Ballet And The Beast

Chapter Three

"I didn't realise this could be that difficult." I mutter as I sit down on one of the sofas in the club house with a sigh.

"You wait for exam season." Shane chuckles sitting next to me. The guys and Alice all join us.

"So how did you find your first day?" Alice questions.

"It's was a lot more fun than I expected." I admit as Mason hands me a coffee and I smile in appreciation.

"Haha don't worry the novelty will wear off, especially when the homework starts to stack up." She begins to chuckle. "Oh that reminds me, have you guys done the English essay from last week?" She questions.

"Yeah I'll send you mine for ideas if you like?" Chase offers and she forms a huge smile. "Although it's due tomorrow so good luck finishing it." He mocks.

"Oh for god sake, see Brooke, it's not fun." Alice groans as she opens up her laptop to get started.

"What's the essay on?" I question.

"The types of love shown in Romeo and Juliette, nothing that's actually interesting." She groans with a sigh.

"Oh for god sake give it here." I gesture to her laptop which she passes over along with a copy of the book. Time to get to work.

"Brooke no way are you doing it for her?" A shocked Chase gasps.

"I love Shakespeare. And yes I need to get a life I know."

"I love you Brookie!" Alice smugly grins at the others.

A little over an hour later and everyone except Alice has left and I'm just about done with the essay. This may be strange, but I actually enjoy writing. I think it's probably due to never really getting to experience school properly and everything I've done was always in a rush, no matter how hard I try.

"Have a read through that, see what you think." I give the laptop and book back to Alice.

"Wow Brooke that's amazing, thank you so much. I owe you one." She offers a huge grin of appreciation, obviously thankful for not having to complete it herself.

"I have to admit, I enjoyed it." I respond sheepishly. She chuckles and puts the laptop away with a sigh of relief.

"You're different to what I expected from someone so famous." She tells me with a look of puzzled thought.

"You know that's exactly what Mason said to me yesterday." I laugh at the memory. Her eyebrow shoots up causing me to question it.

"Ok be honest, girl to girl, have you got a crush on Mason?" My jaw drops at her rediculous query.

"I've been here a day Alice, far too soon for that. Besides I don't have time for a boyfriend." I defend myself and she rolls her eyes.

"There's definitely something between you two already, I see it. Plus everyone has time for a boyfriend you just don't want to admit it." She smirks thinking I'll admit it. Don't get me wrong, he is undeniably gorgeous it's just he's way out of my league and right now I need to focus on being here and having a semi normal education.

"I get the impression he flirts with everyone. Besides I just want a normal university experience, the rest of my life is enough drama." I admit with a shrug and get up to make a coffee.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?" Her eyebrows scrunch in confusion when I shake my head. I've never had time and no one has ever been interested in me, just my name.

"Wow girl you really do need to get a life, please tell me you've at least had your first kiss?" She looks mortified as she asks the question.

"Yeah of course, and I'm not a virgin either before you ask." I chuckle as I sit down handing her a coffee too. "What about you? Any boyfriend?" I ask wiggling my eyebrows.

"Nope a single pringle me. Although I have a huge crush on Chase, but he doesn't need to know." She admits with a blush.

"Oh I see, do I need to play match maker now there's another girl here to help you out." I wink in suggestion.

"No you can't tell him, that would be so embarrassing." She gushes.

"Don't worry your secret is safe with me. Can't promise I won't try and set things up though." I wink once more and stand up to leave.

"You know I can see us being good friends,"She offers a genuine smile before continuing. "Thanks for the help."

"Thanks for the chat, it's nice having an actual friend and it's only been a day." I laugh in return.

"Oh god Brooke you must have other friends." She looks surprised.

"Between jobs, homeschooling and interviews I literally have no time. Plus every bitch is out for themselves really." I respond.

"Well you have us now." She offers one more smile before disappearing for the night.

Once she's gone I head downstairs to Ms Richards practice room as it's the biggest of them all. Not only is she the strictest ballet coach in the world but she's also the headmaster. Before arriving, she flew out to DC just to come and meet me which I thought was sweet.

I plug my phone into the speakers, turning the volume down slightly careful not to wake anyone and put on my youtube mix. For a while, I just lie on the floor listening to the music, taking in the words.

Somebody's gonna wave a flag
Somebody's going to attack
Someone will tell you to take a side
Tell you their version of wrong or right

The words of James Blunt fill my ears and I can't help but relate. My whole life I've had people telling me what I can and can't do, what I should say and how I should act. It drives me insane.

And then you gotta find a way that you're walkin'
Everybody's walkin'
You gotta find the words to say when you're talkin'
Everybody's talkin'

Now I'm here, I feel like it's my time to say what I want to and find my own way. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for my fans and I love them to death, the lifestyle can just get a little overwhelming at times. I'd love to be able to eat a huge burger without feeling guilty, or walk down the road without brushing my hair in a tracksuit and not have the media comment on it. I just want to be normal.

I spend the next hour or so just dancing, moving the way I want to. By the time I finish, there's sweat pouring down my forehead and I'm exhausted. The best kind of workout.