The Shadow Recruit | • Editing mode •

Chapter 7

Cathy's POV

Riley fell asleep. I was staying the night at her place. And I was to send Ryan home. When I reached the hall, I saw him just gazing at Riley's photos in the frame. For a moment, I could feel that he had peace. That his tense jaw suddenly softened and there was a slight smile on his face. When I was about to call him, he turned around to ask.

Ryan: You and Riley are besties since a long time I guess.

Me: yeah. But why are you asking this all of a sudden?

Ryan: So she must be sharing all her joys and sorrows with you, right?

Me: yes, she does. But what do you want to know?

Ryan: I have seen her dance. There is nothing to question the integrity and hard work she puts in but something is missing. She's holding it back..and I can sense that.

Me: What do you mean to say?

Ryan: Love for dance! She doesn't dance with her heart. And sorry to have overheard your conversation... She said ( I cut him off mid sentence)

Me: So now you began eavesdropping too?

Ryan: I didn't mean to. But there is something that happened with her that she wouldn't let go. Why does she hate dancing that much?

Me: Why should I tell you? You're just a stranger to us.

Ryan: That confirms you're hiding something. Look I don't mean to pry but being her senior I am worried that this thing, whatever it is, keeps her lagging behind. It shows up in the test and she won't get credits. I want to help.

(Hearing this, I was in a dilemma because I couldn't decide whether to keep it a secret or not. She was my bestie and on the other hand he was worried about her in the right way. After thinking a lot, I decided to tell him.)

Me: It was a long time back, during school annual day. She was selected for a solo dance performance. And she prepared very well for the dance. On the final day, she was ready and up on stage to dance and then song started playing. Suddenly, she realized that it wasn't the one she had practiced for. But the teacher signalled her to continue to dance. For a small girl, it was difficult to handle that situation and when she couldn't dance properly, her friends started laughing at her and she ran off the stage. She was weeping the whole night and decided that she wouldn't dance, never!

Ryan: That's bad for a kid who loved dancing. Maybe I think her love for dance is hidden deep down. And we need to do something to tap that hidden potential.

Me: What will you do? And is that even possible?

Ryan: Yeah. I will tell you when the time comes. As of now, let me take your leave. I guess its late.

Me: Ok. Fine.

And I went inside the bedroom. I took my night clothes and headed for the bathroom to change. I realised that I forgot my hair clip outside and I opened the door. Just when I was about to step out, I saw someone standing at the bedside. 

It was Ryan. I kept the door slightly open so I could see what was he doing there. I grabbed the mob in case he did something wrong. He was staring at her face. He moved his fingers to tuck in her hair strand. He bent near her. And my grip to the mob tightened. I was about to open the door and hit him, and suddenly I caught him passing a smile and covering her with blanket and resting the teddy on her side. He whispered goodnight and left.

I was shocked to see that. Was this the same guy that was a total arrogant jerk to her! I came out, locked the main door and went to sleep.

 POV end.

(He grabbed me by my waist in the hotel, saved me from falling..all the scenes were flashing before my eyes until he screamed at me to get the hell out of his class. And my eyes flickered open)

I looked at the watch and it was 4.45 am. I woke up before the alarm rang! That's no less than a miracle. Probably because I was resting the whole day yesterday. I was feeling much better and was ready for the dance practice.

I cleaned up the kitchen and living room. Then prepared scrambled eggs and toast for a healthy breakfast. And went outside to water the plants. I saw my bicycle standing there and it had yellow lilies in it with a card. I was confused as I left it at college because I wasn't conscious in the first place. Who got it then? The tag read 'Keep smiling!' From (angry face emoji)? Haha..who does that? Some angry person wants me to smile...and I couldn't help but giggle about that fact. Just then I heard a car race away.

Me: (surprised look) No frigging way!

(Just then Cathy came out)

Cathy: Did you hit your head yesterday?

Me: No

Cathy: then why are you talking alone? And what's with those flowers?

Me: Someone left them in my basket!

(She grabbed the tag)

Cathy: Who sent you the flowers? And why were you looking about?

Me: I think I saw a black Porsche heading away.

Cathy: You kidding me? Ryan sent them? Woah! I smell something fishy here...

Me: Shut up! I doubt it were sent by him...why would he? By the way breakfast is ready and we need to reach the college in time. So get going.

Cathy and I finished eating and she decided to drop me to college in her car. We reached 20 mins early. Given my entry..they mean a lot. She headed to her class to collect her canvas and I went to the rehearsal hall. 6.50 am was the reporting time.

 As I entered the hall my eyes were searching him. And finally after gazing through the hall I caught his reflection in the mirror. I stared at him for a moment and remembering the tag, I passed on a smile. He smirked at me through the mirror. And I couldn't help but blush a little until Marcus came out of nowhere and hugged me tight.

Marc: Hey there girl...you alright? I heard what happened yesterday?

Me: Yeah. Am much better now. ( And I was looking in the mirror but Ryan disappeared)

Marc: Do your meds give you hallucinations?

Me: What? No..

Marc: Then why were you smiling alone at the mirror and searching as if someone's there?

Me: Uhhmm...never mind.

A/N: Riley's fear of dancing...poor kid. It's too much for a kid to be embarrassed and shun themselves out of the activity they love. Is something cooking is Ryan's head or was he just curious? 

And his gesture was so cute...wishing her night! Also, he sent her the flowers...is he changing for her? He can feel, he has emotions...*dances on bed* And in the hall was Ryan there or did she dream? Any guesses? 

Stay glued for the journey ahead!

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