falling ~ tiny pretty things

1

It was a new year at The Archer School Of Ballet. Another year of not dancing for Bailey Whitlaw, but another year in the dorm rooms. She's been stuck in the same dorm as her sister, Better, since they were 13. Good thing they got along. Also good thing she went to her boyfriend's dorm for their hookups. Bailey and Madame Dubois both agreed that she could stay in the dorms even though she was hurt. It benefited them both in many ways.

It was also the year after Cassie Shore fell off the roof. It happened a few months ago while the school was working on The Sleeping Beauty. Everyone thinks it was her boyfriend, Nabil, but to Bailey, it didn't feel right. She saw how in love he was. But love could lead to obsession. 

"Bailey" Bette shouted. "Get your shit off my bed."

"Damn Bette" Bailey shook her head as she grabbed her hoodie she left on Bette's bed. "What's your problem?"

"Nothing" Bette calmed herself down. "Just stressed."

"From everything" Bailey questioned and Bette just nodded.

"Okay, come on" Bette started walking towards the door to head to dance class. "Time to go." Bailey stood up and followed her.

~

"Hey" Oren smiled as he walked up to Bette and kissed her. Bailey rolled her eyes from behind them.

"No kissing in my class" Topher, the classes dance teacher, clapped as he walked in. "Hello Bailey, how are you feeling?"

"Great, I'm great" Bailey nodded. Topher smiled at her before turning to walk away. "Wait."

"Yes Miss Bailey" Topher turned back around. 

"Can I just do barre today" Bailey questioned.

"Against the rules" Topher shook his head. "I would love to let you but I can't lose my job."

"Okay" Bailey sighed. "Thanks, I guess."

"One day" Topher smiled at Bailey as she went to sit down.

The truth is, Bailey was the best dancer at her school setting high standards for Bette. Bette and Bailey's older sister, Delia, is a top dancer which caused Bailey and Bette to have high expectations set for them. Bailey reached them with no trouble because she had passion and was very good at it. Bette was good with no doubt but she had no passion which kept her behind. 

After a few seconds, a girl ran in the room. She was new. They barely got new people anymore.

"All right everyone" Topher started talking to the class. "Let's get started."

The girl ran to a few barres, getting rejected by people at each, especially Bette. Eventually she ended up next to Shane. He was best friends with Oren and super nice, when he needed to be. Also, super gay, which everyone at the school supported.

"Facing the barre in sixth position please" Topher instructed.

As the class continued doing the routine, Topher kept giving critic and instructing what to do. Bailey knew she would get the whole routine perfect if he just gave her the chance. She was still scared to try, but she just wanted to see her capabilities. As she sat and thought about it even more, the fear of failing hit and her motivation to try and dance again left her. She felt empty sitting there, watching the dancers.

Topher walked up to the new girl and started critiquing her. "Lift in the attitude." He went a few seconds with nothing before beginning again. "You're sinking in your port de bras. Sternum up. Drop that hip." The girl tried to drop her hip, but it obviously didn't work. "Nope, your hip's still up to your ear. Your weight's in your heels. You need to be over your supporting leg. Drop your hip. Lift." The whole thing still disappointed him by the look on his face. He then turned to look at Bette. "Bette, demonstrate to the side." Bailey smiled at the fact her sister was demonstrating because in class that meant a lot more than you think.

"Look" Topher pointed at Bette while talking to the new girl. "Do you see?" The new girl nodded. "Okay, I'll spare you. Just visiting?"

"New admission" she corrected.

"Then show up next class in proper attire with better shoes" Topher said. "Those are a fiasco."

The girl looked mad at him but if she wanted to be here and be coached, she had to get used to it. First impressions matter, and she didn't make a good one.

After a few more barre exercises, Topher made them do across the floor. Bette was up first. "Bette your second arm is late." Bette kept dancing. "Your second arm is late." She then went into a passé. "No. Try a higher passé." After the music stopped, Topher looked her in the face. "Another year, and still not a turner." He then turned to the class, but he was mainly focused on Bette.. "Your summer break did you no favors. So, tomorrow after class, we'll begin pas de deux. But this term, each of you will be assigned just one partner. Trust in this building has been broken and this may help rebuild it."

It was now the boys turn to do across the floor. The new girl had sat near Bailey and after Shane finished he walked over to her.

"Wow, he's amazing" the new girl said to Shane referring to Nabil.

"Yeah, if you're hot for psychos" Shane shot back. "You ask me, he pushed her."

"No he didn't" Bailey snapped at Shane and Shane just rolled his eyes. 

"Pushed who" the new girl asked.

"His girlfriend, Cassie" Shane answered.

"She's the only reason you're here" Bailey smiled a fake smile at the girl. The new girl looked at Bailey oddly as Shane walked away.