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14
Present Day
“So, are you going to tell me what the deal is?” Clancy asks me as we sit together in the dining hall later that same week.
It’s lunchtime and the place is heaving with dancers, stuffing their faces after a hectic morning of meeting their new teachers and getting more acquainted with each other.
I look at my bottle of water and my green apple and wish that I could spare a few quid on some of the delicious foods available. Being poor fucking sucks sometimes. But I’ve got to look on the bright side. As long as I’m here, I can deal with an empty stomach.
“Come on, spill,” Clancy insists, dragging my attention away from the wraps and salads, and back to her.
“It’s a long story…” I hesitate, not really wanting to divulge my history with the Breakers but knowing she won’t drop it unless I give her something.
“We’ve got an hour to kill before the final lesson this afternoon…” She smiles impishly, pulling a face.
“What, only one moremeet the teachersession left to endure today?” I roll my eyes. I get why they need this week for everyone to settle in, but I’m not five and I just want to get on with it.
“Yep, that’s it for now. On Monday we can officially get back to checking out the competition…andthe hotties,” she replies, wagging her eyebrows.
“No hotties for me.”
Clancy crinkles her nose, and chews on her lip. “Not even…”
“Especially not them,” I cut in, knowing exactly who she’s referring to.
“You are coming to Pink Albatross tonight, aren’t you? The whole cohort’s going. I’m planning on getting drunk and having some fun,” she asks, changing tactics.
“Nope, I’ve got to work. Sorry.” Though I’m not really that sorry. I wouldn’t be able to afford the entrance fee to the club anyway, or any of the drinks for that matter. Who in their right mind spends ten quid on a cocktail anyway?
“Boo! Can’t you call in sick?”
“Did that last Saturday night. I’ll be out of a job if I do that again anytime soon…”
Clancy chews on her lip. “Do you still get off at midnight?”
“Yes, but…” I start to protest, but she cuts in.
“That settles it then. I’ll come to Rocks with you and then we can head over to the Pink Albatross. I might even text Leo, see if he’s available to hook up…” she muses, tapping her chin with her finger. “Then again, I might just keep my options open. Plenty of dancers in the club, and all that.”
“Wait, no… I was just going to head back home after my shift.”
“Absolutely not. Anyone who’s anyone goes to the Pink Albatross the first Friday of the new term. It’s tradition apparently.”
“Clancy, I really appreciate your friendship, I do, but Ican’tgo.” I look down at my measly bottle of water and half-eaten apple as my stomach growls, giving me away better than any words could.
Clancy’s eyes widen, then her cheeks flush a little red. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think.”
“It’s alright. I don’t plan on being a pauper all my life. That’s why being here is so important to me. I need to make something of myself. I’ll do anything to make that happen.”
Clancy smiles, giving my hand a squeeze. “Youarealready something. You’re an amazing dancer and if there’s anyone who’ll have a career in dance when this year is up, it’s you.”
“I’d like to believe that’s true,” I reply, choked up by her compliment.
“You know what,” Clancy continues, oblivious to my inner turmoil, “Despite how Tiffany likes to present herself, my parents aren’t loaded. We’re not poor either but we did fall just under the threshold, enabling my father to apply for the scholarship for both of us. Despite that, my parents send me and Tiffany an allowance every week. What I’m getting at in a roundabout way is that I’ve got enough to pay your entry into the club too…”
“No,” I cut her off. “I don’t want to owe you.”
“I don’twantthe money back, Pen. I really want you to come because it’s tradition, because you’re my friend and because I don’t want you to miss out. Besides, Tiffany is going too, and she’ll do everything to try and ruin my night if I don’t have back-up. I could use a friend.”
