I roll over in bed to see Cameron still asleep. I sit up and put my head in the palms of my hands. Some tears roll down my cheeks, remembering last night.
Cameron wakes up and gently pulls me close to him with a hug. "What's wrong, Lilly?" He asks. I can't even answer. He rubs my back as I cry into his chest. "Please talk to me." He whispers.
There's no way of telling him, so I stay silent. He sighs and keeps me close. "I don't know what to say." I utter. He kisses my head and doesn't question me.
"Are you going to ballet today?" He asks. "Yeah. I need to get ready." I say, softly. I get out of bed and into the bathroom where I change my clothes and get my bag organized. I kiss Cameron goodbye and leave.
I get to the studio and sit down in the corner of the room, by the barres, alone. "First. Our newest duet, Eli and Lilly." My instructor says. He turns on the music and we start dancing. Then the music cuts off.
"Stop! Where is the passion? Where is the love?" He yells. I look at him like a doe in headlights. "Whatever just go sit down. We'll finish this after class." He says. "Now my swans." He continues.
He turns on the music, we start dancing. Then he turns the music off again. "God. Lilly, why don't you just leave for the day. It's clearly you." He yells, again.
I nod at him, pack up my stuff, then head to my car. I sit in my car for almost 30 minutes, crying.
*Knock *Knock *Knock
"Hey. Let's talk." Eli says, behind my door. I unlock my car and he gets in. "Did class end early?" I ask, trying to cover up my red face. "No, but I knew something was up with you. I had to know." He says.
I give him a slight smile. "I'm sorry for what I did." I whisper to him. "I would take it back if I could, but I can't. I love Cameron, but I love you too." I continue.
"I know. That kiss last night was our goodbye." He replies. "But, what if I don't want to say goodbye?" I ask. He sighs and puts his hand on mine. "We've run our course, Lilly. Every relationship does." He says.
My first instinct is to just nod and tell him 'ok', but I don't want to do that. "I can't just let you go, Eli." I say. "No amount of time away can make me forget about you. About us." I continue.
Eli moves his hand from my wrist to my cheek. He, once again, leans in to me but this time, gives me a kiss on my forehead. The simplest of goodbyes.
"In another lifetime." He says. Then leaves, smiling.
YOU ARE READING
The Forgotten Ballerina
Romancefor·get /fərˈɡet/ verb put out of one's mind; cease to think of or consider. Lilly is a quiet and shy ballerina in the competitive state of New York. She is struggling to speak up for herself, and embrace her dancing. Even though she dances wit...
