AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In every booth and corner of the club, competitors are chatting excitedly, their ages ranging from ten years old, right up to an incredible dancer in her mid-sixties. Some of the dancers are stretching, others are practising their moves, but what really strikes me the most is the supportive vibe between everyone. It's a far cry from my early days at Stardom Academy when I was treated like an outcast by some of the pupils simply because I hadn't had any formal dance training. Now here I am hosting a dance competition, in a club that I own with the loves of my life, who I'm going to perform with in less than a few hours
Funny how life turns out.
“That was the best I’ve ever seen you dance!”Asia exclaims as the boys push their way through the waiting dancers, grinning widely.
“You were amazing!” I add, as they beam up at us both.
“Thanks,” George and Sebastian reply, smothered by their sister as she pulls them in for a hug.
Tears prick her eyes as she says, “You were incredible!”
“Are youcrying?” George asks, wrinkling his nose. “Jeez, sis. Get a grip.”
“I amnotcrying,” Asia retorts, swiping at her eyes. “I’m just so proud of you both.”
“Thanks, Asia,” Sebastian says, shuffling awkwardly on his feet, totally at that age where he’s young enough to appreciate a hug, but wanting to be old enough not to need one.
“Go on. Go and grab a drink. You both deserve a nice tall glass of something fizzy and sugary,” she says, pointing to the bar where York, Xeno, Gray and Lena are serving drinks to the dancers. Dax and Zayn are checking in with the crew who’re working the music and stage lights.
“You mean I can have vodka and coke?” Sebastian throws a grin over his shoulder as he and George head to the bar.
“Absolutely not. You’re thirteen, not eighteen!” Asia yells, giving him a warning look.
He just laughs and she shakes her head, rolling her eyes. “Teenagers.”
“Good luck with that. I know what I was like at his age,” I say.
“You and me both,” Asia replies, turning to face me as she grabs my hands and squeezes them tightly. “You know what?” she asks.
“What?” I laugh as she beams at me, her love for her younger brothers shining through every pore.
“When I introduced Sebastian and George to Rose and Ivan, I never thought that they’d be interested in pursuing ballet. They’ve both been such incredible role models, and I’m so glad they’ve found something they love. I saw just how much they love dance when they watched you and the guys at the park. They were enraptured. Seriously. We all were.”
“Thank you,” I reply, hugging her. “But just so you know,you’rean incredible role model, Asia. Youandyour guys.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “It wasn’t all that long ago I was sent to a reform school because I was adifficult kid,”she says, using her fingers to make air quotes. “I wasn’t seen as anything other than a mouthy, obnoxious kid from a broken home who’d never amount to anything and who’d probably end up a junky like her mother.”
“And you proved them wrong. You’re a trained physiotherapist and an incredible artist. Not to mention the fact you’ve provided your brothers with a loving, safe home. You’ve taken care of them. They’re a credit to you.”
“Not sure Beast thinks so. Pretty sure he thinks they’re little thugs,” Asia says, smiling ruefully.
“Firstly Beastisa thug,” I laugh, “And he’salsoa great father. He’s a little protective of Iris, that’s all.”
“I know. I don’t envy the person who falls for her. Beast is going to be theworstfather-in-law.”
“He really, really is,” I agree, my attention drawn to Clancy as she enters the club, her grin wide as she waves over to us both.
“Pen, Asia! Hey, ladies,” she calls.
“Hi, Clancy. You’re about four hours too early. We don’t officially open until eight o’clock,” I remind her, grinning as she hugs me then Asia, her curly red hair bouncing around her face as she gesticulates widely.
“Oh my god, the energy in here is insane. I can’t bloody wait to see all the performances later,” she says, her enthusiasm catching as she glances around the club.
“It is, isn’t it? I don’t ever remember rehearsals at the Academy having this vibe.”
“That’s because we were surrounded by stuck up bitches. River and Lola aside,” she winks.
“Aren’t they here with you?” I ask.
