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She needed to change and get home anyway.
CHAPTER TWO
Elizabeth Green was the kind of woman most children would immediately fear if they were to ever cross paths with her. Her hair already grey, the wrinkles on her face deep and her skin dry from the mix of alcohol and nicotine that played an important part of her life, she looked at least twenty years older than she really was. The constant frown on her face didn’t help.
She was watching Jimmy Kimmel when Stephanie walked in, opening and closing the front door with enough noise to announce her arrival.
“Mom, I’m home,” the blonde called out as she slipped out of her shoes and immediately looked into the living room to where the sound of the television was coming from.
Elizabeth didn’t reply.
“Did you eat?” Stephanie asked, already bracing herself for a possible argument she didn’t have the energy for.
Elizabeth only frowned, taking a long drag from her cigarette as she poured herself another shot from the Jack Daniels bottle that had become this evening’s close friend.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Stephanie said, taking a shot in the dark, wondering which of the many reasons her mother usually came up with was the cause for tonight’s cold shoulder. “We had a new girl audition, and aunt Moira wanted me to attend the solo.”
Elizabeth Green scoffed at the mention of her sister’s name. “I couldn’t care less about Moira and what she does in that stripper school she runs,” she said, sipping at her glass. “I just wish my own daughter would have the decency to be home for dinner. Then again, I shouldn’t be too surprised.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Stephanie frowned, immediately defensive. She hated it when her mother took shots at her dancing, let alone the only person who was actually supporting her.
“Nothing,” Elizabeth replied, putting out her cigarette and immediately lighting the next. “Dinner’s in the fridge, and you know how to work the microwave.”
Stephanie hesitated, a part of her wanting to put her mother in her place, but she was too tired to argue. Plus, Kiara Jackson’s solo and how everyone responded to it was enough pressure for one night.
Stephanie turned and made her way to the kitchen.
CHAPTER THREE
“You’re Stephanie, right?”
Stephanie was surprised when she turned around and saw Kiara standing in front of her, smile wide and green eyes bright as the girl practically radiated with positivity. She frowned for a moment, looking around her and she tried to figure out how Kiara had found her, and what she was doing on campus.
“I saw you at Moira Green’s studio,” Kiara said. “I’m a huge fan, really. I wanted to talk to you, but you had completely disappeared.”
Stephanie tried to think of anything to say, but her mind drew blanks.
“Kiara Jackson?” she said, her eyebrows up. “I auditioned yesterday for Ms. Green’s troupe?”
Stephanie forced herself to smile. “No, of course, I know who you are,” she said quickly. “It’s just I’m a little surprised to see you here.”
“Transferred,” Kiara explained. “Couldn’t stand being so close to my parents anymore. They’re a little less than approving of my way of life.”
Stephanie suddenly felt uncomfortable, wondering if Kiara usually opened up this quickly to people she hardly knew. She couldn’t remember the last time she had brought up her mother in any conversation that didn’t involve her aunt.
“Listen, it’s great to see you, but I have class, so,” Stephanie said, starting to walk away.
Kiara smiled and waved her away. “Sure, yeah, of course,” she said. “I’ll see you at the studio later on tonight, then?”
Stephanie nodded slightly and continued on her way.
She hated Kiara Jackson.
* * *
Stephanie twirled, leg outstretched, extension beautiful as she pulled back and kicked.
She was in the moment, lost in the music playing in the background, eyes closed as she moved, not even thinking about the next step and just dancing.
