Imagine Book 2

A Safe Haven- Chloé Lukasiak (Dance Moms)

Male Y/N

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead in Studio B, a gentle hum that had become as familiar to Y/N as his own heartbeat. It was nearly 8 PM, long after most of the other instructors had gone home, but the mirror-lined walls still reflected determination in the eyes of one young dancer. Chloé Lukasiak, barely twelve years old, stood in the centre of the room, her blonde hair pulled back in a perfect bun, her shoulders slightly slumped after a particularly challenging day.

"Let's try it one more time," Y/N suggested gently, noting the frustration etched across her face. "Remember what we talked about – it's not about being perfect on the first try. It's about understanding the movement."

Earlier that day, during regular rehearsal, Abby had singled Chloé out again. The young dancer had struggled with a particularly difficult turn sequence in her contemporary solo, and Abby's harsh words still hung heavy in the air: "You'll never beat Maddie with that sloppy technique!" But where others saw weakness, Y/N saw potential waiting to bloom.

He had started working at the Abby Lee Dance Company three years ago, initially teaching basic technique classes to the younger students. It hadn't taken long for him to notice Chloé – not just her natural grace and elegant lines, but the way her spirit seemed to dim whenever Abby raised her voice. One day, after a particularly rough rehearsal, he had offered to help her work on her turns after hours. That first private session had turned into a regular arrangement, one that both student and teacher had come to cherish.

"Can you show me the preparation again?" Chloé asked, her voice small but determined. "I keep feeling like I'm losing my spot."

Y/N moved to stand beside her, demonstrating the proper alignment for the turn sequence. "Watch how I use my plié to gather momentum," he explained, executing the movement slowly. "It's like you're drawing energy from the floor, like a flower growing towards the sun. Nothing forced, nothing rushed."

As he demonstrated, he caught Chloé's reflection in the mirror – she was watching intently, her eyes focused on every subtle detail. This was what set her apart: not just her natural talent, but her willingness to learn, to understand the mechanics behind each movement. Where Abby saw only the end result, Y/N saw the beautiful process of growth.

"Now you try," he encouraged, stepping back to give her space. "Remember, I'm right here if you need me."

Chloé took a deep breath, centring herself. As she began the sequence, Y/N watched carefully, noting how she applied the corrections they'd discussed. The first turn was clean, her spotting precise. The second turn showed improvement in her core engagement. On the third turn, she wobbled slightly, but instead of falling out of it as she had earlier, she managed to maintain her balance and complete the sequence.

"Did you see that?" Her face lit up with genuine joy. "I didn't fall!"

Y/N broke into a warm smile. "I absolutely did see that. Do you know why it worked better this time?"

Chloé thought for a moment, analyzing her own performance. "I think... I wasn't so scared of making a mistake. And I remembered what you said about using my plié to find my strength."

"Exactly!" Y/N beamed with pride. "That's the kind of awareness that makes a true artist. It's not just about executing the steps – it's about understanding your body and trusting yourself."

They continued working for another half hour, fine-tuning details and building Chloé's confidence with each repetition. Y/N noticed how she stood taller with each small success, how her movements became more assured. This was why he stayed late, why he invested extra time – these moments of breakthrough were worth more than any paycheck.