Page 110 of Just One Bite
“That boy has been trouble most of his life.”
“If you’re not proud of Parker, you’re not paying attention,” Olivia says.
The room stays silent after.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Olivia
“You’re my mate,” he whispers. I think it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.
I don’t stay off the forums. It’s hard when Emma won’t stop sending me things with my name in them—everything has my name in it. I’m sitting on the ballet floor, darning a set of my ballet shoes while scrolling through it all. My stomach is sick again. Only a handful of people in the company will talk to me, and unfortunately, Octavia is out today.
“Olivia, we need to work on your solo.” The director slaps the barre pole, and it snaps me from my spiral.
“Right.”
“You’re properly warmed?”
“Yes.” More or less. I shove my phone in my bag and tug off my leg warmers.
The music for Giselle starts, and I lift on my standing leg and lower my arms, focusing on keeping pretty lines. My first variation is perfect, but the second, I wobble, even with my partner. We aren’t synced yet, and it’s my fault. I’m the weak link. I’ve been distracted.
Keep it fluid on the top and balance. Balance. Balance.I’m a beat behind. My face slips for a second, and I’m dizzy because my breathwork sucks. I try to catch up.Push. Push. Push.
My foot slips and my balance falters till I’m falling so hard I don’t have achoice but to put my arms down to catch myself.
A sharp pain rings through my wrist, and I pull my arm up to my chest and steady myself with my eyes closed.
I don’t care because my ankle is throbbing.
“Are you all right?” Mrs. Vix asks.
“I’m fine.” I let out a shaky breath. I don’t know if I can stand, but I can’t lose my spot.
Not standing is not an option.
“Then let’s start again.”
Snickering comes from the other girls as I go to stand.
Theo reaches to help me, and I shoo him. No one thinks I can do this. I can’t show weakness here. I breathe through the throbbing, determined to push through.
If I lose my spot for the performance, I may not get another opportunity to prove myself. This is my only chance.
“Dear, be truthful, are you well?”
I place my wrist down and wince at the stinging pressure. Fia’s satisfied smile mocks me in the mirror.No. No. No. I’m not giving up my spot.
“I can dance.” I assure Mrs. Vix.
“Looks like she hurt her wrist,” the room rumbles in a whisper.
Mrs. Vix goes to open her mouth again, but the hall bell rings, and she sighs. “One moment.”
Making my way to my feet is difficult with one hand, and my fingers don’t move when I attempt to bend them. Theo grabs me by the elbow and helps me to the other end of the room, and I’m too humiliated to protest. When Mrs. Vix comes in, her eyes beeline to me.
“I’ve got a linked mate dripping water and blood in my hallway.”
