Page 32 of On Dancer
“It’s me?” Kitty popped her head out of one of the dressing rooms. She wore a measuring tape as a necklace and a pincushion bracelet along with green velvet pants and a shirt so neon pink it might be visible from space. Victoria’s eyes went pained rather than relieved at the sight of her friend, but Kitty seemed too preoccupied to notice. “Are you ready to see the final costume?”
“Yes.” Victoria took another breath to steady herself, then followed Kitty into the dressing room. Last night at the dress rehearsal, Kitty had cast a critical eye on the costume and taken it for yet more tweaks to the embellishments. She’d arrived earlier with the costume, bleary eyed with a large coffee in tow, so I too was eager to see the final product. Kitty unveiled the costume with a flourish worthy of its sugary splendor. Each quilted layer of the wide tulle tutu was perfectly smooth, but the real star was the gabardine bodice. As with most ballet costumes, the waist area was smooth to allow for ease of partnering. The upper bodice, though, shone brightly with rhinestones and metallic cord in elaborate swirly patterns, all of which would glitter even more under the spotlights.
“Oh my God, it’s beautiful.” Victoria reached a hand out to trail a finger along the neckline. “I can’t believe it’s the same costume I saw in November. I was so nervous last night that I didn’t notice all your changes.”
“You did amazing,” I added.
Kitty preened from the praise. “I deconstructed it, cleaned each piece by hand, reattached the missing embellishments and beads and added more. I wanted it perfect for you.”
“It is.” Victoria’s voice was dreamy as she continued to trace the embellishments with a gentle finger.
“Anything for my best friend.” Kitty’s tone was earnest, but Victoria abruptly dropped her hand and frowned.
“Why are you going to the winter formal with Marcus?”
“I’m not.” Kitty made an indignant noise. The measuring tape around her neck wobbled.
“I heard you say you were thinking about it.” Victoria stared her friend down.
“And I am.” Kitty added her own pointed look. “Thinking, that is.”
Victoria took a big breath, similar to the ones I’d seen her take prior to walking out onto a stage. She exhaled, all her air coming out in a single rush. “Don’t.”
“Don’t think?” Voice going soft, Kitty tilted her head.
“Don’t go with him.” Victoria firmed her tone, a well of inner strength reflected in her dark eyes. “Go with me.”
“With you?” Kitty’s cheeks went candy-apple red, and her eyes were hungry yet wary, like an offered treat might be too good to be true. “As friends? Or?—”
“Here’s your headphones.” Victoria’s mother chose the exact worst moment to stride into the dressing room, making the small space that much more cramped.
“Please.” Victoria continued to have eyes only for Kitty.
“Yes,” Kitty whispered, barely audible, but the word was enough to get a nervous smile and nod from Victoria as her mother approached the costume.
“Look at this costume!” Victoria’s mother marveled, oblivious to the thick emotion swirling in the room. “Kitty, you’re a magician. We never had anything so fancy when I danced in high school.”
“Victoria deserves the best.” Kitty addressed her comment toward Victoria, but Victoria’s mother was the one to nod.
“She does.” Victoria’s mother gave a proud smile, eyes taking on a far-off cast. “That’s why her program next year is so crucial.”
“You both deserve the best.” I lightly tapped Kitty on the shoulder, conveying silent support. A quick glance at my watch told me we all needed to get moving. “I’ll leave you to get changed. And, Victoria? You are ready. I promise. For everything.”
“Thank you.” Victoria’s eyes looked suspiciously damp. For her sake, I hoped she managed to find her focus for the performance, but for both their sakes, I hoped they managed a few more words before the show. My own throat was a little tight as their unfolding drama was more compelling than any ballet.
As soon as I stepped out of the dressing room, I was caught up in pre-show chaos. Missing props. Wardrobe malfunctions. Hyped little ballerinas who weren’t listening to anyone. Nervous soloists. I kept looking for Alexander, but my attention kept getting pulled to other crises.
However, even as I worked putting out various fires, Victoria and Kitty’s earlier interaction lingered in my brain. Victoria’s courage in that moment had been every bit as impressive as her dancing talent. The girls had been friends for years before taking this brave leap into new territory. I’d said I was happy being Alexander’s friend, but was I really? Why couldn’t we be friends as well as something more? Sure, I couldn’t hope for forever, but would it be so terrible to make a bid for more kissing? Friends who kissed? I wanted that more than I wanted anything, possibly up to and including the success of the show, but I had no clue how to make a move that wouldn’t come across as pressure and ruin everything.
Mind whirling, I barely had a chance to peek out at the excited school children filing into the theater seats. My mother had taken on the task of greeting the students, teachers, and themedia members, leaving me to the backstage prep as we counted down to the opening.
“Places everyone.” Tavio swept through as the ballet teachers corralled their charges in preparation for the curtain rising on the party scene. Anticipation thrummed through me as the overture sounded, and I wanted nothing more than to watch the ballet unfold from the wings. However, backstage chaos continued to reign with a flurry of questions and last-minute urgent requests.
“We need a Band-Aid!”
“Are there any tissues?”
“Anyone have a spare bobby pin?”
