Free Scottish Romance: Scottish Highland Romance: Highland Songstress by J.C. Hughes Page A

stare as I walked out of the door. I’m sure he was very upset that I was walking out of his lesson, but I knew there was no way I was going to be able to master the dance today. I wasn’t like Luis; I couldn’t practice day in and day out. I knew my limits.
                  I reached my car and looked up to see Luis glaring at me through the window. He seemed really upset. I hoped today wouldn’t ruin our relationship outside of dance, but by looking at him, I couldn’t be too sure.
     
     
     
    Chapter 13
     
     
     
                  I was up bright and early the next morning and ready to go. I was well rested and full of energy. I hadn’t heard form Luis last night, but I kept receiving texts and calls from Elliot, so I had turned off my phone off.
     
    I pulled up at the dance studio at six o’clock on the dot. I wanted to practice alone before I had to deal with Luis. I stood in front of the mirror, took a deep breath, and began. I was determined to get the move right. I decided to slow it down again and take it one step at a time. Once I sped it back up though, I was tripping over myself again. There were just too many moves on the half beats. I wasn’t giving up, though. I wasn’t going to let this one move get the best of me.
     
                  I almost had it down completely when Luis came through the door. I had sped up slightly and was now going about medium speed. I was still not able to complete the move full speed yet. He came and watched me intently. He still looked a bit upset from yesterday, and his glare made me nervous. I kept trying though; I was determined to show him that I could do this. I attempted the move and failed. Again.
     
    “Ugh!” I yelled out of frustration.
     
                  “Again,” he said walking up to me. I moved myself back into position, took a deep breath and started again. I watched myself in the mirror as I glided through each step completing them perfectly; my heart began to beat faster as the move I had not mastered was approaching. I attempted the move and failed once again.
     
                  I was irritated with myself. Why couldn’t I get it right? Luis was showing no emotion whatsoever. I got back in position and began the dance again, starting from the beginning. I had mastered every other move, except this one, and the fact that I couldn’t complete it was driving me insane. After the fifth attempt, I just stopped and put my head in my hands.
     
    “Again,” Luis ordered.
     
                  I shook my head. It was evident that I was giving up. “I can’t do it Luis. We’ve been practicing since yesterday and I still haven’t gotten it right.
                  “Your fear of not completing the move is what is messing you up. You’re thinking too much about completing it. Just do it.” He sat down in front of the mirror to watch me again.
     
                  I sighed and got back in position. I was ready to give up. At this point, I was thinking that I would never master this dance. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I began again. This time I didn’t think about the move, I kept my head high and took each step one by one. I completed every other move perfectly, as usual, and went into the most difficult move with confidence. And I did it. I completed the move and I had never felt so proud of myself. All my hard work had paid off.
     
                  My joy was short lived though, because when I looked over at Luis, his face was unmoved. I was confused. I had completed the move without falling on my ass this time and he didn’t even look satisfied.
     
    “I’m calling off the dance,” he said at last. I looked at him confused. “You’re not ready.”
     
    “Not ready?” I questioned. “Did you not see me? I completed the move.”
     
                  “I said you’re not ready. I’m not about to embarrass myself