A week had gone by since I'd moved to the South-East and I didn't think I had been more comfortable before in my entire life somewhere.

Harvey had become a good friend, despite not knowing him long, he was a pretty fun guy.

We had even partied together a little, meaning that I had told him I was a dealer so he was happy to try out the merchandise with me.

I wasn't doing it as often down here, just a little bit here and there to get me some extra money.

I was on my way to my first class with the Bluebells and I was excited to be doing what I loved again.

Already dressed for the lesson, I grabbed my gym bag out my car before heading inside. I was late since my Mum needed my help with some papers for the car she had bought me so she could fully put it in my name.

I had explained to Miss Lacey that I would be late and she understood which I was thankful for.

As I pushed open the front door to the community centre, I noticed the receptionist typing away at her computer and flashed a smile my way.

"Miss Lacey's class is just down the hallway." She must have recognised me from last week and I nodded in appreciation to her and followed her direction.

Double doors faced me and I noticed a few students through the glass of the door and was grateful for the fact that there was a fair share of boys and not just girls in the class.

Miss Lacey noticed me as I entered "Ah, welcome."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me further into the room, presenting me to everyone.

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

There was an array of greetings and as I scanned the room I froze at who I saw sitting on the floor by the mirrored wall.

Eliana.

Eliana fucking McCoy.

No one ever knew about my dancing aside from my Mum. And now she was in my fucking dance lesson.

She stared at me with a look of total shock which turned into a smile which she tried to hide. Eventually, she couldn't hold it back and she laughed out loud.

It ticked me off that she was laughing at me but she soon stopped when everyone in the room stared at her for doing it.

"Right, Richard, go to the other side of the room and show Leo the steps he needs to learn." Miss Lacey cut through the awkward silence quickly to distract the fact that everyone was just staring at Eliana.

A boy with short, cropped, brown hair gave me a smile which showed off some dimples and lead me over to the corner of the studio.

I followed Richard with ease, picking up the steps flawlessly and chatting casually to him as we worked.

"How long you danced for?" He questioned as we reached for out water bottles. Slightly out of breath, I took a long drink before replying. We were about to be beckoned over by Miss Lacey so we took a moment to chill.

"A couple of years, but I've always been interested in it." Wiping some sweat off my forehead with the sleeve of my sports top, I tucked some loose strands of my hair behind my ear and my eyes caught onto Eliana who was lying on the floor, her left leg pulled up so she was stretching it out.

I'd caught her eye a couple of times during the rest of the lesson and I had to give it to her, she was an excellent dancer.

Like at school however, she seemed to keep to herself quite a lot, not really interacting with the other dancers and just doing as she was told.

She didn't know that I was staring, so I took the time to take in all of her in this attire. I couldn't deny it, the dance tights and leotard clung to her body like a second skin and showed off a more than perfect figure.

After the other day in the kitchen, when she was saying about watching her weight to which I didn't understand, but now that I know she does ballet I got it completely. I'm sure she wasn't told to do it, but she seemed insecure enough to probably put it on herself.

She'd spoken to me a litte bit over the course of the week, but mostly kept to herself in her room after school. Seeing the conflict between her dislike of her brother's rowdy actions struck a chord in me. I didn't know what it was, I just felt sorry for her and that she didn't deserve to be cut out.

Eventually, Miss Lacey called to the group and we all made our way over. As I suspected, Eliana stayed a fair distance from the main huddle of people.

Clipboard in hand, Miss Lacey adressed the eager faces "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."

There was a small amount of whispers from the girls in the room who's eyes searched around for certain boys.

"You can choose your own partners but make sure you'll be able to work with them long-term." Her additioned caused movement to spark and couples were partnering up left, right and centre.

Everyone apart from Eliana and me.

Whilst the group was distracted with talking, I took small steps towards Eliana and tried to not make it awkward when she offered a smile.

After a moment, she turned to me, a humourous glint in her eye "So... Ballet?"

A spark of panic and annoyance flared in me "Don't you dare tell anyone or I will kill you." I kept my voice quiet so no one else would hear but kept it serious so she would listne to my threat.

That, however, only caused her to laugh. Her laugh was high-pitched and actually quite soothing to hear.

"My lips are sealed." She mimicked zipping her mouth together and closed them together. God, I could tell this wasnt going to be an easy ride.

"Looks like we're partners." I sighed, thinking about the routine that Miss Lacey had showed me last week and feeling an awkward air float around me.

I noted the slight annoyance that etched onto her features as I said this. I didn't mean for it to come out as rude, but she definitely took it that way.

"Don't sound so happy." She snapped, adding a mocking tone to hide that she took a slight offence to my attitude.

I reached my hand to the back of my head, scratching at it awkwardly "It's not like that, it's just that well, you're Harvey's sister... And have you seen the routine yet?"

Her annoyed expression vanished and her eyes widened in shock "How have you seen it already?"

I guess she had no idea what was to come. I simply shrugged my shoulders at her "Before I joined she asked if this was something I would want to learn and I said yes."

Once again, her annoyance simmered down and she looked at me quizically "Well... What's wrong with it?"

God, why was this just getting more and more complicted? "It's just... Like... Really intimate."

Her mouth formed a slight 'o' shape and realistation settled on her features. Before she could reply, Miss Lacey brought the attention of the class towards the projecter that she had set up.

"Right. All gather by the projector and I will finally show you the routine. It's short yet simple and a little rougher than your usual ballet, that's why it's more of a challenge."

Everyone rushed to huddle around the screen, Eliana included but I took my time. Since I'd already seen the routine, I watched Eliana instead.

Her eyes were glued to the screen, assessing every move the couple made and doing little movements with her hands to mimick what they were doing.

As the dance went on, her eyes grew wider and wider and a look of hesitation filled her face. As I predicted, she looked like she didn't want to do the dance with me as much as I did with her.

Eventually, the video ended and Miss lacey dismessed the class. Making my way to where I'd dumped my bag, I watched as Eliana quickly grabbed her things, shoving her headphones into her ears and hastily making her exit.

I took my time, peeling my sports top off quickly and throwing on a black hoodie. Waiting until Miss Lacey was free, I took my chance to talk to her.

She noticed me coming up to her before I could speak "Ah, Leo, how did you find the class? I see you partnered with Eliana, she a good dancer, you've got a good pairing there."

My mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. Was it harsh for me to ask for a different partner? Now that she said that, I felt like more of an asshole.

"Uh yea the class was good, I like it here," I tugged my hairband out my hair and let my dirty blond hair free to dust on top of my shoulders "It's just the whole partner thing."

Miss Lacey's eyebrows narrowed slightly "Is there something wrong? Did Eliana say something to you?"

"Oh no, she hasn't sad anything. It's just that her brother is one of my good friends and he doesn't know I dance so I don't want to make it awkward... For her or me." Explaining made me feel like I didn't even have a good arguement to not dance with Eliana.

Despite this however, Miss Lacey looked to be in thought as she slowly packed away her things.

"I can see why it could be an issue for you, no one wants to have rocky friendships and partners, especially with such a big audition coming up." Miss Lacey started and I was about to cut in and thank her but she quickly held up her hand.

"However, you said when you joined here that you wouldn't let anything stop you from doing what you loved and I'll be honest, you and Eliana as a dancing pair is very strong. I know what she is capable of and I've seen you in action. Don't let something like that stop you from succeeding. She deserves this shot as much as you do."

I sealed my lips quickly, taking in her words and thinking hard.

She was right, I didn't want to let anything get in the way of dancing. I mean, I wasn't planning on telling Harvey or the guyus that I danced and I hoped Eliana woouldn't say anything either.

Harvey didn't seme to have any interest in her dancing so we would be able to practice and do the performance without him knowing.

From seeing Eli dance today as well... She was good at what she loved and it seemed she had the same kind of dedication that I did.

Nodding my head, I pulled my gym bag over my shoulder "Thanks Miss."

Miss Lacey let a smile play along her lips and she waved as I left through the double doors.

She better be right about this. I couldn't let the akwardness of dancing with Eliana get to me.

All I needed to do was keep it platonic and professional then we should go far. I hope...