much.
I successfully made it to my studio and let out a breath of relief when I flicked on the lights. I was finally alone. I still needed to sew ribbons on my next pair of shoes and break them in, so I decided to stay barefoot for now. Classical ballet was my true passion, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t dabble in other styles.
What I truly loved about dance was that you could tell a story or communicate a feeling without saying a word. I could transform my thoughts and feelings into movements to express things that I felt, but that I didn’t fully understand or didn’t have words to describe. It was just raw, pure emotion that I was letting go. Moving with the music let me transcend above all my worries and concerns and just be free.
Instead of using my wireless earbuds, I plugged my phone into the speaker system that was set up in here. I did a warm-up and some stretches, but when Numb by Linkin Park started to play, I lost myself inside the music. I was covered in a thin sheen of sweat, and my legs were aching when I came to a stop and reached for a bottle of water. When I glanced at my phone, I saw that almost an hour had passed.
It was then that I realized I wasn’t alone in the building and probably hadn’t been for a while. I was a little surprised that neither of them had come in to heckle me, but I wasn’t about to question a good thing. I decided to ignore the fact that Maverik and Kingston were lifting weights in the fitness center that gave them a clear view of me in my studio. I still needed to stretch, and I wasn’t going to let them stop me.
I was in a front split and pulling my back foot towards my head when Kingston came in. “Was that ballet?” he asked curiously. “It looked different from what you did on stage, more gymnastic-like stuff.”
I looked up at him in surprise. He actually sounded interested instead of hostile. I decided to just go with it for now.
“It was more contemporary. There are elements of classical ballet mixed with some other dance styles. A lot of companies are starting to expect their dancers to have a wider repertoire than just classical ballet.”
“I like it better than the other kind,” he said with a grin.
I switched positions so my muscles didn’t get cold and looked at him suspiciously. “Careful, it almost sounded like you said something nice to me.”
Kingston laughed out loud and leaned against the wall. “I’m just being honest, don’t get your hackles up, Kitty Kat.”
“Really?” I said sarcastically. “After what happened the other night?”
Kingston looked guilty and ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, about that…”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m waiting for an apology.”
“Sorry,” Kingston said sheepishly. “Mav and I… we went too far.”
“No kidding,” I said as I switched to a side split and slowly lowered my upper body to the floor.
“Are we cool, though?” Kingston asked hopefully.
“I guess,” I said with a shrug. “I did get you back pretty good.”
Kingston chuckled. “I didn’t think you had the balls to pull something like that.”
“Remember that the next time you’re thinking about messing with me,” I threatened.
Kingston grinned at me. “You won’t be able to get us again.”
I chuckled. “Really? I can just wait until you’re wasted and draw all over your face in permanent marker.”
Kingston laughed, and I thought I saw respect in his eyes. I could have been wrong, considering that I was currently threatening him and his brother, but I think he liked the challenge.
“We’ll see,” Kingston replied mischievously. “If you want to start a prank war, then it’s on.”
“I wasn’t the one who started it,” I pointed out.
I looked up at Kingston as I stretched, but I didn’t see any animosity on his face. I wanted to ask him why he was here, but I decided it would be better to let him lead the conversation and see where he went with it. I wasn’t stupid enough to think he just came in here to chat. It was entirely possible that Maverik had sent him in here and was listening to every word.
“You look hot when you dance,” Kingston told me with a flirty grin. “And when you’re doing this stuff.”
I sighed. Really? He was going to fake flirt and thought I’d be clueless enough to fall