Chapter 52: Penny
Dinner smells like everything good in the would collided in one
Warm garlic, bubbling cheese, sanidhing herby and buttery and slightly seret that must be the talad dressing. It’s the kind of meal that feels like, it was made by someone who doesn’t just want to lead you – they want to take care of you.
Mrs. Hayek sets a massive dish of lasagna on the table like it’s her greatest masterpiece. Mr. Hayes brings over a basket of bread and a bet sliced oranges and some sort of citrus vinnigiette that glicens like liquid sanshine.
“This looks amazing.” I say as I sit down, folding my napkin on my lap.
“Wait til you taste it,” Tyler grins, already teaching for a slice of brend,
Mrs. Hayes waves a hand, but she’s clearly pleased, “It’s nothing special. Just a little recipe l’he tweaked over the years.
“It’s definitely special,” 1 say after the first bite. The lasagna is perfect–crispy edges, soft middle, cheese that melts like a dream and just the right amount of seasoning
across the table — Asher’s already digging in, as stoic as ever.
Still went. Still unreadable
Still too attractive in that gray shirt that should honestly be banned.
“Thank you so much for having me over,” I say to both parents. “Really. This is… everything.”
Mrs. Hayes gives me that warm mom smile. “Penny, you’ve been with Tyler for almost a year. You’re like our daughter at this point.”
I blink. Then smile.
flush creeps up my neck and settles warmly in my cherki.
“That means a lot.”
Mr. Hayes nods. “You’re always welcome here.”
For a few seconds, I feel something tight and warm in my chest
like this might be what it feels like to be truly folded into someone’s life.
Mrs. Hayes takes a sip of water and sets her glass down gently. “Now, tell us about those auditions you had. We want all the detail.”
Tyler groans playfully. “Careful You’re about to get a twenty–minute TED Talk.”
nudge him with my elbow. “Shut up. You’ve literally sat through this before and survived”
He smirks and gestures to me. “You’re on, ballerina.”
I sit up a little straighter. “Okay. So, auditions for the Spring Gala are a big deal. First of all, you can’t just show up. You have to sign up a year in achance.”
“A year?” Mrs. Hayes repeats, eyebrows lifting
“Yup. And during that year, representatives from the Gala do quarterly check- the physical and technical standards.”
you do. They watch your progress, evaluate if you’re keeping up with
“And if you’re not?” Mr. Hayes asks.
“They rail you. You lour your spot. Then you have to was another year for the next round of sign–ups
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Chapter 52: Penny
Asher looks up briefly, I catch it. The flicker interest. He’s listening
“It’s their way of making sure people don’t jest show up out of here,” I continue. “They want dancers who’ve proven they can keep e, not just perform.
Mr. Hayes nos slowly. “That makes sense.
“So then, when audition day comes,” I say, “you get there, theck in, warm up. You have the option to pick one of four prepared cheographies. I picked
Swan Lake
“Classic” Mr. Hayes smiles..
“Exactly. It’s elegant but demanding. It fits me better than the others.”
“Do you choreograph your own version of 117” Mh. Hayes ks.
“No, it’s pre–choreographed. But you’re allowed small moments of personalization, like part de heas styling or timing. Stuff that shows personality.”
I glance down
was at my plate.
“You get three minutes in front of five judges. That’s it. You dance. No retakes. No do overs. Then you leave. They don’t tell you anything – score. Just thank you for your time.
“They don’t even let you know if you did well?” Tyler asks, frowning.
I shake my head. “Nope. You find out a week later. They post a list online with names under categories- lead, solout, corps, and not on … that’s it.”
understudy. If your name’s
Mrs. Hayes reaches out and
pars
my
hand gently. “That’s brutal.”
Candle a little. “Yeah, but it’s part of the game. The Cala is huge. It’s a launching pad for most professional companies. Getting in, even as a secondary
dancer, is major.”
Tyler chews and swallows. “So when will you know?”
“Saturday, supposedly. Unless they delay it.”
“And do you think you’ve got a shot?” Mr. Hayes asks, setting his fork down
My stomach tightens, but I meet his eyes.
“I don’t know, I really don’t. My audition went well. I hit every mork, didn’t stumble, kept my timing. But… I didn’t get to see the other dancers. I don’t know how I stack up.”
There’s a pause, just a second too long
I rush to fill it. “I’d be grateful to make corps. That’s the group dancing behind the leads. That alone is a huge deal. I’m not aiming for Odette. I just want t belong on that stage.”
Mrs. Hayes beams at me like I already da. “Well, we’re rooting for you.”
“So hard.” Tyler says. “You’ve got this.”
Asher says nothing.
glance acros
But when I gla
across the table, he’s watching me.
He doesn’t smile. Dory’t nod
gaze is focused, sharp, like he’s scanning my words for lies or weakness or something else I don’t understand.
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Chapter 52: Penny
My
My heart flutters in a way I with it wobben’t.
Mr. Hayes lifts his glass.
To Penny May Swan Lake call her
Everyone taises their glasses. Even Ashrt, after a half second
I clink gently, heat blooming in my cl
chest again
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