4 -Stormy Clouds

Nicole's POV;

I proceed towards them and,

"And to think you are the competition my group was meant to go up against. Little wonder one wanted to pair with you. Why don't you go join the school's book club? Dancing isn't for cowards.

You're such a horrible dancer. You've ruined the whole event for everyone. "I hear Mason say, and the pained look on Johan's face hurts me.

"That's not nice! "I comment. Drawing their attention. Johan looks up at me with tears in her eyes, and Mason stares at me with a bored, and blank expression.

"Johan will do her dance, and she'd beat you in the competition. "I add, and Johan's eyes widen.

Mason scoffs.

"Yeah, right. "He says before walking back into the hall with the two boys beside him.

"What have you done? "Johan questions me, and my brows furrow.

"I stood up for you. "I reply in confusion, and she exhales.

"I can't beat Mason. He's a dance god, you've gone and embarrassed us both. "She says, and I stare at her.

"Johan, I've seen your routine. It's nice and beautiful. What happened out there? Do you suffer stage fright? "I reply and question, and she swallows before nodding.

I sit her down, and encourage as much as I can, against her stage fright. She's a beautiful dancer with an amazing spirit, and she shouldn't let anyone pop her bubble. I agree to go over her dance again with her, and we pull off a beautiful rehearsal.

I agree to present the dance with her, as I've learned everything. By the time we get back to the hall, Mason's crew have already presented their dance, and the teenagers were awaiting Johan.

Johan and I begin our dance, and I put all I can, into being a supportive friend, and an excellent dancer. Throughout my life, I've had chances to dance with professional crews, hence, I'm, in quotes, a remarkable dancer.

The whole hall is awestruck when Johan and I are done, and the big smile on her face makes me feel like a superhero. I pat myself on my back mentally, for being a good Samaritan, to my newfound friend.

"That was amazing! "She screams as soon as we're out of the hall. Causing me to laugh. She looks so cute when she's happy. Normally, she's cute. But when she's happy, her cuteness hits another level.

"That was a beautiful performance. Well done. "Mason's voice says. Causing us both to turn in his direction.

"I think that compliment is for Johan. "I reply, and he gives me a blank expression. Honestly, I don't understand him. He doesn't say much, but a single gaze, screams a whole lot of message.

"Nice performance. Johan. "He says. Calling her name with a questionable amount of hesitation.

He stares at me for a second, and then walks off. Once he's far enough, Johan squeals.

"Mason complimented me! "

My brows crease as I seize to understand why that is big deal. She sees the look of confusion on my face and leans close to me.

"Can you keep a secret? "She questions and my interest is captured.

"Depends. "I reply honestly. Leaving her to decide if she wants to tell me, or not.

"I... Have a humongous crush on Mason. "She confesses, and my jaw drops.

" What!? "I question in a harsh whisper.

***********************

I'm home in my house's backyard, tending to our dogs when I hear my father scream in pain from inside.

My heart flies out of my chest at the agony in his voice, and I find myself running into the house. I turn to a sculpture of ice when I see what's before me, in the kitchen.

My father is standing before my sister, with a knife in his shoulder, and broken glass on the floor between them.

"Look, I'm not the little girl I was as all those years ago. Listen, and listen good. I don't want you around me. No one needs you. I thought I made that clear. If you value your life, you'd stay clear of me!

I don't care if you only came here to get a glass of water. You should have waited till I was out. Mr. Farintan, I'm warning you. "Annabelle says to our father in demonic anger, as he falls to the ground in pain. Referring to him by his last name in her final statement.

She storms out of the kitchen and my throat dries as I stare at my bleeding father. We all hate the man, but how Annabelle has this much courage to show it, baffles me.

She just stabbed our father!

My mom soon shows up beside me, and all the colors in her beautiful face vanish.

"Get my car key now! "My mother screams at me, and I scurry up the stairs to her room, in search of it.

This monster has not even spent up to a day here, and there are already stormy clouds above us.