Chapter One: Crashing Into You

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Victor

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"We're sorry, but you're just not what we're looking for." There it was again. The third one this week. If I wasn't what they were looking for, then what were they supposed to be looking for? As I walked out of the studio, I passed a Japanese guy who could have easily been a J-pop heartthrob. He was even decked out in guy-liner and leather. Rolling my eyes, I realized that's what they were looking for.

As I walked outside, I was greeted by my best friend Sam. The hopeful smile on his face faltered a bit when he saw my expression.

"There'll be other auditions." He told me and I just shrugged. Sure, there'd be plenty of auditions. Dancers were always wanted. But was I wanted? Apparently not.

"I just wanna take a walk, is that alright?" I asked and Sam nodded. He knew better than to question whenever I needed alone time, which was often lately.

Waving to him, I headed down the Manhattan sidewalk, with no real destination in mind.

How long had I been at this? Weeks? Months? I lost count after I officially dropped out of college. I remember that phone call with my parents. My mother had started to cry and my dad began yelling at me in Japanese. He always does that when he's mad. We were on speaking terms now, but I think they still expect me to apologize. Something I won't ever do.

I loved dancing. I discovered it in middle school and since then, I'd watch music video after music video just to learn new moves. I even joined a crew in high school and competed in underground dancing competitions, which caused me to get arrested a few times. In the end, though, I tried to make my parents happy by going to college for Business. I was a smart kid and got a full-ride scholarship to Columbia University.

It never felt right, though. For an entire year, I would sit in class all day. Correction: I would try and sit in class all day. I was just so fidgety. I needed to move. I needed to dance.

That's when I met Sam.

I had been heading home one night and happened to past through Central Park. I found him breaking it down on the sidewalk for tips. Feeling generous (and inspired) I dropped a twenty into his hat. I never expected him to chase me down in order to give it back. Not wanting to just take back my donation, however, I challenged him to a dance battle.

He was thoroughly impressed when I beat him and we even attracted quite a crowd. Hearing them cheer gave me the biggest rush and I sort of realized then that this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. With some helpful advice from Sam, I dropped out of school to pursue my dream. We even moved in together and formed a crew to perform gigs and make some pocket change to pay rent with.

It wasn't a glamorous life, and it did have its low moments (like today) but I loved it and wouldn't trade it for the world. Now, if only I could just get a steady job.

"Hey watch out!" I was snapped from my thoughts by the sight of a bike about to ram into me. Swiftly stepping out of the way, the person zoomed past me and crashed into a newspaper stand. I heard a groan as I rushed over to their side.

"Are you alright?" I asked and was slightly startled when I met the cobalt eyes of a young girl.

"Why don't you watch where you're going next time!" She snapped as she stood up and brushed herself off. Feeling slightly guilty, I reached down and picked her bike up.

"Sorry, I guess I got so lost in my thoughts I stopped paying attention to what we around me." I explained sheepishly. I didn't know why I was suddenly so nervous, nor why I was explaining myself. Normally, I would've snapped back but something stopped me.

"I hope you were thinking of something worth nearly getting me killed over." She muttered as she brushed her black hair from her face.

Her eyes were icy cold as they met mine again and I shifted uncomfortably.

"Let me make it up to you. I'll buy you dinner?" I tried, though I knew it sounded strange. I hoped she didn't think I was asking her on a date.

Her gaze went from angry to curious as she thought about my offer. Slowly, a smile formed on her face.

"Alright, but we have to go anywhere I want." She told me before turning and walking in the direction I had just come from. Knowing I was supposed to follow, I turned and headed after her.

We were silent as we walked and I was surprised when she stopped in front of a tiny Thai cafe. From the looks of her (she wore a white mini-skirt and pink polo with matching All-Stars) I figured she'd want something from somewhere like the Upper East Side.

"I love this place," She told me as we found ourselves sitting in a tiny booth, "I only get to come here every once in a while."

"I've never actually been here before," I told her, "But it's always great to try new things."

"I'm August, by the way. It's short for Augustina." I raised an eyebrow and she laughed, "My dad was a big fan of Caesar. I have two older brothers named Julius and Octavian."

"Poor kids." I joked and she took it well, "Well, I'm Victor but my roommate calls me Vic. My parents just wanted to give me an American name."

"Your parents are immigrants? That's so cool! Where are they from?" And that's how I began to tell her the story of my life. I don't know what it was about this girl but we just clicked. The incident from earlier before was long forgotten as we got lost in conversation and amazing Thai food.

We may have been at the restaurant for nearly two hours before August looked down at her phone and her eyes grew wide.

"My dad is going to kill me." She gasped before standing up quickly and hurrying out of the cafe. I dropped some money on the table to take care of the bill and tip before following her.

Outside, she struggled with the chain on her bike and when she realized it was no use, she collapsed on the sidewalk. For a moment I thought she'd start crying but she just sat there, breathing slowly.

"Still living with your parents, eh?" This wasn't uncommon for college kids. It helped with expenses.

"I'm just counting down the days until I graduate so I can move out. Who gives their kid an 9:30 curfew anyway? I'm almost 18 for goodness' sake." Everything came to a screeching halt then and I could tell that I looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

This girl. This unbelievably attractive girl who I had just had the most amazing dinner with, was only 17? Five years my junior. And to top it all off, she was still in high school.

Yea, today was shaping up to being a terrible day.

"Vic? You okay? You look a little pale." She frowned and stood up. I had to fight to keep from flinching when she placed a hand on my forehead.

"I'm fine. Just...shocked that you have such an early curfew. I can take it you home if you don't mind walking a few blocks with me." She smiled but cast a longing glance at her bike, "I'll bring it to you tomorrow, okay?"

That sealed the deal and I hesitantly took her hand before leading through the thick nighttime crowd. We walked a few blocks back to the dance studio I had been at earlier that evening. August was more than pleasantly surprised when she learned that I danced.

"I've always wanted to dance, but I've got two left feet. It must be such a rush." She mused and I nodded, a small smile creeping onto my face.

She all but squealed when she lay eyes on my motorcycle. I tossed her the helmet before climbing onto the bike and starting it up. She grinned wickedly as she climbed on behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist.

"Ready?" I asked but didn't wait for a reply as I sped down the street.

August gave me directions as we rode. I wasn't so surprised to find that she did indeed live in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I wondered why she would be in such a place like downtown. I brushed this thought aside as I pulled up in front of her apartment building. I noticed she looked tentatively around, as though worried that someone would see her. When she dubbed herself safe, she took off the helmet and checked her phone.

"Right on time. Thanks Victor, I owe you." She said and leaned down to give me kiss on the cheek.

"No problem. I'll bring your bike by tomorrow?" I asked but she shook her head.

"Just pick me up from school and we can hang out again. I'll just tell my dad that my bike got stolen. He always hated the thing anyway." She grinned and I had an internal battle over how I would answer.

On one had, she was this amazing and attractive girl. If I pursued this, it could develop into something beautiful. Whether it be a close friendship or perhaps something more. On another hand, she was still seventeen and in high school. No matter how I looked at it, she was off-limits. Age may just be a number, but jail was a reality. I wouldn't do well in the state pen.

I guess the pros outweighed the cons though, because I agreed and she gave me the name of her school and what time she'd be done. With a wave she said good night before disappearing into her building. I headed straight home after that and walked blindly into the house. I didn't even speak to Sam as I walked straight into my bedroom and collapsed on my bed.

With my face buried in my pillow, I began to yell.

"Is there a problem, Vic?" Sam asked as he came to stand in the doorway.

"Yea," came my muffled reply before I sat up, "I just met the girl of my dreams."

"And...what's the catch?"

"She's only seventeen."

"Oh. I'd scream into my pillow too, then."

And that's exactly what I did.