HeartBLOOD

Chapter fifty-six

Nervous?, Raphael asked, gently stretching out his quads.

Hell yeah, you?, Alec asked, following his friends example.

Same., he replied, I just hope all my technique isnt completely down the drain.

Feel you., Alec sighed, standing up, But Im sure well be able to choreograph something that suits all of us.

For the past days, they had all been facetiming and throwing ideas into the pot, out of which they were trying to make the choreography.

Okay, guys, gather around., Valentine commanded, Lets do barre warmups.

Like in old times, they gathered around the barre and started doing their exercises. It felt weird to be both on the teaching and the learning end of dance, but unlike expected, Alec was grateful to finally be able to do some more complex exercises that felt a bit more like dancing to him.

Thats not terrible., Valentine smirked, looking at their execution, I expected worse.

Suppressing a smile, Alec carried on- the cycle of a dancer. Loving it, living it, doubting it, loving it even more. Coming home again.

***

Id love for this dance to be multidimensional., Maia said, having taken over as executive choreographer, I think its very exciting to showcase all of our individual strengths, making a lot happen for the viewer to look at.

Id have to agree with Maia., Valentine nodded, We need duets, solos with the rest of yall in the background, full groups, divisions, all of it. Make as much happen as possible.

Do we have a song?, Camille asking, adjusting her pointe shoes.

Not yet. Well choose based off of the choreo., Maia explained, But everyone is welcome to throw in ideas.

I think itd be smarter to choreograph at least a rough sketch of what we want the performance to look like before limiting ourselves with a song., Alec agreed.

Hes right. And I dont want to waste our precious time talking, so Id suggest that we practice that backjump-stunt all of us love so much. Its epic, and we need to include it., Raphael said and got only positive reactions.

So, without further ado, they quickly got together in pairs and started practicing. Said stunt had already been used in the open house routine, but it was very visually impressive, which did its difficulty justice. Basically, Maia was supposed to run towards Alec from behind and jump onto his shoulders in a kneeling position. The only assistance she got were Alecs hands, which he held out on shoulder height. It had gone wrong quite a view times, but considering the fact that all of them had already successfully mastered it once, everyone was confident that theyd be able to pull it off again. Despite being ballet majors, they all were pretty good stunters.

Are you ready to try?, Maia asked after Alec had positioned himself.

If you are., he grinned before turning around and making sure his hands were at the right height. Tightening all his core muscles, all he concentrated on was standing securely and not getting knocked over by Maias force.

Shit., he heard her say, making him twist back.

This was when he realized, that she had started running but must have stopped half way through.

Whats the deal?, he asked, frowning.

Im just not used to crazy stuff like that anymore., she grinned, Im overthinking.

Hey, you know the rules: You jump, I catch. Always.

Alright., she smiled weakly, Dont betray my trust.

Have I ever?

Dont get started now, thats all Im saying., she chuckled and Alec turned back around- of course, losing the routine impacted their trust. Maia needed to trust him.

Hearing Maias footsteps on the floor, he prepared to catch her. All of a sudden, he felt her knees crash against his shoulderblades, her hands holding on to his so she didnt fall.

Oh my god, Im so sorry- are you okay?, Maia exclaimed worriedly.

All good., Alec replied, sucking in the air through his teeth- those were going to be nice bruises in a few days.

I literally dont know what the problem is-, she started explaining, but Alec interrupted her:

You were holding back. Just as you taught Emma to, you need to fully and fearlessly put your entire self into anything that you do. Half-ways, shortcuts or safety-variations never work, and you know that.

I was just so scared to fall., Maia sighed.

But thats exactly what makes you fall. You know the psychology behind dance, so apply it. I know it takes time to get used to it again, but we dont have time.

Just dont take it personally., Maia sighed, Ive gone a little rusty. Its been a minute from when I had my life depend on you last time.

Fair enough., Alec chuckled, understanding the hint, Though, I did not disappoint then, either. Ill always make sure youre okay, Maia. I promise.

I know you always will. Its one of the things that I love about you.

There is more than one thing?, Alec asked in surprise, joking to ease the situation.

Alec, we had a moment. Stop ruining cute shit, Im trying to be nice to you.

And Im just fishing for compliments., he smirked cockily, leaving Maia in laughter- this felt a bit better than old times. A bit like cheap coffee that you expected nothing of, but that actually turned out to be quite good.

***

Okay, one last time to lock it in., Maia panted, Alec also breathing heavily due to the many run-throughs they have had. To their luck, they were rapidly improving, feeding off of their pre-existing expertise.

Running as fast as she could, she gained enough speed for her knees to slide on top of Alecs shoulders, managing to keep her balance by tightly holding on to Alecs hands.

Ayeeee!, she laughed, Im starting to realize that were kinda good at this dance thing.

Maybe we should do it professionally., Alec groaned, struggling to uphold Maias weight- he could definitely tell that neither of them had been practicing as much as they would have needed to in order to catch up to their pre-fire niveau.

Crazy idea- I love it., Maia chuckled sarcastically, gracefully hopping off of Alecs shoulders.

Rolling his shoulders, he smiled: Maybe we did make the right choice, after all.

Did you doubt it?

Of course, you didnt?

Never.

Good for you.