SUPERFRUIT (scomiche tales)

LA Ballet (part one)

     Mitch Grassi is a famous ballet dancer whose instructor makes him want to disappear. Then he meets Scott.

WARNING: RAPE AND PAST ABUSE            

 “Mitch, again!” George shouted from his place on the other side of the room. His words echoed off the white walls. “You’re performing in front of everyone tomorrow and I refuse to let you screw this up. It’s my name you’re representing and I won’t look like a fool in front of them!”

                Mitch let his head hang down for only a moment before focusing again on his reflection staring back. He spread his feet just as George had taught him on-so-many years ago when he was just beginning. His father had tried to push him into soccer or basketball or anything other than dance. His mother had eventually convinced him that it would be a good thing and they signed him up with George’s studio that same day. He had started not knowing a single thing about ballet and know George’s company is one of the most sought after companies in America because of Mitch. He plays small roles in movies and shows and eventually scored his own episode on LA Ballet. That’s why George has been pushing him so hard for the past few months. Their episode is being recorded in just a few dances and tomorrow their showing the dance to the producers.

                The music started and Mitch let himself go. Ballet is a controlled form a dancing but Mitch’s body has a mind of his own as he dances across the wooden floor. He catches glimpses of himself in the mirror covered wall every few seconds. His arms end above his head and George is clapping from somewhere in the room.

                “Don’t let my applause go to your head! You still messed up the third turn and by the second sequence you were breathing too hard to let off the calm vibe I wanted. It was a little better than last time but I want to run through it again before I let you go,” George said and threw their shared water bottle his way.

Mitch caught it and took a long drink. He couldn’t drink too much because then his stomach would start hurting halfway through the routine. George walked over, putting his hand between Mitch’s shoulder blades.

                “If you get it perfectly this time, I’ll reward you later,” his instructor whispered in his ear.

                Mitch’s heart clenched at the words. He hated the feeling of George’s beard against his temple and the spit that transferred onto the shell of his ear when George licked his way down to Mitch’s neck. He hated George. When Mitch first started at the studio, he was only eight. When Mitch turned fourteen, George had the kids over to his house for a bonding session. Mitch was part of a group at first and they had a performance a few weeks after that, which they won. But when Mitch got to George’s, no one else was there and he claimed that Mitch was just early. Of course, he knew it wasn’t true because Mitch’s mom had rushed to get him there on time and didn’t succeed, according to her. Then, Mitch had ended up in George’s room. Mitch’s fourteen-year-old self wasn’t strong enough to fight George off and he wasn’t sure he would have even if he could. After five years, Mitch has learned what George likes and it wraps up a lot faster than it used to.

                “I’ll do better. I promise I won’t disappoint you,” Mitch whispered, staring at the ground he’s become so familiar with by now.

                “You never do, baby,” George whispered back, now turning away to turn the music back on. “Now show me!”

                Later that night, Mitch’s hands are still tied to the bedposts. George is getting a glass of water from the kitchen and Mitch is wishing he was anywhere but here. He didn’t want to see George’s triumphant looks or sweaty body pulling him in to cuddle. Mitch wanted to go to his apartment and curl up in his own bed and sleep. He wanted to sleep forever really. He wanted anyone’s life besides for his own. George means fame and success and more money than he already has. But George also means regret. Mitch has never known anything besides for George and his controlling nature.