I literally froze, ready to puke again.
She was skinnier, blonder, and more intimidating than ever. Her platinum hair was tied back in a tight chignon and glittering diamonds dotted her ears. Her bony hands were splayed on her hips, which jutted from her body-hugging fuchsia dress. Every muscle and bone protruded. It was no secret in the ballet world that she was a major bulimic. Rumor had it she used laxatives to purge and could stick a finger down her throat deeper than a dick.
If she was surprised to see me, she didn’t show it. Her predatory cat-green eyes met mine. A slow poisonous smile snaked across her face as she gave me the once over.
“Hello, cow.”
Cow?Yes, recovered from my breakdown, I was at last back to a healthy weight, thanks to my therapy, nurturing father, and Ryan. But by most standards, I was still as thin as a rail.
“Moooooo!” she snickered.
Anger rising in me like bile, I tried to brush past her, but she blocked the door with her outstretched sinewy arms. I was too weak to jostle her.
“Hey, bovine, you look like you’re ready for the slaughter house,” she snipped.
“Please…I need to go,” I rasped, my throat raw from vomiting.
“No bitch,” she barked back. “You need to know I’m Gustave’s girl now. He’s cast me in the lead of The Firebird. I’ll be performing it tomorrow night.”
The part I always wanted to play. The role I was born to play. The role for which I’d endured tendinitis, shin splints, blisters, sprains, and sleepless nights. And last but not least, Gustave’s wrath and passion. In one desperate heartbeat, I yearned to be a ballerina again. Gustave’s ballerina. Gustave’s puppet. Gustave’s Firebird.
Another wave of nausea rolled through my chest as Mira continued to block the doorway.
“And by the way, I fuck him now. He’s amazing.”
My jaw dropped. I couldn’t stop myself. On my next breath, a stream of vomit flew out of my mouth, landing all over Mira.
“Oh my fucking God!” she screeched, looking down at the damage I’d done. My puke was all over her bony chest and the bodice of her dress.
Still shrieking and cursing, she let go of the doorframe and dashed to the sink. Seeing my window of opportunity, I fled.