Stage chemistry

Ch. 4 Studio B

It's been a couple of weeks since rehearsals started and the tension between Dabi and I has only grown. Every time he touches me adrenaline feeds through me. While Knox sees the emotions put on for a stage performance, the truth is it's a reaction I can't control. Only the corp was called today, but I showed up to the studio anyway. I walk into studio B, duffel bag in hand. Setting the bag down near the mirror and I take out my pointe shoes. I crack the end of the shoe with the palm of my hand, after I smack the end of the shoe on the ground.

'Loosen up princess'

Smack

'You are stiff'

Smack

'I'll be waiting for you'

Smack

I can't have him. No matter what my body tells me he is my partner and my coworker. Having any other kind of relationship would be a distraction and could damage my career.

I pack on the padding around my feet and slip on the shoes. I wrap the ribbon around my ankle to secure them in place, pointing and flexing the new shoes to fit to my foot. I stand at the bar and warm up my feet. I just need to dance it out, it sounds cheesy and cliche but whenever I have a strong emotion or I don't know what to do I dance. I connect my phone to the speaker and I start to dance.

I spin, I leap, I glide, but nothing can shake that feeling of him next to me. The studio fills with the sounds of violin and the wood of my shoes knocking on the floor as I rise onto the base of it.

How is it possible that I feel both anxious and safe when I'm with him?

Suddenly I see a silhouette by the door as I am in the middle of a series of pirouettes. Falling out of it I turn to identify the figure. To my luck, it's the one man I am trying to forget.

"Jesus Christ Dabi, try knocking" I shout

"I did but I guess your music was too loud" He walks toward me, with no waver in his voice or step.

"What are you doing here" I croak

" I could ask you the same question" He looks at me, getting closer and closer.

"I was just practicing, trying to clear my head,"

"I'm here for the same" His warmth hits me and I shiver

His hand grazes mine, lifting my arm up

"Play the music" His eyes locked on mine

I press play and set the phone down. His hands meet my waist to turn me, leaning me into a tilt. They guide me where he wants me. Our arms move as one, each other following each other and the music.

"Plie for me" he whispers in my ear from behind me. His hands grasp my waist as I plie, as I rise up he lifts my waist onto his shoulder. With his arms grounding me to him, I develop my legs to a split. He lowers me down and I slide down him. As my feet hit the floor, I am met with his captivating blue eyes.
We stand there for what feels like a lifetime. Sharing body heat, sharing ragged breath.

"What's your goal?" I whisper to the man in front of me. Our foreheads lean together, our noses touch.

"My goal?" His voice was raspier due to its low volume.

"I mean this, right here" I lean back to meet his eyes

"I told you I'm here to clear my head" His voice started to raise from a whisper.

"Did it work?"

"Not really" without warning he steps away and heads for the door. "I hope you are able to clear yours."

Dabi's POV:

I am quite literally torturing myself.

As soon as I am out of the door I slam the wall of the hallway with my fist.

I just want to be near her. I want to feel her. I feel alive when we dance together. God what the fuck am i saying. I sound like a goddamn simp.

As I press my forehead against the cold wall, my thoughts circle as if they were trying to escape. The vibrations feed through the walls when the music from the studio resumes. I push off the way and peer through the window into the room, trying to stay out of sight. I watch her dance, her movements laced with pain and beauty. She embodies strength and grace, her leaps are gravity defying and her turns are perfectly balancedI lose track of how long I stood there, the songs speed past and there she stays, leaving her struggles on the floor.

She is amazing, I wonder if she feels the same as I do. Can she feel the chemistry between us?

God how many times do you have to go around in this circle. This is the job, you audition, get the part, pretend to love your partner for ticket sales, get paid. That's how the industry works. I can't be wasting my time pining over someone I can't have.

I walk away from the window and go to find another empty studio.

I have to stop getting distracted