GENESIS
My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the ballet studio. Fear prickled across my skin, and I felt what Daisy once called goosebumps ripple through me.
"Genesis, look at me," Kieran said softly, cupping my face in his large hands. "I'm not going to leave. I'll be right here."
He gave my cheeks a gentle squeeze, making my lips pout, and I stared up at him. My eyes drifted toward the far end of the driveway—that place. The spot where Mark had tried to take me into his car. The memory was blurry… but still there.
"Don't look over there," Kieran said quickly, tilting my chin back toward him. "Just look at me. You're safe. I'll be in class with you the whole time."
He smiled, and I found myself getting lost in his deep blue eyes. They looked like the ocean—yes, an ocean. I'd never seen one in real life, only on TV.
I nodded and gave him a small, shaky smile. As long as he was with me… I'd be okay.
His hand drifted to rest gently on my thigh, rubbing small circles. A shiver ran through me, and I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder. But then… his hand began to move higher.
I froze.
My mouth parted slightly. My eyes darted around. He was standing just outside the passenger seat while I sat inside, the door wide open. Anyone stepping out of the studio could see us—could see exactly where his hand was going.
His fingers slid up to my panties, brushing along the edge of my hip. My eyes squeezed shut. I should tell him to stop. I wanted to sign, something, to push his hand away… but I didn't. Instead, that strange, tingling feeling curled in my stomach and slipped lower, between my legs.
That feeling I got when I wanted him, too.
What was happening to me? Slowly, I was turning into someone I barely recognized.
"It seems someone doesn't mind being fingered by her husband in public," Kieran whispered, his voice low and teasing in my ear.
My face burned. I buried it against his neck, wishing I could disappear.
And then—
"Genesis!"
My eyes flew open, wide in shock. Stacy and Calista were running toward us.
Before I could think, I grabbed Kieran's hand and yanked it away. He just chuckled quietly.
He stepped aside just in time as Stacy reached me, practically bouncing with energy.
"We missed you, Gen!" she squealed, grabbing me into a tight hug and lifting me like I was a kid.
I laughed, wrapping my arms around her. Calista hugged me from behind, squeezing tightly. I closed my eyes, overwhelmed for a moment, then opened them and looked to the side.
Kieran was leaning against the car, smirking.
And then—he did something that made my whole body heat up.
He brought the fingers that had just been touching me to his mouth… closed his eyes like he was savoring the taste… and when he opened them, he winked.
My face flamed. I quickly turned away, pressing my hand over my cheeks.
****
"Yes, yes, beautiful Genesis! You look so beautiful!" Miss Reneta praised as I lifted my leg into a développé, holding my balance as long as I could before gently lowering it.
I was shaking. My toes were sore inside the soft pink shoes, and my ankle wobbled slightly, but I didn't fall. I didn't give up.
The music flowed through the studio, soft piano notes echoing off the mirrors. I tried to forget the other girls sitting cross-legged by the wall. I tried to forget Stacy and Calista watching with wide, proud eyes. I tried to forget Kieran, leaning against the wall with that same slow smile that made my stomach twist.
I breathed in. And then I moved.
I lifted onto my toes again, arms curved overhead as I spun into a pirouette, my breath catching as I twirled. My form wasn't perfect — Miss Reneta would say my knee was a little too bent, my foot not turned out enough — but I stayed on my axis, and when I landed, I didn't fall.
I stretched my arms wide, bent into a penché, letting my upper body tip forward, my leg lifting high behind me, higher than I'd ever done in practice. It trembled slightly in the air, but I held it. My hair clung to my cheek, sweat slipping down my neck.
Miss Reneta clapped her hands softly. "Keep going, darling, you're almost there. Feel it. Let the music move you!"
I stepped into a jeté, leaping forward. My skirt fluttered in the air, and for a brief second, I felt like I was flying. I landed a little hard — the sound of my shoes against the floor echoed louder than it should have — but I kept going. I couldn't stop now.
One final spin, arms opening wide. I landed in fifth position, chest rising and falling as the music faded.
Silence.
Then Miss Reneta gasped, her hand over her heart. "Genesis, that was…" Her eyes glittered. "That was art. You were born for this, my dear."
Stacy and Calista started clapping wildly, whooping and cheering like I'd just won something.
And Kieran — Kieran didn't say anything. He just watched me with something deeper than a smile on his face, something that looked a little like pride… and something else I couldn't name.
I stood there, shaking, my cheeks flushed and chest heaving.
Had I really just done that?
Had I really just danced like that?
Miss Reneta walked up to me and placed her hands on my shoulders. "You have a lot to learn, Genesis. Your lines need work, your timing is still raw… but I've seen dancers train for years who couldn't move an audience the way you just did."
I blinked fast, swallowing hard. My throat felt tight.
"Keep dancing," she whispered.
And I nodded.
Because maybe… just maybe… this was what I was meant to do.