The Legend of the Firewalker by Steve Bevil

“Nathan also goes to IUCF and just finished his freshmen year,” she sighed. Reluctantly, she turned to look at him. “Nathan’s grandfather is our caretaker, and they both live here on the property.”
    “Well,” said Amanda flirtatiously, “I’ve never seen you on campus. How about you treat a lady to a dance?”
    “I think … I need a drink,” stuttered Nathan, sounding a bit bewildered. “Or most likely to sit down.” He tried to force a smile. “And I would love to, but my feet are barely good enough for walking, let alone dancing.”
    Amanda’s eyes appeared to flicker with fire in them again. “Oh — well, we will see,” she said, taking him by the hand. “I love a man with strong hands.”
    “Oh, brother,” said Lafonda, underneath her breath.
    Amanda turned around and displayed a wide grin. She then happily focused her attention back on Nathan. “Ready?” she asked, gently squeezing his hand. 
    Nathan suddenly had a blank look on his face. “Uh … yes,” he stuttered, still sounding confused. “On second thought, I’m ready. Let’s dance.”
    “What?” blurted Lafonda.
    “Hey guys, what’s going on?” asked Jim, suddenly joining them. He stood next to Lafonda while snapping his fingers and dancing slightly offbeat to the music. “Let’s dance, babe!”
    “You have strong arms,” grinned Amanda, squeezing N athan’s bicep.
    Abruptly, Lafonda grabbed Jim’s hand to stop him from snapping his fingers. “Not right now, babe,” she said, forcing a smile. “How about you go get us some punch?”
    “But I’m not thirsty,” whined Jim, sounding disappointed.
    Lafonda crossed her arms, frowning at Jim, and Jim lo wered his head. “Okay,” he said, reluctantly walking away.
    “And you,” Lafonda said, grabbing Nathan’s arm, so that Amanda would drop his hand, “if anyone is going to be dancing, it’s the birthday girl.” She leaned in and then took him by the hand. “You owe me the first dance, remember?”
    “Uh — Lafonda!” Amanda moaned.
    “Uh — Amanda?” protested Lafonda. “Go find Steve!” 
    Triumphantly, Lafonda led Nathan out to the dance floor, and he nonchalantly followed. “Lafonda,” he said slowly. “Um — what just happened?”
    Lafonda looked up towards the ceiling and then quickly rolled her eyes. “I don’t know,” she said. “You tell me.” She relaxed her arm a little, so that he could lead. “One second you wanted to sit down, and then suddenly you wanted to cut a rug with Amanda.”
    “I, I don’t remember,” Nathan said, sounding flustered. 
    Lafonda glared at Nathan. “You don’t have to play dumb,” she said. She gestured in Amanda’s direction; she was standing with her entourage of admirers again. “Amanda has that effect on men.”
    Nathan slightly shrugged and then shook his head. “Who is Steve?” he asked.
    “Steve is Amanda’s boyfriend,” she grinned. She tilted her head to look around the room. “And I don’t even think he’s here.”
    “Lafonda,” he said, taking a pause, “I apologize if things got weird back there.” He recalled what he had overheard from them earlier. “Things have been a little … strange lately.”
    “Yeah, for both of us,” she said, after catching a glimpse of Jim watching them on the dance floor with two drinks in his hand. “You know, Nathan,” she continued, “you’re not that bad of a dancer — when you’re not thinking about it.”
    “Oh,” he responded, sounding surprised. “I didn’t realize moving to this slow of a song is considered dancing.”
    She smiled. “Nathan,” she uttered softly, “what happened to us? I mean, to our friendship?” She looked longingly into his eyes. “I almost never saw you at school, and you barely even speak to me now that we’re home.”
    Nathan twisted his lip. Well , he thought, you and your friends are rich and I’m not and I feel like an outsider because of it. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.