HeartBLOOD

Chapter fifty-eight

Hi! Good to see you!, Alec exclaimed, pulling Alyssa into a hug- they had texted last night and spontaneously decided to train together at NYABM- both were hoping that it would help them with their motivation.

You too! Man, its been a minute!, she smiled after he let go.

Yeah! Also, wow, bangs? How come?, Alec asked, taking a closer look at Alyssas new hairstyle.

I dont know, I guess I just wanted some change., she bit her lip, brushing through them with her fingers.

It looks fantastic., he smiled, putting his dancebag down before dropping himself onto the floor, starting to untie his shoes.

Thanks!, she grinned, taking off her warmup boots, I hope you dont mind me having already started.

No, not at all- its never bad to get in some extra-work., he chuckled, finally freeing his feet from his high-top vans.

True- apropos work: Hows work?

Good, actually., Alec chuckled, standing up, The kids are really sweet, and the choreography me and my co-coach came up with seems to work for them, so thats a plus.

This morning, he had worked out, added the last finishing touches to the teens choreography and had started teaching it to them. To his surprise, they had started picking it up quite quickly, which reassured him in some of the decisions Cat and him had made. The only thing still giving him anxiety was the fact that they hadnt gotten started on the partnering yet, and he had no clue of how long it was going to take them to pick it up. So, he decided to teach some of the choreo before challenging them- he didnt want to bring on the most difficult part right at the start.

Maybe youll end up being a choreographer., Alyssa joked, putting on her pointe shoes.

Maybe., Alec giggled, stretching out his sore back and mentally going through his to-do list for the day- he still needed to coach the seniors after his dance session with Alyssa. Then, after that, hed only have to cook before finally trying to get to bed earlier. Only now did he realize what a relief it was to not have sports science or nutrition anymore- that also meant no homework, which gave him at least some time in the evenings.

Wanna start with some plies?, Alyssa asked, already getting to the barre.

Sure., Alec replied, placing his hand on the wood, making sure his thumb was on top of the barre and not underneath- it was something he always failed to remember. Who even made that rule in the first place? To him, it made zero sense, and everyone that told him otherwise was straight up psychotic.

***

Alright, Im taking a break., Alec panted an hour later, his head glooming red.

Same., Alyssa gasped, dropping herself onto the floor, sweat running down her face.

They had definitely made the most out of their time in the training room, doing some much needed technique-focused work. Again, he realized how much his stamina had decreased- his heart was pounding heavily in his chest, blood pumping through his body, his lungs on fire from thirty minutes of dancing. Trying to be careful, he decided not to do any jumps- still, he felt that familiar dull pain in his knee.

We kinda killed it, though., Alyssa laughed, I mean, I think this is the best Ive danced ever since the fire.

Yeah, me too., Alec groaned, hoping for his pulse to finally slow down whilst having his hand wrapped around his knee, pushing some pressure points which occasionally helped with the pain.

I think it might be the room., she giggled, still panting, Theres some sort of energy in here. It smells a bit like dreams, doesnt it?

Broken dreams, maybe, Alec thought, but decided to nod instead- he used to romanticize it, too. And he wanted her to enjoy the sheer magic for as long as possible- Alyssa would stop believing in it all by herself, eventually.

You good?, she asked with a concerned frown, glancing at his leg.

Oh, yeah- old injury., Alec smiled weakly- as much as he had grown close to Alyssa, that was the one thing she knew nothing about.

Alrighty., she chuckled before taking another sip of water, striking the sweaty bangs out of her face.

***

Looks good!, Alec applauded the seniors after they had successfully completed the first part of the choreography.

Take a break, well done!, Cat exclaimed before turning to Alec- it was still such an honor for him to teach by her side.

Theyre amazing., Alec said, I think theyll do just fine.

You of all people know that just fine is not going to cut it., Cat grinned, But I know what you mean. Theyre headed in the right direction, for sure.

I watched Joan quite closely this time- hes actually really good. Did you consider putting him in the front for the second part of the choreo?, Alec asked.

I know, I guess hes a bit of a diamond in the rough. But if you see some talent too, maybe pull him aside after the break and teach him the turns already? If he happens to be good at them, we can switch him out for trinity- two dudes in the front row always look better than just one.

Youre damn right about that., Alec chuckled, Ill for sure pull him aside- weve got to make the most out of the benefits of having two coaches, after all.

Exactly., Cat replied before raising her voice, Okay guys, well do it all again from the top. Joan, youre staying out.

I think youd look great in the front during the turning section., Alec explained to him, Would you mind going to the back of the room with me so I can teach you the turns, just to see if youd be a match?

Yeah, totally!, Joan smiled widely, Anything for a spot in the front.

Thats the spirit., Alec laughed- he really enjoyed working with the seniors. Due to the fact that they were quite close to him in age, he was able to relate to them and communicate eye-to-eye.