Page 35 of Healing Eleanor

Why is he looking at me like that?

I push the thought down, pull my shoulders back, and move through the final plié.

Kasper gives a short nod. “You may begin your variation when you’re ready.”

I step into the center. The air settles around me, like every bad thing I’ve endured up until this point in my life has been washed away.

The track begins—the same solo I sent in on my reel. It isn’t flashy, or packed with a hundred turns or sky-high extensions. It’s lyrical, controlled, soulful, and one that tells one heck of a story.

I pour myself into it. Every tear I shed, every embarrassing remark I endured, every time my mother compared me to a stray dog with no one to belong to. I let all that anguish take over my movements.

I finish in an arabesque, chest heaving, eyes squeezed shut. That’s it. Unless Russell gives me another variation to perform, I’m done.

The final note from the piano drifts softly through the air, and I open my eyes slowly, daring to look up. I’m not sure what to expect, but it definitely isn’t three men staring directly at me.

They aren’t smiling, but at least they aren’t frowning either. Their expressions are unreadable. Almost like they’re stunned into a trance.

Thankfully, Kasper breaks the silence. “Very well, that will be all. We’ll call you and let you know what we decide. Thank you for coming.” He crosses the room and offers me his hand.

I’m… done? That’s it? It doesn’t feel like I’ve done enough.

Especially given the fact that Kasper said that Russell may give me something else to dance. Surely they wanted to see more?

“Um, is that all? Should I not perform a variation of Mr. Clarke’s choice?” I ask, my voice smaller than I intend.

“We’ve seen enough for today. Have a safe drive home.”

Kasper lets go of my hand, then turns and walks back to join the other two men. Nik’s eyes remain glued to me.

I offer a shy smile in his direction. “Thank you for your time.” I dip my head and start walking toward the door.

The thud of sneakers approaches behind me, followed by a hand resting gently on my shoulder.

“It was nice to meet you Ms. Montgomery, you did well today,” Russell says kindly.

If his words weren’t so soft, I might’ve jumped out of my skin. Everyone here is… friendly in a way I’m not used to.

“Nice to meet you as well,” I manage.

He nods and heads for the door. “Nik, I’ll be in Studio A working with the corps. If you need me later, you know where to find me.”

Nik tilts his chin upward in acknowledgement. “Thanks, Russell.”

With that, Russell exits, leaving me alone with Nik and Kasper. The two of them stand in the corner, speaking quietly. No doubt discussing the variation I just performed.

Their faces are close, both nodding at whatever the other says. I try my best not to eavesdrop, even though I want to know what they’re saying. But I don’t want to kill my chances, so I continue toward the door.

I thought I did well. I was certain they’d ask me to dance again.

But there’s no use in overthinking it.

What I gave was already out there, and I couldn’t take it back. I just had to hope like heck it was good enough. That I was enough.

When I get back to the dressing room, I slip off my ballet slippers, rub my sore feet, then tuck my shoes neatly into my bag. I pull out my leg warmers and Converse. There’s no point in changing again. I’m just going to sit in Scarlett’s car, go home, and take a bubble bath.

Back in the lobby, Robin’s scribbling down something on a piece of paper but looks up when I start heading toward the exit.

“Eleanor, how did it go, love?” Her smile is warm. She reminds me of a sweet grandma who would bake you cookies and read you bedtime stories.