DANCING WITH A DANCER'S HEART (2) (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Twenty: I Can't

CHELSEA'S POV

"Chels, honey. What's wrong?" I look up, wiping my eyes as Mum sits down at the piano.

"You wouldn't understand, Mum." I sigh, running my hand through my hair.

"Chelsea, I've been through hell and back and I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for your father and the rest of A-Troupe. Now tell me what's wrong." I allow Mum to pull me into a hug before letting me explain.

"He broke my heart, Mum." I sob, wanting it to be false. Mum's face dropped as I cried my heart out. "He threw my heart on the ground and stepped on it." Mum's face fills with concern and sympathy.

"I'm sure he didn't mean-"

"Yes, he did!" I yell, interrupting her as my heart throbbed. "It was a bet the whole goddamned time, he just wanted to humiliate me! I'm done as Dance Captain, and if those boys think about coming near me, so help me I'm done with Internationals too!" I shakily marched towards the exit.

"Chelsea, Darling. Think about what you're saying. This is for the good of the team, for the good of the studio." I look at Mum, longingly, wishing I could explain exactly how I felt.

"Mum, you ended up with the perfect guy, you found your happily ever after. You don't know what it feels like to hurt, for a guy to reject and trick you. Bryce was my first love, and though it didn't last very long, he made me feel on top of the world. For me, love usually sucks, so it's strange to actually feel like I matter for once." I finish before walking away from the music studio. I need to dance.

BRYCE'S POV

"Come on, Riley needs to hear from you before she hears from Chelsea." I swallow the large lump in my throat and walk towards the small room, eyes burning into the back of my head as I go. Zach gives me a nervous thumbs up as I walk into Miss Riley's office. Miss Riley stands with her husband, her face sorrowful and helpless as we began to talk.

"Why?" Is the only thing that comes from Miss Riley. "Why did you hurt her? Why couldn't you and your friends just leave my A-Troupe girls alone? No, of course, someone had to cause drama this year." Just like Chelsea, James' eyes turn black with anger. "James, calm down." Miss Riley sighs, hugging her husband and whispering quietly to him, his eyes slowly turning soft.

"Why Chelsea?" Her father asks, his eyes still staring through my soul.

"Because she's the only girl who wouldn't go out with me. She's different to all the others." James steps forward, his muscles tensing as he stares at me.

"Stay away from my daughter!" James growls.

"I can't!" James' voice dies down as I bellow.

"Because..." Emily states softly, motioning for me to continue. I take a deep breath.

"Because during this stupid bet, I fell for her too. She's so beautiful and different and I love how stubborn she is!" I sense the shock throughout the office. I couldn't take it. I swing the door open and stomp out. I ignore the calls for me to come back as I walk up the hallway, but a song stopped me in my tracks. This was the song. This was the TNS lovers song, the song that won Internationals 2015. This was James and Riley's song.

CHELSEA'S POV

Memories flooded back and I had to get away from everyone before I could burst into unforgettable tears. I smile shyly as I picture five year old me dancing my heart out in baby ballet, squealing with joy as I pranced around the room. An image of me taking ballroom classes pops up, but I quickly shake it off. I grin as I imagine myself throwing myself into dance in J-troupe with my team, my best friends. I sigh with longing as I remember a video Mum showed me when I was little, the video of her and Dad winning Internationals. The duet was so moving, I wanted a love like that. They were so captivating and passionate, it didn't matter if you were on their team or not, it affected you in some way. I grab my ballet shoes from my locker and I scan through the CDs before grabbing it carefully. I place it into the CD player and I feel my feet guide me across the floor as the music fills the room. I felt free and at home as I leap and spin, the sweet melody the only thing I can hear. I'm entranced more and more with each step I take. This is my passion, my way of speaking without words. Dance, the universal language and I'm telling a story as old as time, I'm telling the story of love as I thread each move together. Large warm hands grab my waist and lift me into the air. I turn to see his eyes, those hypnotising green eyes. I dance along, pretending I was on stage at Internationals. I could almost hear the crowds cheers as I spin and dip with Bryce, the warm fuzzy feeling invading my chest again. I imagine myself as Mum on the Internationals stage, leaving her feelings with each step. This was all my aspirations and dreams, feeling the crowd scream my name as I continued to dance. The song finishes and I realise that the storyline couldn't help but make me tear up. I was connected to Bryce, no matter how much I hated him. No matter how broken I was, I still loved him. Bryce's hold on my waist didn't loosen as if he didn't want to me to escape. I stand on my tip toes and my lips brush his. I pull him towards me, making the kiss more meaningful and passionate. It's confusing, heartbreaking, unhealthy love, It's my confusing, heartbreaking, unhealthy love. I quickly pull away and run for my life, pushing myself to run as fast as humanly possible, that still probably won't ease the pain. I love Bryce so much, I just don't know if I can trust him again.