Chapter Ten Allegra
Ten
Allegra
Cord walks me to the subway when the movie ends and I wish it weren’t right on the park’s corner.
We spent the last half of the movie with our legs pressed together, each of us pretending like we didn’t notice.
I swear, it’s a good thing I have this movie memorized because I spent more time watching him than I did watching the film.
It’s stupid to think Cord Donovan would be interested in someone like me. It’s even more stupid to pretend like I have any extra time in my life for flirtation, especially now.
I don’t have time for a fling with a stripper.
I also can’t deny that seeing his name on my phone screen is the highlight of my day.
That I look forward to our lessons, and even more so to these excursions that seem like lessons but feel more like dates.
Of course, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date so maybe I’m reading the whole situation totally wrong.
All I know is that when Cord leans in to give me a hug at the end of the night, I want him to be leaning in for a kiss.
He doesn’t, obviously, which means at least one of us is being smart about this whole situation.
But as I jog down the steps to the train, I can’t help but think about how leaving him is the worst part of my day.
My phone buzzes in my pocket the next morning as I’m walking to the studio, enjoying the brisk morning air and the peek of sunshine bursting through the skyscrapers.
Cord: Hey, Slippers. I hate to do this, but I have to head out of town for a little while.
I wish I could say my first instinct is to worry about my audition and the precious time we’ll be losing.
I wish that was my first instinct.
Me: Okay. No problem.
Cord: I know how important our lessons are, and I know time isn’t exactly on our side. I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t have to.
Me: It’s fine, Cord. Really. I’ll try to keep working on what we’ve already practiced until you get back.
I force myself to not ask when that will be because I don’t truly need to know the intricate details of Cord’s schedule.
Cord: You’re not getting off that easy, Slippers. Be at this location on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm.
I click on the link, but all it shows me is an address, no other hints as to what surprises might be waiting to greet me there.
Me: Got it. I’ll be there.
Cord: Try not to miss me too much
Me: I’ll do my very best.
Too bad I think I really will miss him, which is unfortunate because this time apart will be good for us. Good for me, mostly. Somehow I doubt Cord is going to be pining away for me, and I certainly don’t plan to do that for him.
Of course, he makes it difficult for me to completely put him out of my mind. He texts me again the next morning, right as I’m finishing my workout and about to head to the studio for company class.
Cord: Today when you’re dancing, I want you to look in the mirror and notice something positive.
Me: Ugh. That might be even worse than trying to find something about myself I consider attractive.
Cord: You hated that assignment when I first gave it to you, maybe this one will turn out to be not as painful as you think.
Me: I doubt it.
Cord: Obviously you’re a good dancer, or you wouldn’t be with one of the best companies in the world, Slippers. Is it so hard to fathom that you’re talented?
Me: I know I’m talented.
Cord: Just not talented enough?
I really hate when he’s able to get in my head like that.
Me: I’ll try.
Cord: That’s all I ever ask.
I take his words to heart, and during class, and later during rehearsal, when I watch myself in the mirror, I don’t focus only on the flaws.
I definitely notice the flaws because it’s not like I’ve gained a whole new personality overnight, but I try to also notice the good qualities.
My extension is long and graceful. My leaps are higher this year than they were last year.
Even though I’ve been dancing my whole life, I still strive for improvement, and my hard work shows.
If only I could get David to notice it.
Wednesday is another long and grueling day in the studio. Our show is coming up in just over a week and David is hitting his crankiest heights. The next few days will be even worse, but he screamed at more people than usual today and I was lucky to escape mostly unscathed.
Of course, I want him noticing me, but not if it means catching his ire just a few weeks before auditions.
I almost cancel on Cord’s mystery lesson, my muscles already aching by the time I make it back to my apartment with just a few minutes to change and grab a bite before I have to head out.
My body would much rather enjoy a long, hot shower than whatever torture he has in store for me, but he went to the trouble to find me an alternative session when he couldn’t be there, I don’t think it would be fair to back out last minute.
I regret that decision the moment I push through the door of the address he sent. From the outside, the building is innocuous, the windows covered with pink curtains that block out any hint of what might be hiding inside.
But the second I step into the space, I have a sinking feeling that I know exactly what I’m in for.
It’s a dance studio, the same scrubbed maple floor I’m used to dancing on, the same wall of mirrors I’m used to staring into.
But this studio has one major addition.
Poles.
Shiny silver poles are anchored from the ceiling and into the floor.
I regret everything in that moment.
“You must be Allegra!”
I turn to find a drop-dead gorgeous woman entering the studio from a small office tucked off in the back corner. She’s tall and curvy, with dark hair that flows down her back and bright blue eyes I can see from across the room.
Familiar blue eyes, I notice as she crosses to me and wraps me in a hug.
“I’m Chloe, it’s so nice to meet you!” She lets me go, putting enough space between us that she can give me a full once-over. “I’ve heard so much about you. Cord was right, you are absolutely stunning.”
My cheeks flush at the compliment, and at the thought of Cord telling anyone I’m stunning.
“I’m Allegra,” I finally manage. “Though it seems like you already know that.”
Chloe laughs, the sound bright and airy as it echoes around the room. “Not to sound like a total creeper, but I know everything about you.”
“That’s not creepy at all.”
She smiles, slipping her arm through mine and tugging me into the center of the studio.
“I take it you’re Cord’s sister?”
“What gave it away, my sparkling personality?” She winks at me, leaning her hip against one of the poles.
“Has anyone ever described Cord’s personality as sparkling?”
This time she throws her head back when she laughs, like she can’t contain the joy. “Oh, I like you already. We are going to be great friends, I can tell.”
“I think most of that depends on what exactly you are planning to make me do here tonight.” I eye the pole warily. I don’t like where this is going.
“Have you ever taken a pole dancing class before?” She asks the question so seriously, like I would have often had occasion to do so.
“I can’t say that I have.”
Chloe studies me, her eyes boring into me much like her brother’s tend to do. “Don’t judge it ’til you’ve tried it, you’re going to be sore in places tomorrow I don’t even want to mention.”
Like my vagina? I want to ask, but refrain.
“I imagine you’ve done plenty of stretching already today, but let’s do a quick warmup before we get started.” Chloe gestures to the space in front of the pole.
We stand and face the mirror, and I follow Chloe’s lead as we stretch our muscles.
I try to keep my eyes on myself in the reflection, but it’s hard.
Chloe’s body is a knockout. She’s all curved muscle tone, and with her sports bra and tiny shorts, so much of her skin is on display.
She’s gorgeous, no one could dispute that, but it’s more than just her looks, it’s the way she carries herself.
With confidence, and with a sense of inner peace.
“Cord told me about your audition. You dance for BNY?” Chloe asks as we both sink to the floor in a center split, legs stretched out to either side.
“Yeah. I’ve been with them since I was a kid at the feeder school. I’m hoping this audition will be my chance to get a leading role and make principal.”
She whistles. “Principal at BNY? You really are a big deal.”
My cheeks flush once again and I hope the color doesn’t spread to my chest. “I don’t think I would go that far.”
“Don’t downplay your accomplishments. Do you know how many people work their whole lives to be a ballerina and never even make a company?”
“Did you take ballet as a kid?”
This time it’s her cheeks that color. “For a few years.” She clears her throat and hops to her feet, striding to the pole in the center of the room.
“Let’s get started.” She wraps her leg around the pole, her hands gripping the metal as she effortlessly spins around.
“Now, I doubt you will have much trouble with the mechanics of all of these moves I’m going to demonstrate.
” She lets go of the pole with one hand, her arm floating gracefully over her head.
“But the real challenge is going to be in selling it.”
I grimace, my eyes latched on to her movements, the ease with which she spins. I don’t think I’m equipped for this.
Chloe’s legs unfurl from the post and she lands back on both feet. “Come on over and give it a try.”
“Already? Don’t you think I need to see a few more demonstrations?”
Her smile is kind and encouraging. “The best way to learn is by doing, I’m afraid.”
I trudge over to the pole. Chloe positions my leg around the cool metal, instructing me as she goes. “Now, the key is to concentrate on the grip of your leg. That’s what’s holding you up. The stronger your grip, the more freedom you’ll have to move your arms, and the faster you’ll be able to spin.”
I squeeze, the pole captured between the back of my thigh and calf.
“Hands go here.”
I hold on for dear life.