En Pointe Part 13

Did he know? Was the first thought that came to Natalia's mind. She shook her head and went back to her math homework. About half an hour later she finished and went on the computer to type up. She became distracted and went into her files pulling up a video. It was from when she was fifteen, just the beginning of last year.

Natalia watched it carefully, she was dancing to Fly by Ludovico Einaudi. She could clearly see the mistakes and how much she'd improved. Her movements were stiff, she didn't watch her turnout enough and the jumps weren't that great. She thought it was the end of the video when she heard cheering and yelling. She saw her younger self roll her eyes and drag Natasha forward and ran away. That's when the music started it was Veronex Cypher by Bola. The music was almost robotic and she matched it well, the whole time she had a smile on her face. She only danced about thirty seconds before breaking into laughter.

"Tally, dinner!" her mom called. She sighed and closed down the computer, sure she had the technique but Natasha had the stage prescence. As Natalia headed downstairs only one thing was on her mind: ballet.



Afterschool Reese headed to dance. He'd stayed after to get the camera from his teacher. He had a digital camera, one he payed for himself after a summer job, but this one needed film. He didn't even try to go into his normal practice room, instead he went straight to 3b. He started practicing the hip hop routine and worked out the kinks. Reese was one of three guys in the class, they had more but they were seniors last year and his Aunt Chrissy couldn't manage to recruit any more.

He started to do the first combination a heel toe followed by an arm wave then a body wave. Reese tried his best to keep with the routine but hip hop is more fun when you freestyle, that's when he heard music start up. It was classical but he didn't recognize the composer, on a whim he grabbed his camera. He took one of Natalia at the mirror, one of her jumping with hair flying loose. He realized how creepy it seemed, but he wanted proof. Proof that she counldn't deny. That's when she was in the middle of the jump and crumpled to the ground. He hoped she wasn't hurt and got ready to go over when she started getting up. Quickly he took a picture. He didn't realize what he did and turned the camera off and put everything in his bag and headed to the room were class was held.


Two days later Natalia was walking into class when she saw Reese showing Mr. Belof, the photography teacher, some pictures. "These are.." she heard him say. She walked over, "Can I see?" he handed her the pictures and Reese turned grim. There were three of them and they were of her. The first one she was at the barre one leg propped against it and she was resting on it. She was turned so you could see her hair and her old workout clothes. On her feet were worn toe shoes that were falling apart. The next one was breathtaking. She was jumping, almost mid air, one leg was pointed and in front, the other kicked back, her hair was loose and falling free covering her face. The last angered her. She was on the ground,dHer legs overlapped, one tucked under the other one straight. Her body was lying down with her head lifted, strands of hair covering her face.

Natalia didn't know what to do. She threw the pictures on the desk and ran out of the room. "Wait," she heard someone cry. She turned around and saw Reese running toward her. "What's wrong?

"What's wrong? Your really asking me that? Let's you took pictures without my permission like some kind of perverted stalker,"

"The teacher loved them, besides those pictures were great," he said trying to come her down.

"Great? Great? Yeah, right.The first one of me at the barre I'm in torn clothes and stretching out my muscles I doubt I look 'great'. The next one I'm jumping but it's mediocore at best." He stared at her. "What my leg is bent and my feet aren't pointed and the last one is just sick," she said referring to the one where she was on the ground.

"They're real, they're raw. They show emotion," he said. She just shook her head. "How come you didn't tell me you danced?"

"That...That's none of your buisness," She said and felt terrified.

"I saw you dance. I've never seen anyone like that before. At school your just... I don't know, but when you dance your this whole other person," he said and walked closer. She balled her hands into fists and glared at him. "Is it because of the accident. I know about Natasha,"

"How?" she demanded. He put a hand on her arm and she pushed it away. "How do you know? Tell me," she hissed.

"I was there the night of the accident," he said. "At the hospital. I wasn't sure it was you at first, but..."

"Leave me alone." She said. "What kind of person are you? Huh, you see me deal with this day after day, you see me dance, you see me struggle and what do you do? Take a picture to put me on display?"

"No, calm down. I didn't tell you because I thought you be mad..."

"I'm past mad, I'm pissed." She said and ran off. He heard the bell ring, but Reese just stood there. Before long Mr. Belof came out.

"Reese, what's the matter?" he asked.

"Natalia's sick," he muttered. The teacher looked at him, knowing he was lying but didn't say anything.