Page 43 of Natasha
"Of course." Natasha put her bag down and shucked off her sweatshirt and track pants. It only took her a moment to put her pointe shoes back on, and she was grateful she was still limber from teaching that day. Even still, she took the opportunity to go through a set of warm-up paces once she was on the stage. She didn't miss the panicked looks that came over the other dancers' eyes. Their earlier sharp looks had been replaced by what Natasha had come to recognize as fear.
"Good. This girl has teeth," Natasha whispered and called out her piece to Jane. "Act Three, the Second Shade variation, please."
A murmur went up from the dancers, and Jane gave her an approving glance. A moment later, the music started, and Natasha threw herself into it with as much fervor as she had when she had danced for Silas. 'Just listen to yourself,' he whispered to her from her memory. And she did just that, her hands and feet moving of their own accord. She knew she was lovely, moving through the routine with grace, power, and speed.
It was a beautiful bit of dance, really, and Natasha had a smile on her face at the end of it, just happy to have done it justice. Happy to have had the opportunity to be on a stage at all, in fact. Natasha froze when she realized that was the main reason for the smile on her face. It had been far too long since dance had filled her with this kind of happiness. The sound of clapping filled her ears, and she turned her eyes to the people in front of her to see that even the dancers who had scowled at her sudden appearance were looking at her with appreciation as they clapped for her.
"That was beautiful," Jane said as Natasha came down from the stage.
"Thank you for the opportunity. It's been far too long since I've set foot on a stage. I enjoyed it," Natasha admitted.
"You were amazing. No,fantastic!" Tony gushed, rushing toward them. "We have to have you."
"Agreed," Camilla said, coming to stand beside Tony. Both of them glanced at Jane with expectant looks.
"Jane, do something. Make it so," Tony hissed.
"What I think they mean to say is that we are eager to finish the casting call," Jane said, her voice stern. She turned then, giving Tony and Camilla a sharp look. "And that we will be in contact with you as soon as the day is over. If you would please write your number down for me?"
Natasha nodded. "Of course." She wrote her number down and gave it to Jane, who said softly, "I'll be in touch. Thank you again for coming on such short notice."
Natasha gave them a bright smile. "I'm happy to have come." She gave them all a wave and nodded at the other dancers on her way out. A few of them even returned her nod.
Ashley caught her on her way out and hugged her tightly. "That was amazing!"
"Thanks, Ash." Natasha hugged her back.
"I'm so happy you came. I swear the part is yours."
"We have to wait and see, but no matter what happens, it was fun to be on stage."
Ashley opened her mouth to speak, but a sudden chime of a message on her phone stopped them.
It was from an unknown number. Ashley peered at the screen with her and clapped her hands.
"Holy shit. I know that number. Open it. It's Jane!" Ashley squealed. Natasha bit her lip and motioned for Ashley to follow her outside. The pair stepped onto the sidewalk and Natasha opened up the text message with a quick tap.
I cannot thank you enough for coming today. You were beautiful to watch. We want to offer you a position with the dance company as our principal.
Jane
"Oh my God," Ashley said, waving her hands excitedly. "I knew it!"
Natasha blinked, staring down at the phone in her hand. She hadn't expected an answer so quickly. She was floored by the response she had just gotten from the director. It was surreal.
"This is unexpected," she breathed.
"What are you talking about? You were stunning!" Ashley skipped alongside her as Natasha walked to the car, from which she saw Silas emerging. He took one look at her face and burst into a grin.
"I take it, it went well?" he asked, coming around the car to the sidewalk.
"She nailed it! Killed it! They offered her the part!" Ashley rushed forward toward Silas, but she paused a moment later and looked back at Natasha. "Nat, is this your man?"
Natasha blushed but nodded. "Yes."
"Whoa." Ashley grinned and gave her two thumbs up. "Very nice." She turned then and gave Natasha's arm a squeeze. "I'll just leave you two alone to celebrate, and I'm so excited we're going to see each other all the time. It'll be just like old times!"
"That'll be fun." She hugged Ashley tightly. "Bye, Ash," she called after her friend with a wave of her hand. Ashley blew her a kiss and gave Silas one last approving look before she disappeared back into the hall with a bang of the door.
Silas walked forward and hugged Natasha tightly. "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you, Daddy."
