mommy issues core

daddy issues

daddy issues ~ the neighbourhood

natasha romanoff

y/ns age: 15

y/ns pov

I was used to going to these competitions alone, i had done dance since i was 4 years old. my parents drove me half the time but they never wanted to stay and watch. i walked through the main doors showing my things to the guy at the table and signing in before heading to get a seat.

today was just a competition within the studio so everyone was versing each other. i see some of the other girls in my section walking around but walked pass them avoiding eye contact.

taking a seat i see my dance teachers natasha and yelena rushing around trying to get the little kids in their lines. 20 minutes later my section was called and we all headed down to get ready.

i put music on through by headphones stretching and warming up. a couple of the girls i was closer with were standing around laughing but i still chose to keep in my own bubble.

"remember confident faces guys, you all look amazing" natasha said coming backstage. i refuse to look up at her yet as she walks around giving everyone little confidence boosters. i sat on the floor my legs butterfly position as i looked at my legs zoning out.

all of a sudden there was a soft tap on my shoulder i sat up and gave a weak smile to nat who was bending down in front of me. she motioned for me to take my headphones off so i did also grabbing my lipstick from my bag for her help.

i could never do it right myself, and my mother never helps so its become a ritual now that she does it for me right before i go on. it doesn't feel right if she doesn't do it.

"You got this in the bag y/n, but please don't be to hard on yourself if you don't win" she said rubbing my knee. "i know you" she said lowering her voice a little and giving me a small smirk.

my section was about to go on so i stood up shoving my things in a corner. Natasha stood up too tapping my thigh twice before walking off to lead us out.

i check my phone just before i go on to see if i got any messages from my parents, maybe a good luck. but i got nothing. yelena appears at my side just before i go on. i was fiddling with the fabric of my costume not nervous just in my head.

they call my name and i walk out.

natashas pov

it has been a very stressful morning. running your own company with your sister is not always the easiest or most delightful thing to do. i run backstage to the teenagers who were about to go on.

i walked around talking to everyone helping some students with last minute lipstick before walking to the back away from everyone but towards y/n. i saw her walk in by herself this morning again and i felt so bad for her.

ive always had a soft spot for her some would say i favourite her. and i dont favourite her but she is my favourite. she looks up and gives me a small smile. a smile that told me im about to cry but i dont want to ruin my makeup. even when she was little and broke her wrist during a competition she didnt cry not wanting to ruin the makeup or disrupt everyone. it took her parents 3 hours to get off their asses and come to the hospital for her.

i ran out to the audience just in time to watch and film her. she always wants her performances filmed and at first i thought it was so she could show her parents because i genuinely believed they just couldnt make it, but now i know its so she can watch it back and get better.

although our studio specializes in ballet, our dancers still get taught other styles, like now y/n was performing her own contemporary piece. and she was absolutely stunning.

y/n pov

after my performance it was just alot of waiting until awards and the group dance. "and now i would like to invite all the dads to come down for the daddy daughter dances" natasha called out from the stage using the microphone.

i watch as all the dads started to stand up holding hands with their daughters as they made their way to the stage. my seat up the back was taken so i was down the front right infront of the stage. it was like the universe wanted to rub it in my face.

i turn around and see everyone but the mums and a couple other people in the crowd making me the only competitor not up there. as they come on group by group tears well in my eyes. if i wasnt so tired i wouldn't be crying.

sometimes i just wish my parents would show a little interest in the things i do. instead of constantly complaining and ignoring it. i wish i wouldnt have to ask them to come to things they would just want to. and its not like they are working or anything, if they were i would understand. but they just dont care. a tear slipped down my face which i quickly wiped away. but the tears wernt stopping.

i snuck out the doors quietly as tears continued to stream down my face. i slammed the toilet stall door shut behind me sliding down to the floor. thank god these toilets were always ridiculously clean. i put a hand over my mouth as i started to hyperventilate and sob.

i tried to shut up even more when the door opened.

natashas pov

i was by the judges collecting the lists of winners as they were on their way out meaning we had to announce the winners. i thanked them as they started walking down the steps, thats when i noticed y/n sitting by herself again at the bottom of the practically empty grand stand. i folded the pieces of paper away and started to walk towards her when she got up and rushed out the doors.

worried i pass the papers to yelena who was guiding the other groups and rush after her. the bathroom door was just closing as i made it out there so thats where im assuming she went.

"y/n you in here детка" (baby) i said softly, pausing when i heard strangled sobs. "милая i need to know your okay" (sweetheart) i knocked gently on the door. after about a minute of silence the door clicks open and im met with a red faced and teary y/n. she walked out of the stall and over to the mirror.

when she sees her smeared mascara and smudged makeup she clenches her fists, so hard i could tell her nails would be digging into her palms. i walked up behind her making eye contact with her in the mirror. i hold her hands in mine gently unravelling her tense fingers.

"whats wrong y/n/n, you never cry" i said rubbing my thumb over the crescent moons now indented in her palms.

"sometimes, i just wished they would care enough to show up" she said wiping her makeup off and starting again.

"i wish they would come too see you too, because you are so talented and they should be proud of how far you've come" i answered taking the lipstick from her hand as she needed me to do it again.

"im not that amazing" she shook her head, "if i was better they would come" she answered speaking her thoughts aloud. is that what she really thought? she thought it was her fault that they dont show up.

"no y/n dont say that, it isnt your fault they dont come, you are so very talented. please do not doubt yourself" besides i have the paper to prove shes amazing. i finish the lipsick and hold my arms out for a hug.

its not often she hugs anyone, she gives me a side hug at most if she did something super amazing. but this time she wrapped both arms around me making sure to keep her face away from me to not mess up her makeup for the second time.

"awards should be starting" i said pulling away and holding my hand out for her to grab. she does so and we walk backstage this time where everyone was lining up in their heats. "good luck hun" i smiled walking to yelena who had been looking for me.