Every ballet class starts with an exercise on the barre, a horizontal, often wooden or metal, bar that is fastened to the walls, or free-standing with supports on either side. While doing barre exercises, a dancer will stand and hold on to the barre...
"It's a really cute bag," Kelsey says while sitting on the edge of my bed, working through a bag of crisps.
I had invited her back to my apartment until I have to leave, mainly because we both had nothing else to do. Now, I was rotating angles in the mirror with the new bag in different styles.
"Maybe we should just ask Gael for another one," I mutter.
She smiles awkwardly and checks her phone. "You should get ready, it's almost four."
I groan and pull the dress I bought out of its bag, and rip the tags off in defeat. "I need a pre-drink."
"You get ready, and I'll go get a bottle," Kelsey chirps. I don't bother in telling her where we keep liquor, knowing she'll find it eventually.
After slipping on the dress, and a pair of hoops, I pull on my black heels and stand in front of my mirror. My stomach flips when I see the dress on me for the first time, realizing it's shorter than I imagined it would be.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Juliettes dress ^^^
I blow air through my lips and grab my bag, trying to ignore the feeling in my stomach. As soon as I enter the kitchen, Kelsey squeals and hands me a shot glass.
"You look so good, we need celebratory shots," she declares while picking up her own.
The warm liquid rushes down my throat quickly, and the previous feeling in my stomach slowly leaves. Kelsey sighs after putting her shot glass back on the counter, and glances around the apartment.
"Didn't you say you had a roommate?"
I roll my eyes and take both glasses to the sink. "Yeah, you don't want to meet her. She's-"
As if on que, the front door opens and the familiar sound of heels on our wood floor approaches. I whip my head around to see Livie with one hand on her hip, the other holding two grocery bags.
"You could have told me we had guests, I would have gotten stuff for-"
Her eyes land on the bottle of liquor and she sets the bags down on the counter. "I see you guys are already partying."
"Kelsey was just leaving," I say quickly.
"Looks like you are too," Liv says while looking me up and down.
"Yup, we both have to go."
Kelsey looks troubled when I grab her purse along my my own things, but complies with my statement and follows me out the door.
"I thought she seemed nice."
"Just trust me on this one, you don't want-"
"I didn't know we were bringing friends," A males voice states from behind me.
I whip around and come face to face with Gael, who's dressed in black pants and a white dress shirt. I'm hit with a strong smell of cologne, making me scrunch my nose instinctively.
"Kelsey was just leaving," I repeat firmly. Gael's eyes wander down my body and land on the pink handbag.
"Yeah, thanks for having me Juliette," she says shyly. I can tell she feels intimidated by his presence.
Kelsey walks down the hall quickly, and I wait until the complex door shuts before turning my attention back to Gael.
"You look really nice," he mumbles while his eyes explore my body again.
I shift my weight awkwardly and stare at my shoes. Suddenly, he pinches the fabric on my waist and pulls so I stumble closer.
"You're very shy today Ette. You should be more confident in this tiny dress of yours."
I lift my head and smirk, remembering the alcohol I drank earlier. "I already took a shot."
He chuckles and let's go of my dress. "I'll have to keep up with you tonight."
I smile, regaining my confidence, and start walking to the door. Gale rushes up from behind me, snaking his arm around my waist.
"I didn't know you could be so fast in heels."
____________________________________
After driving for a while, we arrive at a black building with a tinted glass door. A long line swirls around the club, making me scrunch my face in confusion.
Gael wraps his arm around my waist, tighter than before, and guides me through the crowd, earning a few complaints from those waiting.
Once we're at the front, Gael flashes a smile to the bouncer and he opens the door immediately. I try to escape his grasp when we walk in, but Gael only tightens his grip.
He leads both of us to the bar and watches me sit down on a stool hesitantly.
"Stay here," he orders.
I scoff as he walks away, debating whether or not to listen. A bartender walks by the counter and I shout to get his attention. Once I have it, I order a glass of Kirsch.
Gael still isn't back by the time I take my first sip, and I tap my fingers on the marble impatiently.
Finally, he returns and sees the drink in my hand. He frowns and pulls out the stool next to me so he can sit.
"Impatient, were you?"
"Normally you don't wander off from your date within the first few minutes."
"You're right," Gael nods. "Had to take care of something first."
"But now," he draws. "I'm all yours."
I roll my eyes and finish the last of my drink with one swig. He watches intently and calls the bartender over after I put the empty glass down.
Gael mumbles something into their ear and the staff member scrambles away quickly. I trace my finger around the rim of my glass in boredom, still feeling his eyes on me.
"Do you have any tattoos?" he asks suddenly.
I pause and straighten my posture. "One."
He's still watching me, likely waiting for me to show him. I twist my body and slowly peel my hair away from my back, revealing the black and white art.
The words on my back hold meaning, like most tattoos do.
"tiny dancer"
The song by Elton John was my sisters favorite, and it grew to become mine when she passed. We would belt it in the car whenever we had the chance, our off-key notes filling the vehicle.
There were two wings on each side of the phrase, signifying angel wings.
I wasn't expecting Gael to touch the lettering, but he reached out and ran his finger over them, causing me to shiver.
"It's beautiful," he whispers softly.
"For my sister," I whisper even softer.
I turn back around and notice a new drink in front of me. It's a sunset-colored liquid in a large glass, with an umbrella sitting on the side.
I smile and look over to Gael, who is already drinking his. He keeps his lips to the glass for a while, not taking a break in between swallows.
"Slow down-"
He drains the rest of the drink and slams it on the counter, followed by a hiccup.
"Don't worry," he assures with a wink. "I'm not a lightweight."
I narrow my eyes at him and pick up my own glass. Slowly downing the contents, I try to keep my hiccups down when it's empty.
