Thanks to Tara, I now own more than a handful of ankle-length skirts and knitted sweatshirts, so I'm already feeling more confident walking into class dressed in a sleek pair of black leggings that accentuate my butt and a hip sweater than hangs off one shoulder. I've done my hair today, letting it fall in golden waves down my back, and the small pallet of makeup I invested in lights up my features today.
If Sadie saw me, she'd have had a stroke. I won't dare tell her that my food allowance went to clothes and makeup. Eventually, I'll have to come up with a better solution, because Sadie will cut me off the first chance she gets.
I feel extra giddy today due to Danny's text message last night. I had been certain they wouldn't even consider me, so I'd been pleasantly surprised to see the message come through.
But I was still hesitant. If Sadie found out that I was dancing, she'd cut me off. As of right now, she and my father were funding my college experience, and that had been one of the rules. No funny business or you're done.
I couldn't have that.
I went to my first few classes including Econ and Psychology, where Tara spotted me and whistled, waving me over to take my seat next to her.
"Damn girl," she says. "You're looking smokin' today."
"Thanks," I respond, clearing my throat. A few guys glance my way, obviously checking me out, and I flush. I'm not used to the attention. For years I've been scolded for attracting any sort of attention, especially from men. Although married to one—my father, no less—Sadie hates men. She thinks they're all pigs and only want one thing.
At this point, that's okay with me.
After Psychology ends, Tara and I head to the dining hall for lunch. I grab a chicken salad and Tara goes for a bowl of soup before we make our way to an empty table in the back of the hall. I'm loving school so far; it's honestly all I dreamed it would be. As long as Sadie keeps her nose out of it, anyway.
"Any word from the step-monster?" Tara asks, right on cue. I scoff and shake my head.
"Talked to her briefly last night. She has no idea about the dance tryout. She still thinks Economics is what I want to major in, and she has no idea we went shopping for normal people's clothes." I take a bite of my salad and chew slowly. "In other words, she's just where I want her to be. Oblivious."
Tara chuckles. "That reminds me—have you heard from the dance team?"
I open my mouth to answer her, but before I can, someone slides unabashedly into the empty seat next to me, his arm brushing mine.
"Hi, Faith," Danny says, and my heart flutters unnaturally against my ribcage.
"Danny," I say carefully, trying hard not to notice again how sexy his dark hair looks, doubled with the icy blue of his eyes. He's a natural charmer, this one, and the only guy in that trio that seems to actually like me.
Damn.
"Hi," Danny says, turning to look at Tara, who is staring at him with a flabbergasted look. "Tara, right?"
"Right."
He turns back toward me. "Faith, we want you on the team." His words are straight and abrupt, and I feel myself squirm under Tara's sharp gaze.
"Uh, yeah," I say. "I know."
"Great," Danny says, slapping his hands together once. "So, what's your answer?"
"I told you last night—I have to think about it."
"Last night?" echoes Tara, and a flush of heat creeps to my neck and face.
"Via text," I say quickly, and she chuckles, clearly amused.
"Shall I give you two a minute?" she asks. I shake my head no the same time Danny nods yes.
"Yes."
"No."
"I get it." Tara waggles her eyebrows at me as she gets up and leaves us alone, winking at me over her shoulder. Shit.
"Much better," Danny says, turning his body towards me. I swallow my intimidation and focus on my salad, wishing he'd just go away. I'm not good with confrontation.
"Look," he says, reaching out to rest his hand on my upper thigh. His touch makes me quiver and my thighs slap together as a sexy tingle between my legs fires up. Jesus, what is this guy doing to me? "I know you're hesitant. But we want you on the team. We need you on the team. And we can't afford to wait for your answer, because we have a competition coming up in three weeks." His dark brows knit together, hand still lingering on my leg. I'm having a hard time catching my breath, but either he doesn't notice or doesn't care, but I'm trying to hold myself together and not envision us naked in my bed. I draw in a deep, unsteady breath, my eyes darting down to his hand, then back to his eyes. Damn, those eyes.
"Okay," I say finally. "I—I'll join the team."
A huge, genuine smile lights up Danny's face, and I silently curse. As if he couldn't be sexier, then he goes and smiles.
I'm a sucker for this stranger.
"I'm so glad," Danny says, and he leans over and hugs me, squeezing tight, and the breath leaves my body once again. "Thank you," he murmurs, pulling back a few inches to look me in the eyes. "You won't regret it."
"I hope not," I mumble, hardly able to keep track of my thoughts with Danny so close to me. For a moment we simply stare at each other. I feel like I'm in a different world, a different universe. And finally, just as I'm about to faint from his hotness, Danny glances at his watch, curses, and slides out of the booth.
"Look," he says, shoving his hands deep into the pocket of his jeans. "I really like you, Faith. As more than just a dancer for the team."
"Um, thanks."
"Would you like to go on a date with me?"
I inhale sharply. A date. With this sexy guy.
Sadie would have a stroke. She'd kill me first, then she'd have a stroke.
I meet Danny's gaze again and smile. "I'd love that."
"Me too," he says with a grin that makes my insides tingle. "So, I'll see you tonight at practice? We'll be in the auditorium tonight. Six PM sharp."
"See you there."
I spent the rest of the day giddy as hell, hoping I can actually go through with both the date and the dance team. My nerves are on edge, and I can hardly focus for the rest of my classes, but I manage to get through them and back to my dorm room that afternoon unscathed. Tara is nowhere to be found, probably still in class, so I jump in the shower to try and ease away the anxiety of the day. Hot water pours over me and I close my eyes, lifting my face to the shower head, trying to gather the nerve to get dressed and show up. Part of me is thrilled; once upon a time, dancing was my whole entire life. But the other part is terrified of Sadie and my father finding out. If I break the rules, they won't pay tuition, and then I'm really screwed.
Pushing that thought aside, I dry off quickly and dress in a pair of comfortable leggings and a purple tank top. It's not date-worthy, but it's certainly dance-worthy, and that's all I need to focus on right now. My time with Danny will—hopefully—come later. And while I'm not trying to impress anybody yet with anything but dancing, I apply a little makeup anyway, hoping it will pass me off as someone who moderately gives a shit about her looks. Damn, those men—they don't even have to try.
I grab a water bottle and head out, making my way straight to the auditorium so I won't be late. I expect to see Tara there already; she'd danced well enough. Better than me, probably, but I'm surprised when I show up to find only three people waiting for me. Danny, Mark, and Theo.
"Um, hi," I say awkwardly, dropping my bag next to my feet and setting my water bottle next to that. "Am I early?"
Theo glances at his phone. "No, you're actually three minutes late," he says. He's sitting on the stage with his legs over the side, swinging them back and forth like he's annoyed to be here and has better things to do than dance. Or wait for me, apparently.
"I'm sorry," I say. "My watch runs a few minutes slow."
"Glad you could make it, Faith," Danny says with a grin, hopping down off the stage to approach me. I feel Mark and Theo's eyes on us as Danny takes it upon himself to greet and hug me, just like he'd done in the dining hall. I feel awkward suddenly like I'm being scrutinized by the other two, but the scent of Danny's aftershave mixed with soap is intoxicating, and it's all I can do to keep myself from planting my lips on his and beg for more.
"Ignore them," Danny whispers in my ear, just before he pulls away. "Show 'em what you're made of, yeah?"
I nod uncertainly and follow Danny to the front of the auditorium, finding it difficult to meet either Theo's or Mark's gaze. Mark is glaring at me as he leans up against the wall a few feet from Theo.
What is with these guys?
"Where's the rest of the team?" I ask, half-expecting to see Tara walk through the door just then. There were other dancers on the first day as well. Where are they?
"You're looking at them," Mark says gruffly, and it takes me a moment to tear my gaze away from his amber hair and jade-green eyes. Like, damn. What did I get myself into?
"I'm confused." Realizing suddenly that I'm hunched down and drawn in a bit, I square my shoulders and raise my chin to confront them. I won't be seen as weak, not anymore. They have no idea what's coming. "Where are the rest of your dancers?"
"With their dance team," says Theo, as if I'm stupid for not knowing that already. "Your friend Tara and the others are on the school's team. We were just responsible for tryouts. But this team, your team—it's just us."
"The trio," adds Mark.
"Now the foursome," Danny says with a chuckle. I swallow my anxiety and stare between them.
"Why me?"
"Why not you?" Danny answers first, reaching for his water bottle to take a sip. "You were the strongest dancer at tryouts."
"That's debatable," Theo mutters, but we both ignore him.
"Enough chit-chat," Mark says, snapping his fingers. "Let's see what you've got, Faith."
"What do you want me to do?"
Danny smiles as he hops up on the stage and takes my hand, gently pulling me up after him. "Dance," he says softly.
That, I can do.
I step under the dimly lit light of the stage, the scent of old sweat and anticipation hanging heavy in the air. My heart races, a combination of excitement and nerves intertwining like a delicate ballet solo. This is my first practice with these three, the men who exude confidence and swagger, completely immersed in the world of hip-hop. And here I stand, terrified, a ballerina who's about to face a new rhythm, a new beat. Clearing my throat, I get into position, poised, and elegant. I'll dance to whatever they put on.
As I glance at them, their eyes flit from my poised ballet shoes to my delicate form. Their skepticism lingers, like an invisible barrier standing between us. I feel the weight of their doubt pressing against me, testing my resolve. But I refuse to let their preconceptions define my journey.
"You dance, and we'll dance," says Theo, not sounding entirely convinced. He does something on his phone, and the music begins. It's a pulsating bass that reverberates through the room. Mark, Danny, and Theo begin to dance with an effortless grace, their bodies interpreting the rhythm with precision and power. Each step, and each gesture, is a testament to their years of dedication and experience. They seem to belong to this world, like a well-worn groove in a vinyl record.
My heart skips a beat as doubt claws at the edges of my determination. The notes that fill the air don't belong to my familiar ballet scores. The beat feels foreign, like a language I've yet to fully comprehend. But I'm here to learn, to immerse myself in the raw energy that emanates from this art form. I won't let them down. Better yet, I won't let myself down.
With trepidation, I take my first tentative step, blending the discipline of ballet with the rawness of hip-hop. My body feels like an instrument, ready to be tuned to this new melody. My balletic elegance merges with their urban swagger, creating a unique harmony that speaks to my soul.
I feel their eyes on me, their skepticism morphing into curiosity. Theo glances over, watching as I carve intricate lines in the air, my arms flowing like silk, defying the conventional boundaries they expected of me. I dance with fire in my veins, determination in every muscle fiber, and grace in each breath. I'm ignoring the others now, too immersed in my own flow to give a shit what they think. But they, too, continue to dance.
As the routine progresses, a spark ignites within me. I let go of my reservations and surrender to the rhythm, allowing it to guide me. Every movement becomes a declaration, a testament to my resilience and the power of the human spirit. Sweat beads on my forehead and my muscles burn, but I push through, embracing the exhilaration that surges through my veins.
It's been so long.
In this room filled with pulsating beats, I find my voice. I transcend the labels, the expectations, and the doubts. I am a dancer, capable of embracing any rhythm that challenges me. I am Faith, a ballerina, embracing the hip-hop world with grace, elegance, and unyielding determination. My mother would be proud.
The music ends abruptly, and as we take a moment to catch our breath, newfound understanding glimmers in Mark and Theo's eyes. Although I know they haven't accepted me just yet, we're on the right path.
"Bravo," Danny says, crossing the stage to hug me once more. He turns from me to look at Theo and Mark, both of whom are staring at me with unreadable expressions. "Listen," Danny says, taking another sip of his water. He wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead and looks between the three of us. "We may dance to different tunes, but together, we can create a harmony that surpasses all expectations."
"Deep," Theo says sarcastically, but I nod.
"I agree, Danny."
He smiles, then trains his gaze back on the other two. "Again," he says. "Tonight, let's just dance."
It's almost nine by the time we finally finish practice, and I feel sweaty and gross as I bid Danny and the others goodbye. We danced well, all of us, but Theo and Mark are still jackasses, and I'm not really sure how to win them over. If my dancing isn't enough, what will be?
"Can I call you tomorrow?" Danny asks, walking me out. I nod, feeling once more the intrusive gazes of the other two on our backs.
"Please do," I say sincerely. "I might as well be friends with one of you, right?"
Danny winks, grabbing the door for me. It's such a simple gesture, but butterflies seem to flutter in my stomach. I've never been on a real date before, especially not with someone so freaking cute, but I can't help but worry still that maybe I've made the wrong decision in being here. And then I realize, as I wave at Danny over my shoulder and head back to my dorm room, that as soon as I'm dancing, all those fears and insecurities go away.
Besides, if I can help these guys win nationals, maybe I can finally break free from Sadie's obsessive hold on me.