At least she’d be staying in town. Defiance University was a prestigious local college, known for churning out writers who went on to become bestsellers. Their media department was pretty great, and Mia had always been talented with her videos.
“Why’d you change it?” He shouldered his bag as the warning bell rang overhead.
Mia took her usual place at his side. “Let’s just say a new inspiration hit.”
He didn’t have time to ask her about that because she slipped into their classroom without a word. Mr. Garret stood at the front of the room, a large screen at his back.
He grinned as they took their seats. “Jack, can I have a word?”
Jack left his bag at his desk and walked to the front, aware of the eyes on his back. “How you doing, Jack?”
“I’m good, Mr. G. What’s up?”
“Well, I’ve had a chance to look over the videos, and I have to say, I’m impressed.”
“Oh, that was all Mia. She’s a wizard with editing and all that.”
Mr. Garret smiled. “I’m not talking about the editing. I know this project was a little vague in the instructions arena, but you took everything you’ve learned in this class and out of it and infused it into something that was important to you. That is art.”
“Erm, it’s just a video.”
“No, son, it’s not. Nothing is just anything. I didn’t know you could dance like that. Did you choreograph it too, or am I to think Mia has some secret talent none of us would believe?”
“I heard that,” Mia called.
Jack couldn’t help but shoot her a grin before turning back to Mr. Garret. “No, it was me.” Was it hot in here? It felt hot. Jack ran a hand through his hair. He’d never shared his choreography with anyone other than Lillian or Mia.
“You’re very impressive, Jack. I hope you plan to pursue what I can tell you’re obviously passionate about.”
“Oh, um, not really. I’m not, um, going to college.” He wished the entire class didn’t have to hear that. Twin Rivers High wasn’t the academy, but most of his classmates would still head off to more schooling after graduation.
“College isn’t the only way to chase your dreams, but it is one. Don’t give up on yourself, Jack.” He reached behind him for some pamphlets. “There are a couple of video competitions you should check out.”
“You really think it’s good enough?”
“Absolutely, now take a seat, and we can see what the rest of the class thinks.” He turned to the class. “Today, we’ll be sharing your videos. I’m impressed with this class, and so very proud of you. Even those who didn’t seem to follow the guidelines.” His gaze fell on Mia, and she shrugged.
Jack slid into his seat and stuffed the pamphlets in his bag. He probably wouldn’t enter, but it was nice to know he could. The video felt too personal to send off to strangers, too real.
Mr. Garret played a few of his classmates’ videos, and they were good, great even.
“He’s obviously saving the best for last,” Mia whispered. “I mean, who could do this better than me?”
He laughed at that. “You didn’t really make a sex tape, did you?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Her eyes shone with glee, a look Jack knew too well. She was up to something.
He felt it the moment Mr. Garret began Jack’s video, the tightness in his chest, the tension in his shoulders. He’d never shared his dancing with the school. Male dancers weren’t exactly treated well, and he didn’t look like a dancer, allowing him to skate under the radar.
Running a hand nervously through his hair, he huffed out a breath and stared at his desk.
The music began, and he could see the dance so clearly in his mind. He’d never been as proud of any accomplishment as he was of this single dance. He’d crafted each step to tell a story about the divide between love and hate, how each attracted the other, two sides of the same coin.
He’d wanted the movements to show how quickly one emotion could turn into the other. How a boy could love a girl at the top of a staircase and know they were over by the time he reached the final step.
There was pain in the music, and it echoed inside his hollow chest.
He couldn’t take it anymore, so he lifted his eyes to the screen just as Lillian ran to him, letting him take her into his arms in an intricate lift he was still surprised they pulled off.
When he asked Lillian to be his partner, he hadn’t known if it would work, if two completely different people could ever dance in harmony with one another.
And for a few perfect weeks, they had.
The music ended, leaving the video versions of Jack and Lillian staring at each other. Mia hadn’t needed to edit this part, to infuse the video with emotion.
They’d done that all on their own.
As the screen faded to black, silence surrounded Jack.
Until it didn’t. Until the classmates he’d hidden the most integral part of himself from burst into applause, congratulating him.
Mr. Garret shot him a wink, a proud glint in his eyes.
But Jack couldn’t experience any of it. No pride. No joy. No relief. He stared at the black screen, wishing it held more for him, that the story he’d just witnessed wasn’t over.
Because he was in love with the girl in that video. Whether she loved him or not. Whether they fit into each other’s worlds or would forever be on the outside.
Only Mia seemed to sense his distress. She reached over, taking his hand in hers. “It’s okay, Jack. I promised you Mr. Garret saved the best for last.”
He didn’t understand what she meant, but there was no time to ask because her video started. The screen was black, but Mia’s voice rang out.
“We’re supposed to create a video about the emotions between two people, but since when have I followed the pack?”
The class laughed as the voiceover continued, but this time, it wasn’t Mia speaking. A familiar soft lilt fell on Jack’s ears.
“Sometimes the more important dual emotions are within ourselves.”
A light appeared in the center of the screen, and an image neared. When Jack could finally make it out, he sucked in a breath.
Lillian danced slowly, using the same moves from their partner dance, the ones made to depict love and hate. But she’d changed them, slowing the pace.
“Regret.” Lillian’s voice was somber. “And love. Two emotions entwining to embrace us in pain.”
Lillian continued dancing, her movements seemingly at odds with each other. It was mesmerizing. She was mesmerizing.
He’d seen her dance many times now, but never like this.
Her eyes closed as she rose up on her toes, stretching a leg out behind her before turning.
“Sometimes,” Lillian’s voiceover said. “When a world no longer fits us, we have to create our own.”
The video ended, and Jack could finally breathe again. He sat back in his seat, stunned into silence. No one spoke for a long moment as Mr. Garret rolled the screen away.
“She…”
Mia leaned across her desk. “It was her idea, Jack.” She pinned him with a look. “And her words.”
When a world no longer fits us, we have to create our own.
But could they?
Jack couldn’t be here anymore. “Mr. G., I uh… need to go.” He jumped from his seat, grabbed his bag, and practically ran from the room. Once in the quiet hall, he let himself slow.
Footsteps sounded behind him, and he turned to face Mia. She held up a paper. “Mr. Garret wanted you to have this.”
It was a grading sheet. “I got an A.” Putting a grade to that video didn’t feel right.
Mia smiled. “He gave me a B. A B? I know I didn’t follow directions, but I totally should have gotten an A for being a good friend.”
“Mia.” He groaned, stopping to lean against the cool cinderblock wall.
Mia sidled up to him and bumped their shoulders together. “You okay?”
“I don’t kno
w.”
“She misses you, Jack. And she’s sorry.”
“What if it’s too late? I didn’t give her a chance to explain after the ball. I assumed she would always be the Lillian Preston, a girl who’d never give a guy like me a second glance.”
“But she did. And she wanted—wants—you. Maybe she doesn’t want to have to be the Lillian Preston. I think she just wants to be Lil.”
“I think…” He closed his eyes. “I haven’t felt right all week. It’s like I need her. I don’t know if I’m okay with that.”
“Because you’re used to people needing you. Your parents. Your siblings. Me. But it’s okay for you to need someone too.”
She was right, as usual. Sliding an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you.”
She shoved him away. “Go get your girl.”
As Jack ran out the front door and down the steps, he realized there was no way he’d get onto the academy’s campus during the school day. But this couldn’t wait. Pulling his phone free, he dialed the one person who could help him.
“Hello.” Wylder sounded like she’d just woken up. “Who calls at… nine in the morning?”
“Don’t you academy snobs have morning classes?” He jogged toward the student parking lot and fished out his keys.
“Yes, some of us just decide to skip them. Can I hang up now? I was having a delicious dream about Charlie Hunnam.”
“I won’t pretend to know who that is, but I need your help.”
“Always.” She sighed, and there was a rustling sound like she was moving around in bed. “What can I do for you today, Jack? If it’s illegal, you’re more likely to get me out of bed.”
“Not illegal.”
“That’s a shame.”
“I need to see Lillian.”
There was a beat of silence. “Well, that’s not going to be possible.”
“Please, Wylder. I know she might not want to talk to me, but—”
“Oh, she definitely wants to talk to you. The problem is she’s already left for New York.”
“New York?” His eyes widened as he yanked open his car door. “The competition?” She was doing it. He’d hoped to convince her, but there was no need. His girl had decided all on her own.
No, not his girl.
Not yet.
“Thanks, Wylder.” He hung up and threw his phone on the passenger seat.
He knew exactly what he needed to do.
24
Lillian
Lillian sat on the rough carpet of the Performing Arts Center amid the other dancers preparing for the singles competition.
“The accommodations here are sub-par.” Lillian’s mother stared down her nose at the other dancers doing their warmup stretches.
“It’s not sub-par, mother. It’s normal.” Lillian folded her ballet slippers in half, stretching them for the coming performance. “You’re just used to the finer things in life.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, Mom. But there’s nothing wrong with normal either.”
Lillian finished her preliminary stretches and bent to put her slippers on, lacing them around her calves.
“Lillian!” A chorus of voices called her name over the din of backstage activity.
“What on earth?” Lillian’s mother gawked at the Diva squad as they descended upon her daughter.
“Hi, girls!” Lillian stood to greet them, feeling a little awkward at seeing the girls in person—and surprised by how happy she was to see them again. “You didn’t have to come to my performance.”
“Oh, shush.” Layne leaned in to hug her. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
“I’m sure you guys are busy with your own performances.” Lillian hugged Rose and Jenna.
“Not too busy to come support each other,” Rose said, straightening her costume for her performance later.
“I just wanted to come tell you to break a leg,” Jenna said, squeezing her hand. “I have to run, but you’ve got this. Divas always win.” She winked as she headed off to her own event.
“We’ll let you get warmed up,” Layne said.
“But we’ll be right there in the audience cheering you on,” Rose added.
“Thanks, girls. You’re the best.” Lillian gave them each another hug. These girls knew what it was like to strive for something, and she was relieved to have their friendly faces in the crowd, cheering for her.
“Good luck, Lillian, you’ve got this, girl.” Rose called over her shoulder as they made their way to the auditorium.
“What was that?” Lillian’s mother stared at Rose and Layne’s retreating figures.
“The Diva squad.” Lillian smiled after them.
“The what?”
“Just some friends.” Lillian returned to her stretching.
“I still can’t believe you’re insisting on this silly scholarship competition.” Lillian’s mother scowled at the other dancers preparing for the singles dance competition. “It’s not even a ballet-centric program.”
“Mom, you didn’t have to come,” Lillian said from her place on the floor where she went through her stretches. Her slot was coming up soon, and she wanted to be ready. “You could have gone to your charity thing without me.”
“Of course, I had to come, darling. I don’t know what you’re thinking with this competition, so someone has to be here to talk some sense into you. I mean, they didn’t even give you a private dressing room.”
“It’s not that kind of competition, Mom. It’s just a thing I wanted to do. A way to explore all my options. Don’t read too much into it.”
“You’ve been different lately. More rebellious.” She examined her perfect manicure. “I’m trying to understand what you need to get your head on straight. It’s not like you to ignore a charity event I’ve asked you to attend.”
Lillian shrugged. “I think that’s for me to figure out for myself.”
“Hey, Lil!” someone called over the din of dancers preparing to perform.
“Mia?” Lillian scrambled to her feet. “What are you doing here?” She crossed the room to hug Jack’s friend.
“I’ve been all over this place looking for you,” she panted. “Jack’s with me.”
“Jack?” Lillian’s heart soared into the clouds.
“He wanted to see you perform, but he didn’t want to make you nervous, so I ditched him to come find you.”
“Thank you, Mia.” Lillian hugged her again. “You’re a good friend.”
“I’m Jack’s friend, but I’m rooting for you. Don’t make me have to hurt you.”
“I’m going to fix this, Mia. I promise.” Lillian squeezed her hand before Mia took off through the crowd. She didn’t know how she was going to fix it, but just knowing he was here—that he showed up for her—meant they still had a chance.
“Who is Jack?” her mother asked.
“You met him at the ball, Mom.” Lillian rolled her eyes. She had an idea. One that could destroy all the hard work she’d put into this competition. But it might be the solution to everything. If Jack was willing to come all the way to New York, then Lillian had to show him how much she cared.
“Was he the handsome one from Dartmouth?”
“No, he was my escort. The one you insulted.”
“Oh. The one you brought to humiliate me?”
“No, the one I brought because I happen to like him very much. Contrary to what you might think, everything I do isn’t a direct reflection on you. Sometimes the things I do are to make me happy.” Lillian turned on her heel and headed to the stage. Her turn was up soon.
She shifted on her feet, suddenly more nervous than she’d ever been before any competition or recital. She paced across the backstage area, waiting for her turn in the spotlight. She wasn’t nervous about the dance. She could do that part in her sleep.
“What’s your music?” Someone asked her, perusing a clipboard for her information.
“Can
I make a last minute change?” she asked.
“Send me the track on Spotify, and I’ll make the switch.” The guy gave her an email address and walked away.
Lillian scrolled through the playlists on her phone and hesitated only a moment before she sent the link to the tech guy.
“You’re up in five,” the guy said, showing her to the edge of the stage. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” She sighed. “I’m going to need it.” Lillian craned her neck, looking through the crowd for a sign of Jack. She found him toward the back, standing against a wall with Mia at his side.
As she locked eyes with him, her decision solidified in her mind. It was the right choice. She only hoped it wasn’t too late for them.
25
Jack
Jack held his breath as the announcer said Lillian’s name. He wanted her to do well, to succeed in whatever she tried. Even if their paths diverged, he wanted that for her.
Her words rolled through his mind. Was it possible? Could they create a new world with the best of each of theirs? Mia seemed to think it was possible, but she was an eternal optimist. Jack’s life had never allowed for anything but realism.
“Would you calm down?” Jack glanced at Mia who bounced on her toes beside him.
“I’m just so nervous for her.” She chewed on her lip. “I want her to kill it.”
“So do I, but you don’t see me flailing around like a weirdo.”
She ignored his weirdo comment, keeping her eyes on the stage. “There she is.” She gripped his arm so tightly he wondered if it would bruise.
But he didn’t care. The moment Lillian stepped out onto the stage, everything else faded away until it was just her. She had her long blond hair wrapped into a bun. A blue dress reached the top of her thighs, her long legs clad in nude tights. “She’s beautiful.” His whispered words didn’t do her justice. Beautiful felt too small, too inconsequential. Lillian Preston was breathtaking.
Mia shot him a know-it-all smile as if she could read the thoughts spinning out of control.
Kissing the Debutant (The Dangers of Dating a Diva Book 3) Page 16