Brooms and fate

John Leblanc

My brain was still digesting the fact that Anastasia had left Rachel's without even looking back. When it hit me, I even tried to call her, but it was as if I was talking to myself, since she didn't even pay attention. I stood paralyzed in the doorway, believing that she would come back, but after five minutes of waiting, I realized that she didn't. Something had happened. So I turned and ran to the room at the end of the hallway, from where she came out in a hustle.

As soon as I got there, I was surprised to find Matt standing facing the door, arms crossed and frowning. Noticing my presence, he softened his expression and turned to face the cardboard boxes stacked there. I found his attitude strange, so I looked back to check that no one had arrived. As there wasn’t a living soul, I turned back to him.

“What happened?” I asked the obvious.

“Nothing.” He shrugged, rummaging through one of the boxes.

“Nothing.” I repeat what he said, mockingly. “Come on, Matt. Ana walked out of here, and her face worried me. She even didn’t look into my eyes or answered me.” I narrowed my eyes, suspecting that he was hiding something.

“She might be having problems at home, I don't know. That girl is crazy.” His tone of voice gave it away, so I laughed nasally.

“What did you do now?” I couldn't hold back a smile.

Matt stared at me, and after a few seconds, sighed.

“I think I screwed up.” He muttered, looking at his shoes. “No, I’m sure I fucked up.”

“What’s wrong?” I insisted.

“I did a big, understandable kind of shit to get punched.” He still hadn't made eye contact, which made me even more worried.

“You're scaring me.” I pulled back my hair, watching him carefully.

“We'll have to look for another dancer.” He finally faced me. “Anastasia won't be participating anymore.”

“What?” I widened my eyes. “Why?”

“Because I screwed up.” He shrugged, going back to moving one of the cardboard boxes.

“So fix it.” I rebutted the obvious.

“Impossible.” He laughed mockingly.

“Man, there’s no other dancer. I told you I looked for one before, but just there aren't any. The ones that do, don't want to join.” I sighed. “We need her.”

He looked at me with a face like “we don't need her, you need”, but just sighed again and said nothing more. I know Matt, and I also know that he rarely apologizes for something, even if it’s wrong, like now.

“Come on, Matt.” I insist, hoping that he’ll react positively. “You need to resolve whatever problems you have with Ana.” I sigh. “I know you didn't even want to participate in the championship again and only accepted it for me, so I'll use this to my advantage: apologize to her, so we can win the championship.”

“I won't apologize to her, John.” He says, harshly, and then laughs. “Right now she's probably selling my soul to the devil, wishing the garbage truck would drive over my body ten times, that a dog would eat my remains, then vomit them up, and who knows what else.”

“Jesus! Shut up” I frowned as I imagined the scene. Matt shrugged, as if this was normal, making me sigh. “Why don't you just talk to her?” I suggested. “Anastasia isn’t such a pig-headed or spiteful person that she doesn't even listen.”

“Did you hear what I said?” He stared at me. “She must have sold my soul to…

“I heard.” I interrupted him, feeling my bile rising. “Don't say it again.” I couldn't help the look of disgust on my face. Matt rolled his eyes.

“We definitely didn't get along.” He shook his head negatively.

“Oh, you swear?” I was ironic. “I didn’t even notice.”

“Fuck you, Johnny.” Matt rolled his eyes.

“The point is that from the beginning, you have been a jerk to her. So her reactions are understandable, you know?”

“Me? A jerk?” He laughs, incredulous. “We look like cat and dog from the first time!” He shook his head. “The real problem is her, who is annoyingly curious.” He snorted. “She wants to peek around where she doesn't belong!”

“I thought that would happen.” I sighed. “And you’re not cat and dog. You two are identical.” I gave a straight smile. “That's why you fight so much.”

“What? Are you saying I'm nosy?” He raised his eyebrows, already defensive. I ended up laughing.

“If I say yes, you’ll stop listening to what I have to say, so… No”. I winked, causing him to roll his eyes and turn his attention back to the boxes. “But I have to say that you two have the same synergy.” I say, getting his attention for me. “I don't know why, but I believe that dance explains everything we can't put into words.” I smile. “Give her a chance, Matt.”

“If I give her a chance, do you really believe this will work out?” He arches an eyebrow. “Like, starting with us meeting. There's no way I'd bump into her around Sturgis.”

“Well, I guess by some coincidence you’ll meet.” I analyzed him. “But, would you try to talk to her, if that happens?”

“John, I don't believe in fate.” He laughed nasally and turned, walking out of the room.

I went after him.

“Who said anything about fate here?” I smile when he casts me a look. “I'm just saying that things happen. Sturgis’s small, right?”

“Okay.” He rolled his eyes. “There's no way to meet her.” He emphasized, as he unlocked the door to the practice room. “But, supposing…” He laughed mockingly. “Yes, I would try to talk to her.”

“Really?” I raised my eyebrow as he turned to face me.

“Yes.” He narrowed his eyes. “But, like I said, it's very unlikely to happen.”

“Yeah, maybe it’s, but…” I moistened my lips and arched my eyebrows. “Good to know that you would try.” He stared at me, but before he said anything, I change the subject: “Let's clean up the room. The guys will be here soon.”

I said and picked up the broom against the wall, starting sweeping the floor. I felt Matt's suspicious look at me, but I just ignored it, making the subject die right there.

Who knows what might happen, right?