The Adults are talking | Charles Leclerc

Chapter three

Persephone

During my walk back home, all I can think about is a certain Charles Leclerc. What the fuck? My mind is still racing. I just met a Formula One driver - and talked to him in his hotel! Baby Persephone would be losing her mind right now. I am losing my mind right now. 

I'm so confused. What are the fucking odds of that happening? To anyone, ever? 

And I hugged him! What the fuck was that about? Why would I hug him? He probably thinks I'm crazy. I most definitely crossed a line. Fucking hell. Que muda que soy*. 

I stand at my door, trying to turn the key but my hands are shaking too much. Frustrated, I thump my head on the door several times. When the shaking ceases after a moment, I finally manage to get the entrance to my apartment open. 

Inside, I head towards my room in search of my practice bag, so I can leave quickly and get changed at the studio. I pick it up, and then rush back outside so I can catch the bus and not walk in this heat.

I arrived at the studio quarter to one, so I set down my bag in my changeroom and began warming up. While I perform some stretches, a broad-shouldered, blonde-haired girl struts into the studio, sneering at me when she passes by. Mia. A devastatingly talented dancer, but she will be my understudy for the upcoming show. Something I know she is fuming about. Ever since our studio director - Michel - gave me the role of Swan Queen, Mia has tried to antagonize me; she has told several other dancers in our company that I fucked Michel to get the position. While my relationship with Michel may not be healthy, I would never sleep with anyone to get what I want. No, in reality, Michel simply told me that I was the embodiment of the Black Swan, and all I had to truly do was possess the innocence and vulnerability of her white counterpart.

Michel walks in not long after Mia, my instructor following in his wake. My instructor, Heloise, is a tall, French, ginger woman with an aura of elegance and poise that is only ever diminished when the even taller, far less graceful Michel is near. Her head hangs low today, when she walks up to me.

"Odile's Coda today, okay? Show me some energy, seduction, everything. Michel will be watching," she warns.

I nod, and make towards the side of the room to begin the Coda. When the music begins, I don't feel mendacious, seductive, or confident. I don't feel like Odile, the Black Swan. Instead, my movements are airy, controlled, shy. I remind myself that Michel is watching me. I try to let go, I really do, but I don't feel my body moving anymore, I feel otherworldly, light as a feather, like only my soul presents itself to the people watching me. As I spin, I catch a glimpse of Michel's unreadable expression.

"Stop, Stop, please." Michel motions for the pianist to stop playing. He approaches me. "Persephone, what was that?" I can't make out the intentions behind his tone.

My mouth drops slightly. "What do you mean, Michel?" 

He attacks me with his eyes, invading, as he looks me up and down. "I asked you to dance Odile's part. You understand, yes?" Though his words come across as disappointed, he seems as if he is pleasantly shocked with my performance.

I nod timidly at him.

He continues. "Well, then, may I ask why you look so...fragile?" He raises one eyebrow.

"Well, I-" He cuts me off before I begin stuttering.

"Usually, the problem is your Odette variation. I fail to see the lovestruck girl within you. Today, something is different." He leans in close - too close - and narrows his eyes. A scary-looking smirk creeps up on his face, distorting his features. "Did you get fucked or something, sweetie?"

I can almost feel the bile rising in my throat when I shake my head.

"Well then, whatever it is you're doing, keep doing it. Just, do it when you're rehearsing the Odette, okay?" I keep my eyes trained into the floor, wishing I could bore a hole into it with my stare and get away from him. I fucking hate him.

And so he instructs me to practice the Odette instead. Only this time, I don't feel so calm. 

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*I'm so stupid

Shorter chapter today, sorry about that! I'm not the best at balancing the lengths of these lol. LMK what you think!