Lucy shrugs. “Half the school is here.”
Before we can debate any further, the Tour Eiffel comes into view. A nearby church strikes ten loud, resounding chimes. The grand iron tower lights up from top to bottom and sparkles in the night. This is the first time I’ve been out late enough to see it.
I sneak a glance at Louis and can’t help but break into a smile when I notice he’s looking at me, too. Many people squeeze between us, all jockeying for a view, but for a moment, we’re the only two people on the boat. Yesterday, I texted him as soon as I got back to the dorm, explaining why I’d ditched him after our ice cream. It turns out that he saw me talking to the girls and put two and two together.
Suddenly fireworks light up the whole sky. The three girls and I link arms, holding our breaths in awe as they sparkle and fizz. I turn toward the embankment and see that people young and old have gathered, their wine bottles and blankets spread all along the Seine to take in the spectacular view. The wind blows my hair away, and my heart is full of love. For this summer. For this city. For dance. All of it. This moment is nearly perfect.
And then I feel a very light touch on my lower back. It’s almost imperceptible, but I’m certain Louis is standing right behind me. There are enough people around that I hope no one will notice. Every part of my body comes alive, and all I can think about is his hand on my back and the space between us. It sends shivers down my spine, in the best possible way. The fireworks explode in a blur, but I barely notice. This moment lasts forever, but also not nearly longenough.
When the final sparkle goes up in smoke, leaving nothing but a cloudy haze in the sky, his hand disappears. I unlink my arms from the other girls and turn around. No Louis.
“Let’s dance!” I say over the blasting music. I swear it’s gotten even louder after the fireworks. Lucy lets out a “woo!” and they all follow me to the dance floor.
Before long, Anouk has disappeared off with some of her friends who also came out tonight; Lucy has found Charles—her crush—and they’re dancing together at the other end of the dance floor. I’m pretty sure Audrey is sulking somewhere, regretting her decision to come. As for me, I jump and twirl, soaking in the music, my heart pounding and my breath ragged. But I can’t stop looking for Louis. Finally I see him in the back corner of the bar. I take my chances and make my way over. There’s a dark corridor behind him, a decent enough hiding spot.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, resisting the urge to wrap my arms around him.
“I was coming home from my family thing, and Max texted me about this party….” He takes a gulp of his beer while his other hand takes mine. He manages to do this without getting closer to me. I shiver at this forbidden gesture.
“Did you know I’d be here?” I scan the room to make sure that no one is looking at us, but the crowd is too thick, and this part of the boat too dark. I think we’re safe.
“I hoped you would,” Louis says. “I kind of thought maybe we could be alone for a few minutes.”
Next to us, a couple is full-on making out on the edge of the dance floor, standing still right by all the moving bodies, like the rest of the world doesn’t matter. I’m jealous.
“Maybe,” I start….But dozens of my classmates are all over this party, not to mention the student teachers. Still, I scan the space for an even quieter corner—just for a moment, just for one kiss—when I see Audrey pushing through the crowd toward me.
I take my hand back and turn away from Louis immediately. Even before she arrives in front of me, I can see the stricken look on her face.
“We have to go,” she yells over the music. “Now.”
I don’t protest. Something in her demeanor tells me notto.
The boat has already returned to the dock, but the party is far from over. We don’t say a word until we’re back on firm land. Lucy and Anouk look like they’re having way too much fun, so we leave them behind. Even at this hour, every street is still bustling with people. It’s such a beautiful night; I think we’re all a bit electrified by the summer heat and celebration. Except for Audrey, who looks charged by another feeling entirely.
“What if the student teachers tell Monsieur Dabrowski we were out so late?” she asks.
“I’m sure it would be fine,” I reply, though I’m not actuallythatsure. I can’t imagine Monsieur Dabrowski would give us his blessing to go out and party on a school night, but we didn’t do anything wrong.
“We’re the leads!” Audrey spits out. “Different rules apply to us. I should never have come.”
“Fernando was there, too,” I say, trying to remain calm.
Audrey shakes her head. “Boys get treated differently.”
She has a point. There are so few boys in the ballet world that it’s easier for them to feel special, and for their talent to stand out. There are fewer male roles, but also much less competition. Or maybe it’s just that boys can get away with more, in general.
We arrive at the front of our dorm, and I fish inside my bag for my keys. Audrey hovers near me, still fuming.
“Why are you like that?” she asks.
For a moment I wonder if she can read on my face what I was doing before she came to find me, but I don’t think that’s what she means.
“Like what?” I ask, frowning.
To be honest, I’m not mad that we came home early. This weekend has been exhausting in many ways. As much as I wanted to stay out and sneak away with Louis, the right thing to do is to get as much sleep as possible before another grueling week of classes and rehearsals.
“Tell me you’re putting the program—and the show—first,” she says, ignoring my question.
