by Mia Hoddell
Her mouth dropped, not sure what to say. With it still hanging open, she stared at him as he smirked at her. “Um ...”
Reaching across the table, Aiden put his fingers lightly under her jaw. His skin was searing hot when he pushed up, closing her mouth. Another wave of embarrassment washed over her and she hoped he couldn’t feel her racing pulse.
Almost as quickly as he’d moved, though, his fingers were gone as if it had never happened. “So that’s where you come in.”
It was the last thing Kayleigh had been expecting him to say, and it almost had her choking on the Minstrel she had placed in her mouth as she breathed in. Thankfully, she managed to avoid the coughing fit and settled for watery eyes instead. “There’s no need to cry, Kayleigh. You don’t even know what I’m asking yet, and you don’t know what benefits you’ll get either.” The way he said benefits had Kayleigh’s mind sailing right back to the gutter, but in all seriousness, there was no other way to take his suggestive tone. She knew what Aiden was like, and how he acted around women, but it still made her uncomfortable. Kayleigh wasn’t used to him paying attention to her.
“I wasn’t crying ... You surprised me and I choked on my sweet.” Her voice became quieter, almost a whisper as she tried to explain.
“Good, because I like to think people enjoy my company.”
Kayleigh didn’t dignify his statement with a response. If Ellie had been there, she would have distracted him and made a sarcastic comment that was meant to bruise his ego. However, Kayleigh wasn’t like that. She was the girl who remained silent, too embarrassed and worried about what others would think to approach anyone she liked.
“Aren’t you curious what I could want from you?” Aiden asked, interrupting her ruminations.
“Maybe a little,” she replied, not wanting to sound too eager in case it all turned out to be a huge wind up.
“As you probably know, I’m way out of my depth with performing. You don’t understand how much of a relief it was when I saw you in that room. It freaked me out what you were doing, but I was thankful I knew one person who wouldn’t laugh at me.”
Who said I wouldn’t laugh? She kept the remark to herself.
“Anyway, what I want is for you to help me get in the show. Ellie told me you’d help me, and that you may be able to pull some strings?”
At the mention of her best friend her head snapped up. “Shit,” she cursed before realising it slipped out. Damn you to hell Ellie Jeffords. Even miles away you’re a meddling, good-for-nothing, lying, traitorous—
“Okay ... not the response I was expecting,” Aiden interrupted her silent rant.
“Sorry, Ellie told me none of that.”
He shrugged. “Well, she may not have said the exact words, but I’m sure she would if I’d asked her.” He grinned. “So, can you help me?”
“You mean ... you mean you want me to put you in the show without auditioning because I’m vice president?” she said, taking back her thoughts of her best friend.
“I didn’t know that was possible, but that would be great.” His face beamed with happiness.
“It isn’t possible, I was trying to understand what you wanted. I can’t take a risk like that, Aiden, not if I want to beat Adam and become president next year. You’ve got no history to back up a decision like that.”
“All right, all right. Calm down, it was worth a shot. What can you do then?”
Kayleigh frowned; she didn’t need calming down, she wasn’t wound up. “You have to audition like everyone else,” she stated, using her most authoritative voice. Talking about drama and acting the part of vice president she could do. It was a safe topic and allowed her to be in control.
“Okay, what do I have to do?”
“You know they’re today, right? Most people have been preparing for weeks.”
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his eyes downcast for once. He actually seemed uncomfortable. “Just tell me what I have to do.”
“Fine. You have to prove you can dance, sing, and act. You should have a monologue memorised and the rest is given to you at the audition.”
“Sounds easy enough.”
Kayleigh arched an eyebrow. “Do you have a monologue?”
“Do I look like the type of person who carries monologues with me?”
His words were like a stab to the heart, the sharp pain of embarrassment twisting deeper as she realised she was the opposite of what he’d said. Regardless of her embarrassment, she reached down into her bag to pull out a sheet of paper. “Here, you have around,” she glanced at the clock, “an hour to memorise that and be able to act it out. We’re doing a dark version of Rapunzel this year.”
His eyes scanned over the words quickly before he looked up. “Okay, that’s doable.”
Kayleigh highly doubted he would be word perfect in the hour, considering some of the drama students took days to memorise lines. However, she didn’t say anything.
“Well, I should get back. Adam will use it against me if I’m out too long.”
Aiden nodded. “I’ll follow in a minute. Just one question first: why the hell are you throwing yourself off the top of a tower?”
“Rehearsing for the show. I’m the female lead, and it’s part of the performance.” Kayleigh shrugged like it was no big deal, but Aiden still looked perplexed. “And it’s fun.” She didn’t know where those words or the twinkle in her eye came from and it shocked Aiden.
“But you fainted.”
“Not from the jump. That was from the attention.”
His face tilted to the side, appearing even more confused, but thankfully he let it drop when Kayleigh started to shuffle on the spot.
“I’d better go. Good luck with that.”
She had already turned and began walking off as he called behind her, “Thanks, Kayleigh. You’re amazing.”
“You’re going to need more than luck,” she muttered to herself as she headed back towards the Performing Arts Centre.
CHAPTER FOUR
“All better?” Adam came up behind her, his body too close for comfort as he pressed against her back while she deposited her bag on the floor. He was so close she could feel his breath on her ear. “Fine ... I was fine to begin with.” She hated how he caused her to trip over her words.
“Good, where’s Aiden?”
Kayleigh shrugged, brushing him off and heading over to the main group from her class. As usual, though, Adam didn’t approve. “Kayleigh! Jump again, this time without fainting or you’re out of the show.”
Rolling her eyes at the group, she turned to climb the platform. Adam hated that he couldn’t throw her out that second, although she doubted he would stop trying. One way or another, he wanted to try and intimidate her out of the election. Kayleigh may have been more reserved than her classmates, but she wasn’t scared easily.
When she got to the top this time, she felt steadier. Knowing what to expect, she approached the edge to see the guys waiting to catch her. “Nobody hug or comfort me after, okay? That’s what made me faint last time. You’ve all done it now so should know how it feels.”
Heads nodded below her and she was just about to turn around when the door slammed and Aiden walked in like he owned the room. He looked up and smiled at Kayleigh, shaking his head for an unknown reason as she turned around and balanced on her toes.
“Ready!” she called, and the guys beneath her began the countdown. When they hit zero there was no hesitation. Kayleigh was out to prove something, so fell back instantly.
Time kept its normal speed this time, and within seconds she was nestled in the guys’ arms and they were tipping her to place her on the floor. Just like she’d asked, no one said anything and she sent Adam an I-told-you-so glare as she remained standing, not a shake in sight.
He ignored her.
“All right, everyone, gather round! Make sure you can hear me because I’m only going to say it once, if you misinterpret or don’t hear something, you’re cut,” Adam shouted, and every
one formed a semi-circle around him, Aiden tagging on the end with a few other newbies who’d been waiting for auditions to start. He looked out of place and uncomfortable, which was unusual for him. Not once had Kayleigh seen him look like he didn’t fit in. Yet it felt nice, like he was on her turf and she had the upper hand.
“We’re going to start with dancing because if you can’t dance you’re no good for anything in the show. I want you all in pairs—”
People started turning to each other and pointing, ignoring Adam as they tried to snag the best dancers.
“No! I will be doing the pairing, and then I’ll show you the steps. You have fifteen minutes to practise before everyone will perform. You mess up, you’re cut.”
The room let out a simultaneous groan, including Kayleigh since she knew what was coming by his staring at her. Adam liked throwing his weight around, and it was one of the reasons people were starting to see her as a better alternative. Not only was she beating him in grades, but she wasn’t a complete and utter jackass to people. She had gained the class’ respect through kindness.
When Kayleigh turned her attention back to Adam, he was already listing names and people were pairing off to find a space on the performance floor.
“And finally, Kayleigh and Aiden.”
Kayleigh rolled her eyes at him; he was so predictable. Did he really think pairing her up with the new guy meant he could prove her incompetent? He’d have a riot on his hands if that was the case. All female roles had been cast and Kayleigh had, of course, gotten the female lead. He couldn’t abuse his power without it backfiring.
Nodding her head towards the floor, she signalled for Aiden to follow her. As they stood face-to-face, waiting for instructions, Faye—a member of her class and someone Kayleigh was closest to—touched her arm to get her attention.
“He’s not out to get you, is he?” She snorted sarcastically causing Kayleigh to laugh.
“He can try, but he’s forgetting one important factor in his game.”
“What’s that?”
“People like me better, including the director. He shouldn’t be messing with me.” She smiled at Faye, who was glancing over her shoulder and nodding.
“What’s he doing here anyway? Didn’t think commitment to anything was his thing.”
“Don’t ask, it’s a long story. Regardless, he needs to get through.” Kayleigh tried to subtly imply that she needed people to have her back as well as Aiden’s, but she wasn’t sure how well the message was received.
“No problem, I wouldn’t want him leaving. We need someone new to admire now and then, and he fits the role perfectly.”
Kayleigh rolled her eyes so as not to let on to her true feelings. Faye, on the other hand, gave her a knowing look. However, before she could reply, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Turning to face Aiden she noticed he looked irritated. “Shouldn’t you be listening to him teach the steps?” He nodded his head in the direction of Adam where he was going through a series of moves with a volunteer. She almost laughed, but refrained, thinking it would be unfair.
“I choreographed the dances, I know them better than him.”
Aiden’s eyes widened slightly before he regained his composure. “Lucky I got paired with you then.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t luck. Adam’s out for my head and he wants you gone. He thinks you’ll screw up and he can get you out, and then show me up.”
“Sorry about that. I’ll try not to screw up.” He looked smug, despite the apology. It frustrated her that he saw it all as a big game. It might have been for him since he had nothing riding on the performance, but she did. The thought caused a burst of anger she couldn’t contain to flare within her.
“You’d better be taking this seriously. I have grades depending on this show going well, and if you get me kicked out I swear I’ll make your life a living hell. Wipe that smirk off your face or walk away now. If you stay and grin at me one more time, I will smack it off.” She didn’t know where it came from, but confidence flowed through her. It seemed like she could do angry around him.
“Hey, where did the Kayleigh who’s quieter than a mouse go?”
“Door or a slap. Your choice.” She didn’t want to lose her anger. If she could keep it up, she thought there was a chance she’d get through the dance without becoming flustered.
“All right, calm down. What should I do?”
Everyone else was already practising the steps. A few looked unsteady, the coupling deliberately putting them at a disadvantage, but most moved fluidly across the floor.
Taking a deep breath, Kayleigh tried to bring herself to say the next words. She couldn’t believe she was going to utter them to Aiden of all people. It was a dream and a curse.
“Put one hand on my waist and the other in my hand.”
“Wow, is this just an excuse to get close to me?”
She gritted her teeth, fighting the heat in her cheeks. “Just … do it.”
“Not usually what women say to me, but okay.” His hand rested on her hip, his fingers reaching around and nearly touching her spine while he gripped the hand she held out. She tried desperately to ignore his words, to not let them affect her, but her mind was slowly travelling elsewhere.
“Now what, oh wise teacher?” Aiden teased like he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Ignore him, treat him like any other cast member, she thought as she reeled off the steps, guiding him through it. They were practising one of the dances from a ballroom scene, and although the moves were nothing too complicated, she would have expected them to trip Aiden up. Then again he was athletic.
With his hands on her, it was hard to concentrate. It wasn’t like he was doing anything, but the constant contact was bothering Kayleigh. A few times she lost count, causing him to laugh at her, but she prayed it wasn’t because he knew what he was doing to her. However, it was Aiden Hanson after all. Renowned player, he was always fighting women off him and when he wasn’t, it was because he already had a ‘date’.
That was another thing about Aiden … he only did casual flings. Not once had he been in a serious relationship, so Kayleigh had no doubt he knew the effect he had on people. The grin that was a permanent fixture of his face told her enough.
“I won’t count this time,” Kayleigh said as she let Aiden lead and control the steps. It really was amazing how he had picked them up so quickly.
“How’d I do?” Aiden asked as he glanced down, his face much too close for her liking. She tried to feign nonchalance, telling herself she was an actress and she could pretend she was in character.
“It was okay. You’re not the best partner I’ve had.”
Aiden tilted his head back and let out another laugh, pulling a few people’s gazes to them. “No one has ever said that to me. You are the first to complain.”
Kayleigh went over her words again, and cursed herself when she realised what she’d said. However, she refused to let him break her composure. She was a character and she was in charge.
“Snap out of it, Aiden. This might not mean much to you, but it does to me. Either grow up or get out because if you keep acting like this my knee is going to end up somewhere very uncomfortable for you and I’ll just pretend it was a misstep in the dance,” she hissed, yanking her hand from his grip.
He actually looked worried by her threat, holding up his hands innocently. “Taking it seriously from now on.”
Kayleigh hummed dubiously, but took a step towards him so they could get back into position.
“Just to be sure we’re on the same page, though, which area were you talking about?” He had a smug expression in his face, his eyes shining with humour as he recovered.
“You want me to show you? Ask one more stupid question and I will.”
Aiden didn’t have time to answer because Adam called out for everyone to stop. However, he couldn’t hide the laughter he was trying to contain, and Kayleigh was starting to question whether he really was only there to
wind her up.
“Snap out of it,” she hissed, glancing out of the corner of her eye as Adam lectured everyone.
“Kayleigh, seeing as you have so much to say, why don’t you go first?” He sounded overly excited and it came across as patronising. Regardless, she bit her cheek almost hard enough to draw blood and turned to face him with a fake smile.
“Sure, although I don’t know why you doubt me. I choreographed this, remember?” She arched her eyebrow in challenge to let Adam, and the room, know she wouldn’t be pushed around. Adam hated to be reminded that the show wasn’t just his creation, a fact only confirmed by the sound of his teeth grinding.
“Oh, I don’t doubt you. I wouldn’t have given you the role of Rapunzel if that was the case.”
Kayleigh ignored him and turned to face Aiden. Giving him a serious look, she hoped it conveyed to do everything perfectly or she would strangle him. By the look of concentration on his face, he seemed to have gotten the message.
Music from the show started to play through the speakers set up around the room, and suddenly Aiden was taking the lead. Moving her effortlessly around the floor, they floated gracefully until the choreography ran out and Kayleigh was left standing in his arms with a stunned expression.
“What the hell was that?” she whispered as Adam fumbled with the remote to shut off the music.
“I told you, I’m a fast learner.” Aiden dropped his hold on her so they could part as the music subsided. Kayleigh hadn’t even realised her mouth was open in shock until his fingers lifted to her jaw again, closing it. “You look much prettier when you don’t do that.”
Speechless, Kayleigh watched as he turned to walk away, leaving her standing there until Adam barked for the next couple to get into position. Hurrying off the floor, she went to grab her bag, giving Adam a wave to signal she was taking a break—it wasn’t like she’d be needed until the next round. He didn’t look pleased, but was distracted by the pair on the floor.