Matthew Espinosa Imagines

Frustration

*Ava's POV*

"A LOT OF THE GIRLS HERE ARE A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER THAN YOU, AVA" yells my dance teacher, Mrs. Lana.

I was twirling and high-kicking my butt off, but I kept slipping on the fifth kick.

Mrs. Lana is usually very tough to not yell back at, and she is very intensely strict and she is too honest in my opinion.

My hip really hurt and my bones kept grinding together as I twirled and swung, but I couldn't complain or Mrs. Lana would get overly upset.

"This is pathetic, Ava!" Mrs. Lana yells in exasperation as tears well in my eyes.

She was yelling this in front of my whole dance team that were dancing beside me.

I was really trying to improve my dancing, and I always practiced in the garage, but I still wasn't good enough.

Mrs. Lana would keep repeating. "Every dancer's replaceable!" and it was almost too obvious she was sharply meaning me.

I was in a group of 13-18. I was seventeen, and I've been dancing since I was seven.

Mrs. Lana was much more different from my first teacher, Mrs. Lindy. Mrs. Lindy was...sweeter.

As I arrive to the time of my fifth kick, I put all my might into the high kick of my flexible legs, but I slip and fall onto my back, my shoulder blades hitting the hard wooden floor.

"Ava, you're done!" screams Mrs. Lana. "Go home and cry into your pillow not in the studio!"

I glance at all my still dancing friends, giving me sympathetic glances.

I huff air out of my gritted teeth and stand, grabbing my dance duffel bag and speed walking out.

I walk out into the freezing cold and throw my things into the trunk of my Honda Civic.

I get into the driver seat and then finally slip on my warm furry black north face.

Reminder: I am wearing my dance clothes, which was a sports bra and low cut tight shorts.

Even though it was late winter, that didn't change the dressing of dance.

I press my forehead onto my steering wheel and sob.

Our competition was in a week and I had a solo and a trio I had to practice for, and I was still struggling.

A whimper escapes my lips as I then hear my phone buzz.

I weakly pick up my phone and check who had messaged me.

It was Matthew, my boyfriend who was waiting for me at his house. It was seven at night, I came to the studio at eleven AM, and was supposed to come at nine.

But now that Lana kicked me out early, I guess that was the bright side of things.

I would get to see Matt, but I was still struggling.

I read the message.

"Matt💞: Hi bb just wanted to let you know I'm rooting for you at dance ;) see you @ nine 😘"

I wipe at my eyes and text him back sadly. I needed to practice, I couldn't be with him right now.

"I can't hang out 2night...Mrs. Lana exploded on me again and now I need to practice more at home...I'm sorry I'm just not okay rn;(" I type.

I send and then grudgingly drive home, drinking from my water bottle on the way home.

I hear my phone buzz, probably Matt's response, but I don't have the guts to read it. I pull into my house, park in the driveway, and then open my garage door with the code.

I close the door once I'm in and then set down my water bottle on a crate, turn on the garage light, and then dance on the cold cement of my garage.

I hear thunder from outside; it must've been storming. At least there was the rain to settle me down.

I twirl, swing, turn and kick but I still can't get down the choreography for the routine.

Through my dance, I hear someone opening my garage door. I jump, scared it was a criminal or something.

But then I remembered that I've only told one person my garage code; my two year boyfriend Matthew.

Once the garage door is opened fully, rain sprays in as Matt comes in soaking with his hair stuck to his forehead and rain dripping down his clothes, skin and face.

I instantly close the garage again and then throw Matt a spare towel from the shelves. He dries himself off as he talks.

"Ava, you've practiced enough. The doctor said to give your hip a break" Matt scolds.

I wasn't going to allow myself to take a break, so I danced through my talking. "Matt, my competition is in a week."

"I understand that, but-"

Suddenly, during my dancing and the stupid damn fifth kick, my hip made a sound that didn't sound very good and I fell to the cement, wailing in pain.

Matt hurries over to me and kneels next to me, picking me up and laying me in his lap.

"Ava!" he calls in shock as he pets my forehead and holds my injured hip gently.

I wail into Matt's shoulder, gripping a fistful of his jacket.

"Where does it hurt?" Matt asks in a calmer tone.

I try to control my whimpers, but I stammer. "R-Right h-here" I stutter as I lightly place two fingers on my lower right hip.

Matt unzips my jacket and throws it on the floor, then leans down to my tan, slender stomach and kissed where my hip hurt.

Luckily, his lips were so light it didn't hurt and it made the pain less unbearable.

Matt holds up his finger, signaling me to wait a second as he lightly sets me down and goes to get an ice pack, then comes pack and sets me back on his warm lap.

"This will sting at first, but you can squeeze my hand as hard as it stings" Matt says, enlacing our hands as he gently placed the ice on my side.

I gasp at the cold feeling and grip Matt's hand tight, but it didn't hurt him thankfully.

Once I'm used to the cold, I just sit and lean on Matt in silence as he sways me back and forth.

"Ava" Matt suddenly says. "I have gone to all your competitions, nationals, and even some practices. I've seen you get all your awards, crowns, certificates and money awards."

I smile at the memories, and Matt continues.

"You are the most beautiful dancer I've ever watched. It makes me want to run up stage and pick you up in a hug when you get first place, second place, even tenth place."

I look up at him with a smile and he grins back at me.

"Don't you dare listen to Lana. You are my princess and you dance amazing" Mat coos as he pushes a piece of my hair behind my ear.

Matt leans down and kisses my glossed lips.

I hated how much makeup they caked on my face at dance, but it did make me feel glamorous.

"I love you" Matt mumbles into my lips.

I smile. "You make me feel like I'm better than I actually am..."

"No" Matt disagrees as he cradles my cheeks. "You are as perfect as I describe you."

I grin and run my hand through Matt's hair. "I'm in love with you" I confess.

Matt pecks my lips once more. "I think I win when it comes to how much I love you."

* * * * *

I OBSESSED WITH DANCE MOMS SO I WANTED TO MAKE THIS IMAGINE😍

anyways I'm soooo close to 2k that'd be an amazing birthday present ☺️

ily all soooooooooooooooooo much💞

Twitter: @thotftmatt

- abby xoxoxoxo