didn't trust that he' d be any different now.
"Don't worry, Marianna, I won't drop you." Travis' voice had changed too. It was no longer squeaky, but deep and male, and oh my gaw d .
He didn't drop me. Travis lifted me as if I were a feathe r then he sen t me floating on the wind. Our bodies came together in the dance. I knew we were beautiful together. I could see our images in the wall length mirror as we turned and le a p t together. W e moved as one , and I realized that things had changed from before.
And , that pissed me off even more. I was attracted to Travis in spite of myself. A lso, I couldn't have asked for a better partner. He was the right height with the perfect amount of strength. He was graceful and strong , and a much better dancer than any of the other guys in the studio.
He was a different dancer now, but I was doubt ful about him as a person . He may have ch anged his stripes, but I questioned whether he 'd changed his spots.
As soon as class ended, I made a beeline for my bag, threw my shirt and shorts over my dance clothes, and sat down to remove my pointe shoes. I wanted to get out of there fast. I didn't want to talk to Travis, or think about how hot he'd become, or confront these crazy new emotions I was feeling. I needed to clear my head.
"What's the hurry?" asked Chanie.
"I'm hungry. It's time for lunch," I said.
"I know this great little French bistro a round the corner. Wanna go?" Travis' deep voice wrapped around me like a soft blanket on a winter day. He stood in front of me , dressed in sweats and holding his bag ready to go.
"Chanie and I were going to grab something..."
"I've heard of that place. It sounds great. Hey Brian, we' re going to the bistro around the corner. Do you want to come?" Chanie called out to her dance partner.
I sighed inwardly. Chanie made the decision for me. I couldn't back out now or I’d look like a snob . I lo oked up and saw Travis smiling in a way that made me melt physically . Ugg! Liking Travis was so not in my plan.
***
I tried to keep my m ind on eating and not on Travis, but it was harder than I expected. Somehow , I ended up sitting next to him . His thigh touched mine in the cramped booth. Sometimes , our arms brushed. I was on fire the entire time.
I had to admit the food at the bistro was mouthwateringly good. I t was the best croque monsieur sandwich I'd ever had , and Chanie and Brian talked enough for the four of us, so I didn't have to say much.
"Where did you go last summer?" asked Travis right after I took a bite of sandwich.
I hate it when someone expects me to answer when I still have food in my mouth. It seems like the food will never go dow n, and everyone's looking at me and waiting for my answer. I took a sip of tea before I said anything.
"I got into Houston Ballet's summer intensive. It was great but hot and humid there. Where did you go?" I asked.
"I went to Kirov Academy in D.C."
"Seriously? I've auditioned for Kirov every year but never got in." Now, I was interest ed .
"I think it's easier for guys. Not as much competition."
"That's for sure," said Chanie.
Brian chimed in, "This is my first summer intensive. I'm a late starter, but I've heard it's way easier for men to get spots than women." He put his arm around Chanie. She wiggled and moved closer to him .
"For a late bloomer, you're freakin' amazing ," said Chanie.
"Thanks," Brian blushed.
I rolled my eyes. Based on what I already knew about my roommate, it didn't surprise me that she hook ed up quickly with a guy.
"Do you guys want to meet up and hang out in the rec room after classes tonight?" asked Travis.
No. Yes. Maybe. "Sure," I heard myself say. I'm not sure what made me say it. Did I really want to hang out with Travis? Okay...maybe a little, but seriously, I knew I was going to be beat. I stil l had a tap and jazz class to go to before my day was done . As we walked back to the studio, Chanie and Brian dropped back. They were holding hands. I felt
"Don't worry, Marianna, I won't drop you." Travis' voice had changed too. It was no longer squeaky, but deep and male, and oh my gaw d .
He didn't drop me. Travis lifted me as if I were a feathe r then he sen t me floating on the wind. Our bodies came together in the dance. I knew we were beautiful together. I could see our images in the wall length mirror as we turned and le a p t together. W e moved as one , and I realized that things had changed from before.
And , that pissed me off even more. I was attracted to Travis in spite of myself. A lso, I couldn't have asked for a better partner. He was the right height with the perfect amount of strength. He was graceful and strong , and a much better dancer than any of the other guys in the studio.
He was a different dancer now, but I was doubt ful about him as a person . He may have ch anged his stripes, but I questioned whether he 'd changed his spots.
As soon as class ended, I made a beeline for my bag, threw my shirt and shorts over my dance clothes, and sat down to remove my pointe shoes. I wanted to get out of there fast. I didn't want to talk to Travis, or think about how hot he'd become, or confront these crazy new emotions I was feeling. I needed to clear my head.
"What's the hurry?" asked Chanie.
"I'm hungry. It's time for lunch," I said.
"I know this great little French bistro a round the corner. Wanna go?" Travis' deep voice wrapped around me like a soft blanket on a winter day. He stood in front of me , dressed in sweats and holding his bag ready to go.
"Chanie and I were going to grab something..."
"I've heard of that place. It sounds great. Hey Brian, we' re going to the bistro around the corner. Do you want to come?" Chanie called out to her dance partner.
I sighed inwardly. Chanie made the decision for me. I couldn't back out now or I’d look like a snob . I lo oked up and saw Travis smiling in a way that made me melt physically . Ugg! Liking Travis was so not in my plan.
***
I tried to keep my m ind on eating and not on Travis, but it was harder than I expected. Somehow , I ended up sitting next to him . His thigh touched mine in the cramped booth. Sometimes , our arms brushed. I was on fire the entire time.
I had to admit the food at the bistro was mouthwateringly good. I t was the best croque monsieur sandwich I'd ever had , and Chanie and Brian talked enough for the four of us, so I didn't have to say much.
"Where did you go last summer?" asked Travis right after I took a bite of sandwich.
I hate it when someone expects me to answer when I still have food in my mouth. It seems like the food will never go dow n, and everyone's looking at me and waiting for my answer. I took a sip of tea before I said anything.
"I got into Houston Ballet's summer intensive. It was great but hot and humid there. Where did you go?" I asked.
"I went to Kirov Academy in D.C."
"Seriously? I've auditioned for Kirov every year but never got in." Now, I was interest ed .
"I think it's easier for guys. Not as much competition."
"That's for sure," said Chanie.
Brian chimed in, "This is my first summer intensive. I'm a late starter, but I've heard it's way easier for men to get spots than women." He put his arm around Chanie. She wiggled and moved closer to him .
"For a late bloomer, you're freakin' amazing ," said Chanie.
"Thanks," Brian blushed.
I rolled my eyes. Based on what I already knew about my roommate, it didn't surprise me that she hook ed up quickly with a guy.
"Do you guys want to meet up and hang out in the rec room after classes tonight?" asked Travis.
No. Yes. Maybe. "Sure," I heard myself say. I'm not sure what made me say it. Did I really want to hang out with Travis? Okay...maybe a little, but seriously, I knew I was going to be beat. I stil l had a tap and jazz class to go to before my day was done . As we walked back to the studio, Chanie and Brian dropped back. They were holding hands. I felt
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