HeartBLOOD

Chapter nineteen

"You wanted to talk to me?", Simon asked as he walked into Alec's and Magnus' room. Magnus had gone downstairs as he booked the studio for himself because he wanted to work on a few turns he'd need for the nutcracker solo, which left the entire room to Alec and his friend. "Yes, there's just something I need to speak to you about before rehearsal tomorrow.", he said and welcomed Simon in. It was already pretty late and Simon wore his grey sweatpants and a loose green shirt which was what he usually when he went to bed. "Were you planning on sleeping already?", Alec asked which upon Simon nodded and yawned:" It has been quite an intense couple of days and somehow I am tired all day every day." "I feel you.", Alec sighed and dropped himself onto the bed- he really didn't want to have this conversation that moment but he knew there was no way around it anyways. "Listen, about alternate spots.", Alec took a deep breath, "I'm making this quick- you'll get Magnus' alternative spot." "I mean, thanks, but why? I mean I kind of expected to back you up?", Simon frowned. "I know you did.", Alec sighed, "And so did I. Trust me, if it had been up to me I would have chosen you." "It was up to you, though, wasn't it? I mean I'm not complaining it's just weird to be that you chose Jonathan as your alternate instead of me, or did I miss something?" "No, you got that right. It was not entirely up to me, though.", Alec sighed, "I needed to give that spot to Jonathan. Not because I think he'd deserve it more or because I don't value you as a friend. Please don't take it personal." "Well, that's kind of hard if you don't explain what has happened, Alec. I mean how am I supposed to take this? Professionally? DO you just think he's the better dancer? Just tell me the truth.", Simon scoffed. Alec could see how upset he was and it broke his heart. "Listen, I can't tell you why it needed to happen the way it did, I can only say that you're not worse than him in any aspect. You could say I owe him one, but that's all I can tell you.", Alec tried to explain himself but immediately knew he wasn't successful. "Are you out of your mind, making deals with Jonathan? May I remind you of the last time you two were fighting for a spot? He sabotaged you last time, what makes you think history won't repeat itself? Now, literally, if he'd get you out of the picture, he'd be the male lead. I'd be careful.", Simon warned. Alec bit his lip- that year it was about a scholarship, now that they were seniors Jonathan had nothing to sabotage him for in that respect- but he couldn't tell Simon that. And the more he thought about it the more he realized that a solo spot at a senior performance would probably be motivation enough. "I know it looks insane and wrong in every respect, but trust me with this decision.", Alec sighed- this was about the worst he could have possibly handled this talk but it was what it was, "I thought I should tell you in advance, that's the least I can do, even if I can't explain my reasoning. Just know it doesn't mean I prefer Jonathan over you, even if it looks like it in this situation. I just hope we're good?" "Honestly, not really, Alec. But, we will be. I'll come around.", Simon smiled weakly and walked out of the room without another word. Thoughts were buzzing in his head- there was no way he could go to bed now. Instead of going back to his dorm room he went downstairs to call Isabelle to distract himself. this was one of the moments where it was rather unfortunate to be dating your friend's sister- but what was one supposed to do? He believed and trusted Alec, he just hoped it wouldn't have to make him insecure in the process. What motives could ha have possibly had? If Alec would have chosen Raphael over Simon, he wouldn't be surprised, he'd actually agree. Raphael was a beautiful dancer and Alec's best friend, he couldn't measure up anyways. But Jonathan? The entire situation just felt off.

"Alec, what the fuck?", Isabelle snapped after her brother picked up his phone an hour later. "Good evening to you too.", Alec frowned and threw his ballet flats into his dancebag. "I don't know what's going on between you, Jonathan and Simon but you better have an explanation ready.", she replied, unbothered. "He called you.", Alec sighed and dropped himself onto his bed. "Of course he did? You'd call Magnus." "Except Magnus isn't his brother." He could hear Isabelle take a deep breath:" The situation is not optimal, definitely not. But I'm your sister as much as I am Simon's girlfriend. That does put me in the middle of all conflicts between you two but that also means that I connect with both parties. Besides, this doesn't seem like you, Alec. Are you okay over there?" "Yeah.", Alec scoffed and ran his hand through his hair- god, he was tired. But he knew how persistent Isabelle was, so there was no way around it: "Listen, I appreciate the effort and the concerns but this is a thing between me and Jonathan. I didn't want things to turn out that way, but I tried to do my best to make the situation as good as it could get for everyone. And I understand Simon is upset and calls you as his girlfriend. But I can't have you be Simon's girlfriend right now, because that means you'll have to tell Simon everything I tell you now. So if you can just be my sister for a minute?" "If you tell me what's going on?", she replied and Alec took a deep breath. "Jonathan and I have a deal.", he sighed, "I owe him three favors. This is the third and last one." "What do you owe him for?" "Let's just say he leaked private information that I'd rather not have emailed to the NYABM board.",Alec explained. "Like, nudes?", Isabelle shrieked in disgust. "No, more like MRI scans and medical records.", he chuckled, "But I'd prefer the nudes, honestly." "Does it have to do with the whole breakdance thing?", she asked which upon he nodded, surprised by her memory. "Yeah. Let's just say I'd rather give him that alternate spot and be done with him once and for all."