Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
ROSALIE
Something changed between us after that very first game Dex played, and I couldn't shake the giddy feeling and the butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't believe Derek wanted to give this... whatever we were... a try, and he really liked me.
“You're awfully cheerful,” Nova remarked as we settled into the library. I accidentally bumped into her as she was throwing a tantrum at the library over a play she needed to read, and the librarian couldn’t find it, while I was on my way to study.
So, it was better for both of us to struggle together.
“Just in a good mood,” I lifted a shoulder as my gaze focused on the equation in front of me.
“Aaron was bragging you weren't skipping classes anymore,” she commented. “Are you finally taking this seriously? Or are you just scared of midterms?”
“You're asking?” I arched my brow.
“I'm a drama major, not stupid. I still have to read and analyze plays. That doesn’t answer my question.”
“Midterms. Can’t you see? I'm doing these ridiculous math equations... I thought math stopped after high school.”
“Isn't that like calculus?”
“No idea,” I groaned. “I suck at it.”
“Here's a thought: pick a major!” She bumped her shoulder with mine, and I rolled my eyes.
“Actually, I'm going to do that. I will study Business Administration and minor in Entrepreneurship,” I announced before leaning back in my chair. “Even though there's a bunch of accounting, finance, and micro- and macroeconomics that I'm not a fan of. Hence... focusing on my homework.”
“And you came up with that all on your own?” Nova flashed me a tentative look, and I remembered last night, Derek talking to me on the phone past midnight after yet another fight with my parents.
“They just don't get it,” I muttered in a hushed voice, not wanting to wake Daisy. “They don't take me seriously, and they are forcing me to pick something.”
“If you could do anything, what would it be?” he asked, his voice gruff and heavy with sleep. “The sky's the limit.”
“Dance,” I answered with no hesitation. “But in this reality, I can't. No company in their right mind would give me a contract.”
“Can't you freelance?” he asked. “Do certain roles in various companies. You said you wanted to see the world.”
“I don't think I'm good enough for that, plus there's no freelance degree.”
There was a short silence from his side, trying to figure out what to say, but I continued in a low, tentative voice. I’ve never said the things I was going to say out loud yet.
“I kind of like the whole Pilates and Barre teaching, it's fun and creative. I could open a studio like the one I teach in, create a fusion workout mixing ballet and Pilates, and it would be so cool.”
He chuckled on the other end of the line. “What would you call it?”
“The Rosealine method,” I let out a low laugh before slapping my hand over my mouth and glancing over to the other side of the room, making sure my roomie was sound asleep.
“It's so stupid, but I came up with it over the summer when I was doing my teacher training, and it's ridiculous, but I love it.”
“I think you should do it,” Dex chuckled. “I love it. The Rosealine method saved me. I can give a testimony for your website.”
“There's so much that goes into opening a studio, I don't even know where to start.”
“You have time to figure it out... and maybe that's what you could. Major in entrepreneurship or business administration. It can give you the foundation, and you can always build on it, and if not, you can just open your studio.”
I remained silent for a long moment, contemplating his words. “You know, I think that's an excellent idea. I love it. Thank you.”
“Glad I could help.” I could feel him smile on the other end of the line.
“Sorry for venting,” I muttered, but surprisingly, I didn't feel embarrassed over my word vomit. “Thank you for listening.”
“Always, Rosie.”
“I should probably let you get some sleep,” I smiled to myself. “See you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow, honey. Good night.”
“Good night.”
“Rosie,” Nova shook my arm, and I wiped the dreamy smile off my face and glanced at her.
“Sorry, what?”
“You were daydreaming,” she groaned.
“Got distracted,” I admitted, with a sheepish grin. “You were saying?”
“Never mind,” Nova rolled her eyes. “I need to finish reading this play, so I’m going to ask the librarian… again.”
She stood and walked off between the shelves, leaving me alone in my daydream. The number of times I thought about Derek was not normal. It was increasingly concerning.
I still held onto Arthur's number, even if I had no intentions of calling him. I wanted to feel like I had a backup option, but the truth was, I wanted Derek. And I was ready to cross the line.
His patience and being a perfect gentleman were driving me crazy.
With a wide grin, I swiped on our new Playlist entitled 'Stretch and Score,’ and I added Lavender Haze from Taylor Swift.
It didn't take more than five minutes for Derek’s message to appear on my phone.
Derek
I'm lowkey missing the time when you were only sending acoustic covers.
I rolled my eyes and sent him a few eye-roll emojis as well.
Listen to it.
Derek
Meet you at midnight?
A satisfied grin pulled on my lips. I loved that he always decoded my not-so-subtle hidden messages. It was my favorite way of communicating with him.
Meet me at midnight.
“I'm not saying I'm not happy that you're smiling, but it's weird,” Nova dropped down next to me, with a book in her hand. “Wish I knew what's gotten you all smiley these days. Derek too... It must be Pilates.”
“Maybe you should try working out, it releases endorphins,” I suggested with a grin.
Nova groaned. “I hate working out.”
“You spend all your time with soccer players, and you hate working out,” I shook my head in disapproval. “How do you stay skinny?”
“Genes,” she smiled. “Dad always complains that I should work out, but I consider shopping my cardio, so there’s that.”
“Oh, I hate cardio too,” I agreed. “Unless it's ballet, otherwise I'm a low-impact, aesthetic workout girl.”
“Wait until you find out what the whole hype is about sex, and very soon sex will be your favorite cardio.”
I gasped and stared at her, making her laugh.
“Everyone knows you want to lose your V-card. Okay, maybe not everyone, like Aaron, doesn't, thankfully. But my advice, find a guy who knows what he's doing and will make you enjoy it. Burns more calories.”
“Talking from experience?” I cleared my throat, my cheeks burning, because suddenly I wanted to do much more than just kiss Derek. The number of times I touched myself thinking of him was borderline crazy.
“Oh no, I have no idea how soccer players are in bed,” she grinned at me, making me choke on my saliva. “Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.”
“What secret?” I gaped. “We are just friends.”
“Of course,” Nova nodded, opening her books. “That's the best part about it.”
“I'm so confused,” I muttered more to myself than to her, and she laughed.
“You're not nearly as innocent as you want to look, Rosalie. I know that pining look on your face whenever you look at Dex. Because I have the same look when I look at Maddox.”
“Oh, I'm...” I opened my mouth to comfort her, but closed it.
“It's okay,” Nova let out a dry laugh, one that was the complete opposite of his personality. “I know it will never happen. We are just friends. That's why I know... You and Dex can be way more than just friends.”
I nodded. “I know... and I want it.”
“So, what are you waiting for? This annoyingly suffocating chemistry you two have will not go away. Just live a little, God knows you both need it.”
“Guess, I'm just scared,” I sighed. “I'm always in control, but ever since this last year, I feel like I have no control over my life. Especially when it comes to Derek. When I'm with him, my brain just turns off.”
Nova chuckled. “That's because you like him. It's time you stopped going out on dates with guys you picked because you're not interested in them.”
“Wow, call it as you see it, Nova.”
“I'm just being honest. Someone has to be,” she lifted a shoulder.
“And you're not worried about Aaron?”
She laughed. “I was considering going behind my father's back, who is their coach. A brother is really not that big of a deal. He isn't your keeper; you're your own person.”
“True,” I smiled widely. “Thanks for that.”
“You can always talk to me, you know? I know I have a big personality and a big mouth, but I care about these guys. I want them happy, and I want you happy too. And in the past months, both you and Dex seemed happier. Don't let this go to waste.”
I nodded, unsure how to feel, but giddy and excited to see Derek soon.
By the time midnight rolled around, I was expecting myself to yawn and want to die, but I was buzzing with energy.
I had a late-night practice going through one of the new flows I came up with on the mat.
I wanted to push Derek more, and sometimes I found things were easier on the Reformer because he had support.
I think he was ready to work some of his muscles without it.
And then I got derailed by catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
I wanted to dance.
No matter how much I said I moved on, it was a part of me. I wanted to feel the rush of adrenaline mixed with the familiar pain.
And before I knew what I was doing, I slipped off my socks and stood barefoot in the little studio, picking a song matching my mood.
I could lose myself like this for hours. Most of the time when I skipped class, it was because I genuinely lost track of time while dancing.
I picked Lewis Capaldi's “Bruises” and the slow, emotional acoustic version, instead of the original.