Chapter 7 The Kiss (Nina)

YAGP Tampa was coming. I basically lived in the studio.

Every movement polished. Every variation rehearsed until my muscles gave out.

Mrs. Thorne watched my final set of fouettés, arms crossed. "Nina. Your technique is clean. But... the emotion is still missing."

I caught my breath, hands on my hips. "What do you mean?"

"Every position is correct. But ballet isn't just technique. It's soul."

I stood there, staring at my reflection. Soul. What did that even mean?

"Class dismissed." Mrs. Thorne clapped once. "I recommend arriving in Tampa by Monday. Don't miss the regional preliminaries."

"Yes, Mrs. Thorne."

"Good luck. See you Monday."

She left. The others filed out. I sat on the floor, staring at the mirror.

Lily dropped down beside me and handed me a water bottle. "You okay?"

"Thinking about what Mrs. Thorne said. Ballet soul. I don't really know what that is."

"Oh please. Mrs. Thorne's never happy. Last week she told me I danced like a flamingo with a stiff neck." Lily laughed at herself.

I laughed too. "But she's right. Something's missing."

Lily squeezed my shoulder. "You're the hardest-working dancer I know. You'll get the gold."

"Hope so."

Lily checked her phone. "What time's your flight tomorrow? We could go together?"

"Jessie's driving me."

"Okay. See you in Tampa."

The studio emptied. I stayed. One more hour of practice. Then Jessie finally showed up.

"What time do we leave tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" Jessie blinked.

"Monday's the competition. I need to get there early. Rest. Get ready."

"I know, I know." He paused. "But... Tom's birthday party is tomorrow. I really don't want to miss it. Can we go Sunday instead?"

I wanted to say no. Every part of me was screaming no.

But his eyes were so hopeful. So eager.

"Fine. Sunday."

Jessie lit up, kissed me. "Come to the party with me?"

"I have to train."

"Babe, you're way too tense. Just one night. Relax a little."

I hesitated. Then nodded. "I'll come after practice."

Saturday afternoon. I left practice early. Changed into a black dress. Light makeup. Took a rideshare to the address Jessie sent.

A loft apartment. Music thumping through the walls.

Inside: pool table, poker, people smoking on the balcony. I didn't belong here.

I spotted someone I knew. "Where's Jessie?"

They pointed. I pushed through the crowd, looking around.

Then I heard it. A laugh. Familiar. Female.

I stopped at a half-open door.

Linda was leaning against the wall, one hand on a man's shoulder.

The man was Jessie.

He had one hand braced against the wall, head tilted down toward her. Their faces were inches apart.

Linda rose onto her toes. Pressed her lips to his.

Jessie didn't pull away. He just let her.

My mind went blank. Static. Nothing.

I stood there, frozen, all the air gone from my lungs.

Linda's eyes drifted past Jessie's shoulder. Found mine. Her lips curved into something that wasn't really a smile.

Jessie sensed it. Turned.

When he saw me, the drunk, happy look on his face collapsed into panic.

"Nina..."

I didn't wait for excuses. I turned. Walked. Then ran, shoving through the crowd, out of the apartment, into the night.

"Nina, wait!" Jessie grabbed my wrist.

I pulled free. "What is there even to explain?"

"It was just a kiss. An accident." He was breathless, desperate. "She was drunk. I'd had a few drinks. The alcohol just—"

"Stop." My voice came out flat and cold. "You told me you were just friends. Is this what friends do?"

"Nina, it was an accident. It's not what you think—"

"If I hadn't shown up, would it still be an accident?" Tears spilled over. I couldn't hold them back. "I'm done. Done fighting about Linda. Done with your apologies. Done forgiving you."

"Nina—"

"We need space. After the competition. We'll talk then."

I turned and walked away. I don't remember how I got home. I just remember sitting on my bed, telling myself: Don't fall apart. Not before Monday.

But the tears came anyway.