I was sitting in my room, cozied up with Winston and a good book. There was a knock on my bedroom door, and I told whoever it was to come in. Alester poked his blonde head through. “Are you ready to learn how to dance? You told me to teach you in the fall, it’s fall now.” I sighed. “Fine.. I’m ready I guess.” I said. I got up, and smoothed out my sweater vest, retucking in my button up and fixing my belt. He was waiting for me outside the door, and soon brought me downstairs, past the living room, and into the nice sized ball room. “Now, you’re going to have to get closer than that.” He said, reached for my hand that was a few feet away from him, and pulled me right tight to him. “A-ah, are you s-sure I need to be this, uh, close?” I asked, trying to control my reddening face. “Well, if you want to learn to dance, then yes. You will have to be this close. He was a good foot or two taller than me. He placed my left hand on his left shoulder, and both his were on my hips and lower back. I placed my right hand on his right forearm, soon settling into the slow sway that he eased me into. His dark blue eyes, clean shaven face, blonde hair, and smile were the only things I could focus on without getting motion sickness from the spinning room. 

“Clemin, are you alright?” I nodded my head, and soon felt myself resting it on his chest. “I’ll be fine. I need to adjust to the spinning room..” He slowed down, which made me realise we had been picking up pace. “Is this better?” I lifted my head, looked around, and nodded. He smiled. “Alright. We’ll keep it like this then.” I nodded my thanks, and it was quiet for a little while. “What were you so afraid of?” I jumped a little. “H-hm?” He repeated his question. “Oh.. it’s just I don’t know how people would react to two men dancing together… I just am scared of it I guess. People reacting poorly and violently I mean.” He nodded. “Yeah, people can get that way. But, the people in this house won’t. I know they won’t.” I moved my head to the side, feeling his eyes follow. “What are you looking at?” He asked. “Mm… nothing. I’m just thinking.” He nodded his head, and soon spun us around. It was a while before we stopped, and I was tired out. Mainly because I wasn’t expecting myself to hold up this well, and I hadn’t really slept good last night with the knowledge that I would be dancing with him. 

“You’re really good for a beginner.” I felt my face flush red. “A-ah, t-thank you, Sir.” He frowned. “I told you not to get formal with me when it’s just us.” I couldn’t help but falter on that. “I- I’m sorry, S-Sir..” He sighed. “Did I make you uncomfortable?” I jumped a little, and before he could say anything, I shook my head ‘no’. “N-no, you’ve made me quite comfortable.” He couldn’t help but smile a little. “Ah, well, that’s good. I’ll keep teaching you then, and by winter you’ll be able to dance with the ladies.” I nodded my head. “T-thank you, Alester.” He nodded his head, smiling, and soon we both left. I was sitting in my room again, and pulled a snoring Winston to me. He woke up, growled a little until he realised it was me, and then fell back asleep. I sighed, a long heavy sigh. I looked at the book that I had been reading before he came in. It was still evening, not quite night yet. It wouldn’t hurt to go to bed early.. Right? 

I woke up the next morning, and patted Winston’s head. He wagged his tail, and rolled on his back for belly scratches. After satisfying Winston, I got up. My feet hurt from all that dancing, mainly because I had to get used to it. I knew how to dance, but this was the first time I'd actually be dancing. I took my shower, and got dressed for the day. Winston followed me to the kitchen, and I laughed at him. “What’d you say Winie if I put some peanut butter in your oats today?” He wagged his tail, not knowing what I had said. I pulled out his dish, and was measuring the oats when Alester came in. Althea was making breakfast, and Penelope just rushed by to get things to set the table. “G’morning, Clemintine!” She greeted me cheerfully. I smiled at her. “Good morning, Ms. Penelope.” She laughed, grabbed the plates and went to set the table. “Have you seen Nyx’s bowl?” I looked over at Alester. “Hm?” He repeated his question. “Oh.. mm… maybe, it’s over there?” I said, pointing to the dish that had her name painted on it. “Oh dear. I guess my eyes are getting bad.” We laughed, and he went to go get the dish. “Here you go Winston. Eat up and be a strong boy.” I said, and placed his dish on the floor. Winston wagged his tail while he ate, with the occasional happy snorting in his food dish. 

“Does he always snort like that?” Penelope asked, coming back for cups and saucers. I laughed. “Yes, he always has snorted when he does things. I love him for it, no discrimination here.” She giggled, patted his head, and went back to working on setting the table. Nyx was happily eating as well, and Alester went out to get the morning paper. “Well, look at that.” He proclaimed as he got back. I looked up from getting the silver that Penelope needed. “Look at what?” He showed me the first page. Sure enough, Missus Williams’ face was on the front cover. “What happened to her?” I asked. “Looks like she was murdered by her cell mate. At least, that's what the title says.” I nodded. “Her downfall was coming, I can tell you that.” He laughed, shook his head, and went to set the paper down in the living room. Once he came back, everything was ready for breakfast. “Thank you, Althea.” He said, and she nodded. I looked down at Winston, who sat at my feet. He soon gave off a small ‘Rooohh!’ like he did the first time Alester met him. “Do you have to go out?” He barked at me, and I smiled. I soon slipped over his collar and hooked up his leash once we got to the door. I opened it, and he waddled out. I laughed as he waddled through the damp grass, picking up dewlets on his legs. 

Once he was done, I brought him inside. He shook off, which made me laugh. I was back at the table when he did it again. “Winie, I can’t give you my food.” He put his paws on my thigh, and started whining. “Winston, I can’t give you my food.” He lowered his ears, and looked at me like he was about to cry. I pulled him onto my lap, which he settled down happily. Everyone was laughing now, and I was shaking my head. “I love Winston.” Finn said, giggling. I nodded. “He’s a good boy, but he can be silly.” We finished up, and Nyx got a slice of toast. Winston got a hard boiled, deshelled, and very lightly salted egg to snack on, and the kitchen was cleaned. Alester was reading the paper, and I went to grab my basket. It had grown tremendously in the past weeks, which I sighed about. Finnigan came in, looking a little upset. “What’s wrong, Finn?” I had asked, and Alester looked up from the paper. “I ripped my glove..” I took it from him. “Mm. I can fix it. Let me have them, and you’ll get them in a few hours.” He nodded, but still looked guilty. “I’m sorry for being irresponsible.” I took his hand, and he looked at me again. “Listen to me. You didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t mind mending things, it doesn’t bother me. Please don’t blame yourself Aarnav. You’re a good kid, I promise you that.” He smiled, hugged me, and left.