Michael seemed to be a permanent fixture in Elena’s studio. Ever since he’d found out Cherish took dance lessons here, he popped in whenever he could. We were getting to know him really well and even Elena had finally gotten over her star-struckness. Which surprised me greatly. Elena was ALL ABOUT celebrities. She followed them whenever she could in magazines, on TV, on the internet. Wherever. She had a gazillion subscriptions to those celebrity magazines and she always had one on her wherever she went.

Me on the other hand, I liked to avoid reading the nonsense printed by the press. Most of it was lies and I’d learned long ago to not trust everything I read. Elena didn’t think magazines lied but she didn’t like tabloids. She knew tabloids such as The National Enquirer were fake. I tried multiple times to convince her otherwise, I hadn’t been successful yet. I hated it. She used to drive me nuts with those magazines back in college. I’d be sitting in our dorm room, working on a paper for one of my classes and she’d SQUEAL and be like “Robyn! Robyn! ROBYN! OH MY GOSH! Come here!!” I’d sigh and tell her I had work but she’d keep asking until I came over. When I did, she’d talk my ear off about some celebrity couple who’s gotten back together or maybe a famous actress who was pregnant. It was ridiculous.

I don’t think Michael knew much about Elena’s celebrity magazine obsession. Although, I didn’t think he wanted to know too much about it. He was another target by the media. Elena had been floored when she saw him and then she remembered some of the stuff she’d read about him and eyed him up and not in the good way. I didn’t know what she believed anymore. I felt bad for Michael, I’d heard some of the stuff said about him and couldn’t help but feel sympathetic. Poor man.

“Cherish, Cherish...  you need to loosen up more, you’re too stiff. You can’t be that stiff when you dance.” I corrected softly. Cherish had been struggling more and more recently. I couldn’t help but wonder why. I hoped everything was okay.

“I’m trying Robyn, really. This is hard.” Cherish said, her thin, dark eyebrows knitted together in frustration.

“I know, I know. I’m just trying to make you see that if you loosen up a bit more, it’ll be easier. This isn’t a hard dance, trust me.” I told her

She sighed in frustration. “I give UP!” She screamed after a moment.

I jumped at her outburst, startled by it. I blinked at her and from the corner of my eye, I could see Michael biting his lip. What was that all about?

“I can’t do it okay. I’ve had it. I quit. I hate this!” She said, dashing out the door.

“Cherish, wait!!” I called, before seeing Michael sprint by me. I knew he was concerned for the girl. He was friends with the family, why wouldn’t he be concerned?

I stayed where I was, blinking in shock. Had I been too hard on the poor girl? I chewed on my bottom lip, feeling like crap.

Elena came over and put a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, you didn’t do anything wrong, girl. She’s just frustrated, that’s all. Sometimes kids snap like that when they get frustrated.” She said softly

“Yeah... I guess...” I told her half-heartedly.

She sighed. “Why don’t we go look for her, hmm?” Elena suggested

I nodded and headed out in the direction Michael sprinted off in. I hoped she was okay. I didn’t mean to frustrate her, I really was only doing what I could to help her.

Once we were outside, we looked around for the two of them and couldn’t find them. “Hmm...” I said as I looked around, “Where...?”

“I don’t know...” Elena said, seeming lost.

They couldn’t have gotten away that fast... could they? Was Michael’s car here already? Had Cherish’s mother been waiting out here already? I had no clue. I walked around the studio and stopped off to the side, hearing voices close by. Why were they back here?

“It’s just not fair, Michael!” Cherish wailed, her voice muffled by what I guessed was Michael’s shirt.

“I know, sweetie.” He told her soothingly “I agree with you and I’ll do what I can to help, okay?”

“What if we can’t help him!?” She cried louder

He shushed her. “We will, we will. Don’t worry...” He said softly.

I blinked. Who? Who was she worried about? Who was she afraid they wouldn’t be able to help? I felt like something was seriously wrong and that whatever they were discussing right there was what caused her snap in the studio. Something was going on and it was something terrible, that no little girl should have to be experiencing.

“Why... don’t we go back to the studio, hmm? I know you’re enjoying yourself...” Michael suggested after a little bit.

“I don’t think I can go back in there, Michael. I’m so embarrassed now. Robyn probably hates me. Why couldn’t I just listen and not think!” She said, crying softly again.

“Hey, hey. I doubt Robyn hates you, come on now, she’ll understand that something was bothering you. Don’t say things like that. You can’t help but think about something so serious, Cherish. It happens, you’ve got a lot going on.

I heard her sobs grow quiet, it sounded like they were just turning to sniffles now.

“I’m just so scared...” She said very softly, I’d just managed to hear her.

“I know you are, Cherish. I know.” He said

Things were quiet for awhile again and I assumed Michael was just comforting her again. What was this poor, sweet girl going through?

“C-can we go back to the studio now, before mother gets here?” She asked after a long break of silence.

“Yes. Come on” Michael said. I quickly dashed off and into the studio.

“THERE YOU ARE!” Elena exclaimed when I came in. “Girl, where were you? I got so worried!! And why do you look like you were just running from a crazy man?!”

“Nothing. Drop it. I’m fine.” I told her, my eyes trailing to the door.

“O...kaaay....” Elena said, confused once more.

I just shook my head and focused on gaining my composure before Michael and Cherish returned. It wasn’t a long wait but it was enough.

Cherish walked in with her head down. She looked like she was watching her feet. She made her way over to me and took a breath. “I’m so sorry, Robyn. I didn’t mean to have an outburst like that.” She said quietly.

“Oh, it’s okay sweetie. Everyone gets frustrated.” I said with a weak smile.

She nodded. “Yeah...” She said before clearing her throat “So um, can we continue with the routine?”

I nodded. “Of course. I’ll restart it, okay?” I said

“Alright.” She said and with that I made my way over to the stereo. I felt an extreme amount of concern for that little girl. I prayed she’d be okay. When the music started, I made my way over and began helping her with the steps again. Keeping in mind to be even nicer to her in hopes to prevent what just happened.

Towards the end of our lesson, Cherish’s mother, Tanya, walked in. Tanya had the look of a woman who’d been to hell and back. She was unhealthy skinny and she was not aging well at all. Even though she was thirty-four she looked more like she was about fifty-seven. Her long hair was more gray then auburn, I assumed she was under a great deal of stress throughout her life. I wondered when she’d really smiled last because I didn’t see much light in her empty pale green eyes. It was quite sad.

Cherish finished up and then saw her mother. She rushed over to her and embraced her. Taniya’s expression softened but that was about it. Cherish seemed to be the only light in her life, every time she had a lesson, I only saw Tanya never her husband. I wondered if she had one. Was that what made her so upset? It didn’t seem likely but some people were liked that, so I suppose she could be.

I made my way over and smiled at her. “Cherish is doing so well, Ms. Hawthorne” I told her when I was close enough.

“Oh really?” She said in that timid tone of hers “I’m so glad to hear that. I know she was a bit worried about that.”

I nodded “Yes, we got very far today. She’s a very talented young lady” I said with a smile.

“I’m glad to hear that” Tanya said, rubbing Cherish’s back as she spoke. Cherish had buried her face into her mother’s side.

Michael then stepped forward. “Hi, Tanya” He said

She nodded her head to him. “Hello, Michael. How are you?” She asked.

“I’m alright, how about you?”

“Could be better” She answered. “Are you coming to dinner tonight?”

Cherish turned her head and looked over at Michael with pleading eyes.

“I suppose I could.” He said, meeting Cherish’s pleading eyes. She smiled slightly at him and buried her face in her mother’s side again.

He smiled slightly at that before looking back at Tanya. “Same time as before?” He asked

She nodded in response before leading Cherish out of the studio. He sighed once they were gone. “I can’t say no...” He said after they were gone, a weak chuckle escaping his lips.

“To who...?” I asked

“To Cherish. She loves when I visit but I’m just getting so busy again...” He sighed again

“Oh...” I said, trailing off.

He shook his head. “Last time, when I visited frequently I had to keep turning them down because it was one thing after the next. I could tell each time I said I couldn’t make it, Cherish was crushed. It ended up getting to the point where I couldn’t even call, so we fell out of touch.”

I wasn’t sure why he was telling me this. I guess he was just thinking a loud which happens to everyone. So I didn’t add too much in, I just nodded my head as he spoke. We must’ve been talking for a while because soon Elena was making her way over. Michael and I looked at her when she stopped in front of us.

“I don’t mind if you two talk and everything but you might wanna continue it somewhere else because I have to start closing up.” She said, watching Michael.

“Oh. Of course. I forgot you closed early today...” I said

She nodded and smiled slightly. “Always forgetting things.”

“Oh hush.” I said, laughing quietly. Michael just shook his head with a smile.

“I’ll see you two later.” She said, heading away to gather her belongings.

“I didn’t even realize it was time for her to close up.” Michael said, giggling a bit.

I laughed. “Nor did I.” I told him with a smile.

He smiled back. “Well... do you want to come to lunch with me so we can keep talking?” He asked

I blinked at his suggestion. “Oh. Sure. But... where are we going to go...?” I asked. Michael couldn’t go anywhere without someone following him and usually chaos ensued if he was sitting in public.

“I know this small café where we could go and not attract too much attention. The food’s excellent and the servers are very nice people.” He said

“Well, okay.” I said with a smile.

“Great. Common.” He said, heading out. I followed after him and got to where he’d parked. So he’d driven here this time. I didn’t even know he knew how since I always saw his driver sitting out here. I wonder how well he drives.

“I guess I’ll just follow you...” I said, unsure.

“That works.” He said with a smile, getting into his car.

I headed over to my own, which wasn’t too far from his and got in, following after him. I sang along to the song playing over the radio as I followed. It was one of my favorites by The Pointer Sisters. I tried to pay close attention to where we were going instead of the music. I didn’t need to wind up lost and wondering around aimlessly.

Finally, Michael pulled up to a small café and we parked side by side somewhere in the back of it. I guess if he took the back entrance, he wouldn’t attract as much attention. I followed him in as he talked to the servers. Once we were seated, I stared at the table, making invisibles patterns into it. I didn’t know why I felt so nervous around him. Maybe it was the fact that I’d overheard him and Cherish. I wanted to ask him about it but at the same time, I knew it wasn’t my place, so I continued to stay quiet.

“Are you okay?” Michael asked, genuine concern seemed to be etched within his tone. I looked up and blinked.

“Yes. Why do you ask?” I replied softly.

“I don’t know. You just seem... really uncomfortable...” He said.

I shrugged. “So how did you find this place anyway?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.

He raised one of the beautiful arched eyebrows at me. I could tell he sensed my subject change. I prayed he wouldn’t ignore it, I didn’t wanna admit that I’d pretty much spied on him. I had a feeling he probably wouldn’t like that.

“A good friend of mine took me to this place awhile back. It was his way of treating me out to somewhere I could actually just relax and not be bombarded by reporters.” He said, choosing to go with my subject change. “Heh, it’s funny. The first time we came here, I was on edge the entire time, despite him telling me to relax.” He shook his head with a small smile.

I smiled very slightly as well. “I can imagine you would be. At least you have somewhere. I feel everyone needs that one place where they can go to just enjoy themselves without a care in the world.” I said.

“Yeah, yeah they do.” He said, his smile grew wider, “Where’s yours? Do you have a place like that?” He asked me

It was my smile’s turn to grow wider. I could think of one significant place. “Yeah I do actually. A little place called Luna’s. It’s great in there. Stella, the owner, is practically like a second mother to me. She’s run the place for as long as I can remember. She’s so sweet and kind. Plus, the people in there are just so great and the environment itself! You just feel great when you’re in there.... gosh Michael.” I said with a warm smile.

He chuckled. “It sounds lovely.” He said with a warm smile of his own.

“It is. I’ll have to take you there sometime.”

“I’d like that very much.”

I smiled more at that. “Maybe some time next week?” I asked

“Sounds perfect.” He said

“Great!” I said. He would love Stella and I knew for a fact she’d love him. He seemed to have a great personality, not that I thought he wouldn’t. He always seemed to genuinely care and I never once thought it was an act.

He chuckled and we continued to talk like this for awhile. He was great to talk to and I was having a lot of fun.