Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

conspicuous. "No… drop us at the far corner, Andre. I'll call you when we are finished here. If Mother calls, tell her I am looking at a dance studio, and then Caroline and I are going shopping. If she presses you may tell her that Caroline is helping me pick out a gift for Rachelle."
    Andre chuckled. "Ah. The little girl who left a hand-print on your face a few weeks ago?"
    Hinata sighed. "It was only a red spot, Andre. And she—"
    "Yes, yes, she had good reason. You've told me before." Andre's chuckles continued as they pulled forward to the corner. He was still chortling when Hinata and Caroline let themselves out of the back of the limo. Hinata shook his head. He never should have shared that story with Andre. The man would never let him live it down.
    Leading Caroline slowly down along the sidewalk in deference to her breathing condition and the high level of humidity, Hinata made his was back toward the dance studio. He continued around the back of the building they had passed, his mind busy considering how he would explain his presence to Peter if the other boy should see him. At the rear entrance, he lifted his hand distractedly, knocking lightly with his hand half turned toward himself, knuckles bent and fingers slightly spread. The graceful roll of his wrist had become so second nature at this point Hinata barely registered the quirkiness of his trademark style of rapping upon doors.
    Thomas, the owner, opened the door to Hinata's discreet knock. "Hello, Hinata. Back to observe the classes again? I really could use your help with the beginners, you know."
    Hinata shook his head, his lips briefly turning down. "I wish I could take you up on that, Thomas. You and I both know my mother would never allow it. Perhaps once I turn eighteen…" Hinata's voice trailed off. He and Thomas both knew that Hinata's mother would never allow him to teach dance. To do so would require leaving his family entirely, and that was a point Hinata had not reached. His stubborn heart would not let go of the fragment of hope that his mother would relent, would allow him to live his life as he saw fit. He sighed.
    "No, Thomas. Not today. But I would like to observe one of your beginning classes if I may. Your instructor for today's afternoon classes teaches from a different school of dance than the one my beginning teacher used. I believe I can pick up some important differences in style to add to what I currently know."
    Thomas grinned, the expression lighting his pale green eyes. "Sure thing, Hinata. Come on into my office. You can watch from there without riling up the youngsters. Lord, the last time you came and took a beginning class here I spent three weeks settling the little ones down again.
    “They all called you the Sweet Plum Fairy, did you know that?"
    Hinata laughed. "Was that when we were putting on the charity performance of The Nutcracker ?" Thomas nodded, mirth dancing in his eyes.
    Caroline smacked Hinata's arm again. "Hey, you never told us you do charity dances." Hinata groaned. Oh, snap , he'd forgotten to tell the Posse. He'd wondered why none of them showed up for the performance. At the time he'd chalked it up to their being caught up in family obligations for the holidays. He turned a contrite face to Caroline.
    "Do you think the others will forgive me if I provide them with complimentary passes to this year's program?"
    Caroline whacked his arm again. "No, you goof. I think you should give passes to the girls who couldn't afford to come otherwise, and ask Rachelle and the rest of us to pay. We can afford it. And I know for sure Rachelle and I like giving to charities. But, geez, let us know when you do super cool stuff like The Nutcracker , okay?"
    Hinata nodded solemnly. He would not forget again. His Posse meant everything to him. They were the first people, outside of his father, sisters and brothers who accepted him for exactly who he was. At times, they seemed to be far more accepting than even his family. Hinata tried to imagine his father's face should he ever work up the courage to him that his son, Hinata, would never have a wife. A heavy ball of dread settled into the pit of Hinata's stomach.
    His father would look at him, his black eyes fathomless, and merely say, "Hai!" Hinata would never know if the new knowledge changed his father's feelings. He—
    "Geez, Hinata, pay attention. The class is starting. Oh-em-gee, Peter looks hawt in his tights!" Caroline pressed her nose against the glass of