Page 71 of Off Balance

A woman in a skirt suit steps forward with a folder, and I recognize her as part of Emile's legal team. Julia, I think her name is? She was present when I signed my first contract. What is she doing here?

Emile takes the folder from her with an exaggerated bow and presents it to me. Inside the folder is an employment contract for a principal dancer. He's making it official?

After everything that happened this morning, this feels out of nowhere. It looks like a standard contract, but I can't help but have doubts about whether this is really happening, or how much of myself I'll be signing away if I go through with this. And if I don't, will I ever dance on a stage like this again?

Emile brandishes a pen at me. I plaster a fake smile on my face and lean up to kiss him lightly on the cheek. "Thank you. I'm going to read and sign this when it's a little less overwhelming," I tell him. Before he can look too disappointed, I hug it to my chest. "It means so much to me." Hopefully, that covers up any doubts I might be having.

He lets it go, but there's a glimmer of something in his eye that feels dangerous. A warning not to cross him. A reminder of what he's capable of?

Pieces of cake get passed out. When a large piece is passed my way, I take it gratefully, but at the first taste of the overly sweet frosting, I know it'll just make me sick. When I set the plate down after only one bite, Emile nods approvingly. The distinctive pop of a bottle of champagne startles several people. There's laughter and glasses are passed around. A glass is put in my hand. None of the glasses are quite half full.

"Just a little taste for now, as we must get ready for the production. Afterwards the real celebration will begin," Emile promises and then gestures for everyone to raise their glass. He takes my hand, kisses it, and brings me into the middle of the crowd of people. "To our own Cameron Stevens, a talent unlike any other, and our newest principal dancer atDe Pointe Elite!"

"To Cameron!"

Somehow the empty champagne bottle ends up in my hand, and camera phones are flashing everywhere. It's a whirl of people, and laugher, and activity. And then suddenly, it's just me, Emile, and Julia left in the conference room.

"I should go get ready for the show. Makeup is going to need extra time."

"I thought you'd want to sign first, since Julia is here to witness. Make it official so you can get your first official paycheck for your first official performance, and all that."

"Oh… Um… I, uh, I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed. I haven't eaten much today, so I admit I'm feeling a little fuzzy. Even that one sip of champagne is making me feel a little off kilter." I swallow nervously. "I'd really like some time to read this with my full attention. I totally understand that I wouldn't be paid for tonight's appearance."

"You still don't trust me?" Emile says, looking somewhere between stricken and incredulous.

"It's not that at all," I stutter. "I just want the moment I sign my first real contract to be special. Something I can remember properly."

"The contract is valid for thirty days," Julia says curtly, then gives both me and Emile a friendly nod.

"I will see you out, Julia. I have another matter I'd like to bend your ear about," Emile says. He gives me a short, assessing look. "Cameron, I suggest you hurry to class and warmups. You'll be tardy if you don't run now."

And just like that, I'm dismissed.

Midway through the performance, and I'm struggling.

I should have eaten something. Or maybe gone for another banana bag.

The moment the curtain drops for intermission, Daphne is by my side. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just… I’m so sorry. I know that was a close call on that last lift."

"I could feel your arms shaking. And you’re really pale, Cameron." Her heavily lined eyes are wide and afraid. And while she could be pissed that I almost dropped her not five minutes ago, she's worrying over me instead.

"Can we get some water over here, please?" She leads me to my dressing room and sits with me on the small loveseat.

"What is going on in here?" Emile demands, rushing through the door just as one of the crew hands Daphne a bottle of water. "Daphne, darling, you must go change. I will look after Cameron."

She hands me the blessedly cool water bottle before patting my shoulder and making her way out. My hands are shaking so badly, I struggle with the water bottle.

"Here, let me," Emile says, taking the bottle from me.

"Sorry. I think I forgot to eat lunch in all the excitement today."

"You'll need more than just this, then. One moment." He shouts out the door while I gulp the water down. A few minutes of tense silence later, someone hands him a sports drink and a protein bar. "Don't eat it too fast or you'll be sick."

He watches me for a moment before stepping just outside the door again. I overhear him tell someone to get Travis, my understudy, ready in the wings.Shit.This can't be happening.

I eye the black blouse I'm supposed to change into, hanging on a rack next to the couch. I reach for it, feeling the gauzy fabric while I think about what I'm going to do. This entire day has been a clusterfuck, but I'm determined to have one thing go right. I can finish this show, and then I’ll have the next few days to rest. There's only one more really hard piece left, and it's the piece I most wanted to use for my audition tape. The professional videographer is here and everything.

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