The Nerdy Ballerina

The Realness is Real

A pas de duex lift pose, which Mason and Cecelia perform.

Mason gets out of the truck, walking up to us. "Hey, did you decide if we were wearing costume 1 or costume 2 yet?" he asks, stopping in front of me. "Um, yeah. The black seems to fit the mood better, even though I don't like the neckline." I say nervously. "Great! Should we practice in those today?" he asks, smiling widely. "Yeah, that way we'll know if they can withhold from tearing." I say, shifting awkwardly. "Oh, hello. Who might you be?" Mason asks, looking at Wes, who is glaring at him. "I'm Wes. Who are you, Peter Pan?" Wes answers, hostile. "No, I'm Mason, Cecelia's ballet partner. Nice to meet you." he sticks his hand out, and Wes just stares at it. I clear my throat. "Mason's been my ballet partner for five years now." I say, forcing a smile. This is bad. The realness is real. "Well, we should be going." Mason says. "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow Wes." I say, stepping down a step. "No, I'll come." he says, walking to the truck. Oh god. The ride to the studio is silent, filled with tension. When we arrive, me and Mason head to the dressing rooms. Just as we're about to enter, Wes stops us. "You're changing together?" he asks incredulously. "Yeah?" Mason and I say at the same time. "It's not like we haven't been naked in front of each other before." I say, knowing it'll anger him. "What!" he says, his face turning red. "Yeah, we always change with each other. Builds trust." Mason says, and I know he's trying to anger him too. Mason is so great. "Come on, Lia." Mason says, walking into the dressing room, me close behind. We quickly strip down, pulling on our costumes. Mine is a black silky leo that has a v neckline, stopping just above my belly button. Revealing, I know. Mason's is a black fishnet shirt with fitted black shorts. "Ready?" I say as we finish pulling on our shoes. "Yep," Mason says, and we walk out of the dressing room.