Page 14 of Kissing the Debutant
“I’m doing a competition,” Lillian blurted.
“What? That’s wonderful, Lillian.” Her mother’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. “I haven’t been able to get you excited about a competition in a long time. Which is it? The Youth America Grand Prix? I could get you into a few workshops to prepare.”
“It’s the Northeast Regional Scholarship for the Dramatic Arts. Tons of colleges will be there. It’s very competitive.
“Darling, you don’t need a scholarship.” Her mother frowned as if she’d smelled something bad. “I don’t understand. Is this some sort of rebellion?”
“It’s supposed to be fun, Mom. A chance to meet recruiters from some of the best performance colleges in the country.”
“We’ve talked about this, Lillian, a secular school at your age will only rob you of your best dance years. You can do the college thing after you retire.”
“I just want to try it, Mom. I’m not saying no to ABC or any of the prestigious companies across the world, but I want to explore all my options.”
“Let me check into thiscompetition,and we’ll see, dear. At the very least it will help you get back into the competitive mindset before your more important auditions later this year.”
“I need a new routine,” Lillian said. “Something a little younger and more modern than Coach Kozlovsky would create.
Lillian’s mother frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Very well. I will put some feelers out, but I doubt we’ll get anyone worthwhile on such short notice.”
“Katrina has been helping me—"
“Absolutely not. My daughter will only have the best. Even if it is modern choreography.”
“Just, get someone with a personality this time,” Lillian said.
“All right, but we’re not done talking about this odd interest in college. You’ve got a half hour left. I’ll get out of your hair so you can make it count. I’ll call you when I get back to Lexington.” Her mother gathered her purse and turned to leave without really saying goodbye to her daughter. Jack couldn’t imagine not living with his mom, but if he did, there was no way she wouldn’t hug him half to death every chance she got.
“Bye, Mom.” Lillian seemed relieved to see the back of her mother.
She immediately returned to her practice, her feet moving quickly into a series of échappés en pointe.It made his toes hurt just watching her. She was in dire need of some updated choreography if she was going to have a chance with this kind of competition. The judges would be looking for creativity, and he had just the kind of creativity she needed.
Jack glanced back down to the project sheet for his class.
“Don’t do it, Butler,” he murmured to himself. But the hint of plan had already morphed into something he desperately wanted. “It’s a really bad idea, dude.” She would tear his face off just for suggesting it.
“You can come out now,” Lillian said in a defeated voice.
Jack peeked through the curtain, feeling guilty for spying on the mother-daughter practice session. “Sorry, didn’t realize you knew I was back here.”
“Whatever. I’m leaving in a minute, so you can lock up.” She sank to the floor, removing her ballet slippers. “Today was a wash, so I’ll just put in more time tomorrow.”
“So…” Jack shoved his way through the curtain. “It sounds like you need a new choreographer.” He leaned against the mirrored wall behind Lillian. “Something modern with a little kick of creativity, right?”
“Why, you know someone?” She scoffed.
Jack moved to sit across from her. “I’ll do it. I’ll help you win your competition if you’ll return the favor.”
“What, you have a dance competition you need help with?” She shook her head like it was some kind of joke that he’d need her help with anything.
“Sort of. I need you to dance with me.”
5
Lillian
Lillian had never lacked for intelligence, but when those words left Jack’s lips, she couldn’t think of a single smart thing to say.
Was no too simple?
