Her Escape, His Safe Haven

Chapter 8- Dinner With Daddy

Athena's POV

'One and two and three four and one two three four...'

I listen to the lyrics as I execute the correct moves to the correct beat. Most people don't understand that dance isn't all about timing and execution, sure that it important and that is a great place to start when learning or choreographing, but what makes a dance memorable and incredible is the emotion and passion you put behind it. You hear people talk about 'feeling the music' all the time and that is 100% accurate. You have to feel what you are dancing, especially when you're dancing a lyrical dance. 

Lyrical is my favorite, because I get to express what I'm feeling inside even more than other types of dance. I can let a few tears out in a dance and feel myself begin to heal. I use dance to heal the internal wounds I have from what I have enured. Dance isn't just an escape. It's cathartic.

"Athena, everytime you nail a dance I am completely mesmerized." Ms. Mack said as I hit my ending pose for Human.

"Thank you Ms. Mack. Do you think it's ready for competition?"

"I do. Now you just need a costume. Follow me." We got up and I followed her to the dressing room that was full of costumes from dances we have done, and have yet to do. "So I have been saving this costume for a special dance for you." She pulled out a maroon colored leotard with an attached flowy skirt. The front is very low cut with three straps connecting the two sides.  There's a flower on the waist where the leotard met the skirt. It is beautiful.

"This is incredible Ms. Mack. I love it. Thank you!" I told her while feeling the material of the costume.

"Try it on and run through the dance again." She said and walked out so I could change.

I slipped the outfit on after removing my dance clothes. I took off my bra and found the sticky bra that I usually use for costumes in my dance bag and put that on for support. It's not exactly comfortable to dance without a bra. I have an abnormally large chest for a dancer. Luckily none of my bruises are visible through the costume.

I made my way out to the studio in the perfectly fitted costume. I got to the center of the room and Ms. Mack played the music for my dance. I took a deep breath before my cue to start and then performed my heart out. I felt every note, every beat of the song, allowing the rhythm and emotion wash through my limbs getting lost in the dance. I felt the skirt flow out while I did my turns, I felt it flare behind me as I did my leaps. I danced it better than I ever have, that always happens in dress rehearsals. It's like the costume completes the dance. I let out a harsh breath as I landed in my ending pose. The room was filled with silence as the song had ended. I looked up in the mirror and saw the tears streaming down my face.

"Wow..." the voice caught me off guard as I glance back towards the door of the studio. Elliot. He's standing in the entrance just staring at me. I quickly reached up to wipe away the tears hoping he didn't notice them. "That was incredible to watch Athena." 

"Thanks."

"Why are you crying?" He asked walking to me. I noticed Ms. Mack leave to the other room, probably to give us some privacy.

"Oh, nothing. Sometimes I just get lost in the emotions you know?" I said looking down at my dance paws.

"Sure." he responded. "I thought I could come pick you up and give you a ride home, you know since we are having you and your dad over for dinner." He reminded me. Crap.

"Right. Let me go get changed. I'll be right back." I walked to the changing area where my bag was  and quickly got changed into my street clothes. I gathered everything in my bag and hung up my costume.