the ballet love story

i can't do this

The Nutcracker opened tomorrow night. Yet, there was so much that needed to be done! Luckily, Erika and Brandon didn't have much to worry about. Most of the other dancers have to worry about really working with people they don't know or might not like but Erika and Brandon are now a happy couple so that's one thing they don't have to worry about. The other thing is that a lot of this year's dancers have been having timing and trust issues, which yet again Erika and Brandon didn't have to worry about. However, just because Brandon and Erika don't have to worry about these problems with each other for their duo, they do still have to worry about them when they do the Waltz of the Snowflakes. A lot of the snowflakes were just stragglers that were desperate for some of that spotlight. The snowflakes weren't remembering their choreography and places well. For example, there is one part where Erika does an oversplit leap across the stage. The snowflakes are supposed to make a path for her. But, they keep forgetting their placement and timing leading to messing up Erika and her almost running into them. She's beginning to feel worried that she'll have to improv throughout the dance. Helgi has been on the snowflake's backs about their problems desperately trying to get them fixed. Despite his many efforts, no improvement has been shown. Brandon also has a problem with the snowflakes. Most of the time he is on stage during the Waltz of the Snowflakes he is leaping around the stage or doing turns. Yet again, when he leaps around the stage the snowflakes are supposed to make a circle for him to go around. However, they end up morphing into a blob with their legs sticking out, causing Brandon to often almost trip. And, when Brandon turns there is one particular snowflake, Olivia, who decides to run right in front or around Brandon while he attempts to do his turns. This is very frustrating to everyone. Helgi was honestly ready to just have Erika and Brandon do another duo. But, he knew that the Waltz of the Snowflakes was one of the most loved scenes of the Nutcracker so he had to keep it in.

The music ends and Erika, Brandon, and the snowflakes stand in their ending pose. "ALRIGHT!" Helgi yells from across the room. "Ladies. You are supposed to be my snowflakes, but right now you're giving me melted snow! Erika and Brandon are two of the most amazing dancers I have ever seen! This is their first ballet, PLEASE don't ruin this for them. You know what? Erika, Brandon. Take 20. Snowflakes. Get on that damn dance floor!" Helgi dismisses Brandon and Erika. They end up sitting in a corner of the dance studio and check social media. "Brandon?" Erika says. "Hm?" Brandon responds. "I don't know what to do." Brandon can sense the nerve in her voice. He looks at Erika to see her eyes glassy with tears. He pulls her into a tight hug and soothingly rubs her back. This was the first time Brandon had ever seen Erika like this. She was always so happy and positive, but now she was so sad and upset. He didn't like this. "What do you mean you don't know what to do? What's wrong?" Brandon says kissing the top of Erika's head and breaking out of the hug. Erika hadn't started crying yet but Brandon could tell she was about to. He took her hand and led her to a storage room inside the studio. He sat down with her, placing Erika on his lap. She rested her head on Brandon's shoulder and buried her head in the crook of his neck. The tears started to flow. Brandon gently took her face in his hands and kissed and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. Once she calmed down Brandon asked, "What's wrong baby?" Erika looked right up into Brandon's blue eyes. She felt safe.

Note To Self
Brandon is Erika's safe place

"I can't do this." "What can't you do honey?" "The dance. Every time I almost run into a snowflake or trip over them or something... I'm just a total screw up" Erika puts her face in his hands. Brandon pulls her close again. "No, you're not. You are one of the best ballerinas there is. You are the complete opposite of a screw-up sweetie. The snowflakes are the ones that are screwing everything up. You aren't doing anything wrong." "If I were so good why can't I not run into them or trip?" "Because you can't control that. You can't control the fact that they might put their foot out at the wrong time and you fall." "But, what if I do that tomorrow? Helgi will fire me." "Ok, first of all, you aren't gonna fall. Second, Helgi is not going to fire you. Did you hear what he was saying earlier? He knows that we're both doing everything right. If something happens tomorrow... which won't... Helgi will know that it's not either of our faults. You are gonna be the best dancer out there love. I promise."

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omg yes love ❤️🩰