Chapter 40
brOOKLYN
“Your attention, ladies and gentlemen. I have an announcement.”
I wince as Val pushes harder on my foot, stretching my hamstring as I lie on the ground. Then he lets go and helps me up as we all turn to Madame Kuzmina as she floats to the front of the studio.
“ If this is the part where she pulls off her face to reveal the demon underneath, ” Val mutters to me under his breath. “ I’m fuckin’ here for it .”
“Something to share, Mr. Bancroft?” Madame Kuzmina barks.
“Only in private, Madame,” he grins wolfishly at her, lacing his hands behind his head and flexing his tatted arms. “Unless you’re into the public thing?”
I turn to stare at him, Milena giving him the same “are you completely fucking insane” look on the other side of him.
Madame Kuzmina doesn’t blink. She just smiles icily, her ringed fingers flexing.
“You’re looking a bit bloated today, Mr. Bancroft.”
Milena snorts as Val’s jaw drops. “ Excuse me ?”
“Pudgy. Out of shape. Fat .”
Val blinks, both amused and shocked. “Is anyone else hearing this?”
“If my female dancers are to remain at a certain weight,” Madame Kuzmina sighs, “I see no reason for that not to extend to the men.” She smiles at him. “Why don’t you do a quick loop of Central Park. Running, of course.”
Val’s brows rise. “That’s like…eight miles.”
“So it is.” Madame Kuzmin’s smile fades away. “You’ll need to hurry if you want to get back before we’re finished today.”
The room is silent as we look at Val. His face darkens for a moment. But then, there’s that easy, smug grin of his again as he shrugs. “Guess so.”
He’s still smiling as he turns and mutters “ fucking sadist ” to me out of the corner of his mouth before walking out the door.
Madame Kuzmina clears her throat. “Unless there are any other jokes anyone is dying to get off their chest…”
Right .
“I wanted to bring it to your attention that we have a guest with us today.”
She gestures to the back of the room, and when I turn, I’m surprised to notice a new girl standing there who I’ve never seen before.
“Inessa Moskovic. She’s visiting New York right now, and I was happy to invite her to work with us today. Inessa has previously danced for the Royal Ballet in London, as well as Teatro dell’Aurora in Florence.”
Fuck .
Those are two seriously impressive companies, and she looks younger than me.
Madame doesn’t waste any more time. We immediately split up into groups and get back to work. I occasionally glance over to the new girl, and it’s everything I can do not to stare.
“She’s really fucking good,” Naomi sighs, stretching at the barre next to me.
“I thought you’d vanquished that imposter syndrome?” I tease her.
She rolls her eyes. “I have . Well…” A blush tinges her cheeks. “Nico helped.”
I grin before turning to watch Inessa again.
“Holy shit,” Naomi whistles. “That resume? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I mean, look at her ,” Lyra adds. “Her line is flawless . And I’m pretty sure she just learned that choreography like ten minutes ago.”
Madame barks at us to stop staring and get back to work. An hour later, when we've regrouped, I find myself dancing right next to Inessa.
“Hey…sorry to bother you…”
I pause mid-turn, stopping to glance at her with a smile. “Oh, no bother at all.” I exhale, rolling my shoulders. “I could use the breather,” I grin.
She smiles back. “Inessa, hi.”
“Hey,” I shake her hand. “Brooklyn.”
She frowns. “Do you think you could show me how you’re moving into the penché out of the grand jeté en tournant ? I've never had choreography where I had to do that, and I can’t for the life of me figure it out.”
I stare at her. “Really?”
Her face falls. “Yeah… I don’t know why I’m having so much trouble?—”
“Oh! No!” I laugh. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant, you’re incredible . We’ve all been staring at you all day. I’m shocked you need my help.”
She smiles. “Are you serious?” She shakes her head. “Guess we all have imposter syndrome.” I frown in confusion, and she laughs lightly. “Brooklyn, you’re extremely talented. I’ve been lowkey watching you dance all day. You’re so fucking good.”
Heat rushes into my face. “I…am bad at taking compliments.”
She laughs. “Join the club.”
“Here,” I smile. “I'll show you how I’m sticking the penché . Use your core and your inner thigh.”
I go through the movement a few times, showing her how I land it. Admittedly, it's a pretty tricky and weird transition.
“Oh my God, thank you ,” she sighs. “That was going to drive me nuts.”
I grin. “No problem. How long are you in New York?”
“A couple of weeks. My dad is finishing up some business here and then moving back to Russia.” She smiles sadly. “I love New York City, but I’m not sure when I’ll be coming back.”
“Got any plans while you’re here?” I smile. “A friend of mine is having a birthday party in just over a week and a bunch of us from here are going. You should totally join us!”
She beams. “Really? It wouldn’t be weird?”
“Please.” I shake my head. “It’s at this super fun club, and it’ll be a great time. You should definitely come!”
Rehearsal is winding down as a bedraggled-looking Val jogs through the door to the studio and collapses to his knees, shirtless and dripping in sweat.
“Fuck, it’s a million fucking degrees outside,” he groans.
Inessa and I swap numbers before she takes off. I’m about to go grab Val some more water when Dove steps in front of me, looking extremely confused.
“What’s up?”
Dove’s brow shoots up. “You…don’t know who she is?”
I frown. “Like, who her dad is?”
Dove shakes her head. “No, I mean, she’s your competition for Moscow.”
My eyes widen. “ What ?” I turn to stare at Inessa just as she walks out of the studio.
“Yep,” Dove says quietly. “And from what I hear, she’s guaranteed to get that apprenticeship with Ballet Imperiya Korona .” She makes an unimpressed face. “ Kir is getting her in.”