Page 27 of Tension
We gather around, sitting in a loose circle on the polished floor. Vaeda remains standing, her posture as perfect as ever, while Greyson steps forward, his clipboard tucked under his arm.
“As you all know,” Greyson begins, “we’ve been watching your progress closely over the past several weeks. Each of you hasshown incredible dedication and growth, and we’re proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
Vaeda nods, her expression unreadable. “But as we’ve mentioned before, the Paris competition only allows one couple to represent us. We’ve had to make a difficult decision.”
The room feels charged, the air thick with anticipation. My heart pounds as I glance at Yvonne beside me. She’s sitting cross-legged, her hands resting lightly on her knees, but there’s a stiffness in her shoulders that betrays her nerves.
Greyson takes a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over all of us. “The couple representing Fusion Core in Paris will be Mateo and Yvonne.”
The words hit me like a jolt, and for a moment, I can’t move. Yvonne gasps softly beside me, her hand flying to her mouth. Adam and Kari exchange a quick glance, their disappointment flashing briefly before they compose themselves.
“Congratulations,” Vaeda says, her voice cool and professional. “This is a significant opportunity, and we expect you both to take it seriously. The next few months will be crucial for your preparation.”
Yvonne turns to me, her eyes wide with excitement. “We did it,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. I manage a small smile, the enormity of the announcement settling over me. Paris. The chance to prove myself again on an international stage. It’s everything I’ve been working toward, but the pressure is already starting to build.
Greyson continues, outlining the next steps and emphasizing the importance of discipline and routine, but my mind is racing, already jumping ahead to the countless hours of practice, the scrutiny, the expectations. When the meeting ends and the others begin to leave, I stay behind, my thoughts spinning like a whirlwind.
VAEDA
The room begins to empty, the echoes of footsteps and laughter fading as Yvonne, Adam, and Kari gather their things and head for the door. I watch from the far end of the studio as Yvonne hesitates, turning back toward Mateo. She shifts her bag on her shoulder, her expression unsure, as though searching for the right words.
“See you later,” she says softly, lingering.
Mateo doesn’t respond immediately. His eyes are distant, unfocused, as if he’s somewhere else entirely. After a beat, he nods, but it’s absent and perfunctory. Yvonne’s brows knit together, but she doesn’t press him. With a small wave, she follows the others out, the studio door closing behind them with a click.
I glance at Greyson, who’s finishing notes on his clipboard. He catches my eyes, his lips quirking into a knowing smirk. “Be gentle with him,” he mumbles under his breath as he passes me on his way out of the studio.
“Always,” I mutter, my tone flat but my heart unexpectedly tight. Greyson’s gaze hovers for a moment longer before he disappears through the door, leaving me alone with Mateo.
The silence stretches, filled only by the slight buzz of the fluorescent lights. Mateo stands near the mirror, his hands on his hips, his head tilted downward. His chest rises and falls with steady breaths, but there’s something about his stillness that unsettles me.
I take a step forward, my heels clicking softly against the hardwood. “Mateo,” I call out, my voice gentler than usual. “Are you okay?”
He looks up, his dark eyes meeting mine. For a moment, he doesn’t answer, his expression guarded. Then he sighs, his shoulders sagging slightly. “Not really.”
The honesty in his tone surprises me, and I close the distance between us, stopping a few feet away. “What’s going on?”
He hesitates, his gaze flickering to the floor before returning to mine. “I’ve been coming here in secret,” he admits, the words rushing out of him as though he’s broken the dam he built to protect himself. “My family doesn’t know. They don’t trust me, Vaeda. They think if I’m around this world again, I’ll fall back into old habits.”
My heart tightens at his words. The burden of the secret he carries is evident in the slump of his shoulders, in the anxiety that radiates from him. “But you’ve stayed clean,” I state, keeping my tone steady.
He nods, a small, bitter smile tugging at his lips. “I’ve worked so hard for it. Every day feels like a battle, and now, with Paris…” he trails off, running a hand through his hair. “What if I let everyone down? What if I can’t handle it?”
I step closer, instinct taking over as I reach out and place a hand on his arm. The contact startles him, his eyes snapping to mine. “Listen to me,” I demand, my voice stern. “You wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe in you. Greyson, the studio, even me. We see what you’re capable of.”
His gaze softens as he leans in, his eyes searching mine. “And what do you see, Vaeda?”
The question catches me off guard, my breath hitching, and for a moment, I’m not sure how to respond. “I see someone who’s stronger than they give themselves credit for,” I finally admit,something I wouldn’t have said a few months ago. “Someone who’s fighting like hell to rewrite their story.”
The space between us feels smaller now, charged with electricity. His eyes hold mine, dark and intense, and I’m acutely aware of the warmth of his skin under my hand. The air seems to thicken, the quiet pressing in around us.
“Vaeda,” he murmurs, his voice filled with reverence. His hand lifts slowly, as if in slow motion, and his fingers brush against my chin. The touch sends arcs of electricity over my skin as I suck in a breath.
His tongue snakes out along his bottom lip, leaving behind a trail of moisture, the sight nearly making me forget everything I am and all I have. Nearly.
“Mateo,” I rasp softly, my hand falling away from his arm. The connection breaks as I draw in a much-needed breath. “We can’t do this.”
He exhales sharply, nodding once. “I–I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
