Skater boys

Opening night

Regina

I stand in the wing, out of sight of the audience. I'm in full costume and make up. I can feel the stares of the others as they whisper about me. I put my headphones in and turn up the volume to drown out the noise. I'm not sociable with anyone but Harris. Everyone else seems to put more of an effort into hating me than getting to know me. I understand their frustration though, ballet is a strict art form. They train six days a week all year round and lose the lead role to a girl that's just joined the company. I didn't come here to make friends though, I just do what I'm told and I'm good at it. So it's rather easy for me to ignore them. I'm pulled out of my thoughts as Harris appears beside me, as usual a big smile on his face. "Hello, gorgeous." He greets as he places a kiss against my cheek. "Hey." I respond taking out my headphones. "You ready?" I ask "Ready as I'll ever be." he answers as we appear stage left. 

We've been training everyday this week. We fit perfectly together for this choreography. Together Harris and I tell the tragic yet romantic story of a beautiful young peasant girl who falls for the flirtations of the deceitful and disguised nobleman Albrecht. When the ruse is revealed, the fragile Giselle dies of heartbreak, and Albrecht must face the otherworldly consequences of his careless seduction. The corpse de ballet fill the background draped in white fabrics, appearing as ghosts. 

After Harris closes the show with his last bow, roses get thrown onto the stage and the applause is outrageously loud. I didn't think it possible but when he brings me onto the stage and presents me to the audience, I received a standing ovation. I smile and wave, thanking them. I catch sight of my brothers and grandfather in the audience. Trevor and Colton are cheering like mad men, pumping their fists in the air and chanting my name. Colton pulls out a cardboard sign that reads "Regina, You rock my world." and I can't help but laugh. Harris's grip tightened on my waist and I turn to look at him. He's smiling at me, he looks towards my lips and before I could stop him he kisses me in front of everyone. I can feel his lips on mine and his breath on my face, I don't like it. I get out of his hold and back away from him, I leave the stage. Pushing past all the people, I go to my dressing room. I quickly pick up my things before I find a fire exit I can escape out of. I climb down the metal stairs that lead to the alleyway. The night air is cold against my skin. When I reach the bottom I begin to run through the dark, towards some street lights on the main road. Suddenly a silhouette of a man runs out from the building "Regina!" I hear and stop in my tracks, I squint my eyes in his direction. "Trevor?" I question and he steps into the light of a street lamp, it's my brother. Trevor spreads his arms out to me and I jump into them, grateful that he is there. I bury my head into his chest and he kisses the top of it, "I'll kill him." he whispers and I shake my head. "No. Just take me home." I say and he nods his head. Trevor takes my hand and we walk the opposite direction of the theatre.

Kayden

Saturday night and I'm in a suit, standing around the lobby of the theatre with my mother and stepfather. They make small talk with the people around them as I think about seeing Regina again. I planned on going alone but my mother insisted I go with them. She is an honoured guest and proud sponsor of the arts, she says it will look bad on her if we where to sit separately. The lights flicker on and off, signalling for us to make our way in. We enter the box and take our seats. We are closest to the stage and have a private view of the performance. In my seat I look down at people as they flood into the theatre, I catch sight of Trevor in the crowd. What's that idiot doing here? I would have never pegged him as the type to like ballet. BeforeI could call out his name and mess with him, I hear my mother say "Jade? Isn't this a surprise!" I cringe in my seat. I have a feeling that my mothers planned this. She wants me to get serious about a proper career and settle down with a nice girl. I turn towards them just as my mother invites Jade to sit with us. Of course Jade accepts, taking the seat next to me. "What are you doing here?" I bluntly ask her. "Don't be rude, Kayden!" my mother scolds me and I roll my eyes. "It's okay Victoria." says Jade to my mother "No, it's not okay!" My mother insists "Poor jade here is unable to perform lead because of her ankle! Now some nobody from god knows where takes her place!" she huffs "I swear the girl is so undeserving-" "Have you ever met her?" I interrupt "w-who?" my mother asks, totally thrown off. "Regina, the lead performer." I grit my teeth. "Well no but from what I heard from Jade, this Regina girl is absolutely horrible" I turn my glare to Jade and she stiffens. "It wouldn't be the first time that Jade where to lie." I mumble, eyeing her loosely bandaged ankle. "My goodness Kayden! You are so outlandish tonight." my mother comments as the lights turn off completely, the curtains to the stage opening up. "We will talk more about your behavior when we get home." she hisses before turning her attention to the stage. I scoff, already taking my phone out to message my dad. There is no way I'm going back to my mothers. I glance at the stage mid text and I lose my breath. Regina twirls around in her beautiful flowing dress, looking like a goddess. My heart starts beating as fast as it did when I had her in my arms, this feeling is addictive. I lose all thoughts as I watch her, she's an amazing performer. So graceful, one would think that she was like this in real life but she's not, she's wild. I smiled to myself, I'm the only one to know both sides of her. The performance goes by and I almost wished It was longer, I could stare at her all day. I get up from my seat, wanting to be with her. "Kayden! where are you going?" Jade whispers to me "I'm going for a smoke." I answer dismissively as I walk away. I wait across the road from the theatre, hoping to see her leave through one of the side doors. I smoke a cigarette as I lean against the wall. Not long later I see Trevor burst through the theatre doors and run around the front, looking on each side of the building before going around the back. Curious, I follow him. I stop in my tracks when I see her, I see Regina run towards him and jump into Trevors arms. I throw my cigarette onto the ground and I grit my teeth. I watch how they hold each other so lovingly before walking into the night, hand in hand. Never have I hated that man more. I turn around, calling up my friends. There's got to be a party somewhere... I need to take my mind off her.