Kashmir [BxB]

Chapter 27 - Adam Silvera-style

Esme's grand opening night was finally here, and as she had been at the venue all day, we were riding with her mothers and brother to the show. We all crammed into the car, Allison behind the wheel and Riese next to her with Sam in her lap. I ended up squashed between Nate and Kade, which wasn't as uncomfortable as one might think.

"So, are you excited about the show?"

"Oh, we're so proud of our little girl!", Allison gushes.

"Yes, immensely! And her nerves are bound to simmer down after the premiere, thank god! Maybe she'll actually start asking for things politely again rather than angrily demanding them."

Allison chides her wife who smiles, patting her son's head. The car ride was almost enough of an experience in of itself; Sam complained that he was too old to be sitting on his mother's knee, Allison almost run a pedestrian over and I almost fell in my impeccable suit on the way out.

Luckily, I had Kade to catch me.

He'd really brought his A-game, as Ravi would call it, showing up in a proper smoking that looked to have fit him perfectly a year or two ago. I was wearing similar attire, Nate the only one who switched the colors up as he went in moss green.

Now, I had never actually been to the Dance Academy of Northshore since Esme had been drafted here. Not before that either, but that was beside the point. One thing was for sure, and that was that I did not expect it to be like this.

Magnificent columns lined the sides of polished granite, heavy oak doors swung wide open to reveal an intricate arch, high enough for three of Kade to fit on top of each other and still be able to walk beneath it. Spotlights lit up the facade and made the diamonds around delicate wrists glisten beneath its light as people started flowing in.

Long, heavy gowns in fine fabrics, carefully crafted suits, fingers and ears dripping with expensive jewelry - the show must be brilliant to snag the attention over this crowd!

The inside of the theatre is just as impressive as the outside, with its large salon and deep read seating. No wall is left unpainted and wooden carvings painted in gold run all the way over the balconies, up to the ceiling. Heavy curtains cover the stage, below of which is an orchestra preparing its instruments.

This was far bigger than I realized.

"She must be really good to dance here...", Kade whispers, reverence evident in his tone.

"The best.", Nate smiles, "She's got the main part."

We chat as the huge auditorium is slowly filled up around us, the tuning and clinging of instruments gaining more momentum before a man dressed in a suit walks on stage and the lights dimmer. With a mic in his hand, he begins speaking.

"Greetings, and welcome to the Dance Academy of Northshore!"

Deafening applauds break out all around, even a whistle being heard as the man smiles and waits for the room to calm again.

"As always, we put on our first show for the casts near and dear, as well as to honor our patrons. I'd like to extend our gratitude especially towards Mr. Everett Loughty, a benefactor who's supported us and made this all possible."

Applause break out again and I catch two women whispering and pointing towards one of the balconies. I assume the older man with salt and pepper beard to be Mr. Loughty, and the young blonde one beside him perhaps his son. The senior smiles as if he knows he's being watched, but the younger barely looks present.

"Now, I am proud to present: 'The Nutcracker'!"

A brief applause is heard before people around us begin shushing, and the curtain is pulled back as the violins begin playing to reveal a grand Christmas tree between a large fireplace and an ornate clock.