The Black Swan | Reposted

Chapter 9 - Performance

Don't forget to check out the new trailer made by mystix1d! It's sexy and I thought it fit really well with all of what she becomes entangled in.

It was the night of the performance, I was excited but nervous. It was always a bit scary to perform, it was this rush. I knew my mom was out there, and I knew she'd pick out every little thing I did wrong. It was overwhelming at times, you can train and train, hours upon hours will be spent practicing and you can still feel as if it's not enough. How is that possible? I wonder if it would always be such a sinking, heart racing feeling.

"Please don't drop me in front of everyone." I whispered as we stood in the wing, waiting. I could see everyone limbering up, see the simplistic costumes, hear murmuring from the audience spill through the curtain. It added to my anxiety, so did his response, he rolled his eyes at me. "Harry, please don't, you really scare me. I'm sorry that my mom hurt yours, but don't let this weird vendetta ruin this night. This could ruin my chance at Swan Lake."

"No the fact that you can't make the fouettes will." I frowned and hung my head, really? Did he have to kick me while I was down, five minutes to curtain? "I won't drop you." I nodded. "Get your head on right, don't fuck this up."

"No pressure, God you suck at this." I glared and walked to Liam, gripping his hips. "Words of affirmation."

He kissed the top of my head. "You will be the best of the best. Give it your all and you win, I know you can do this."

"Thanks," I tipped my head back and he kissed me. I walked back and once I was calm I joined with Harry, even though I truly didn't want to.

Have you ever met someone who was such a pessimist, no matter what you did, or said, they'd find a way to bring you down? They radiated such negativity and pain that it literally made you feel like you were sinking just standing beside them? Harry radiated something similar to that, tension, anger, bitterness; it made me go into knots. I had no idea how I could dance around him, maybe because while he danced some of that rage burnt out, just a bit. I hoped burning off steam would help him.

The lights came up, curtains back, and he went out on the stage first. I followed after, walking on to hit my mark.

It was... such a good rush. It was a wonderful reminder of why in the world I put up with the jerk Harry Styles. It felt so wonderful, happy, I was beaming with every step, every leap and bound. This is what I was made for. All that stress, and annoyance with Harry was so worth it.

We took our bows and went off stage, I jumped to Liam. "You were so great!"

"You were too," he kissed me with a big smile. His skin was shiny from sweat, I could smell it blend with his cologne. "Let's find your mom?"

"Your parents didn't come?" he shook his head. "I'm sorry Liam."

"Nah, nothing to worry about."

We started off hand in hand, but I stopped and turned back. "Harry?" he stared at me, expressionless. "You did really great."

He didn't say a word, he just went back stage. I thought I could maybe kill him with a bit of kindness? I took a breath and waited, seeing my mom rushing over. She had on a beautiful black cocktail dress that was just off her shoulders. It hugged her slim figure to a T, her hair pulled back gently, a little white scarf tied around her neck off to the side.

"You were beautiful, arms got a little low," she went into more detail, scene by scene. She didn't rip me apart as much as I had expected in truth. "Other than that, ah!" she hugged me tightly.

"Thanks mom."

"Liam, you were great too, quick on your feet."

"Thank you Mia. How about after we talk to our director I take us all out for dinner?"

"That would be fantastic." My mom grinned happily and Liam left to go get out of the costume. My mom held my face and we started talking and talking, I looked over her shoulder and saw Harry, a pure, angry expression on his face as he stared at my mom, at me. He spun and stormed into the theater.

"How about we meet you at that Chinese place? I have to talk to the director."

"Sure sure I'll get us a good table." She kissed my cheek. "So proud of you honey,"

I smiled, knowing that's all I ever wanted to hear. I went into the theater and our director gave us all pointers since we had more than one show, it'd go on a little while.

Harry was backstage, pulling on a long sleeve shirt. "Why did you look at my mom like that?" I stared, having changed out of my costume.

"Like what? Like how she deserves to be stared at?"

"Back off." I said clearly, my voice firm. "Once this show is done stay the hell away from me, and do not ever go near my mother."

"I wouldn't want to be near the repulsive woman."

"Shut your fucking mouth."

I grabbed my bag and stormed out; Liam could tell I was upset. I shook it off and we went to see my mom. I didn't want to spoil this night, not with Liam, or with my mom.

I loved her, so much. I couldn't imagine my life without her. I had no idea why that guy looked at her like that, but it really upset me. I didn't understand him, not one bit.

"Thank you for coming." I hugged her again.

"Thanks for being so fantastic." I giggled and kissed her cheek. I left with Liam down the block, holding his hand as we swung them back and forth.

"This was a nice day."

"It was very nice." He kissed my hair. "I'm ready for a new damn show already." He cracked up. "I hate that Harry guy."

"Same here, I don't trust him at all."

"Me either."

"Soon enough he'll be gone."

"Soon we'll be dancing on stage as Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette!" I cheered and jumped, he caught me, raising me up easily by my hips. He eased me down, my behind resting on his strong arms as he cradled me. I leaned down and kissed him, my arms around his neck. He spun, making me smile as we danced in the street. I giggled and he set me down, we linked up and we headed back to my place.

"No," he mumbled, bringing me back to his lips. I pushed him away with a smile.

"Liam we have to rest up, I'm sore as hell."

"I'll give you a massage."

"Good night, good job today." I kissed his cheek and sent him on his way. I fell into bed with a giggle, really enjoying having a man in my life, more than I had thought.