The Gymnast by Mackenzie Young

Author:Mackenzie Young [Young, Mackenzie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

Prom was in full effect; the gymnasium was decorated with streamers and balloons, colorful lights pulsated, music blared, dancing was happening, and selfies were snapping.

Sophia was complaining. “This tastes like shit.”

“What is it?” Avery stood next to her in a beautiful dress, in front of the food table.

“Some sort of shrimp thing, no thanks.” She threw the napkin filled with the hors d'oeuvre into the trash.

Avery finished her fruit punch and chucked the glass away. “Where’s Isabella?”

“Dancing, I think.”

“That guy from the coffee shop is here,” Avery said. “Matthew.”

“I saw. He’s playing hard-to-get.”

“Maybe he thinks you’re ugly.”

Sophia shot a sarcastic smile at Avery. “Maybe he’s gay.”

“I don’t think so. I saw him chatting up the ladies.”

“I’m over it. I’m going to Jayden’s to get plowed.”

Avery shook her head. “Sounds romantic.”

“It is, he kills it in the bedroom. Have you seen Cody yet?”

“I said hi.” Avery hadn’t told her about hooking up with Cody last weekend, that was her secret. “We’re good.”

“Yeah you need to let that shit go. Never pays to hold grudges, except I do it all the time.” Sophia noticed Isabella on the dance floor. “There she is!”

Avery turned to see.

“What a little slut! She’s dancing with Matthew.”

Avery laughed. “I thought you didn’t care.”

“I don’t—”

“—Sure, not at all.”

“She can bone him if she wants.” Sophia grabbed Avery’s arm. “Let’s dance.”

They made their way to the dance floor and joined Isabella and Matthew.

“Hey!” Isabella screamed.

“Hey girl!” Sophia hugged her.

Avery approached. “Hey.” Avery smiled. “Hi Matthew.”

“Hey. Avery, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool.” Matthew kept dancing, his lanky frame gyrated and gesticulated to the beat.

The four danced in a group until the song ended.

“Thanks for the dance,” Isabella said.

He grinned. “Sure.”

Sophia turned to Isabella and pulled her away from him. “Come say hi to Oliver.”

Matthew didn’t even acknowledge Sophia as she left.

The next song was slower, Avery was about to follow her friends.

He stopped her. “Where are you going?”

“Ah, I don’t know.”

“One more song?”

“Sure.”

Avery took a step closer.

Matthew’s long arms wrapped around her waist and his hands rested on the small of her back.

She put her arms around his neck.

They swayed gently to the music.

“I’m such a bad dancer.” Avery felt a little weird dancing to a slow song.

“I suck, I can’t dance. At least you’re a gymnast.”

“Not the same thing. I’m too short—dancers are tall.”

“I like short.” He put his chin on Avery’s head. “Is Sophia your best friend?”

“I don’t know, I’ve known her forever. We’re friends, but I don’t really have a best friend.”

“She’s very aggressive.”

“Yeah, she’s always been like that.”

“You and Isabella seem much calmer.”

“I guess.” Avery’s head was against his chest.

When he spoke, she could feel the vibrations from his voice.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Avery paused for a second. “No.”

“Cool.”

“You.”

“Nope, no boyfriend.” He let the statement hang in the air. “No girlfriend either.”

He couldn’t see Avery smile, because her head was turned.

They spent the next two minutes feeling each other’s rhythm and breath.

Avery was excited being this close to a new boy she didn’t really know.

Matthew broke the silence when the song ended.

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