Toe to Toe (On Pointe Book 1) by Penelope Freed (comprehension books txt) 📗

shifts in his seat, adjusting himself as I quickly straighten my jacket and fix my hair.

I glance at Hannah, who’s turned her back to me and looks like she’s talking to someone across the parking lot. “That’s Hannah, just in case you need a reminder.” I needle him, annoyed at the world for interrupting, but relieved I didn’t have to stop him myself.

“Huh. Trevor’s girl, yeah? I can see the appeal. Ow!” He exclaims when I slap his arm for that. “Whatever, don’t get mad babe, I was kidding!” As I’m opening the door and climbing out, he grabs my arm and pulls me back for one last kiss. “Dance good tomorrow.”

I run to catch up with Hannah before she reaches the parents and Ms. Parker standing around outside the theater. “Hannah!” I call. “Hang on!” She doesn’t slow down, so I sprint to catch her and grab her arm to stop her. “Hang on, just wait a second, please.”

“How could you?” Hannah says, her voice shaky. Shit. “You knew! You’ve known since seventh grade and you don’t care! This weekend could be everything for me and you’re purposefully trying to ruin it. I thought you were my friend.” I’m sorry, what? Anger quickly replaces the guilt I felt at her catching us. Does she actually think I invited my boyfriend here just to upset her? Yeah, self-absorbed is the right word for Hannah’s view of the world.

“Hannah, seriously?” I’m so over this, I’m not going to be made to feel guilty over inviting someone to see me dance. “You really think I invited Tyler just to upset you? It’s been years and he’s never noticed you. You can’t honestly tell me you still thought there was a possibility…” Oh my god, she did.

“No, I mean. Obviously not….” she trails off, watching as Tyler’s car slowly backs out of the parking space. I can see her visibly pull herself together. “I just meant, you knew how I felt. And you invited him to come without stopping to think that maybe I might get upset?”

“Are you serious? He offered to come, because he’s supporting me, his girlfriend. He’s my freaking boyfriend, Hannah.” I jab my thumb into my chest to emphasize my word. “Of course I wanted him to come see me. You know this is the first time he’s ever seen me dance?”

I can feel the anger building in my gut. Fucking Hannah, never thinks about anyone but herself. “Did it ever occur to you that I might want someone here to cheer for me too? You have your mom and your dad and I have no one.” I gulp. “I don’t have anyone here for me.” I didn’t even realize I was upset about it until the words tumble out my mouth. It’s so unfair, Hannah has everything—a mom who’s awesome, a dad who spends time with her, the talent to be a dancer. It’s enough to make a better person than me hate her.

“What are you talking about? You have my mom and Ms. Parker.”

“Yeah, your mom. Not mine. God Hannah, sometimes you’re so dense.” I take off at a jog to meet up with our group. I hear her close behind and speed up so I can reach them first. I plaster a smile on my face as I get close and cross my fingers that no one asks what I was doing.

“Great job sweetie!” Mrs. O’Brian exclaims as soon as I get close. “You were beautiful up there. Your parents would be so proud, I know your dad was sorry he couldn’t come.”

“Thanks,” I smile. Yeah right. My dad was probably too busy taking the monsters to the zoo or working to even think about me.

Ms. Parker pulls me in for a hug. “I’m proud of you Olivia. You nailed it, way to finish on balance at the end.” I love that she’s always honest with me, no fake exclamations or meaningless words. And I nailed that ending, like a boss. I’m glad someone was concerned about how I did tonight, since my supposed friend sure wasn’t.

“Did you see Hannah’s quadruple pirouette?” Katy pipes up from the group.

“Uh…” I stall. Nope, missed it completely. I was busy sucking face with my hot boyfriend. That brings a tiny smile to my face. Hannah may have the awesome mom and the perfect family, but I have the perfect boyfriend, the one she wishes she had.

“Yeah,” Hannah bumps into me as she reaches the group. I’m pretty sure that was on purpose, who knew goody-goody had a little spice in her after all? “It was pretty awesome. Anyway, Ms. Parker, when do we need to get ready for the classical variations?”

“Oh, we probably have about an hour. You girls should relax and have a snack or something. I’m going to go back in and watch, the little ones have their trio coming up soon.”

“Hannah, Olivia, do you want to go get coffee?” Lisa asks. She and Katy are edging towards the parking lot. I look over at Hannah, she’s stone faced, arms crossed and stubbornly looking away from all three of us. I would have been happy to hang out with the girls but I don’t think Hannah wants to see me right now. I’m mad at her, but even I’m not enough of a bitch to make it worse by going with them now. Hannah needs her friends so she can calm down before she has to dance again. Contrary to what she believes, I’m really not trying to ruin her weekend.

“Do you want to go?” I ask her quietly, not sure if she’ll answer me. “I won’t go if you want to.” I add.

Hannah sniffs and shifts her feet, indecision obvious on her face. “I’m still mad at you,” she mutters.

“You can be mad at me, whatever. Just go, you’ll feel better.” Should I tell her I already got coffee? No, that’s probably just rubbing salt in the wound. Screw it, I’m gonna say it anyways. “I