Page 96 of Tell Me Everything
When I fell asleep, I could still feel his hands around my neck. A few weeks weren't enough to forget.
“I'm still afraid. When I hear a door in the house slam, I still fear it's him, even when I know that's impossible.”
It was hard to get used to the fact that he'd raised his hand to me without hesitation, but deep down, I knew things had to go this way. Although this revelation sucked. At least now I could get on with my life without his shadow looming over me. Had he tried to kill me, or had he just wanted to hurt me? Had he been drunk, or had he been lucid? I didn't know. It didn't matter anymore. Frank was no longer part of my life. I was free, and my future had never looked brighter. I just needed time to heal.
“What about Mick?”
“I miss him every day. But the fact that I miss him doesn't feel as painful anymore. I no longer feel like I'm suffocating when I think of him.”
“It's amazing. You're finally becoming the person you were meant to be.”
Stacey sat down beside me and put her hand on mine. Her eyes turned into crescent moons.
“Who am I meant to be?”
“A strong woman.”
Chapter 32
Elena
The clock on the wall ticked nervously, each sound echoing in my head. Anxiety had been gnawing at me for days. Jade squeezed my hand. Her smile was calm, as if she knew what was going to happen. She didn't look worried. The door opened, and the doctor beckoned us in.
“Hello, Elena, how are you?”
“Good, for now.”
He sat down at his desk and looked at my file. Doctor Petit asked a few questions about my recovery from the operation, but I couldn't make out the look on his face. His smile was as warm as ever, but I couldn't predict what he was going to say. He stopped talking and watched me in silence. Eventually, the doctor stood up and took my hands. My heart was pounding in my temples.
“Don't worry. Your career is not in danger. Your results are excellent.”
I turned back to Jade, wide-eyed, unable to answer. My aunt hugged me. Unable to hold back, I burst into tears. Jade stroked my hair until my tears subsided. Doctor Petit led us to the hospital entrance before attending to another patient. Ella and my mother, who’d been waiting in the cafeteria, bombarded us with questions. Jade gave them all the details, while I silently enjoyed the good news. I could finally dance again.
***
The lights went out and the curtain rose. Silhouettes of dancers stood on the stage, waiting for the music to bring them to life. This was to be the best day of our careers as ballet students. From the crowd, I could feel the buzz of anticipation. When the show began, I held my breath. They were all dancing with such grace and passion.
I'd been away for over six months. With everything that had happened, it felt like a lifetime had passed. A twinge of sadness bubbled to the surface when one of the other girls in my class performed my solo. If I hadn't had my accident, I could have been on that stage. Maybe I would have been spotted by a professional ballet school. Maybe not. But several things were certain: I wouldn't have gotten to know Alex, nor would I have reconnected with my family. And above all, I wouldn't have been able to accept my brother's death and free myself from my father. All these little miracles had one thing in common: Alex, the person who had taught me to love myself and to never give up. The person I'd come to love more than anything.
Once the show was over, the audience went wild. The teachers presented a bouquet of flowers to each final-year student, giving a speech on the performances.
“And last but not least, we'd like to thank Elena Fleureau. Even if you couldn't make it tonight, you're still part of the team and we'd like to thank you for all the years you've spent with us.”
All eyes were on me as I made my way down to the stage. I accepted the flowers my teacher offered me, grateful and moved.
Some of the dancers in my class were approached by scouts, and I was so proud of them. Everyone in this room has worked so hard to be here today. It took blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of passion to make it happen. And they had succeeded.
The room began to empty, and I looked at my bouquet of white roses. It somehow felt like they didn't belong to me.
“Elena! I'm glad to see you're still here.”
Marya, my dance teacher, and a man in his early thirties approached. The man looked at me with great attention. I'd seen him talking to Pauline, a girl in my class, a few minutes earlier.
“This is Dimitri.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
His grip was firm. I tried to shake his hand just as hard.
