Page 109 of The Breaking Pointe
“No.I tried, but the more I tossed and turned, I knew I would’ve woken you.So I went and got some work done,” he says, staying close to me, hovering.
“What were you working on for all these hours?”I ask,
trying to hear just a bit more of his calm tone.
“I wish I could say.” He pushes some curls from my face. “You can’t?” My brows crinkle.
“Unfortunately not.I’m enamored by your curiosity, though.” His hand grasps my neck and jaw, firmly kissing my forehead before he lets me go and walks into the living room pit.
His body drops to the couch like he’s been waiting for it forever, and his body weight is over one thousand pounds. Bonniefollowshimliketheloyalpupthatsheis.Not long after his drop, the man and all his secrets are snoring steadily— leaving me full of pancakes and curiosity.
* * *
A week of having no work never felt so depressing.Now that I’m back, it feels wrong leaving Cole.All day has beena constant fight to not text him, call him, or ask him any tiring questions.There’s not a reason for me to wonder what he’s doing when he tells me every day after I get off. After a thorough evaluation, it’s evident: he loves a routine. His routine was set; run, go to the gym, handle meetings and work, then meet me here when closing time comes. It’s still the same, just minus the work and meetings.
He could’ve traded it for errands, but I figured it would be more fun to make him wait until later, so that we could shop together for what’s become one of my new favorite celebrations, known as ‘Friendsgiving’.
I never celebrated the event prior to meeting Lauren, but it’s been a major event for her and her friends for years, andistheonlytimeshegetstoseecertainpeopleinher
life. The first time we celebrated together was my first time away from my parents.I felt like time was moving, but I wasn’t.I felt like I wasn’t cut out for anything that I hadset out to achieve, and was days away from packing a bag and saying goodbye to the New York state of mind forever. If I didn’t listen to Lauren beg me for hours to change my mind, I would’ve never stayed, hence never accolading any of my successes. Or even the bad experiences. Most recently, I would’ve never met Colton—a concept I’d rather not think about.
With all the girls gone, it’s mail time.The worst part of living my dreams.
My palms are sweating already, thinking about what bad news lies within these envelopes. Normally it’s bills, which is always bad news, but the news I’ve been waiting for is muchmoreimpairingtomylifeandcareer.It’lltellmeif I should continue to do what I’m doing, or—on a heavier note—when I should wave my white flag and give up.Paying rent on time is one thing I’ve magically made happen the past months, but it doesn’t mean anything.It’s New York City. Businesses come and go. Landlords are only looking for money, not companionship.
To know I’ve made it another day without receiving the news that I would have to shut down, would be a blessing.
Using my fingers, I pry open the first envelope that catches my eye—labeled with the company that owns the building I rent for the dance company. My fingers twitch with anxiety, steady not to harm myself with a paper cut as I slip the neatly folded papers out of it. Dropping the envelope, I unfold the papers, fixing my eyes on the first lines, reading as quickly as possible.
DearNoelleMayberry,andotherrecipients,
After careful consideration, we have decided to put Dancing Dolls’ leased premises up for sale. In an attempt to market the property, it will be necessary for us to schedule showings of the premises to prospective buyers over the course of three months, with hope to find an appropriate buyer.Apologies are offered from us for any inconveniences this may cause.
Please remember that according to your leasing agency, the landlord, Matthew Bowe, reserves the right to advertise and show this property. Appointments will be scheduled before and after business hours, as well as reasonable hours on weekends, with adequate notice.
It is important that you cooperate by allowing access to the propertyandmakesureitisinacleanandpresentablecondition. It is not necessary for you to present the property during these scheduled times.However, if this is a preference for you, wewill do our best to oblige. Refusing to cooperate by not allowing access to the property is a default of your lease.
Efforts can be made to accommodate you with moving, or, in unfortunate circumstances, closing your business.We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Sincerely,
LivingtonLeasingServices
There it is.The ending I prayed I wouldn’t have to formulate. It’s not even the news being broken to me that’s awful— it’s that I have to break it to a group of little girls who have dreamsbigger than the whole sky.Every single teeny glint in their sweet eyes is going to go dark. I can’t afford to continue
to try and keep up.
I’m going to be their worst villain, when all I wanted was to help them be who they always wanted.
I don’t want their dreams to die because of me.
28
if eyes could speak
COLTON
