To Catch Your Fall | Heathoah

12. They're Back

A/N: TW - Mentions of transphobia and divorce

Heath

Studio-A is filled to the brim with people today. For once this year, it's not a group that makes me want to slam my head repeatedly into a wall. 

Almost as soon as Noah texted me about these auditions, I told him I'd be there. He wanted to know if I was sure, bless his kind heart. But, I'd be a fucking moron to turn down this opportunity!

None of the DanceMania team knows I'm doing this. Frankly, I think their heads are too far up their own asses to even realise that they're being replaced, and I doubt they'd care about me leaving anyway. 

I'm just stretching out my legs when I almost stumble from the sight of someone I never expected to see here.

"Izzy?!" I can't help but say. What is Oswald's sibling doing here?

Their black curls bounce on their shoulders as they turn to look at me. I can sense some clear tension in their figure at first, but it leaves when they see it's just me.

"Oh, hey Heath. You still not made it into a-troupe yet? No offense." Most people I would get pissed at for that comment, but I can tell they're just curious.

"Nah, I actually have. But, they've decided to go and audition for Dancemania instead. Not exactly something I was interested in."

"Wait what? DanceMania?! That's why they all left the team? I love that show! Since when did they become interested in this place?"

"I could say the same for you actually. Last time I saw you was..."

"When I was 13, yeah..."

They've grown a lot in those four years. I remember back then that they used to almost always have their hair tied up, and be wearing clothes looking more like they were made for skateboarding than dance. Now, their dressed in a green crop-top that shows off their pierced belly-button and abs, with a cardigan wrapped around their arms.

"I saw that there were auditions for the Nationals team on some notices around town. Thought I might give it a shot. Sounded like there was a high chance my dickhead of a brother had finally left and I could come back."

Izzy used to dance here on j-troupe when I was in b-troupe. I was still trying even back then to ignore Oswald's comments as much as possible. But, I did like Izzy. They were surprisingly nothing like their brother, and you could even call the two of us kind of...friends.

This also meant though that they hung around me a few times when Winnie was there too unfortunately. Not many of the other dancers in either b or j-troupe wanted to talk to them for whatever stupid reason, so I was kind of their only friend. Which also meant they trusted me more than others. 

I never had a problem with them being non-binary. As soon as they confessed about how they never felt like a girl and wanted to try out they/them pronouns to Winnie and I, both of started referring to them as such. That being said, Winnie has always had a big mouth.

Even if I kind of hate her now, I know she never meant to out Izzy. But, she was talking pretty loudly about it with me one day, and Ozzy clearly overheard. 

Neither him or Izzy showed up to rehearsals for several weeks and when they did come back, it was just Ozzy. I'm not shocked at all that that prick told their parents about Izzy. I just wish it didn't completely fuck them over.

Their dad shared the same opinion as Ozzy, and even to this day, both still call Izzy a girl and are transphobic pieces of shit! Izzy's mom is a much better person though, standing by Izzy, and this ended up with them getting divorced.

They live with her now, and like they said, this has meant I haven't seen them in a really long time. I never thought that they'd come back.

"Well, it's good to see you." I shake my head to clear my thought and smile at them in a way I hope is welcoming.

"You too, Heath." They go back to their stretches, so I let down my guard. This seems to be exactly what they want though, as they quickly turn back and punch me on the arm.

"Ow! Dude, what the fuck?!"

All they do is wink and stick out their tongue. I can't help but chuckle as I playfully roll my eyes. Maybe they haven't changed that much.

The pain in my shoulder has dulled a bit by the time I notice everyone going quite. In the front of the room stands Emily and Noah, their eyes darting over all of us and expressions showing they're ready to get down to business.