The Black Swan | Reposted

Chapter 3 - Auditions

The lights were up on the stage, dancers dressed in their best performance gear. Some of us were barefoot; the men shirtless, comparing the modern dancers to the classical in this piece it required it. I was barefoot, a bit nervous, my hands laced behind my back. It never got easier to audition, the moments leading up to it were so overwhelming. The thing was, when I met with Liam, he made me relax. He'd give me this look that only I understood, and I could relax and melt into his body. It was all about that trust, it was so important to me.

"You will be so great." he held my face, gazing down at me with a warm smile. "Be excited."

"Excited," I mumbled.

"Be happy, and breathe evenly," he nudged me and I nudged him back.

"Liam Payne and Odette Ricci." I took a breath and we took our places, the lights up, the music on. They called out the other couple, the modern group, it was that guy who I didn't know and another girl, Kayla McCombs, she was incredible.

The music began and knew the parts, knew the steps, knew it all. I didn't want to stop dancing if I was being truthful. I loved this piece. I hoped that would make my passion shine through, which was always so important. I hoped the directors would see how much I would pour into this piece, because if I got I would make them so proud.

I was lucky to not have to dance with that guy; I hated dancing with strangers, especially for this piece. We all took a bow and started out but they called me back, and with the new guy who I learned was named Harry.

They were talking, our instructors, muffled. "We want you two to dance together."

"I don't know who this is, chemistry."

'This is Harry Styles; we've invited him to our company. Pick it up from part one."

I swallowed and moved, hating, hating that I didn't know this guy. He pulled off his shirt and took off his shoes to join me in being barefoot. His body was sculpted, which didn't shock me. What did was the tattoos, some tribal, some related to ballet, I was surprised. Dancers normally never marked their body. Over all he was a very... he was a beautiful dancer. I was actually shocked the way he moved so... I don't know. He looked as young as me; Liam was older, by a few years. He was twenty four. This guy looked about my age, maybe twenty one or two.

"Thank you," they cut us as Harry lifted me. He gently set me down and we both thanked them, walking off stage.

"You're part of this company now?" I asked him.

"They're asking me to join it.'

"Why wouldn't you want to? This is one of the most prestigious companies."

He just shrugged and walked off. I shook my head and walked a different way to join Sarah and Niall.

"How'd you do?"

"I think all right? They made me dance with that new guy, his name is Harry Styles. They want him to join the company."

"Would he be a principle?"

"I think so, I'd assume. He doesn't know if he'll stay here."

"I hope they don't pair you with him."

"Me too."

It made me nervous. They never one had me do that before, it was always Liam and I. We worked so well together, everyone knew that. I didn't want to have build up some bond in a matter of weeks before this performance, it wouldn't be possible. It only made me think I wouldn't get the part.

My mom had called, I knew she was trying to make me stay positive but she only added to my anxiety.

"I don't know mom, I hope I get it. We'll see what the Company chooses."

"You did your best and that's what I want. I'll see you at the studio end of the week for classes, I gotta run. I love you."

"I love you too mom, bye," I hung up and threw myself in bed, shouting into a pillow.

I wanted her to be so proud of me. Every day that I wasn't in Swan Lake or staring in something made me feel like a disappointment. It was such a tense, tight pressure that felt smothering.

I sat up and looked at my body in the mirror, pulling a simple potion, rocking up on my feet. I made my arms look light but controlled. I sat back down and filled my bath tub, sinking into once it was full.

I wanted to dance till my limbs fell off. I wanted to dance until I stopped breathing. I brought my knees up to my chest and rested my head onto them. I was deep in thought.

Sometimes it scared me how much I loved dance. It scared me that maybe I was... maybe I wouldn't be so lucky like my mom and found a man who could understand this life. I knew Liam would understand but he was far too close to my dancing life. I needed him as a partner in that life. I wanted someone outside of it, like how my dad was with my mom.

I think I wanted a baby one day. I was that kind of life, I wanted to be the mother my mom was to me. I think it was special, the relationship we shared. I wanted that with a baby I made. Maybe with a little more... emotion though?

Right now I was focused on this piece, and then we'd see what could come up next.