Page 21 of Facing Off
I think it’s because he doesn’t like to see his face reflected back at him.
Quickly, I accept the call. His face pops onto the screen. Quinn’s dark eyebrows have come together.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“I might need some help, maybe…”
Instant panic spikes inside me. “What’s going on?”
“You don’t have to say yes.”
“Of course I’m going to say yes.”
“It’s not about me.”
Suddenly, I can’t breathe properly. “Wait. Is it…?”
I can’t even say her name.
Quinn guesses and sighs. “Yeah. It’s…Sonya.”
It doesn’t matter that I barely see her anymore. That even when I do, she’s gone a few minutes later. How the last time we spoke more than two sentences to each other was a chance encounter six months ago on a park bench.
I asked her out, and she turned me down.
None of that matters right now.
Because if she’s in trouble, nothing is keeping me away.
8
SONYA
The daybefore the biggest audition so far in my career, my dance mistress finds me practicing in the studio. Beads of sweat roll down my forehead.
“I pulled a lot of strings to make this happen,” warns Madame Kozlova. “Don’t lose this opportunity to impress him.”
“I won’t.”
Tomorrow, I’m going to be dancing for Bob Pepita. He’s the most renowned modern choreographer of this generation and is hiring dancers for a new ballet he’s creating. His last piece before he retires.Hisswan song.
Open auditions for it start in a month. But tomorrow morning? Before anyone else, I get to perform a private solo for him.
The man with the power to make me a principal dancer.
At twenty-five years old, I’m ready.
The average age of a ballerina when they are promoted is around twenty-six, and it takes them eight years to reach that position after joining a company.
So this is my chance.
Because if you don’t make it when the timing is right, chances are you can’t try again. Because one minute, you’re a star, and the next, someone younger and better is waiting in the wings to push you off the stage and take their shot at it.
Madame Kozlova heads out and doesn’t say anything about me staying behind after all the other dancers have gone home. We both know this is it. I need to put in as many hours at the studio as I can.
Off to the side, in my bag, my phone buzzes. I ignore the sounds of the vibration and keep dancing, betting that it’s my brother calling again.
Quinn is overseas playing for Team Canada at the World Hockey Championship in Oslo. We’ve been playing phone tag for a while. His last few attempts to reach me, I haven’t had a chance to return.
