King of Campus

When I’m finally able to wrap my lips around the words, I whisper, “Are you serious?” Because I can hardly believe he is. This is just too… too… amazing to actually be happening.

Eric was here my freshman year when I started at Barnett and he’s the one who helped me prepare my audition when I applied at the Conservatoire de Paris. It’s only because of his encouragement that I even submitted an application for the study abroad program in the first place. I don’t think I could have done it without him. I wouldn’t have believed enough in myself as a dancer without him there to push and prod me every step of the way. He’s a demanding teacher but I’m a better dancer because of it.

He levels me with a hard look. “Of course I am. Positions don’t open up very often and when they do, they’re highly coveted. And there are two of them right now!”

I nibble my bottom lip as his words continue to sink in because I know he’s right. This kind of opportunity won’t come around again for a while. And having spent the last year in Paris, studying and performing, I feel like there couldn’t be a more perfect time for me to audition. I learned so much at the Conservatoire, my skills have never been sharper.

But… I’m not sure I want to leave Barnett at the end of the semester. I mean, I just got back from Paris… I’m finally settled in again…

And then there’s Roan…

Eric’s eyes narrow just a bit as he watches me. It’s as if he knows exactly what’s rolling through my head. “You have to do this, Ivy. You have to go to Cincinnati and audition. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you let an opportunity like this slip through your fingers. Trust me on this.”

I can’t help but ask, because I know precisely what kind of amazing dancers an audition like this will draw. “Do you really think I’m ready for this? Ready to compete for a position at the Cincinnati Ballet?” I can hardly believe I’m even asking that question. As if I have the talent to even be considered for a spot with them. Before he has a chance to answer, I start to ramble. My voice rising with the nerves that are already prickling just beneath my skin. “You know what kind of dancers I’ll have to compete against!”

The best.

Suddenly I feel sick to my stomach.

Can I seriously compete against professional dancers of that caliber? Am I even good enough to step foot in the same room with them?

Reaching out with both hands, he grabs my upper arms firmly until my eyes arrow to his. When he knows he has my complete attention, he says in a calm voice, “I wouldn’t have singled you out, Ivy, if I didn’t think you had the talent, skill, and determination to become a soloist. That’s my honest opinion.”

As his words wash over me, they’re somehow able to calm the nerves that were just beginning to spiral out of control. Eric believes in me. He wouldn’t risk his name or reputation, if he didn’t truly believe I had what it took to make it as a professional dancer.

His voice is soft when he finally says, “Look, you don’t need to make any decisions right now. Just take a day or two and think about it, okay?” He gives my arms another light squeeze before finally drawing away.

Inhaling a deep breath, I nod. “I’ll think about it and get back to you.”

As I leave the studio, it still feels like I’m in a daze. I can’t believe this is really happening! It’s like a dream come true. To become a dancer in a company is all I’ve ever wanted since I was a little girl with my first pair of ballet shoes. I almost shake my head because, honestly, I shouldn’t even have to think about this.

Who has to consider an amazing opportunity like this?

Ummm… no one. That’s who.

But I do need to think about it.

Am I ready to leave school right now and move again?

My jacket is tucked around me as I race down the cement stairs of the fine arts building. I feel like I’m on autopilot right now. Everything, all of the pros and cons, are tumbling through my head at lightning speed as I move through campus.

I can’t believe there are cons that even need to be considered.

But there are.

And my relationship with Roan is one of them.

It’s been a little more than two weeks since that afternoon picnic at his dad’s cabin. I never thought in a million years I could fall for Roan King. But I have. We haven’t dropped the big- I love you bombs yet. But the feeling is there. The words are practically bursting from my lips anytime I’m with him. It’s getting harder and harder to rein them in. I feel more for Roan than I ever did for Finn. Which is kind of surprising, considering I’ve known Roan for a little more than two months and I was in a relationship with Finn for six.