The Black Swan Behind

Chapter 13: A Request For Help

Emma’s eyes got widened.

“Geez.. Of course, Kathania! Someone who is hard to get along with like me, must be happy to make friends.” Emma beamed. She finally made a real friend after so long.

“You can call me Kathy instead, so it’s not too long to pronounce. Haha..”

“Okay, Kathy. Ah.. We’d better get on with the warm-up. The class is starting to get crowded.” Emma said after looking around. Needless to say, they had been chatting for a bit long time.

***

Today’s practice was over. Even though it was tiring, Emma’s body felt very refreshed after being able to practice ballet. She felt very happy after successfully mastering one of the basic ballet techniques. Ms Diana guided all students very well.

“Huftt! I wonder what’s going on with my legs. They can’t work together. I’ve been tired of practising, but it never worked. I guess I really don’t have the talent to be a ballet dancer.” Kathania complained as she tidied her things into her black GYM bag.

.....

“Well.. I have to admit, your body is a bit stiff. Then, why do you keep going, if you don’t like ballet?” Emma asked as she still stretched her legs while sitting on the floor.

“Actually, what I loved is the computer. It fits with the major that I took after all. But my mom used to dream of becoming a ballerina, but she failed. So now she’s forcing me to dance ballet because I’m the only girl in the family.” Kathania explained with her carping. Didn’t forget to pout her lips annoyed.

Emma laughed, “Do what you like. Just tell your mom you don’t like this.”

“Hah.. I don’t know, Emma. She’s very pushy and stubborn. At least I still have a lot of free time to pursue my dream of becoming a professional hacker.” She stood up with a large bag that only kept a few things. “I’ll go now...”

“Aren’t you going to take a shower first?” Emma asked, didn’t intend to stand up.

Kathania shook her head, “I’ll just take a shower at home. My house happens to be nearby. You can stop by sometime, if you want.”

“Haha.. Of course. Bye..” Emma waved briefly. Kathania replied before walking away and disappearing behind the big door of the class.

Emma couldn’t hide the smile on the corners of her lips. She really felt very happy to be friends with a girl like Kathania. She was a kind and talk-active girl. That girl told Emma so many things. Like they’d been friends for a long time. Kathania looked like an honest and straightforward girl. Emma liked the girl’s personality.

She couldn’t believe it, the ballet room already looked very quiet. After the class was over, Emma and Kathania were chatting again, until they lost track of time. But Emma didn’t mind, because she preferred to wait for the bathroom to be crowded less. Emma branded herself as an introverted girl. She preferred to be alone because it felt peaceful.

“Ms Diana. Thanks for today.” Emma, ??who was ready to go to the bathroom, with a tote bag in her hand, paused before leaving the ballet room.

The sturdy and slender woman turned her head. Her beautiful eyes formed a crescent moon as she smiled and nodded, “Your welcome.” She waved back at Emma. Then suddenly she remembered something. “Ah... Emma.” She called.

“Yes?” Emma immediately stopped her steps and replied to Ms Diana who was sitting cross-legged not far from the door. That beautiful woman rose to her legs as soon as Emma was almost in front of her.

“Eum.. by the way, Emma. You know Poppy, don’t you?”

Emma nodded with a serious look. Her face matched Ms Diana’s expression which also seemed a bit tense. What happened to Poppy?

“Honestly, I feel reluctant to tell you this. But I see you as a good girl. If you don’t mind, I want to ask you a favour regarding Poppy ..” she added with a hanging tone.

Emma nodded, “I’ll help anything I can if I can. What can I do for you?”

Ms Diana smiled faintly, revealing a slightly relieved face, although there was still tense on her face, “I’m just asking for a little help, is if you see her outside the campus with a bunch of guys, I want you to call me. Could you do that?” asked Ms Diana uncomfortably.

Emma’s brow furrowed, “Perhaps I would do it if I knew the explanation first, Miss. Did something dangerous happen to Poppy?”

At first, Ms Diana looked hesitant and confused to open her mouth, but she took a deep breath before pulling Emma’s arm to sit on the floor with her. They ended up facing each other pretty close. Typical of two female figures who are gossiping.

“Actually, Poppy is my nephew. Lately, her mother said that Poppy has changed since she hung out with a guy group. I saw Poppy hanging around with bad students from this campus. She loved ballet since a kid. She never skipped class if it wasn’t for urgent matters.” She said.

Of course, Emma immediately remembered what happened last night. So, Ms Diana meant Larry and his cowardly gang. Oh.. So they fell into the category of bad guys on campus? A bunch of cowardly guys like them? Was this campus circle joking?

No wonder.. As Emma remembered, Poppy was a cheerful girl who was quite talk-active. But last night she looked different and more reserved. She was like a handbag that becomes an accessory carried by Donny. Tch! Disgusting guy. Too bad, Poppy had to be his victim.

“Of course I would, Ms Diana. And you don’t have to worry either. I won’t spread any gossip.” She winked. The flutter of her eyelashes was like a feather fan blowing a breath of fresh air at the woman in front of her.

Ms Diana smiled with relief as touching the middle of her chest, “Ah.. Of course, I can trust you. I’ve never misjudged people. And I think I was right again.”

***

The bathroom was almost empty when Emma entered. The room with twenty shower cubicles was located not far from the ballet room, gym, and indoor sports court. The room was very clean, had complete facilities, and was quite spacious. And of course.. the bathroom was for women only.

Emma entered one of the cubicles that was blocked by a sky blue frosted glass wall, with a door made of the same material. She turned on the shower faucet to check the temperature of the water. Emma smiled a little and nodded after she felt that the temperature was suitable for her tastes and body needs. After that, she took out her toiletries.

With the shower running over Emma’s head, she was lost in her thoughts. The sound of jazz music was always playing through the bathroom speakers with a rather low volume. Emma thought back to the events she had witnessed the past few days.

Come to think of it, why did Emma accept Ms Diana’s request for help? If she did, of course, it would be tantamount to approaching a new problem. Emma felt confused about herself. She was confused about what she really wanted.

Emma told herself that she wanted to live a normal life like the other girls. But her heart always couldn’t stand – at least – to know about matters that involve a crime, something like gangsters for example.

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