Page 23 of With You

Apart from Amelie’s slight rush in the middle, it’s one of the best run-throughs we’ve had considering it’s the first time we’ve performed together in front of other people. I’m not sure what the other pairs have done, but I know for a fact none of them have the technical expertise that we do. This spot in the showcase is hers without a doubt.

“Thank you both. I’m afraid—” Madame starts to speak, but she’s cut off by the General Director whispering in her ear, his hand coming up to cover his mouth.

Amelie and I stand side by side as the two talk quietly, chests heaving as we catch our breath. I steal a glance at her in my peripheral vision, only to see her staring at the floor, her hands folded together as if she’s praying. I don’t know what comes over me, but I reach for her, cover her hands with mine, and bring them up to press against my lips.

My mother did this a lot when I was younger, and it always helped convey whatever she wanted to tell me. Whether it was to congratulate me on doing well on a test or to console me when something didn’t go the way I wanted, her hands would always find mine, enveloping them completely before she’d kiss them, giving me a soft smile reserved only for me. It’s the only way I have to tell Amelie how I feel. I’m proud of her, our performance, and us.

Madame and the General Director stop talking, and I drop our joined hands from my lips, but still keep hold of them between us.

“Amelie, River, that was wonderful,” he says, an encouraging smile on his face. “As you know, there are three spots for partner dances, and we’d like you to have one.”

He barely finishes speaking before Amelie’s arms are around my neck, her face buried in my shoulder. I hold on to her, clinging on as her body starts to tremble before it goes almost limp as she trusts me to keep her standing.

“Thank you,” I tell them. “We won’t let you down.”

I lift Amelie slightly, keeping a tight grip on her as I walk us out of the studio, my shoulder starting to get damp from her tears. The relief I feel about us getting the spot is incomparable to how she must feel.

“You did it,” I tell her quietly. “You got the spot.”

We stand like that for a moment longer, Amelie not loosening her hold on me as I rub soothing circles on her back. Although we’ve made it through the audition, preparing for the performance will be even harder. The routine is almost five minutes long, and even though we have a lot more time in comparison to learn it, that also means we’ll have to be practically inseparable outside of classes and sleep.

I’m not sure how many arguments we’ll have along the way, or how many times we’ll get on each other’s nerves. But for now, I don’t worry about any of that. I just let myself hold Amelie as she cries out everything that she’s been holding in for what must be longer than the past few days.

Chapter 10

Amelie

The floor pulses under the weight of dozens of people jumping around to the music blaring from speakers in the ceiling. Flashing lights in the dark room make it just about possible to see my friends crowded around me, huge smiles on all of their faces.

“To the best dancer in the whole of Paris,” Grayson yells over the music, lifting his glass above the centre of the table we’re gathered around.

“In the whole world!” Evie corrects, grinning so widely I’m surprised her cheeks haven’t started hurting.

“To Amelie,” Damien adds, clinking his glass against hers and the rest of ours, before we all down our drinks.

I’m not a huge fan of going to clubs, but once I told the girls I’d secured a spot in the showcase, they insisted we go out to celebrate. Grayson managed to pull a few strings to get us a table at one of Paris's most exclusive clubs. The guest list is invite-only, and it’s expected for people to spend at least ten thousand euros, especially if you’re taking a prime spot in the VIP section like we are. Grayson’s barely been in Paris a year, but he’s already got an in at places most people would kill to go.

“Who wants another round?” Grayson asks, his voice becoming hoarse from all the shouting he’s done tonight.

He remains the only person standing, the rest of us taking our seats again on the plush leather couches of the booth.

“I’m tapping out,” Damien says, curling his arm around Evie’s shoulder. “We’re both seeing our parents tomorrow.”

“Sounds like even more of a reason to drink,” Grayson jests, leaning over the rest of us so he can jab his finger into Damien’s shoulder.

“Peer pressure is very unbecoming,” Evie tells him, half-joking, and he stops instantly.

“My bad,” he says, straightening up as he holds both hands up. “Anyone else? River?”

He turns to the sullen boy next to him at the edge of the couch that’s probably got an imprint in the shape of him. River’s spent most of the night sulking in the corner, and I’m not sure why. The audition went well and our spot has been secured in the showcase. He should be celebrating, too.

“Sure, whatever,” he replies, tipping his glass to his lips to get the last few drops out.

“Amelie?”

“Just water for me,” I tell Grayson, flashing him an appreciative smile.

He winks in response, then turns to Zena and Layth.