Page 136 of The Breaking Pointe
She nods, bobbing her head with more enthusiasm.
“So that’s all that matters.”I smile, dusting her cheek with my finger and making her tilt her head and giggle.
She steps into my chest, hugging me tightly, and I hug her back, holding onto her and picking her up.A man’s voice then comes through the backstage area, taking my attention away from our moment.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Noelle Mayberry? I need to talk to her before the show starts—I’ll be quick.” The voice rolls on, becoming familiar as he speaks.
I follow it, turning a corner and seeing Colton speaking to a security guard.
“Hey,” I say, walking up to them.
He looks at me, and a smile spreads to his cheeks as he walks to me.He’s holding onto a bag and a large tray of deserts.
“Whatareyoudoingbackhere?”Iask,smilingwide.
“I needed to wish my girl good luck.”He holds everything
up.
“You didn’t have to.”I look at everything, smiling with gratitude as I rub Kaitlynn’s back.
He glances at her, then my face, barely whispering, “Ev- erything okay?”
I nod, mouthing,“She’s scared.”
He looks at her again with a look of contemplation.“Can I help?”he mouths.
I smile, nodding and patting her back. “Kait, my love, can you say hello to Mr. Kennedy?”
She peeks out at him, but keeps herself hidden enough to feel safe. “Hi.”
“Hey, sweetie.”He smiles.“Do you happen to like cupcakes?” She peeks again, nodding as she stays looking at him.
“Well, what if I told you that I brought you and all your friends a whole bunch of them? And that if you eat one now, it’ll make you invisible by the time the show starts?”
She lifts her head from my neck and gives him all of her attention now.
“Butthennobodycouldseeme,”shesays.
“And then you don’t have to worry about being scared, right?” he adds onto her words.
She looks at me, searching for confirmation.I nod my head to Colton, queuing him to follow me to the backroom where the rest of the class is. When we get there, they’re all running about—some parents getting their kids ready, still. “It works, he’s not kidding,” I tell her, walking to a table
nearby.
“Youwannatryone?”heasks.
She nods and I set her down, fixing her skirt as he sets the
tray and bag down, then opens up the tray and fishes one out for her, handing it to me.I hold it out for her to grab, and like any child, she gobbles it up.
“Uh-oh, Elle, she’s already gone!” Colton says, faking a discouraged voice.
I slightly cover my mouth, giggling. “It’s just a floating tutu,” I say, watching her look at us in disbelief. “We’ll never find her in time.”
“It works!”she squeals, running off into the chaos of girls, playing and skipping in circles.
I sigh happily.“Thank you, you’re amazing.”I turn to face him, bringing him in for a hug.
