Chapter song;
When you love someone else by Alec Benjamin.
••☆••
" ahm..." William cleared his throat, quickly letting Neacky go
" William ...." Neacky tumbled backwards for balance with a frown on her face .
" Sorry , " William said.
" what the fuck " Neacky shouted in confusion William hurriedly excusing himself from the ballet room.
William heavily gasped for air marching away without looking behind.
He couldn't stay with Neacky in that position or help with her moves for any other minute .
Hardly had William when Kim and other girls and boys walked inside the ballet room dressed uniformly as Neacky only that the boys had black shorts on top.
" you came early " Kim said to approaching Neacky .
" Mr Wood picked us up early " Neacky said
" are you okay . You seemed not fine yesterday evening " Neacky said .
" am good " Kim smiled stretching her body.
" the posters for annual schopl performances are up " on of the boys said on joining Kim and Neacky.
" what do you think our theme is going to be " Kim asked .
"Will Madam Abigail give our class a chance this year " Neacky asked
" right , she seems very interested in the advanced class " The boy mentioned.
" our class has advanced too , besides most of the girls in the other class have signed and recruited in different companies " kim said .
" which leaves us " Kim said .
" this is important too ,lots of beneficial people are to attend. Recruiters from different universities and companies " the boy said .
" are you taking the main role Neacky " the boy added.
"No , Kim has wanted the main role since last year " Neacky smiled along with Kim.
" you have got it ,girl " Neacky added.
" you think so " Kim smiled .
" yes. You will ace the auditions for the role " Neacky smiled .
The door was opened Madam Abigail stepping inside the room with another gentleman.
" Good morning " Madam Abigail said grabbing everyone's attention.
" good morning " they all replied .
"I am sure you have seen the posters and its this class that will be performing this year " Madam Abigail smiled .
The whole class excitedly mummered among themselves.
"The theme this year is the black Swan " Madam Abigail said .
" oh...thats quite a hard one " one of them said .
Kim turned staring at Neacky a bit worried .
" you gat it " Neacky whispered with a wide smile .
" thats right , it's not going to be easy " Madam Abigail said.
" that's why me and this years instructor have already picked out whom for each role " Madam Abigail said.
"How is that fair . " they all mummered complaining.
" last year's theme was hard , in which we were disappointed during the actual performance . " Madam Abigail said
" many of you are confident during the auditions but fail to deliver during the performance. We lost a lot of funds hence the struggle this year " she added.
" i know all you and what you all are capable of that's why i decide this year " she asserted.
" as you know , failure to secure enough funds this year , ballet might be scrapped off . This is a struggle for all of us " she added.
" do you understand " she asked.
" the intention is for us yo secure recruitment during the performance, so how are we going to do it if you are to decide what positions we are to be in " one asked .
"Do you think i might put you in a position that is beneath you " Madam Abigail asked .
" after years of teaching you , do you really believe i don't know your strengths. " she added. Her tone quite intimidating.
" no " the one who asked exhaled humbly.
" this year , we are hitting two birds with one stone. Y'all will be recruited and we shall secure the funds. " Madam Abigail asserted.
" Am i clear " She asserted with authority.
" Yes," the class repeated.
" Summer " Madam Abigail called .
"Yes " Neacky replied.
" step forward " Madam Abigail said .
Neacky sighed walking to the front .
" you are the principal dancer . The prima ballerina." Madam Abigail said .
Neacky sadly closed her eyes bending her head forward in disappointment.
" any issues with that " Madam Abigail asked.
" I think Kim is best suited for this one. If you are to compare capability. She and i are literally the same " Neacky said .
" Kimberly " Madam Abigail called .
" Yes " Kim replied.
" step forward " Madam Abigail asked .
Kim quickly walked forward standing next to Neacky.
" you are the soloist " Madam Abigail said .
" Jeremy you are the premier danseur" Madam Abigail instructed.
"The rest of you are to be positioned in the corps de ballet " She added.
"The practice will begin today evening " She added.
With that walking out of the class .
" Madam Abigail " Kim called going after her .
" this is still quite unfair " Kim said standing in Madam Abigail's way .
" why is that " Madam Abigail stood asking .
"I feel like your decision is biased because Neacky is your favourite " kim said .
" how is it fair that you privately train her of the dance routines beforehand. Yes ,i saw it. The dance you taught her yesterday evening are of the swan " Kim added.
Madam Abigail chuckled lightly.
" what you saw yesterday was her audition to the role " Madam Abigail said .
" i can do it too. I have trained my body ,i have pushed it beyond limits and infact there are moves i do better than she does " Kim added.
" isn't she your bestfriend, " Madam Abigail asked .
" she is . But this is still unfair. I deserve a fair shot " Kim argued.
" call Summer and meet me in the ballet room 2a" Madam Abigail said then walked off .
Kim deeply exhaled walking back to class .
" Neacky " Kim called from the door .
" have you talked to her " Neacky asked .
" she is calling us " Kim said both walking to where Madam Abigail had said .
" help me convince her that i can manage the role " Kim asked .
" i will. Kim i know you have worked for this " Neacky said.
The two entered the practice room Madam Abigail was already waiting in.
"Madam Abigail, i think....."
"Not a word " Madam Abigail cut Neacky off .
"Go all over the routine i taught you yesterday " Madam Abigail ordered taking a seat at the back of the room.
"Kim , come join me " Madam Abigail added.
" i haven't mastered it yet " Neacky said as Kim walked over to the back.
" give me what you have got " Madam Abigail said , pressing the remote the subtle piano playing in the room.
" Your role is to observe her very closely," Madam Abigail quietly said to Kim on sitting down .
Neacky deeply faced relaxing her whole body , she eyes down and for about a minute just listening to music playing .
" Over the top, please," Neacky loudly asked .
Madam Abigail pressed the remote, replaying the music again .
Necky gently curved backwards. She stood in the ballet in the 4th position and started off the routine .
Kim watched each and every move Neacky was dancing as instructed by Madam Abigail.
" do you see it now " Madam Abigail asked Kim midway Neacky's dance .
"Watch her face , it tells the story with each move . When even you don't understand ballet , her face makes you understand " Madam Abigail quietly said .
" she has embodied the song, moving swiftly with the rythm of the song like she has no control over her own body " She added.
" Still on her body , see how relaxed and effortlessly she makes every move seem. Through her body , the message and the dance itself are brought to life ." She added.
"She only learnt this yesterday evening, and she is still rusty . Imagine how it will look like after she is polished, " Madam Abigail asked .
Kim deeply inhaled, maintaining her eyes on Neacky .
" You are very good Kimberly, there is no doubt about it," Madam Abigail continued.
"While you're desperate and passionate about the spotlight. Summer is desperately in love with ballet, which enriches her talent and attracts the spotlight, " Madam Abigail said .
"Unless you contain your desperancy and greed for the spotlight, you will forever remain in Summer's shadow," Madam Abigail says .
After saying her piece , Madam Abigail stood up, taking her leave .
Kim deeply exhaled with tears in her eyes, staring at Neacky, who was so consumed in the dance to even realise Madam Abigail had left .
Kim reached for the remote, turning off the music.
Necky stopped heavily breathing out .
" Is she convinced, are we to practice this together?" Neacky asked .
" No," Kim slightly smiled , she battered her eyes hiding her tears .
"That won't be necessary," Kim said, standing up .
" Kim , i can convince her more. I have seen you push your body begond limits, "Neacky said.
" i know, but she has a point, i will do a way better job as a soloist than a prima," Kim smiled .
" As much as i wanted it, it doesn't mean you don't deserve it." Kim added .
" Are you sure about this?" Neacky asked
" i am so happy for you . Besides, we are both the stars of this year's performance . What's better than that " Kim smiled .
"Its heart breaking though. You prep...."
" Neacky," Kim loudly shouted, not giving her chance to say more .
"Enough already " Kim smiled .
" let's go back to class " Kim added.
" should i fake a broken leg so that you can take the role " Neacky asked .
" are you nuts " kim laughed .
" aren't you worried about recruitment " Kim asked.
" The plan is to apply to New York. This might be our senior year, but don't mean it's the end, " Neacky smiled .
" Fine. " Kim rolled her eyes.
" i am a little disappointed, but it's okay. My best is the prima ballerina, and i am the soloist , i am to have my own performance as well. " Kim smiled.
" So don't break a leg or leave the role for me. " Kim asked .
Neacky walked closer to Kim, tightly embracing her.
" Your solo performance is gonna be marvellous." Neacky smiled.
" i know , i am fuckin Kimberly " Kim said , both laughing .
Hand in hand ,they walked out of the ballet room smiling widely.
*
" Wait ...." Kim loudly said as she and Neacky sat at the lunch table joining the rest .
Her eyes on Amir and Marieh who were in conversation, smiling and laughing .
"Did we miss something " Neacky asked.
Everyone burst into laughter.
"I was just as shocked this morning," Babi said .
"We had a little misunderstanding, and we fixed it," Amir said .
"Explains the glow on Marieh's face," Nathan said, bursting into laughter .Marieh covering her face shily .
"Does it have a title or still friends " Kalvin asked , air coating friends.
They all laughed .
"Two couples in the group, huh...." Kim similed .
" Three , Vanessa and William are kicking it off too," Celine smiled .
They all turned to Vanessa and William, who were seated next to each other .
Babi widely smiled , she was relieved that Amir and Marieh were fine .
" Amir , are you still mad at me?" Babi asked .
" 70% forgiven." Amir smiled . The rest laughing .
" Come on , i am the biggest supporter of you two , you should cut me some slack," Babi complained.
"Babi ships us and wants us together more than anyone in this group , so forgive her" Marieh smiled to Amir.
Amir laughed staring at Babi then to Darnel.
" Don't trust Babi , she does it for her self reasons," Amir said .
Everyone chuckled , and Babi rolled her eyes, leaning back with her hands folded on the chest.
" Amir must know something we don't," Darnel commented with a wide smile staring at Amir .
" Tell us , no secrets among us," Nathan said .
" i agree , we hide nothing from each other," Matt said .
William's and Amir's smiles said differently , like they didn't agree with that .
"Its been awhile since we hanged out in valley town " Amir changed topic .
"At home " Neacky asked .
" hm..." Amir replied
"Why don't we hang there tonight " Amir added.
" i am in," William smiled .
" Me too," Darnel said .
" Better not be one of those times when you call us over cause you're short with labour at the farms," Kim said .
" Right," Vanessa added , all of them laughing .
" we might need extra hands next weekend " Babi said , all laughing.
" Let's go," Celine smiled, the rest agreeing along .
Like planned , all headed down to valley town at the twins home in the evening after their classes
" Aunty Luna...." Morgan who was seated outside on the porch loudly called on seeing different cars pull over in their compound.
Luna anxiously ran out of the house on Morgan's loud call .
" Morgan," she nervously called , only to sigh in relief on seeing those coming out of the cars .
" You scared me, Morgan," Luna said .
" What a surprise." Luna smiled at Marieh and Amir, who were climbing the steps of the porch .
" Hey bud," Amir smiled, tapping Morgan on the shoulder and rushing inside the house.
Marieh widely hugged Luna .
" It's been a while." Luna smiled to Marieh.
" we are all here." Marieh smiled , and she walked over to Morgan.
" Hey, Morgan. How are you? " Marieh smiled.
" Hey," Morgan smiled .
Everyone else came closer , greating Luna and Morgan.
William and Darnel stood behind, watching how comfortable and familiar Luna and Morgan were with everyone else.
" Have you been here before?" William asked .
" Yes , unofficially."Darnel smiled
"What..." William asked, confused.
" Let's just say it's my first entering in there through the door," Darnel said .
William shook his head chuckling in disbelief.
" what are you doing " Neacky who was seated at the porch next to Morgan asked William and Darnel.
They both walked forward.
" William , and Darnel " Neacky said to Luna .
" as in Prince William and Darnel Grayson " Luna asked .
" uh hmm.." Neacky replied .
" Nice to meet you Miss Luna " Darnel greated humbly .
" Pleasure meeting you " William added.
" Why do i feel like i already know you both despite ever meeting?" Luna smiled .
" Because mom talks a lot about them every time she here," Neacky replied .
" Right," Luna smiled .
" No need to be formal . Be comfortable. Consider this your home too, " Luna said .
" Thanks," William and Darnel smiled .
" Hey," William smiled, walking over to Morgan and Neacky.
" My young brother Morgan," Neacky smiled
" Morgan, he is William, and next to him is Darnel." Neacky said.
" Hey William, " Morgan smiled slightly.
William smiled sitting next to Neacky
Darnel gently squatted down before Morgan.
" i have heard tons about you " Darnel smiled staring at Morgan's face .
" me too " Morgan smiled.
" oh , really " Darnel smiled .
" mom says i should and be smart like you " Morgan said .
Darnel laughed shaking his head in disagreement.
" you shouldn't be like me , you should be better than me . " Darnel said.
" i am also so jealous of you " Darnel added.
Morgan's eyes enlarged staring at Neacky in surprise . Neacky widely smiled at Morgan.
" You have everything i admire and yarn to have," Darnel smiled .
" What are those?" Morgan asked.
" Nancy says you're so intelligent even without reading . You're so handsome. You have a mom who loves you so much, Babi , Neacky, and everyone," Darnel mentioned.
" Should i mention more?" Darnel asked, all chuckling.
Out on the porch was Morgan, Darnel ,Neacky, and William. The rest inside the house .
"Can i be friends with you?" Darnel asked softly.
" No , be my friend instead of him," William interjected.
" No, mine . Morgan, choose me, not him, " Darnel insisted.
" No, Morgan, choose me. I am more fun than he is, " William refused
" No , you and i love video games , he likes more," Darnel refused.
" but i like both video games and cars," Morgan said
Neacky chuckled.
" You can have them both," Neacky smiled.
" Yes , i will be both your friends." Morgan added.
William turned, staring at Neacky, who bore a wide smile staring at the brother .
" Let's go inside," Darnel said to Morgan.
He removed the breaks from Morgan's wheelchair pushing Morgan inside the house .
" i thought you would be mad at me," William said as Neacky stood up to enter inside the house too
" Why?" Neacky asked .
" I didn't help with your practice this morning, i left suddenly, and you almost fell," William said .
"Oh that," Neacky said .
" i didn't take it personally . It was nothing, " Neacky added.
" Either way , sorry, i didn't help and for the way i left. I also should have handed you carefully. You would have fallen on your ankle or something, " William said .
Neacky giggled.
" Do you take everything so seriously?" Neacky asked .
"It's just...."
" Leave it , it was nothing." Neacky interjected him.
" My uncle is the best cook in the whole of Zephyr. Come on," Neacky smiled .
She stood up, walking into the house, and William followed suit .
" What took you guys long?" Vanessa asked on Neacky and William, entering the living room.
Everyone had already gotten a seat at the table .
The Mcweesly family was a small one , so with many guests , they all sat in the living room where everyone could fit instead of the small dining table.
"Are you being protective of him?" Neacky found a seat asking Vanessa.
" owww..." the rest shouted .
William laughed, sitting next to Darnel and Morgan.
" No ..." Vanessa shily laughed .
" girl , i want nothing to do with your man . " Neacky laughed .
"She loves her men full of Melanie , dark and extremely tall " Kalvin said .
" both in height and down there " Kim added , all bursting into laughter .
" oh , with tattoos as well ." Babi smiled .
" and if they are artistic, even way better " Kim added.
" your forgetting one thing " Amir said , all eagerly waiting.
" they have to be an addict too . " Amir said, all laughing .
" Come on, that was one time . One time, y'all, " Neacky tried defending herself.
" i have only been with one addict " Neacky smiled, but they couldn't stop laughing .
" but he is the only one who were with the longest, two fuckin months " Nathan laughed.
"The sobber sane ones wouldn't last even a week , but you kept that one " Babi said .
" who said it ended. " Kim said .
" Kim ...don't " Neacky shouted.
" he went from boyfriend to side piece to sneaky link now to booty call," Kim said .
" Typical Neacky," they all laughed .
" What can i say ? He is not only addicted to drugs but to me as well . Besides, i love me something toxic with a nice body, good car, and wild in....."
" Ahhh..." they shouted Darnel, quickly covering Morgan's ears as they laughed.
William laughed staring at Neacky .
"Quick question " William loudly said , maintaining his eyes on Neacky.
" Is it to me?" Neacky asked .
" Yes," William said .
" Have you never thought of dating outside your type?" William asked immediately.
" Think is , she doesn't date," Vanessa said
" they are for you what," Vanessa added .
" Okay , whatever you decide to do with them . Have you ever thought of trying outside your usual type? " William asked .
" No," Neacky smiled .
" its very hard fancying someone outside my type " Neacky added.
William thoughtfully turned, staring at Nathan.
Not long aga, Neacky had just confessed she felt a certain way for Nathan , who was the total opposite of her usual type .
William was confused with a lot of questions.
Darnel stood up, excusing himself from the living room and taking the direction on the right .
Falling the hallway , Darnel continued.
Shortly after Darnel walked back to the living room, taking a seat
" toured the house," Matt asked Darnel .
" No , was using the toilets," Darnel unthoughtfully said .
" Huh.." Have you been here before?" Kalvin asked .
"Aunt Luna might have directed him," Babi quickly said .
" To where," Luna asked, standing at the door .
Darnel deeply sighed, staring at Babi .
William and Amir smiled, understanding exactly what was happening.
Neacky stared at Babi in shock .
" Have you been here?" Marieh inquisitively asked , the rest very eager to hear his response.
Darnel looked totally blank ,he had totally burst their own bubble unintentionally.