Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I chuckle, feeling my mood lighten. It’s good to hear her so happy. A smile comes to my face as I sit back in my seat.
“Hello, Sim. What is this good news?”
“I’m going to be a dancer,” she gushes. “A ballerina. Madam Hellene saw me dance and took me to the dean to get me into her classes. Isn’t this wonderful? I think I will love to dance as much as I love to play.”
My chest tightens as my dreams of the faceless dancer fill my mind. Those long brown legs wrapped around my waist. I grow hard from the memory.
Quickly, I push the thought away. Symphony doesn’t have long legs, and I’m not interested in her in that way. I don’t know what has come over me.
I clear my throat. “That is wonderful. What will you need? I will ensure you have everything necessary for you to excel.
“Should I put you into lessons for you to catch up? Will this interfere with your music classes? How can I help?”
She releases the sweetest giggle. “I don’t need anything yet. I will let you know when I do.
“I don’t need lessons. Madam Hellene says I’m a born talent. This will be good for me.
“I will be able to make friends. Dancing isn’t as solitary as playing the piano. I’m so excited, Michael,” she rambles.
I can’t help the smile on my lips. I did do the right thing. This is the happiest I’ve ever heard her.
“I’m so proud of you, Sim.”
CHAPTER 21
Stepping In
Symphony
Two years later …
I thought I would have more friends by now. Not that I’m not trying. I must say that my developmental skills have improved. I also self-stimulate a whole lot less.
Annabella took me to a specialist my first year here in Boston. The visit was good for me. I learned to help myself.
Dr. Gideon has been kind and supportive. I don’t think I would have made it through the first two years without her. I wasn’t being bullied, but it was hard to get the other dancers to like me.
It was after the night I saved Ximena from that perv who tried to rob and assault her at gunpoint that I realized why they didn’t want to be my friends. Ximena explained to me that the others were jealous that I had walked in and excelled, earning the attention of Madam Hellene and her colleagues. It all made sense.
However, I was grateful that Ximena decided to befriend me. I look forward to our time together. She is patient and kind.
“Hey, why couldn’t we do something indoors? You want Frosty to take a bite out of my ass, don’t you?” Ximena says as she joins me for lunch.
I love to eat out here in this park. The cold air is refreshing and keeps the brain alert. I often come to run here with Adriano.
I laugh at Ximena as I close the book I had been reading. Annabella has sent me copies of her textbooks and syllabus for her current semester. I’m enjoying our study sessions over the phone.
It makes me happy that I can help her study. I don’t feel as alone. I still talk to Michael all the time, but he can get busy at times, and I hate to bother him.
I love that he allows me to ramble about the latest construction articles or demolition videos I’ve watched on my tablet. He even reads and watches some of my suggestions so we can discuss them on our calls. I love it when he asks me questions as if I’m helping him somehow.
“I will allow you to arrange our next meeting. You can choose for us to be indoors if you like. Frosty is a fictional character. I don’t believe you have to worry about your ass,” I say.
She rolls her eyes. “Good thing you brought your hot-ass bodyguard along. Looking at him will keep me warm for a little while,” she teases.
I glance at Adriano. I never thought of him in that way until Ximena started pointing out how handsome he was. She’s not wrong.
He is very attractive. He has a very handsome face, and he keeps his body in shape. I would know. I train with him a lot.
I blush as Adriano smiles from overhearing our conversation. I should be used to Ximena flirting with him, but it causes my cheeks to heat every time. It’s not her words but the fact that Adriano always looks at me as if I’m the one who spoke them.
“Looking at him isn’t going to keep you warm. That’s preposterous.”
“What’s preposterous is the fact that you haven’t jumped his sexy bones. There is something more you’re not telling me because him being three years older than you isn’t cutting it. If you ask me, that makes him perfect,” she lowers her voice to whisper.