Page 2 of With You

She’s alive! Get here quickly, we’re ordering ice cream

Amelie

Are you in the common room?

Zena

We’re in my room

Amelie

Can you get strawberry for me? I’ll be there soon

Zena

Got it

When I reach my room, I dump my bag on my desk, throw my phone down next to it, then strip off my clothes and take a quick shower. After changing into something more comfortable, I grab my phone and head across to Zena’s room.

I let myself in; Evie and Zena both sat on her bed with their backs against the wall. I shuffle up to join them, resting my head on one of Zena’s pillows as I throw my legs over their laps.

“Good practice?” Evie asks as she presses her palm to my ankle, soothing the ever-present underlying pain without me even having to mention it.

“Only made it to thirty before I lost my balance.”

Evie smooths her hand across my shin, Zena’s hand joining hers as she gives it a gentle pat.

“Thirty is still great!” Zena says enthusiastically.

I appreciate her support, but I can’t agree.

“I need to be safely hitting thirty-five if I want to guarantee I can perform it perfectly every time,” I tell them, shutting my eyes as I sink further into the pillow.

“Auditions are in two weeks, right?’ Evie asks, and I nod in response, opening my eyes to stare at the fairy lights draped across Zena’s ceiling. “There’s still plenty of time. You’ll get the solo, Amelie. You’re the best dancer in this place.”

Although Evie’s trying her best to reassure me, it’s much easier for her to say it than it is for me to believe it. I know I’m a good dancer; I know I’m better than everyone else in our class. That doesn’t come from a place of arrogance, but from the years I’ve put in, the early mornings and late nights in the studio that no one even sees. But as much as I know these things, I can’t seem to convince the people whose opinions seem to matter the most.

“Did you order yet?” I ask, changing the subject before I can spiral any further.

“On its way. Layth went to grab it,” Zena says as she checks her phone.

I lift my head slightly to the right as Evie looks at me, and we share a knowing glance, stifling giggles as Zena huffs in annoyance.

“I’m too lazy to get it myself,” she says, giving an excuse that neither of us asked for.

“Sure, that’s the reason why.” Evie grins, knocking her shoulder against Zena, which leads to her dramatically falling on her side, burying her face in the comforter.

Evie pulls me to sit up, and we both crowd on top of Zena, pressing her further into the bed as she protests.

“You can get your own ice cream next time.” Her muffled voice is full of feigned annoyance.

“Where’s the fun in that?” I push her hair off her face, exposing the slight blush on her olive skin.

“I hate you guys,” she says.

“We love you, too,” Evie tells her right as there’s a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Zena calls out as we untangle ourselves to sit up properly.