Apolline Durant's Story

Dɪᴀʟᴏɢᴜᴇ Cᴏʟᴏʀ ✦ #8467D7
Tʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ Cᴏʟᴏʀ ✧ #E57DED

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Bali got out of her car after parking. The whole time she drove, she was both excited and afraid to see everyone again, even though she'd already met with them a week before. She couldn't help that small smile that just didn't leave her face the whole time she drove. In fact, because she was spacing out, imagining dancing with everyone, she nearly passed a red light twice and forgot exactly where she was driving, having to make a few couple U turns and what such.

She had just come back from her part time job as a barista at a small, near by coffee shop. She only worked part time, just to keep her busy when she wasn't doing anything and to help out with the cost of the apartment since her parents always seemed to be busy working, themselves. Even her three other sisters tried to pitch in for the cost, though they didn't really do much... Even a little bit counted.

The whole time she worked, Bali had been wearing her dancing clothes underneath her uniform the whole time, even though it was uncomfortable. For some reason, the option of changing after work hadn't occurred to her until she was trying to both drive while strip off that first layer of clothes. It wasn't difficult, though she was driving... incredibly slow. At least five other cars honked at her while she struggled, probably looking ridiculous at the same time.

It was late to do a dance class, but she couldn't help it. She desperately wanted to dance, especially with her friends from way back when. Even if she never told them about her leaving from before, even if some of them might be angry at her, she was still excited. Optimism was her forte, after all.

Upon arriving, she stared up at the building, some sort of sparkling look in her eyes. She was brought back to those small, childhood memories of being a kid and a teen, dancing with everyone when things were serene and calm... Now they'd go back to that again.

Unfortunately, she hadn't exactly brought an umbrella - well, more like she almost did but forgot to put it in the back seat - so getting out of the car and into the building was a bit of a clumsy run across the cement and into the building. Her dark, curly hair, which was once neat and put back, was now growing more tangled and weighing heavier on her head. She realized that getting her hair wet didn't mean it straightening out, it just mean it'd grow to be more of a... bush.

She burst into her class, being taught by a good friend from the past, Nana, exclaiming with soaked hair, clothes, and shoes, "I-I'm here! Um... didn't know if I was late or not. Am I late? Er, work kind of got in the way." She laughed a bit while trying to dry her hair with her hands.

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I shouldn't be here...

Nakahara had walked into the studio about twenty minutes ago. The people whom were there didn't even get a glance from him as his brown hues as he started quite adamantly at the floor as he strode inside. Being a professional, punctuality was in his blood. He had kept his distance from the group that was gathered there, leaning his back into the far wall.

He had taken some days off of work for this get together, having a couple months off of his usual and mundane desk job. The work itself was easy, but the work place gave off a very lonely feeling. So far, this place didn't feel all that different. He had no one to blame but himself though, purposely keeping a bit of a distance from the others. It had been years since he saw them all after they had left, leaving him the only one to remain in the end. He wasn't hurt by that however, but felt that he was the one at fault. The past week wasn't much different. Sure some of them sort of got to know each other once more but Naka had locked himself in his room, not bothering to come out until he had to be at the studio. Even then he left at the crack of dawn so hardly no one even knew he was there.

He, like many others most likely, had received a sort of introductory letter that stated their classes and dancing groups. His dull eyes scanned over the page, though he didn't feel the need to complain about being around the most sexually charged people, at least as far as he could remember.

The Exotic Predator, Carmen Villegas Cordero. One of the few people who was older than Naka himself. His rather erotic and spontaneous behavior would normally be at odds with Naka's more calm and dead pan appearance.

The Prince Charming, Eli Blaine Brasher. The younger brother of Dimitri with what seems to be an obsession with his own chest flaunting. Despite being insincere, he was someone Naka could respect, if not be slightly uncomfortable around.

The Sin, Valentine Sinclair. She's not all that a person in the end, honestly. After all someone who's a die hard for Shakespeare can't be all that bad. Naka can't help but remember some cringe worthy incidents with this underclassmen back in the day.

Lastly was their dance leader, or choreographer of sorts, Mikhail Yves Roux. This is an envy inducing sight to behold for Naka, as he greatly revered both his skill and personality. Mikhail was everything Nakahara could never dream to be.

As his eyes scanned the paper, Naka could almost feel himself shrink smaller and smaller still. He was an introverted and picky child in the presence of the very visage of 'sex' or 'excellence'. He felt dwarfed in comparison, though he did not mind. This, in his mind, was at least a bit normal. He continued to read the page.

Duet dancing. It's not as bad as dancing on his own, however the idea of dancing with one these people under the specialty of a professionally trained ballet and jazz dancer was not something to be over the roof about. He preferred group dances that required little to no physical contact in the end. None of them were shy about getting all touchy feely, much to his distress.

"...?"

A look of surprise came across his face. He had noticed all his thoughts. He was getting nostalgic over the names. He was thinking of what his life would be like in dance once more. Thoughts of returning to his desk job didn't cross his mind for once. He felt... Almost happy.

Was this the best choice in the end, after all?

Of course not. It was only a matter of time until he stained the bonds with his cowardly ways.

He let out a long sigh, looking up from the paper and around the room.

Apolline was considerably late to the lesson. Usually she would be right on time, but the fact that the rain had caused every New Yorker to rush to their car and cause as many traffic jams as possible slowed her down considerably. Thus, Apolline arrived at the studio at a time her mother would call "fashionably late". Apolline however, did not like being late and quickly unmounted from her bike outside the studio and chained it before rushing inside. (Not before shaking the water off her raincoat of course). Feeling a knot of worry grow in her chest she went into the class, but was confused as to why class hadn't started. She looked up at the clock and realised she was actually one of the crowd of people who were late too. Apolline felt herself relax a bit, but the knot was still there. Apolline remembered her therapist Miss Watson Amanda's advice. Taking deep breaths, Apolline went to the wall and put her bag down, taking a swig from her water bottle. She waited until no one was looking, and took a picture of the ballet bars on her phone. She smiled, happy with the outcome of the shot and began stretching. Though there were many faults with having a bike as transportation, not having to warm up as much at the studio was one of them. As she reached towards her toes, Apolline looked for Nana, and saw her talking to - Bali. Apolline's eyes widened and she immediately looked back at her legs. Damn it Apolline you said you were over this! Well I lied didn't I. Apolline let her forehead fall to her shin and groaned quietly. Talking to myself again, and getting in a stupid crush again. Two ticks off the awkward bingo board. Apolline sighed and continued stretching, trying not to look at Bali from all the new angles. She swore she didn't feelthat way about Bali anymore, but... The whole coming back to the studio, and reuniting with old friends thing had re-ignited a lot of feelings. Including her feelings about Bali. Apolline distracted herself with dance and photographs most of the time. Just like she was trying to now. Apolline looked around at the people arriving, but couldn't really see anyone she could talk to. Apolline finished up her stretch and decided to go over some old choreography while she was waiting. No pointe shoes today, so pointe-less dancing today. Apolline chuckled at her own pun and began warming up everything from arabesques to rond de jambes as she waited for class to start.