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The irunted I had no idea what a grunt was supposed to uessed it meant I could continue Before I could chicken out, I rushed on

“I ondering if I could use the indoor studio space during gy on ood a use of the time as any No one’s ever in there, and it’s set up perfectly for dance”

I’d peeked my head into the room on the second floor several tiym period, which I’d had to pretend to be late to just so I could check it out Oak Park heavily prioritized sports over the arts, and we had a full pool, a gy track, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a basketball court, and a football stadiu volleyball or basketball, and the girls followed so they could watch

But on the second floor of the athletic building, there was a dance studio It didn’t appear to have been used much—at least, not for dance A pile of folded up s with their chains pooling around them were stashed nearby But one wall held a bank ofacross it

And the best part was, I’d have it all toet a better look at the shirtless guys playing sports And I wouldn’t have to try not to look nore the wayperfectly cutwith sweat

I didn’t want to look I didn’t want to appreciate the sculpted lines of Elijah’s calves or to let aze trace over the dozens of tattoos that decorated Cole’s skin Elijah had one too—just one, on his back—but I refused to let myself admit I was curious what it was

I needed a break A real haven And that empty room on the second floor was my best chance

“So, what do you think?” I asked, since Mr Bowen still hadn’t responded

He sighed “Sure As long as you’re in there practicing, I guess it doesn’t ret it”

I nodded “Of course Thanks!”

Another grunt was my reward as I turned to run off to the studio Honestly, it seemed like he didn’t really care what I did I wondered if that extended to all the other students or just me

Nope Don’t question it Don’t jinx it

After changing quickly in the locker room, I made a beeline for the studio A smile touched my lips for the first time in days, and butterflies flapped excitedly in my stomach I found the studio and started to push inside when I heard a sound I slowly slipped through the door…

And stopped dead

Over in the darkened corner of the studio, near the pile of abandoned irl