Chapter Six
MADDIE
ONE MONTH LATER
“Front, side out, back…side out, front…” Gianna says, leading us into more barre exercises.
While I’ve taken two semesters in a row of ballet, I still haven’t gotten used to rehearsing in the middle of the day between regular classes.
For hours, I’m in a leotard and pointe shoes, then I go to jazz before rushing across campus with sore ankles for calculus.
“And back into first. Arms not too wide, Maddie. Yes, good.”
Quickly inhaling a deep breath, I tighten my core and try to refocus.
It’s been difficult lately with the stress of midterms and everything else in my life.
Ballet has been my passion for years, and it’s always been an escape.
I’ll never be perfect in it, but it comes naturally to me.
I’ve enjoyed learning more about dance these past two years in school, but between doing homework and studying, and then the rehearsals and recitals, my life has been pure chaos.
Before I was evacuated from my apartment four months ago, I’d go back to my room between classes and rehearsals and grab food or rest. Now that I’m living at Mason and Liam’s house with Sophie, I’m forced to stay on campus for eight hours before I go home.
I even took a part-time job twice a week teaching a baby ballet class at a dance studio a few blocks away, and since it’s close, I can walk there.
But with the spring recital coming up, I’ll be pulling back on my hours soon.
“Step, plié, brush, one, two, three. Brush. Keep your chin up. Extend your arms. Yes, yes, yes…” Gianna shouts over the music, clapping loudly as she walks around the studio, watching us.
Though she gets overly excited during every class, it’s infectious, and I always leave with a smile on my face, feeling good about my progress.
Once warm-ups are over, I take a breather and inhale my bottle of water before we continue for another hour.
“Wanna study for exams tonight?” Joel asks as we pack up our things. My jazz class is in twenty minutes, which means I have just enough time to grab a snack and haul ass back to the dance hall.
For a moment, I contemplate it, knowing I need to squeeze in studying when I can. My GPA’s important to me, and I want to get good grades.
“Sure, but not too late. Maybe I can ice my ankles and study at the same time.” I groan.
I spend all day running around campus, doing my dance classes, and then sometimes teaching, so by the time Sophie or Liam pick me up, I’m ready to collapse.
Though, I’m a total catch. It’s a wonder I’m still single, honestly.
“Deal.” He smiles. I met him my freshman year, and he’s been a nice guy so far. Joel’s very talented and focused, which makes it easy to be his friend. We both know what it takes to make it in this cutthroat industry. College auditions have shown us an inkling of that already.
“Can you take me home afterward or should I get a ride? I gotta let them know not to pick me up at the regular time,” I say, digging out my phone. But before he can answer, I squeal at the text message Sophie sent me fifteen minutes ago. “My sister’s in labor!”
I give Joel a side hug, then rush out the door. Once I’m down the steps and out of the building, I call Sophie.
“Are you on your way there?” I ask as soon as she answers.
“Not yet. Hunter told me she’s only four centimeters dilated and won’t be delivering for hours.”
“Who has Allie?” I walk toward the coffee shop by the library with a pep in my step about the news.
“Mrs. Locke is keeping her for the night. But I offered to pick her up as soon as it’s visiting time,” she replies.
“Oh my God, I’m so excited! I’m gonna text Lennon a picture of a watermelon.” I chuckle.
“Madelyn Corrigan! You better not!” she scolds, and I roll my eyes.
“She’s probably doped up on meds already and will get a good laugh at the visual of what’s about to pop out of her vagina.”
“I swear, Maddie.” She sighs. “Am I picking you up at the normal time? Or is Liam getting you tonight?”
“No, I didn’t ask him. He’s been strange lately. Well, stranger than usual.” I shrug, knowing that Liam goes through moods just like I do. “But yeah, the normal time please. Unless you wanna get me early and go to the hospital?”
“I’m at rehearsal, so I’ll check in with her during my next break and see. I don’t want to crowd or bother her if she’s resting and still waiting,” Sophie explains. “I’ll text you when I hear something.”
“Okay, sounds good. I’m about to order a muffin and drink, then I need to head to jazz class.
” We say our goodbyes, and I walk into the coffee house, inhaling the scent that always surrounds this place.
I order and then stand off to the side and wait.
The smell of freshly brewed espresso wafts through the air, which I love, but I’m more of a tea drinker.
After I get my order, I walk to my next class as I stuff my face. I don’t have much time, so as soon as I’m in the studio, I slip on my jazz shoes and meet Joel. He snatches the last half of my muffin when I set it down to stretch.
“You owe me.” I scowl at Joel, but he laughs around a mouthful. We always steal each other’s food, but I’m starving. I’ll have to grab something before my next class or beg Sophie to stop somewhere before we go to the hospital.
I hate not having my own car. I’ve been saving, but it’s only enough to get a beater that may or may not work. When I lived on campus, it wasn’t an issue, but now, I’m having to depend on other people.
We stretch for a few more minutes before our instructor Annie announces it’s time for warm-ups. We get into position and start slow, then as the music changes, our pace increases until we’re nearly breathless.
Each dance style comes with a different set of exercises, which ensures my body doesn’t get used to the repetitive motions.
Although ballet is where I’m most experienced, jazz has quickly become a favorite since it’s a combination of different dance types like hip-hop and pop.
Though I have the upper hand because the technique encourages balance, which I’ve gained from years of practicing pointe and yoga.
The movements are sharp and fluid, but sometimes it’s more relaxed.
My mood instantly brightens when everyone’s coordinated, and we actually get through a full routine without someone falling or screwing up.
“Alright, let’s go. Eastside routine…” Annie claps her hands as the music starts, and we scramble to get into position. “And five, six, seven, eight…”
Khalid's voice blasts through the speakers, and we dance, slower at first, swaying with the rhythm of the song. Since it’s a duet, Annie choreographed sections with partners.
It’s definitely a sexier routine, which makes it so much more fun.
Joel is a great partner, and though we’re only friends, we have amazing chemistry when we dance.
He spins me around, and our chests collide as Halsey’s solo starts.
We step together in full synchronicity and then break apart to continue the dance routine.
My favorite thing about this song is how it changes from an upbeat tempo to a slower one.
“Yes! Wow…you all brought your A games today!” Annie praises, making us smile before she adds, “Let’s do it again.”
An hour passes and we run through three different routines before class is over. I’m sweating so badly, but I’ll only have time to wipe a towel over my face. I always have toiletries in my backpack so I can freshen up, but a shower will have to wait until I get home later.
“Killed it, Mads,” Joel says, giving me a high five and a boyish grin.
“You too.” I grin, then remember I have to cancel our study date.
“Oh, before I forget. Can we reschedule our plans? I’m hoping to visit my sister tonight.
Hopefully, she pops the baby out before midnight.
” I laugh, but I’ll wait with her as long as it takes, even if it means I’ll be a zombie tomorrow.
“Of course, no problem. Are you gonna want a baby now too?” he teases as we make our way out of the building. I have calculus next, and he’s going to his chemistry class, so this is where we part for the day.
“Are you kidding? According to my sisters, I’m still a baby.”
Joel snorts. “And you’ll always be because you’re the youngest.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I roll my eyes.
“Well, just text me when you wanna reschedule. Midterms are next week,” he reminds me, and I panic slightly, knowing I need to study.
“I know. We’ll squeeze it in,” I reassure him along with myself, then we wave goodbye, and I head across campus.
By five, I’m anxious as hell to see Lennon, so I’m relieved when Sophie’s car rounds the corner.
“Get in, loser, we’re having a baby,” she says out the window, coming to a stop.
“You know you’re not cool enough to say that,” I tell her, hopping in the back since Liam’s in the passenger side, which is surprising, considering he’s been so reclusive lately.
“I beg to differ,” she says as she drives back on the road. “I’m way cool.”
“Well, then my super cool sister won’t mind taking me to get some food first and pay for it?” I grin, batting my eyelashes when she looks at me through the rearview mirror.
“That might work on Liam, but it doesn’t work on me.”
“That’s only because Liam is always hungry,” I counter.
“Liam’s right here,” he says, looking over his shoulder and scanning his eyes down my body before his gaze meets mine. I arch a brow, and he flashes a cocky grin, then shrugs. I’m still in my leotard and tights, looking like I’ve been working out all day, and I kinda have.
He’s the most confusing man alive.
“Well, Liam isn’t driving, and Lennon’s about to have the baby,” Sophie says, unaware of how he’s staring at me.