AN: Ok, I couldn't help myself. Here's another story. :P I started typing this as a one shot, but I think it might work better broken up. I am in the middle of working on the next chapter of Tangled Magic and I'm figuring out where Shifts in the Days is headed.

I want to try out angst, so we'll see how it goes.

Here's the introduction. :) Oh, and Happy New Year!

SL

SL

SL

There was a dance studio where a young man practiced by himself.

Leon and his sister had moved to the United States years ago. Both had wanted to learn how to dance and so they did. Their skills improved day after day, earning them recognition in local dance theaters and the occasional competition. They were nearing the pinnacle of their careers.

But then, an accident happened.

While walking home one night, a drunk driver swerved onto the sidewalk they were on.

Both siblings were hit.

It wasn't until Leon woke up with both legs in a cast that he found out the truth.

According to eyewitness accounts, his sister pushed him over, leaving her to bear the brunt of the car's force. She died instantly.

He found that he couldn't handle that information.

The dance community mourned the loss of Sophie.

Leon had a mental breakdown.

After he was released from the hospital, no one saw him for quite a while. It wasn't until much later that one of the performers from the dance studio came back with news.

"I saw Leon in the gym!"

"How was he?"

"Is he walking again?"

The performer responded, "He was running on the treadmill. I guess he's rebuilding his legs' strength."

A girl with mint eyes and auburn hair piped up, "So, will he be returning?"

"I would be surprised if he didn't."

Two weeks later, the tall form of Leon showed up. The studio rejoiced, though a bit hesitantly. While he had already been an aloof guy before the accident, he was still approachable.

The new ice in his eyes made them wary.

Leon practiced by himself as he relearned the basics. When he dramatically improved, people approached him to become his partner.

"If you can follow," he clipped.

His movements were fluid, but irregular. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason; no pattern of steps that could be easily studied and learned.

One by one, potential partners failed.

After a year of this, the performers stopped trying. Newcomers were cautioned away from him. Every so often a newcomer ignored the warning and tried to become his partner, but the results were the same.

And so, the young man continued solo for three years.

SL

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SL