Ballet And The Beast

Chapter Two

That night I could barely sleep with my mind constantly thinking about what my first day has to bring. What if they don't like me? I mean they've spent their life going to school and this would be my first day. They've got their friend groups already, no one likes an outsider.

I eventually drift off and wake up to my alarm at 6 am. Class doesn't begin until 8 but I like to go for an early morning run and it gives me chance to explore. I throw on a sports bra and a pair of booty shorts, putting my hair into a messy ponytail.

Once outside, I run the perimeter of the grounds which is just over 7 miles. This gives me chance to have a quick shower and a glass of water before heading down to class early. To my surprise, Mason is already there along with a few other people, no one I recognise from last night though.

"How was your first night then?" Mason asks as he's stretching on the floor.

"Yeah it was ok, I think I could get used to this place." I respond with a smile and I get down and join him.

"Nice outfit by the way, I wonder who picked that one out." He winks and looks me up and down, lingering on the breast area. I have no idea why because there's not exactly much there. One of the girls from the other side of the room glares in our direction but Mason doesn't seem to notice so I ignore it.

Soon after, the rest of the class file in as does Ms Kingston. She teaches contemporary, jazz, acro and hip hop whereas Ms Richards is solely ballet.

"Ms Morgan it's so lovely to have you here, I'm sure you can teach these guys a thing or two. Everyone please make the young lady feel welcome and observe closely, she has an incredible technique and stage presence." Ms Kingston smiles as she makes her way to the front of the room.

People glance discreetly in my direction and begin to whisper as we all stretch and warm up. It's perfectly obvious they are all talking about me but I blank them out and focus on my warm up.

"Right guys, you should all be sufficiently stretched, come over here." We all make out way over to Ms Kingston's desk in the corner. "Today we're improving our partner work with a simple motif. Everyone find your partners, Brooke if you partner with Mason as you know each other and Jess you'll have to partner with Shane today." So it was Jess glaring at me earlier. She rolls her eyes but complies nonetheless.

She blocks the motif for us which we all practice individually to begin with. It's easy. Looking around, I notice the rest of the class are also finding it pretty easy. There's a small turn sequence, a leap, some floor work and not much more.

"Great, now I want you all to do this with your partners, side by side, in perfect sync without the music. Brooke and Mason you can start us off." She grunts as if she expects us all to fail. In all fairness, it can be difficult keeping in time without music, you just have to trust your partner.

Mason and I get through the motif in perfect harmony which earns a round of applause. I have to admit, he is an extremely good dancer.

"Great, next one go." The other pairs all make it through, most with minor timing errors but overall not bad.

"Guys you should be feeling your partners actions. This time we're adding in the music and some contact work as well as a lift. I want to feel the performance, not just see it." She teaches us the next steps which are more challenging and require intricate partner work and trust.

Mason and I breeze through with ease as do many of the others, although some fall out of sync or fall out of the lift.

"Right class, there's work to be done there. We will continue this tomorow but head out for lunch." Ms Kingston dismisses everyone and you can tell she was disappointed with the performance today.

As I reach down for my water bottle, Jess makes her way over to me along with two other girls I don't know the names of.

"Brooke, right?" Jess questions sarcastically and I instantly dislike her. Simply raising an eyebrow, I urge her to carry on with whatever she wants to say.

"Mason is my partner. I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, I've heard what a slut you are and jeez that leotard just proves it." To be fair, she does have a point. My outfit isn't exactly conservative and I have slept with my fair share of people but she doesn't need to know that.

"Well princess, this leotard was picked out by your partner when he was in my room last night, I hope you don't mind." I respond with a fake smile which earns an eye roll.

"Just remember I've always been the lead dancer here and that's not going to change just because some fake wannabe walks through the door." She threatens and I just laugh, leaving her to her groupies.

I make my way out the door and see Alice, one of the people I met last night in the club house. "Hey I'm heading out for lunch with the guys if you wanted to come?" She questions as Mason, Shane and Chase walk over.

"Not thanks I'm not that hungry, see you guys later though." I respond, not liking the thought of food at the moment.

"How can you not be hungry? We've been in there for four hours working flat out." Shane chimes in and I roll my eyes agreeing to go with them.

We make our way over to a small lunch bar making conversation about the class we just had and I decide to bring up my conversation with Jess.

"So what's the deal with Jess, is it just me or is she a little off?" I ask the others who just all laugh.

"Remember yesterday when I said most of the people are nice, she's the exception. Especially to anyone she feels threatened by." Mason informs which explains her tone towards me.

"Just ignore her, most people do." Alice suggests and I smile slightly in response. "Plus she's just jealous. She's been wanting a round two ever since Mason drunkenly slept wth her last year after the summer ball." Alice laughs as does everyone else at the memory they obviously share.

"Never again, I still can't believe it happened the first time." Mason exclaims in disgust.

"Mate you were wasted, I don't think you knew your arse from your elbow, let alone where you were putting it." Chase cracks up once more.

We make our way inside and the guys order huge burgers, Alice mac n cheese and I have a chicken salad, no dressing. Once the food is brought in, we all tuck in knowing it's not long before we need to be back for classes. We do dance every morning and then theory and if we have extra options in the afternoon.

"How are you just eating a plain salad, you're torturing yourself." Shane exclaims looking between his giant fatty burger and my plate of greens.

"I've got a photoshoot Saturday morning, need to be looking my best." I respond with a shrug. Like I've said before, this is the normal for me.

"That's crazy, so you don't want a bite of this?" Mason asks teasingly but I simply shake my head feeling sick at the thought of it.

"Who are you shooting for?" Alice asks curiously.

"The new Ralph Lauren summer range." I reply and carry on eating.

"I love how you say that like it's no big deal, that's so cool." Chase responds seemingly starstruck by my modelling career.

"I've always loved Ralph, he's one of my favorite designers." I chuckle as I realise how snobby I must seem to them. It's not long before we finish our meals and head back for an afternoon  of classes.

As I go to stand up, one of my familiar dizzy spells hit and I take hold of the closest object: Masons arm.

"Brooke, are you ok?" He asks, face full of concern.

"Sorry I just got up too quickly. I state with a shrug. "Forgot to take my blood pressure tablets this morning." We make our way back to the college ready for an afternoon of academics.