Light as a Feather

by Cameron James

  ***

  I watched as the little loading circle went around, and around, I begged it to connect as I looked between that and the clock on the wall.

  I could hear the noise of Cameron and Max making breakfast, and knew they’d be calling me down pretty soon, I looked back at my computer, it connected.

  It had connected to Connor’s flat. It was pretty dark, but I’d figured out it was at least eleven back home, Connor was sat in the middle of the screen, he seemed as happy to see me, as I was to see him. Kian was sat to his left, Margo to his right. They all waved together as if they’d been practicing it.

  “Is that a tan Jacob?” Margo teased, I laughed, stretching my arms out in front of me as I did.

  “Oh. I think it is.” I said nodding, “we have a pool. I have been using it.” I said simply, they all laughed. “Although I heard a suspicious splash a few nights ago, and don’t know how much I want to use the pool now.” I said, then smiled at them, they all smiled back.

  “Max and Cameron are like my relationship goals.” Kian said, I saw Connor’s eyes widen, “just so you know.” he added, Connor appeared to panic.

  “Is it the first day of school?” Connor asked, as if to change the subject, I nodded.

  “How could you tell?”

  “The leotard.” Connor replied, I smiled.

  “You wear black, that’s exciting.” Kian added, I laughed as I looked down myself.

  “Only for repertoire.” I said, Kian nodded to me.

  “Jacob breakfast.” Cameron shouted, I sighed towards the door.

  “Don’t worry. We better go. Curfew is calling.” Margo said, “and I’m sure these two want to get into each other’s pants. I miss you Jacob, just so you know.” she said, I laughed.

  “I miss you too.” I said, then blew a kiss to the screen.

  “Break a leg Jacob.” Kian said, then blew a kiss back, then moved out of the screen. Margo followed.

  “How is it?” Connor asked, he was looking over his shoulder, but turned back to me as he finished the question.

  “It’s amazing.” I said nodding, “honestly. it’s always so warm though, and that I don’t know if I can deal with.” I said, he laughed. “How’s Cory and Frankie?” I asked, “and Melody?”

  “Not too bad actually. She’s a great kid, Frankie’s teaching Max’s classes, you know that so she goes to that, and they’re quite a nice little family. No squabbles yet.” He said amused, I laughed.

  “How are you?” I asked, he nodded to me.

  “I’m okay.” He said, then he smiled. “I’m good.”

  “Yeah.” I agreed, “So am I.”

  Max drove me to school, as we’d all agreed that I wouldn’t board, especially with a house like we had, it wouldn’t be necessary to board. We’d figured out how I got from the house to the school, but they’d both insisted they drove me on my first day, and I had no complaints.

  “Ready?” Max asked, I nodded as I took a deep breath in, “it won’t be that different from London.”

  “Just warmer.” Cameron replied, “are you aware it’s winter right now? We’re in Australian winter. I’m wearing a t-shirt.” He said, I smiled at him as Max rolled his eyes.

  “What are you two doing today?” I asked,

  “I have rehearsal.” Max replied turning to look at me, “Sam wants me to take my pointes, so it could be exciting.” He said, I nodded then looked at Cameron.

  “I’m going shopping, for food mostly but you never know.” he said, I nodded again.

  “I have repertoire, and this afternoon I believe is the mixed class. I will start Pas De Deux next week, after my new teachers have assessed me enough to give me a partner.” I said, then took a deep breath. “Right. I’m going to go.” I said, “Definitely.” I added then opened the door.

  I stepped out of the car, then waved to them both, they waved back and waited until I’d walked into the building to drive away. I had met with the Principal earlier in the week, he had seemed very nice, and had sat and spoke through everything with me.

  He answered all my many questions and talked about the records that had come from the National Ballet School. We talked for hours, and I had felt much better following it.

  I however, still didn’t actually know my way around the school, so I walked aimlessly looking into different studios until I found First Year repertoire. I let myself in, taking a place on the barre, removing my joggers and putting on my pumps then I began to warm up. Working through the barre exercises without looking at anyone else.

  I kept my eyes focused forwards, so I didn’t think too hard about Kian not being on the barre in front of me, then I met eyes with the teacher. He came in looking happy, in his own black leotard and grey shorts. He ran his hand through his hair as he took off his bracelets that filled his arm, and his watch. He put them into a mug then began to scroll through his music.

  “Morning boys.” He called, he didn’t get a response so I looked around the room, then back at him as he rolled his eyes. “G’day.” He said, they all replied. “Welcome back, let’s get straight to work.” He said, then pressed play on the music. An average warm up track came on, then he came over to me.

  “Jacob?” he asked, then smiled. “I presume.” He added, I nodded to him. “Master Chase.” He said, then held his hand out to me, so I shook it. “But these guys just tend to call me Chase.” He said, I nodded to him. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Arlo. He spoke really highly of you.” He said, I smiled. “Right, onto the floor boys.” Chase called then went to stand at the front of the class, I took a deep breath then moved to the floor, watching Chase as he demonstrated what he wanted us to do.

  I looked to my left, then sighed because Kian was not going to be there, like Arlo wasn’t teaching the class. I opened my arms into second like Chase had done, then prepared my feet. My arm was knocked down just before I went into the sequence, so I turned then I laughed happily.

  “Elijah.” I said, he grinned at me, wrapping his arms around my waist and hugging me, so I hugged him back.

  “How are you doing?” Elijah asked, I nodded to him.

  “Just getting used to Kian not being around.” I said, he nodded as he stood beside me.

  “It’s okay.” He said, then he winked, “because you’ve got me, and I’m better.” He said, I grinned at him, as he opened his arms into second, so I also did, he knocked his fingers against mine then went into the sequence, so I did too.

  ��

  Epilogue

  I watched Max as he ran on to take his bow, he rose up onto his pointes as he did, then smiled at the applause as he ran to his final place. I could see Elijah stood in the opposite wing, he was pulling faces at me, and I was doing it back, trying to keep our laughter quiet, as we’d been told off many times for our laughing in the wings.

  He looked surprised when the technician told him it was his turn to bow, I smiled as I watched him run on, he rose onto his pointes at the back of the stage then pirouetted down the centre, until he reached the front and he bowed. The audience cheered loudly for him, like every night so he bowed again, then ran to his side.

  “Ready Jacob?” the technician on my side asked, I nodded to him, then prepared myself to run on, I counted a few beats then ran to the centre of the stage.

  I stood for a few moments just letting the applause set in, then I continued down to the front, and took my bow, once, twice then a third time. I stood up straight, looking around the audience even though they were completely blacked out.

  Cameron was definitely in there, somewhere. As his The Boy from Oz contract had ended last month, and we’d finally managed to persuade him to come and see our ballet.

  Sam was also in there, but by now he was probably at the side of the stage. He hadn’t missed a performance yet, not since he started his company four years ago, he was at every company performance without fail.

  Connor and Kian would be in the audience next week. Connor had sent me his flight confirmation las
t week, informing me that he was coming to see me, Kian had done exactly the same with Elijah.

  Frankie and Cory had been to see us a few months ago, on opening week, they’d brought Melody along with them, she’d begged Max, Elijah and I to sign her first pointe shoes that she would need to replace soon anyway, so we did. She had said she loved Sam’s version of Cinderella, and Elijah’s portrayal of Cinders had received numerous compliments from her.

  I reached down to pick a rose off the stage in front of me, I held it in my hands smiling at it, as the rest of the company joined me at the front of the stage, Max on my right, Elijah on my left. Max squeezed my hand, smiling at me, so I smiled back, because even though I’d taken his principal role in Sam’s company two years ago when I’d finished school, he still loved to dance in his ballets, and to dance with me on stage, although he sometimes bantered for the lead roles with me.

  I turned from Max, to Elijah he’d joined the company when I had, Sam declaring that Elijah was the only person who could dance his Cinderella, his Romeo and Juliet, and his Peter Pan. Sam loved Elijah almost as much as I did even now that our relationship had met its natural end. Elijah lifted my hand and kissed the back of it, winking at me, so I squeezed tight.

  He was the only person who knew that I was proposing tonight, to the girl, now woman who sat beside Cameron in the stalls.

  After the National Ballet School’s company auditions Abi had been offered practically the entire world. She had messaged me asking what I thought of Australia and I told her that it was an opportunity of a lifetime

  She flew out within the month, started in the Australian company whilst I finished my second year. We met up for a milkshake, then a meal, then to watch a ballet – which was totally a date.

  And now, it was three years later and I was going to propose to her tonight, on the beach because according to Elijah that was romantic af.

  I squeezed Max and Elijah’s hands at the same time, then lifted them up between us.

  I wear a waist coat, royal blue, six buttons, a glittered collar but not in a stupid way in a totally cool, and one hundred percent manly way. They’re accompanied by tights, which by the way are totally not stuffed and on my feet are peach strong pointe ballet shoes, they shine when the lights hit them, the ribbons perfectly tied around my ankles, the shoes immaculate.

  I take another bow.

  ��

  Enjoy the Books Soundtrack here;

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