Barre

Chapter Two

Around 3 pm, the door opens and I hear Liv's signature heels being kicked off. She lets out a sigh before sitting on the couch next to me, making me well aware of her presence.

"So you met Gael," she announces tiredly.

"I did."

"And what did you think of him?" Livie rests her head on the back of the couch so she's looking at me.

"He's quite young."

"He's twenty-eight, and he's a business man. Apparently his dad owns a dance school, and Gael handles the income from tuition."

Livie seems bored by the topic, but the mention of a dance school raises my interest.

"Turns out I'm not even his type, he's into girls with darker hair. He said he chose me because he thought I was into dance."

"So I take it you two didn't hit it off?" I carefully assume.

"No, not at all. But we need the money for rent and he's offering one thousand each week."

I nearly choke on my toast when the grand total is mentioned. Liv notices and throws her head back while groaning.

"I know, but here's the catch. He wants me to come to the school and be his assistant."

I gape at her for a minute, trying to understand what she doesn't find appealing about this opportunity.

"What if I did it?"

Liv snorts and reaches for a banana from the bowl on the coffee table. "Very funny Ette."

"I'm serious. I'd love to work at a dance school."

"But he's a sugar daddy. We both know that's not your thing."

"I'm not passing up the opportunity of working for a good looking man who happens to be looking for an assistant at a dance school. Sugar daddy or not, I'm intrigued," I state firmly.

As she peels her banana, Liv rolls her eyes and places her feet on the table. "Knock yourself out then. I'll tell him you're a better fit for the job."

I smile with content and take my plate to the sink to rinse it off. After I'm finished, I go to my room and shut the door carefully behind me. Slowly opening the closet doors, I reach to the top shelf until my fingers meet with a familiar box. I pull it down and brush off any dust from the lid before pulling it off carefully.

The light pink pointe shoes are faded from age, and I hold one up in the light from the window. I trace my fingers around the details, turning the shoe around in my hand as I explore it for the 100th time. I pull gently on the sides, and peer inside to find the black writing. My eyes land on the small letters, and I whisper the name aloud.

"Annette."

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Later that night, I was curled up on the couch once again, with Livie sleeping on the other side. She insisted on watching a movie after dinner, but fell asleep thirty minutes in.

My phone chimes from the coffee table, and I reach for it quickly while making sure Liv didn't wake up.

The notification is from an unknown number, and I pull the tab down to see what the message is.

| This is Gael :)

My eyes go wide and I glance at Liv again, only to find her still passed out.

How much did Livie tell you? |

He responds quickly, giving me no time to close out of our conversation.

| Straight to the point Julie, I like your interest ;) All she mentioned is that you were significantly more fit for the job, and more experienced with dance.

When do you need me to start? |

| I was thinking we could go out for coffee before you start. I've only met you once, and you seemed delightful :)

I was slightly drunk. |

| In that case maybe we should meet at a bar instead?

I try to hide my laughter at his reply, still aware of Livie next to me.

A café works fine. |

| Tomorrow at 9 then, I'll send you the information.

I press the power button on my phone and smile to myself while standing from the couch. Turning off the TV, I leave Liv asleep in the living room and walk into my room. Already in comfortable clothes, I climb into bed and set my alarm for the morning, falling asleep with the smile still on my face.