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

There’s a notification from Instagram, but I ignore it. I’ll look when I’m done dancing, I don’t need any distractions now. My heart stutters, wondering if it was from Trevor. I have yet to respond to any of his messages with more than a couple of words, but every time he sends me one I get a tiny thrill. It feels nice to be noticed. I need to answer him properly one of these days.

I grab Lisa by the hand and pull her with me back to the side of the stage, ready for my next solo. I’m already imagining the scene in my mind. Gone is the regal gold and white of Sleeping Beauty, replaced by a gritty Spanish village, complete with Sancho Panza and Don Quixote. I imagine the raucous cheers of my friends, the smirk of Baslilio, my secret lover, and the excitement of a wild night out. I would come flying onto the stage this time, leaping and showing off for my lover, flirting with all the other guys in my imaginary scene, trying to make him jealous, just because I can.

The music and the steps tell me exactly what to do—I know just when to look coy, when to avert my gaze, when to wink or smirk. That’s the beauty of being a dancer. On stage, I can put on a costume and transform. I’m free from the confines of my own personality, from the million thoughts constantly running through my brain. One moment I’m Kitri, full of fire and fun, the next moment I’m Odette, broken, trapped and full of sorrow. Or perhaps I’m simply the embodiment of the music, the notes moving in me and through me and out to the world from there, a river of emotion barely contained.

I let the heat of my anger fill me, settling into my core as I close my eyes. I imagine the fingers of a lover trailing across my skin, strong fingers wrapping around the back of my neck, cradling my face. I let the butterflies build in my stomach at the thought of being seen, being wanted, being touched like that. I welcome them, imagining each flutter as another caress, a secret look, a stolen moment. Keeping my eyes closed, I smile. This is my moment.

Chapter 15 Olivia

Well, shit. Who knew Hannah had that kind of fire in her meek little body?

Her Aurora variation got off to a rocky start but in the end she was her usual, perfect princess self. You could feel the joy radiating from her as she danced, elegant and refined like a spun sugar ballerina. But when she came out for her Kitri variation, she exploded onto the stage, flirting with the audience like she’d been doing it all her life. I glance to my right where Tyler is sitting silently. Right now, I’m seriously regretting that I asked him to come back.

After Hannah took off with Lisa and Katy, I called and asked Tyler to come back, mostly because I was irritated at Hannah and I wanted to rub my boyfriend in her face just a little bit. Yes, I know, it was a bitchy move. Do I look like I care?

Of course, I had no idea she was going to come on stage and do…that. Tyler leans over to whisper in my ear. “Dude. That’s Hannah?”

I silently turn to face him with one eyebrow raised. He shrugs and grabs my hand to place a kiss on the back of it. We watch in silence until finally the last solo for the night is finished. It’s late and I’m starving—I can’t wait to get out of here. Tyler threads his fingers through mine and leads me out of the auditorium behind Mrs. O’Brian and the other parents from our studio.

“Okay, so dudes in tights? Hard pass. But some of the other stuff was cool.” Tyler is saying as we walk through the lobby. “I liked your solo best though, that was pretty epic. I liked that style better, tutus are kinda lame.” He stage whispers the last bit, adding an exaggerated wink for effect.

I smack him on the shoulder even though I have to laugh. I mean, I agree, tutus are kinda lame. And so uncomfortable. “Oh my god, Tyler, don’t say that too loud. You’ll get me in trouble!”

“What? I only speak the truth,” Tyler grins as we hover at the back of a crowd of bodies. All the other parents and dancers are waiting for the competitors to emerge from backstage. “Okay, but seriously, I had no idea that was Hannah. She was…” he drifts off seeing the look on my face. He coughs uncomfortably, “Trevor is gonna be so pissed he didn’t get to see it.” He smirks.

“There’ll be a video later, if it’s any good I’ll try and get her to post it.” I offer. “Then you can rub it in his face that you got to see it live.”

“Cool. So when can we eat? I’m starving,” Tyler looks around at the crowd of parents. It’s late, just past nine o’clock, and everyone is talking about getting dinner. I’m torn between wanting the satisfaction of having Tyler join us and rubbing it in Hannah’s face a little, and not wanting to deal with the interrogation that I bet Ms. Parker and Mrs. O’Brian would love to give him.

“Hey sweetie,” Mrs. O’Brian says sneaking up next to me. “We’re getting dinner soon. Your friend…” she pauses, expectantly. Crap.

“Uh, Tyler. Tyler, this is Mrs. O’Brian. Hannah’s mom,” I add.

“Nice to meet you, Hannah was amazing.” Tyler sticks out his hand and shakes Mrs. O’Brian’s firmly. A rush of jealousy washes over me at his words. Logically, I know he’s being polite, but it irks me after he was so blown away by how…ugh, I can’t believe I’m saying this…how sexy Hannah was.

“Tyler is welcome to join us.” She stops and looks at each of us in turn.