Snippet #2099717

"You mean Jace?" [Kate]

Upon hearing his name, once again jealousy struck Philip. He tried to keep himself calm, allowing Kate to continue on. He knows he should feel otherwise because it is supposed to be a good thing for her. At last, there’s someone who would be there for her, a person who would always keep her company which Philip understands it is something he cannot give. However, he is also aware that Kate is at the same time vulnerable. Philip is afraid that Jace might hurt her and break her heart in the end, yet he tries to ignore this thought. But still he can’t help feel protective of her.

"I met him at the pub, I was waiting for you and you never showed. I was tired from practice and he came up and introduced himself. He told me he seen me on campus dancing before and well we hit it off. He's majoring dance too...and got me into the athletic side of partner dance.” [Kate]

Philip didn’t know what to feel when he heard those bitter words. From the tone of her voice, it is as if she’s not making a big deal out of it. She was not mad at all which made him feel uneasy. It appears that ditching Kate at the pub turned out pretty well. If Philip had showed up, Kate wouldn’t have gotten to know Jace. Philip just stared at the horizon watching the sun disappear.

“Other than that...I am really doing well at school instructors all say I have so much talent for someone so young."

Philip was able to breathe again when Kate changed the subject. With no doubt, Philip knows that Kate’s instructors will be impressed of her performance because she is indeed a very amazing summer. It was his first summer at Lake Kenforth when he first saw Kate dance. She was barefooted on the patio, swinging her arms and doing several pirouettes at a time. He never saw something beautiful as that. Everytime he see her dance, he always feel that he is in a dream. He is amazed how can Kate tell a story through her movements, and how she can harmonize with the music making them flow as one. “I’m very happy for you, Kate. No one can beat in you in doing a Fouetté en tournant.” he smiled at her.

“It always gives me a head-” he wanted to joke but stopped when he felt Kate lay her head shoulders. He can smell her strawberry-scented and feel her soft hair touch his neck giving him a tingling sensation all over. "I really missed you though." he heard her whispered into his ears. “I badly miss you too Kate” he said in reply as he looked at her sad eyes. Philip felt uncomfortable by the sudden change of emotion from Kate. He lifted his arm attempting to put an arm around her. However, stopped at the moment she asked, "Now why I have you been avoiding me ever since we got to New York? What's going on in your life that has kept you away? I know it's not just school...you hate finance." He slowly dropped his arm back to his side.

Philip can’t find the words the say. It is true that he hates finance, so he can’t make that as an excuse. As he thought of it, he doesn’t want to make any excuses anymore. He doesn’t want to lie either. Ever since he started college, he went to a dating spree. Always having a good time and drinking all the booze he can get. Someone as perfect as Kate, she wouldn’t approve of this. Moreover, he didn’t want to be a bad influence to her and didn’t want to show her what he had become.

“I’m sorry Kate... I-”

“Hey, you two.” a familiar voice interrupted them. Philip looked back and saw Maddie standing on the doorway. “Supper is ready. Everyone is already there.” she said before turning away. “Oh yeah, dad wants to talk to you.” she said addressing Philip.

---

Everyone was already sitting around the table. He saw his father with a stern look as he entered in the dining room. He ignored this and focused on the food that was presented. “The theme is spanish” he thought as he saw several dishes containing tomato sauce. Kate and Jace trailed behind him and sat together as they reached the table.

“So, Philip how’s school?” his father asked him. Philip almost choked on a potato which he had swallowed whole when his father had asked question. “Laura has mentioned Kate is doing great at school. I believe that she is the best dancer of her class.” he continued. “So, I would like to ask if it’s the same for you?”

Philip didn’t want to tell his father that he failed several core classes during semester. He is not even sure if he is still eligible to attend next semester since is average didn’t not reach the minimum. He breathe in deeply. “It’s not the same for me, dad. I don’t dance” he mocked him.

“How dare you mock your father in front of our host?” his mother erupted from her chair.

With that, Philip stood up from the table and left the cabin.

---

As Philip reached the dock, he removed his shoes and sat on the ledge letting his feet in the cold water. From his pocket, he grabbed his lights and marlboro then started smoking a stick. He never really liked the smell of it but he believed that this is one of those moment that he really needs a smoke.