Dancing on Glass- Russian Empire- Countryhumans

Practice Surprise

Eyes that glimmer with hope, shattered by a heart so cold

---~★•°.

"I wanted to ask you if..."

[Name]'s heart race sped up. Was this really happening? Alexei's face was relaxed. He looked so handsome. His eyes glittered in the afternoon light, and his lips were parted. His voice gruff but gentle, [Name] listened intently. A smile had started to tug at her lips as she got an answer ready for a question not even asked, not yet at least.

"... you have an extra pair of Pointe shoes. "

The slight smile on [Name]'s face disappeared like 'The Flash'. Her jaw dropped, then closed as she processed the simple question. She inhaled then shook her head, a sheepish smile on her lips. Alexei let out a small 'ah' before nodding his head and standing up. Spinning on his heel, he walked away.

[Name] watched him approach some other people, asking them if they had an extra pair of pointe shoes. He had his own. Why was he asking? [Name]'s eyes unfocused as she mentally facepalmed at herself.

'Why would he ever ask me out? I'm so stupid! Stupid!'

[Name] slightly kicked her legs, Anastasia, who sat beside her watched as [Name] struggled to keep herself from pulling the hair out of her scalp. An amused expression on Anastasia's face, she glanced to the side and smirked, tapping [Name]'s shoulder, [Name] looked up, and her eyes widened.

Pulled from her session of degrading herself. Her eyes widened as she saw Alexei talking to Kira, and Kira gave him a pair of pointe shoes. [Name] let the interaction go. It was just classmates asking each other for stuff, no big deal. Until Alexei pat Kira on her shoulder, [Name]'s eyes snapped back to them, as if a predator watching their prey, she bit her lip to the point its skin could break any second now.

How dare Kira deserve his attention, extra attention. Didn't [Name] do a bit more than her?

"I did way more for Alexei than Kira... why does she get his attention?"

[Name] narrowed her eyes and grumbled, Anastasia just stared at her, an unamused look on her face.

"When you give him gifts, you remain anonymous,"

[Name]'s eyes widen to the size of saucers, and she snaps her head at Anastasia, an embarrassed look on her face.

"Shut up about that!"

[Name] felt blood rush to her cheeks. She huffed and sat back. A loud clapping sound sounded through the room so suddenly. All the heads in the room turned to the sound and jumped up from their seats. Kira rolled her eyes and walked out the door, some others scuttling after her. Soon, everyone was walking towards the theatre room.

Their shoes pattered against the dark wooden floors in the hallway, and they then made it to the theatre room and went backstage. The strong scent of the huge, unwashed, red curtains wafted up into their noses, casting a sense of familiarity within them. [Name]'s lips curled upwards into a small smile, a slight bounce in her step as she mentally reviewed the dance moves.

"Positions, everyone!"

Mrs. Zaitseva's strong voice cast an echo backstage, and everyone lined up into their posts. A soft tune of piano played, followed by the sound of violins. The musicians played a soft melody that resonated in the large room. The sounds of feet pounding forcefully, yet gracefully reverberated on the wooden stage, which creaked with movement.

"One, two, three, One, two, three, and..."

Their bodies moved in sync as if programmed to. They twirled, jumped, split, and performed as if already in a show. The boys joined the stage and took a partner, spinning them around and switching. Mrs. Zaitseva had a proud smirk on her face as she counted and clapped her hands, pride evident in her green eyes.