Finding You

Chapter 5

It's been about 2 weeks since the night that I realized that I had some sort of feelings for James. As expected, I haven't said a word about these newfound feelings to anyone, nor will I ever.

Since then, we've been texting a bit. He's called me a few times and we've seen each other when he comes to pick Sophie up sometimes, but we haven't actually hung out since then. Not that I'm complaining. The less I see him, the greater chance that the feelings will subside. I hope.

Our next dance performance is in a week and a half at the Joyce Theater in Manhattan, about 10 minutes away from our studio.

It's not the showcase, which is only in a couple of months, but rather a warm-up performance to prepare us for the actual showstopper: our showcase.

This performance at Joyce will be with other dance companies. We all get a one hour slot on stage where we can perform as many dances as we would like, just as long as it fits in the hour.

Madame chose Sophie and I to perform a contemporary duet that we've choreographed together for this performance.

The ensemble dances that we do are a broad variety. Our dance company, NYD, short for New York Dance, is internationally recognized, and teaches all genres of dance: jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, modern, tap, Irish.

"Right, thank you people. It's about 9pm now. We've done a lot of work and I think we're all sorted so I'll let you leave an hour early. Please be prompt for tomorrow's rehearsal at 8! We don't have much time until Joyce. Goodnight everyone," Madame announces in her French accent that you have to learn to understand.

A round of cheers and applause are heard from the guys and girls before we all grab our things and lead out. I make it down the first flight of stairs before stopping when I hear someone call my name.

"Ally, wait," Sophie rushes down the first flight to catch up with me.

"Hey, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course. I just wanted to know if you wanted to go to a restaurant tomorrow night. James' friends have been raving about it to him. It's not all that new anymore but we haven't tried it before, so he's going with some of his friends and I wanted to know if you'd come with," Sophie says as we begin walking down the stairs again.

I internally groan. I had been working so hard to try and resolve these feelings for James by trying to avoid him. Granted, I wasn't avoiding him, so to speak. But still, I didn't know whether it was a good idea to go to dinner with him, even if Sophie and his friend are there.

"I don't know, Soph. I kind of wanted to have a night in tomorrow since we don't have dance," I say, feeling a little guilty that I'm lying to her. I probably would've gone out tomorrow if she didn't spring this on me.

"Please, I'm begging you. I don't want to go alone with James and his friends. That's just so awkward. I really need you to come. Please?" Sophie looks at me with a pleading look in her eyes makes me feel bad. Goddamn it.

I sigh heavily. "Fine."

...

When I get home, I see 4 missed calls from Bella. I hurry to call her back, my mind traveling to the worst case scenarios. Was someone hurt? Did someone die? Would I have to fly back to Los Angeles for the first time in months? Bella answers the phone on the 4th ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Bell. What's going on? Is everything okay?" I rush my words in a panic.