"Five, six, seven, eight!"

Every count that Miss Lacey shouted, I followed the steps.

Each number meant a move change whilst holding onto the barre against the mirrored wall.

Ballet was my getaway. Nothing could make me feel more free and careless.

The others that I danced with also followed, their slim bodies copying the movements we were made to remember from our last lesson.

"And break!"

As soon as those words were spoke spoken, all the girls, and two boys, all stopped the routine and began chatting to each other.

Me on the other hand, slid down the mirror to catch my breath. We had been practicing hard for nearly half an hour and there was still and hour of the lesson to go.

With my head between my legs, I breathed deeply. Ballet was challenging. Everyone knew that. But Miss Lacey was a tough teacher to please so everyone worked twice as hard.

The door to the studio opened and the majority of the chatter silenced.

"Ah, welcome." I heard Miss Lacey greet but I kept my head between my legs.

"Everyone, this is Leonidas Taylor. He's new to town and moved Ballet schools so he'll be with us now."

Everyone said a quick hello and I finally looked up.

Nothing prepared me for what I was about to see.

Leo was standing there. In leggings. And a tight, long sleeved sport top.

I couldn't help it, I laughed.

All eyes snapped to me and silence fell in the room.

It's funny because Leo's expression matches my first one. He was not expecting me to be here.

"Right, Richard, go to the other side of the room and show Leo the steps he needs to learn." Miss Lacey instructed and Richard, who was just adorable in my eyes, led Leo over to the opposite side of the room.

And so, for the rest of the session, both Leo and I were catching glances at each other. Mine were amused and his were worry.

I'm guessing that he doesn't want anyone to know. I mean, from what I've heard about him from gossip in school, he's a hardcore kid.

And why he's doing ballet I have no idea.

He was good though. Like, insanely good.

When I was watching him when he was doing the steps, which he managed to pick up almost instantly, he moved with such grace it was amazing to witness.

For someone like him, who is fairly well built and quite tall, he was excellent at ballet. I was almost jealous.

When it came to the end of the lesson, everyone was panting from exhaustion and sitting on the floor.

Miss Lacey came over to us with a clip board in hand.

"Right everyone, because of the upcoming audition, you need to be paired up since you'll be doing the piece together. If you are chosen, you will also be doing the performance together." She declared and a bustle of whispers came from beside me from the girls.

They all had usual partners that they danced with so they'll probably choose them.

"You can choose your own partners but make sure you'll be able to work with them long-term." She added. I knew why she said this as when we had the opportunity to audition for a show last time, two dancers called Abigail and Justin partnered up, thinking they were the perfect couple.

Wrong. In the end Abigail had to move class because she wanted to physically attack Justin every time she saw him.

It was bad.

After some more talk, pretty much everyone was partnered up apart from Leo and I.

Coincidence right?

I could see him shuffling over to me awkwardly and I offered a small smile to him.

We stood in silence for a few moments before I turned to him.

"So... Ballet?"

"Don't you dare tell anyone or I will kill you." He muttered darkly which only made me laugh again.

"My lips are sealed." I motioned zipping my lips and pursed them together.

"Looks like we're partners." Leo sighed and I raised my eyebrows.

"Don't sound so happy." I mocked, slightly irritated that he didn't seem like he wanted to me partnered with me.

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly "It's not like that, it's just that well, you're Harvey's sister... And have you seen the routine yet?"

My eyes widened and I shook my head. How has he seen the routine already!? It's been kept top secret so Miss Lacey could tell us all together on the same day so we had the same amount of time to practice.

"How have you seen it already?" I questioned in annoyance.

Leo shrugged his shoulders "Before I joined she asked if this was something I would want to learn and I said yes."

"Well... What's wrong with it?"

"It's just... Like... Really intimate." He admitted and I realised why he felt so awkward about it.

Our conversation was interrupted by Miss Lacey silencing the chatter "Right. All gather by the projector and I will finally show you the routine. Its short yet simple and a little rougher than your usual ballet, that's why its more of a challenge."

You could feel the excitement in the room as everyone hurried over to the screen. Well, Leo took his time as he already knew what we were learning.

As soon as the clip was over, I understood what Leo meant. I mean, I've seen routines that are a lot more touchy feely than that, but like he said.

He was Harvey's new friend. I wasn't planning on becoming friends with him.

"See you all next week." Were Miss Lacey's last words before excusing us and packing up her things.

I don't think I've ever left ballet faster than I did today. I just felt weird after today's whole experience.

I highly doubt Leo will tell Harvey about this and honestly I don't think I will either.

It's a good thing my ballet studio is like a 10 minute walk from home otherwise I'd be screwed since I can't drive and no one is nice enough to give me a lift.

But, I wasn't going to let this get to me too much. I think once I'm over the initial shock of it all, I'll be back to focused Eliana.

I didn't care if Leo was all reluctant to dancing with me like that. It's ballet. He signed up for this.

If it comes down to it, we just won't tell my brother until its over and done with.

I was prepared to give my all to this, I desperately wanted to perform in the show and I wasn't going to let Leo ruin that for me.

I had changed into my leggings and vest top before I left since it was unusually warm for England at this time of year.

With all my clothes packed in my sports bag, I began my walk back home. I'm pretty sure my brother won't be home since it's a Sunday and he goes to the pub to watch the football.

Classic boy. He only manages to stay in there and actually buy alcohol because our parents are friends with the owner.

He's usually there on a Sunday so I get the house to myself for a few more hours before he makes his inevitable return singing football songs and knocking into anything and everything in his way.

As soon as I walked in the house a meow from my room sounded and couldn't help but roll my eyes. He always feels the need to announce himself when I'm the one walking into the house.

Loki appeared in the living room a couple of moments afterwards, running straight up towards me and rubbing against my leg.

Glancing over to his food bowl, I scowled as it was empty, along with his water bowl.

"Wow, Harvey, you're an arsehole." I muttered to myself before making my way over to his bowls to fill them up.

I specifically asked him before I left to do one simple task. Did he do it? No.

Why do I even rely on my brother? He never does what I ask him to and whenever he's the one asking me a favour, 9/10 times I will do it.

I just give up with him sometimes. I'm just not gonna ask him to do anything for me anymore.

These next few weeks are gonna be weird.

I'm going to be dancing with Leo, ignoring my brother completely and possibly being questioned by people in school about Leo.

I was happy with the peace and quiet. Now all hell is gonna break loose.