Pas de Trois

Chapter 4: "It's gonna happen, I know it."

Chloe got off the subway and ran up the stairs to the street. She wasn’t really in a hurry, but it always felt like everyone around her was so she tried to look like they did. It was a rush being alone in the city, one she hadn’t expected at all.

A block and a half later, Chloe walked into the plaza at Lincoln Center, where SAB lived. It was a beautiful day - for August in New York, anyway - but Chloe barely noticed. She’d been waiting to feel the magic of walking up to the school and...nothing. There were tourists taking pictures but that didn’t make her feel anything but annoyed.

Chloe went inside the SAB building and checked in. It looked like a lot of other girls had their parents with them and for a second Chloe wished she’d let Brent bring her after all. But then she remembered that would have meant coming with security and causing a scene.

“You’re all set, Chloe,” the lady checking people in said. “Girl’s dressing rooms are down that hall and your class schedule is in this folder with all the rooms listed.”

“Thanks,” Chloe took the folder and went to put her stuff away. 

The dressing room was nice, but about the same as every other ballet school Chloe had seen. She put her bag in her cubby and looked up the order of her classrooms for the day so she wouldn’t have to walk around with her schedule. 

There were enough other dancers going to her class that Chloe found her way with no trouble. She found space to sit and started stretching. There still wasn’t any magic feeling about being there. She didn’t feel special or like this was a dream come true.

“There she is!” Danny’s voice interrupted the otherwise quiet room. Chloe had to smile when he came running for her. Slade was right behind him. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” Chloe said, hugging him back. “How are you?”

“Good,” Danny said. “Losing my mind a little, but so good.”

“Okay,” Chloe laughed. She turned so Slade could hug her too. 

“It’s good to see you,” Slade said, smiling just a little. Chloe tried to ignore the way his eyes got all bright when he smiled.

“You too,” Chloe said.

“I still can’t believe this is happening,” Danny said. “This is crazy. Do you just love it here?” 

“I like it a lot,” Chloe nodded. That was true. 

“I am in love with this city,” Danny said. He launched into a long explanation of everything he and his mom and Slade had been doing since they moved to New York. Chloe listened, feeling a little better the more he talked.

“Weren’t you supposed to be grounded?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah, that only lasted like a week,” Danny laughed. “Mama had us pack and unpack for her and then she was bored with it.”