Opening the door, we walk into the small studio. Flipping the switch, the chandeliers across the ceiling illuminate and reflect off the mirrors casting sparkles of light all around. The light wood floors stretch across the entire room. Framed photos of different aged children hang on the wall. Each age level is wearing a different costume from what appears to be a spring recital. I’m in each photo, posed and smiling. Dozens of different colored tutus hang from a clothing rack along the back wall.
“This is a cool place,” he says, looking around.
“Yeah, it is.” My fingers trail across theglass of one of the photos, and I take it all in. The tension between my shoulder blades begins to loosen, and my head feels a little clearer. For the first time since I woke up this morning, I feel at home. Like everything might actually be okay.
“Alright, well I’m gonna go explore, and I’ll meet you back here in a little while?” he says, still standing near the door.
“Explore?”
“Yeah. You’re welcome to come with me. I just thought you might want to dance or something. I know skating always seems to calm me down when I’m stressed.”
“Really? You don’t mind?”
He shakes his head. “No way. I’ll go walk around and see if I can find anything worth our time, and then I’ll swing by and we can walk back to the house together.”
“Yeah…okay…thank you.”
“I’ll be back soon,” he says. The corner of his mouth tips up, and then he turns, disappearing out of the studio and leaving me alone.
I lock the door behind him and begin to shed my jacket and then my bulky sweater. My bralette covers just as much as a bathing suit, and I want to be able to move freely. The jeans aren’t ideal, but I’ve danced in them before. Kicking off my chunky boots, I walk over to the large stereo sitting on the ground in front of one of the windows. I connect my phone to the aux cord and scroll until I find Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and click play.
If I’m forced to be stuck here, then I can use my time to prepare for the show, or at least do what I can without my dance partner. The music begins, and I start to train the part I know so well.
Over and over, I run through the dance, and with every movement I feel a little more settled and my mind feels a little more clear.
Chapter 22: Give Into The Magic
Everett
December Nineteenth
My eyes flicker open as the sun pours into our bedroom. Stretching, I turn to find Claire asleep on the other side of the bed. Her pillow is pushed up above her head, and she’s laying on her stomach with her head directly on the mattress. Her hair is sprawled wildly around her.
She looks beautiful.
Her body begins to stir, but I can’t look away.
“Are you watching me sleep?” she asks, peeking through her silky strands.
“Caught me,” I admit, my lips curling into a soft smile.
“Freak.” She laughs. Her gaze moves around the room, and her face falls when she realizes where we still are. “Part of me was really hoping yesterday was a dream.”
“I know.”
Breathing in deep, her eyes flutter closed. I shift my body, so that I’m now just a couple inches away from where she is.
“What are you doing?” she asks, her eyes popping open.
“Well, I was going to try to comfort you, but if you’d rather me not, I can give you a minute.”
“Comfort me?” Her voice wobbles slightly, and a few rogue tears run down her cheeks.
“I don’t have any ulterior motives, just thought you could use a hug.” I reach out and trail my fingers down her arm.
“I could.”
“Then come here,” I say, pulling her into me. She melts into my embrace, and I inhale her sweet scent. Her body shakes as she begins to cry, and I hold her tighter.
