Chapter 88: Penny
The school parking lot is already buzzing by the time we pull in. I step out of the cat, book bag slung over une shoulder, Tyler falling in step bende always. His finger brush mine and then link them gently.
We talked last night.
Really talked
He apologized again–this time slower, more aware. He promised he’d be better. Less partying Less slipping away when I needed him close. He said he’d try to be kinder, more thoughtful. He looked me in the eye when he said it, which made me want to believe him.
And I think I do. Or at least, I want to
Still… when I went to sleep, Asher wasn’t back. And this moming, his bed was already made and cold by the time I sted. Out on a m. Again, Like he needed to be array from us. Or maybe just from me.
That thought shouldn’t make my chest ache, but it does anyway.
As soon as we open the door to the school, my stomach drops.
A giant pink banner stretches across the entrance hall. Bold, glittery letters spell out CONGRATS PENELOPE! and on the corners, there are hand–drawn ballet slippers. Someone even added little sparkles to the laces.
My feet stop moving.
Tyler bumps into me, then looks up. “Whoa.”
Then–chemm
Applause. Actual applause. From classmates. From students I don’t even know the names of
My face Bushes crimson
The principal–Mr. Calder–steps into the hallway like he’s been waiting. “Mix Vale!” he says grandly, wrapping me in a hug I was not prepared for “Congratulations. You’ve made the school proud. The lead in Swan Lake? That’s no small feat”
“1–uh–thank you,” I stammer. “I didn’t… I didn’t know anyone
“Word trach fast; he says with a wink..
be are swarming now. Congratulating me. · Pinting my arm. Smiling wide. People I’ve maybe spoken to pwise in my entire life.
More people are
A few girls only recognize from across the cafeteria stop to give me actual hups. It’s overwhelming Beautiful Weird. Slightly terrifying.
I smile. I thank everyone. I try not to cry or faint or vanish into the wall.
Tyler squeezes my hand and laughs “Look at you, Superstar.”
1 finally make it to class, still dazed. As I slip into my seat, I pull out my phone and scroll to the Hayes group chat–the one we male weeks ago when thin
all started
Me: lepot in tell you guys, got the lead role! starting today |
Then I pull up the quick photo I mapped of the hallway banner earlier and send that tho,
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes respond tardy.
Mr. H: PENELOPE LLLLL WE KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!!!
1/3
Chapter 88: Penny
Mr. If: That’s our girl!!! »¦ Sa pind of you, sweetheartiti
I smile. I didn’t realize how much their support would mean.
After class, I find Tyler waiting by my Incker,
“So,” he says, leaning against the wall, “what’s the plan for the rest of your glamomus day?
1 tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “Eve got my first rehearsal this afternoon. Until six”
He nods. “Right, big day. You nervous?”
“A little.”
“You’ll kill it.
I glance down, shifting the strap on my bag. “And after that… Asher invited me to dinner. To meet his friend. Rooster.”
Tyler brow lifts. “Oh?
“yeah, I mean, I remembered you had practice until eight, so I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“No, no. That’s true. I just…” He gives a crooked smile. “Didn’t know you two were hanging out like that.”
“We’re not.” I pause. “He just thought I’d like his friends. And I didn’t want to say no.”
Tyler studies me for a beat, then nods slowly, “Well, I’m glad you’re getting along with him.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
He leans in and kisses me–soft, lär be’s bring careful. “Good luck today.”
“Thanks,” I say again, and watch him walk off down the hall.
The bus ride feels longer than usual.
Not because it actually is, but because every second stretches under the weight of what’s waiting for me at the end lead in Swan Lake.
-my first official rehearsal as the
Even now, those words feel surreal.
I press my forehead gently to the window watching the streets pass. The rhythms of the bus is oddly soothing, a contrast to the nerves dancing in my chest like rogue ballerinas off–beat.
I check the time again
I’m early.
Not by much, but early enough to get there, breathe, stretch, and maybe try not to vomit
The studio’s in the nicer part of town, tucked in between a boutique flower shop and some overpriced cafe that sells Like croissants and regret. The sun glints off the windows, casting so patterns of light across the sidewalk as I clinh the steps. When I push open the il
rosin and sweat wraps around me like a well–woon sweater
Madame is already the
Of course she b.
Standing tall and rigid like she’s the commander of an invisible army. Her fun–lined coat is draped over a chair, and her hair in sicked into its usual izan
4/3
Chapter 88: Penny
bun. She turns as soon as the
“Penelope,” she says, nodding “Good. You’re eat. Like a lead should be ”
Me nevester, but I manage a small smile. “Good aftemen, Madame”
She gestures toward the center of the mom where to dancers stand wanting. “Let me introduce your counterparts.”
The male dancer steps forward Gat
He’s tall. Not like Asher tall–no one is Asher tall–bat tall enough that I have to tilt my head when we dance together. build is strong hat lean, like every muscle is purposefully placed. His dank blond hair is trusted in a way that looks accidental but probably in’t, and his jewline in sharp enough to cut plays. But it’s his eyes that get me warm, amber brown and open, like he’s been through enough life to know how to be kind.
He offers his hand.
“Lec.” he says, his French accent subtle but present. “Luc Moreau. It is very nice to meet you. Penny”
“Penelope,” Madame corrects automatically.
I shake his hand, surprised at how gentle his grip is.
“Nice to meet you too,” I say, then add, “You can call me Penny.”
He
- le. “Then Penny it u.”
The girl next to him steps forward next. She’s maybe a few inches, shorter than me, wity and delicate like a sparrow. Her dark curls are tied into a low bun and her freckles-dust across her nose in a way that makes her seen younger than she probably is.
“I’m Salia,” she says brightly. “I’m your understudy, and honestly I’m prt so hunered to be here, you’re amazing.”
I blink. “Oh. Thank you. That’s really sweet.”
She grim. “Senoudy, I saw your audition. Everyone was talking about it. You canned this”
Madame clears her throat, and when I glance at her, she por me a tore glint of something almost… conspiratorial.
When Luc and Sofia turn to grab their water bottles, Matine steps closer and whapers. “Sofia is sweet. But she is not even close to your level. So don’t
I nod, we law. “I’m not.”
And I’m not. This mle? I worked for it. Ried for it. The staged bones and blistered feet and bruised knees to get here. There’s no part of me that’s fumbling
the big now
“Très bien,” Madame says, then turns back toward the center. “Let’s begin
Chapter Comments
3
POST COMMENT NOW
SHARE
