have our strong points, but with different things," she continued as she shook her head.
***
Marielle and Francie gaped at the costumes that were hanging on the rails.
"It's just as beautiful as those hanging on rails at the dance studio in Observatory," Marielle commented, holding her cheeks in amazement.
"I told you it would be dazzling," Francie remarked. "It's even more stunning than on the website," he continued as he touched the beautiful fabric of the dresses.
"Are you sure that your Aunt Chrissy can recreate this?" Marielle murmured from behind her hand.
"Oh, most definitely," Francie responded without a pause. "You still have to see the stuff that she makes," he added with his chin raised proudly.
"Oh, there you are!" Marielle heard from behind her while she was considering Francie's comment. She turned around and saw Clifford rush over towards herself and Francie.
"Great, you're here, now we can have a lovely afternoon of pure relaxation," Marielle commented with a relieved look on her face.
"Do you guys want to go to the beach side for lunch?" Clifford asked.
"That sounds wonderful if you're sure that you want me along?" Francie teased. He knew that Marielle and Clifford had special feelings for each other, but he also knew that they were not yet supposed to date officially.
"The three of us have a lot to discuss, so there's not even a question about whether you're joining us or not," Marielle responded in a firm tone.
"Alright then, I won't protest. If it's anything to do with dance, I am more than willing to participate," Francie responded.
"Great, so, have you seen everything that you wanted to see?" Clifford asked. "These costumes are really stunning," he added as he began to look around.
"These are the ones which will be used for the new show," Marielle remarked as she pointed to a rail with white, feathered costumes hanging on it.
"Wow! These bodices are heavily beaded. The dancers will look like royalty," Clifford commented with a delighted glint in his eyes.
"What new show are you talking about, by the way?" he asked with a frown between his dark, full brows.
"It's a secret at the moment," Marielle whispered.
"But Kiara also knows about it, though I don't know how," Clifford remarked with a concerned look in his eyes.
"She wanted to know why you guys were not answering your phones," Clifford remarked. "Does she know that you're together?" he asked.
"We didn't tell her anything, but anyway, she disappeared after dance class, so it's her own fault if she got left behind," Marielle responded. "Anyway, we just didn't want to include her in this trip because it's also confidential," she added.
"But you say that she knows about the dance?" Clifford asked with a confused look on his face.
"She knows, but we don't know who her sources are. So, we have no idea about how much she knows," Francie explained. "Anyway, I don't have a good feeling about her, so I won't include her on a secret trip like this," he concluded.
"Won't she hate being ignored, though," Clifford asked. "If her intentions are not good to begin with, then ignoring her would only set her off to become really difficult," he tried to explain.
"You're talking as if she's psychotic," Clifford commented as the three of them began to walk out of the shop.
"I don't know, but being secretively jealous of your friend is not so healthy, in my opinion. I don't know about yours?" Francie responded with his lips in a straight, determined line.
"I don't know about that. Who told you anyway?" Marielle asked.
"Another close friend, but if I reveal his identity he will be disappointed in me and never confide in me again," Francie replied.
"Is he a reliable source though?" Marielle asked as she studied Francie's face carefully.
"Very reliable because he is related to Kiara," Francie replied with a broad, satisfied grin on his face.
"Alright then, this means that you shouldn't confide in that girl again, Kiara," Clifford cautioned. "If someone saw something which is believable, then you should rather take notice of what they say, for the sake of your own wellbeing," he added.
"So, does that mean that I should constantly ignore what she says?" Marielle asked with a confused look on her face.
"Just don't trust her," Francie advised. "But I know that it's going to be hard for you because you see only good in others," he added with a cynical look in his eyes.
"Really? Do you mean that I'm gullible?" Marielle asked with her eyes stretched wide.