From London to Malibu : a summer fling

The Moving

"alright ladies , 1 2 3 and arabesque 2 3 attitude 2 3 allonge 2 plie and once more". Madam Higan commanded.

The whole class was an absolute mess.

It was evaluation week and everyone was practicing twice a hard as they would normally since the top 3 graded dancers get to appear in the new Step It Up and Down movie. Exhaustion reeks in the air of this century old victorian building.

"Miss Andrews! we are doing a simple and painless exercise so keep your facial expression as calm as possible and don't forget to breathe!" The wicked witch shouted to a fellow ballerina.

Don't get me wrong, Madam Higan's a great and notable ballerina in this industry. But her lack of compassion and cold-blooded personality kind of overthrew the whole pro ballerina thing.

"Once more ladies! Miss Applement very nice footwork but keep the smiling face on and for god's sake Gina Andrews! this is ballet not an orang utan talent show, lose that bloated expression when you jump or 3 extra hours of flexibility lesson for the whole class!" Once again Madam Higan shouted in the poor girl's left ear which caused the entire class to sigh and complaint.

I felt really bad for that Andrew girl. The poor thing is all about dieting to look slimmer in routine videos, still Higan's not impressed.

But hey i'm not staying for another extra 3 hours.

Class ended 40 minutes later.

"class is dismissed" said Madam Higan .

"Ouh thank you god and all that is sweet and colourful in this world!" Lily Dannes exlaimed while laying on the floor.

After throwing a knit sweater on I walked passed the studio while looking at my reflection on the mirrors surrounding the practice room.

"I can't believe you're leaving us." Lily Dannes said then hug me from behind.

"Yeah me too." I whispered.

"But we'll still see you again right? For the annual show and dance?" She asked smiling.

Then it clicked to me. Although I didn't know the girls in my class that well since this is an elective. Each of them played a significant role during my time here.

For example, Lily's my stretching partner for almost 7 months now. Danielle Jacobs always helps me carry my books to the studio every time she see me carrying 4 tons of things and Olivia Haines never forgets to braid everyone's hair before practice.

That girl should be in a braiding Olympics.

It's harder than I thought it would.

Moving.

After saying my goodbyes I made my way towards the old hallway and passed the cafe where everyone was chilling like they always do.

I smell camomile tea and a combination of sweat.

"I'm gonna miss this revolting smell" I thought.

"Nicole wait up" I heard a familiar voice from behind.

"oh hey Johnny" i replied.

"Really! after 3 years of friendship and me loving you unconditionally that was all i got for a reply!" He complained.

"Oh my apologies my good friend! I did not know what got into me before for making me to reply your greetings in a normal and casual way" I replied sarcasticly and in a thick british accent.

He's from Australia so it annoys him that my accent is better than his.

"C'mon Nicole today is your last day in school and that is not a proper way of saying goodbye to me. Plus , you're leaving me in big old London to live a perfect happy life of every california girl so the least you can do is be nice to me for a couple of hours left" he said.

I gave him a death glare "No! That is not fair. Me leaving is not my choice." I half shouted.

I say Johnny rolled his eyes when I left him then headed towards the parking lot.

"Whoa.. calm down Applement , I was joking for god's sake." Johnny said while catching up to me.

"Plus I think it's good for you to be with your father at times like this you know?" He said with pity in his eyes.

Ever since what happened, everyone looks at me differently. I hate it.

"Okay I'm sorry babe. I'm just really stressed about moving and leaving everything behind especially dancing" I said in a tone of almost crying but I didn't.

I quickly unlocked my Range and got in.

"Ouhh what about me" Johnny said while pouting his lips and looking in my eyes with puppy dog's eyes.

"Just get in already." I exclaimed.

He rolled his eyes but did as he's told.

"I know you love me." He smirked then put on his Ray Ban.

"Shut up. " I said while pushing his head away from my face and drove away.

The ride to his house was as annoying as usual with him making lame jokes and me being irritated.

It was weird.

The way we bonded and care for each other is somewhat unique as others would say. But "she" always knew we were and always will be inseparable.

We reached the front door of Johnny's penthouse. Though both of us noticed how slow I was driving compared to how I usually drive.

"I just wanted some extra time." I said softly not looking at him.

"well I guess this is goodbye" he said.

I've seen this look on his face before. It was when I told him about "her" death. The plane crash. How my mother died.

"I love you." I said hugging him and simultaneously crying.

"Don't cry Nicole, you're making it hard for me to let you go" he said in a comforting tone and he stroke my hair then placed my side bangs behind my ears.

"Look , I'm very sorry that I can't send you off tonight but I dont want you to think that I don't love you anymore coz.." I cut him off

"No.....I know that you have the monthly evaluation tonight and I know that you love me more than any bestfriend could but ... I'm just sad that I'm leaving you and dancing.."

this time he cut me off "Nicole I will go and see you again in 2 weeks so don't cry or I won't go" I nodded in agreement and stop crying "love you" i whispered to his ears,

"I love you too Applement" he replied before sending me off.