Page 10 of A Sky Full Of Stars

“Are you kidding me, Kelly,” he yells at Thomas, completely ignoring my shittyness, because at least mine was a given. Thomas shrugs with a huge smirk on his face until one of the guys bursts out laughing.

A silent but heated exchange takes place before Luke throws his hands in the air. “The hell? You two were in cahoots?”

I bite back a smile while Luke throws a mini tantrum, not at all happy about being hustled. Or reverse hustled, I guess.

The guy that Luke bet with hands over fifty to Thomas, and they fist-bump as they laugh. Turns out, Thomas can’t bowl either, and the idea of that makes me giddy.

“You could have just told me you wanted her for yourself,” Luke grumbles, while the guys all laugh. Meanwhile, I’ve heard enough about my brother’s personal activities to last a lifetime, and I’m just about to ask Luke if we can go home when Thomas stands.

“I’ve done my bit for tonight,” he states, throwing his trash in the can. “I’m out. Catch you all another time.”

He smiles my way as he leaves, and though he doesn’t say goodbye, it still gives me butterflies.And I hate that.

But that’s life. He’s Luke’s friend and I have to be content with that.Even if it sucks.

Acouple of weeks pass and I don’t see Thomas again. Not that I expected to. He’s a college student, and I’m…not.

Luke continues to host parties every other week, while I stay locked in my tower, hoping a certain visitor will once again stop by and save me.

I know my parents mean well. They’re just trying to make sure the hours I’ve been putting in pay off. That I don’t let my life fall apart when I’m so close to finally getting what I’ve always wanted.

But it’s making me resent it.

After another grueling week of school and practice, I’m in a strange funk when I get home late from a class. I’ve just filled up a glass of water when I notice a booklet for the New York International Ballet School strategically placed where Mom usually leaves our mail. It’s open onto the auditions page and in big black letters she’s written,

REMINDER: AUDITION THREE WEEKS AWAY.

She’s been trying to push New York on me for years because she wants me to go to the renowned Jaiton Academy of Dance. Her mother, my gran, studied there before becoming a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, and Mom believes I should be following in her footsteps. They both do. Especially considering talent apparently skipped a generation—Mom’s words, not mine—and she never got to go.

I’m supposed to hear back from the San Francisco Ballet School any day now, and I’m desperately holding out hope for that. When I think about it, an uncomfortable feeling settles in my chest, a tightness I can’t seem to shake. It’s been there a lot lately, in the background, but becomes more prominent whenever I question my future. Like now.

If I don’t get a place in San Francisco, I’m not even sure I want to keep dancing.

Since deciding I wanted to be a ballerina, I’ve had my heart set on that school. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of. And while it’s not the only option, deep down it feels likemyonly option. My one shot…my big break.

So, I can’t help wondering…if I don’t get it, is that the world’s way of saying it’s time to choose a new path? Because the thought of that, of changing my entire future, strangely feels less scary than the idea of Jaiton does.

Only I’m not sure the choice is mine to make.

Chapter Four

Thomas

My arms shake as I push through the last rep of my set. My teammate Jackson steps forward to help, but I huff out a no, using all my strength to lift the bar onto the rack.

The second I’m done, I blow out a breath and cover my eyes, knowing Jackson’s about to throw a towel in my face.

“You killed that session, Kelly,” he says as the towel hits me. “Got something to prove?” He laughs.

“Nope.” I shake my head as I stand. “Just showing you how it’s done.” I’m lying. I have a hell of a lot to prove if I want the starting quarterback position when Cooper graduates in two years since I’m not the only one vying for the spot.

Jackson laughs again as he rolls his eyes.He knows.

“Alright man. Come on, let’s go cool down.”

We move into our cooldown session and chat about our plans for the weekend. There’s a huge party at the Ball House tomorrow night—where some of the football team live—so most of the guys are having a quiet night tonight to prepare.

Hence why I’m hanging out at the team gym. I don’t love quiet nights. I prefer being busy.

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