Alleviate // H.S

I

A/N
This chapter is dedicated to my Woman.
She has also released her own Wattpad novel. It is called 'Foreign Touch' and I encourage you to read it this instant. Thank you Woman for being such an amazing internet friend. Y'all Americans are QUEENS. I also encourage you to follow her on her socials.
- Instagram: Legendharry
- Wattpad: onlyxangel

***

Sweat.

It is everywhere. In my hair, on my face and even on the floor of the tarkett. I can't escape from the sweat, no matter how high my jeté's are, or how far my ariel's travel.

It is everywhere.

A cold gust of wind soothingly travels down my back as I start whipping my body around to execute a number of fouettés. Maybe if I keep turning, the sweat on my body colliding with the aircon will keep granting me some relief.

Just as I illusion out of my concluding pirouettes, the music cuts off.

"It's ten past nine!" Our dance instructor yells, "time was up at nine! Pack up and head home, please!"

I didn't realise I'd gone overtime again. The last thing I want to do is keep my lift waiting. I hurriedly start to redress myself and blindly throw my shoes and other equipment into the old Energetics bag I've had since I was 12.

I quickly thank and bid my farewells to the remaining dancers in the room, and when they smile and return the gesture, I am satisfied enough to leave the studio room and enter the corridor, where I see Harry waiting at the end in the sitting area. I'm mildly confused as to why he came inside because he's usually waits in the car, but I don't really mind. I just mind the fact that I accidentally left him waiting. It's the second time I've done it this week.

Just as I am about to reach him, my heart leaps into my throat as a body comes to stop right in front of me, giving me a fright.

"Oh, sorry for scaring you," the voice of Emma Lee laughs.

I've always found her name to be quite peculiar -- in a good way that is. It's like a child being named 'Noah' with the last name 'Fence'. Or like a compound word, but using names instead. And i'm not sure if her parents had this intent, because I don't know her very well. But I have always wished to find out, though I don't think she's interested in befriending me. Her choices are none of my business, but I just wish that I could get to know the girl who is constantly being deemed as my biggest competition by my peers.

Personally I think her technique is absolutely phenomenal, so those comments about me being even remotely as good as her are likely false. She has nothing to worry about when it comes to her reign as State Dancer being taken by me. 

Now that I'm old enough to compete in States this year, I still doubt I would be good enough to make it as a soloist, despite what all my instructors say. I think I'd have to make a name for myself in a few group dances before I'd be worthy of making it as a soloist. And I'm not in denial. I know my place as a dancer in this studio, and taking it one step at a time is key for me. I think maybe Emma gets a bit too swept up in the competitiveness of it all to be my friend. So much so that I'm surprised that she's even talking to me right now.

"No, it's alright," I nervously laugh back at her.

She smiles at me, which makes my heart warm. I've always seeked approval from her. She is only 3 years older than me, which makes her 20, and an inspiring role model for the younger dancers.

"Well. I was just wondering if you knew who that guy is over there?" She asks, gesturing behind her, where Harry's back faces us.

My eyebrows raise at that. "Oh yeah. That's just Harry," I explain.