CHAPTER FORTY
Anna awoke after a fitful night of sleep, still exhausted. Zach had been cruel to her and she ached all over. She hated that he had done that to her.
Why did what he did bother her so much? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t gone through that before. How many times had men come through that black door of her guardian’s garage to do similar things? Jack kept it unlocked for precisely that reason.
She dragged herself into the shower and felt slightly better after she was done. Her ass still hurt, but had mostly healed and she was confident she'd be able to dance.
As she dried off, she caught sight of bruises on her arms and sighed. This was why she always wore long sleeved leotards: to hide the bruises she inevitably wound up with. She wondered if Patty would let her wear her dance sweater during class. She would be hot, but at least the bruises would remain hidden. Maybe she'd ask Isaak before she went into class.
She tried to push away the ache in her heart as she dressed. She missed Aaron terribly.
After breakfast, she drove to the studio and went straight to Isaak’s office.
“Hello, Anna,” Isaak said, standing and walking to her. He put his hands on her upper arms and she winced. “What's wrong?”
Anna looked at the floor. “I...rough night,” she answered lamely.
Isaak put his hand under her chin and raised her face to his. “Who hurt you Anna?”
“Nobody you know. Just...someone who lives in my building.”
“Anna, you can't....” Isaak sighed. “I thought things would be better since you moved out of Jack’s place.”
She shook her head. “Devin controls me whether I live with him or not.” She looked back at the ground. “As I understand it, many men know where I live,” she said softly, then looked back up at him. “Can I wear my sweater during class?”
Isaak’s eyes were sad. “Let me see the bruises.”
Anna slipped off the wrap-sweater that she wore over her leotard.
Isaak frowned. “Oh, Anna,” he said softly with a sigh. “You deserve so much better than this.”
“They'll be better tomorrow, I'm sure,” she said, trying to change the subject.
“I'll walk with you and speak with Patty.” He walked to the door and opened it. “I understand you did well yesterday en pointe,” he said, changing the subject as they walked down the hallway.
Anna nodded. “I think I did. I really enjoyed it,” she added with a bright smile.
Isaak beamed at her as they approached the studio. “I think you'll be in the advanced classes in no time.”
They walked into the studio and he went immediately to Patty. Anna dropped her bag at the side of the room and began readying herself for class. She watched as Isaak spoke with Patty, who nodded and glanced sympathetically over at Anna.
Isaak turned and headed towards the door, nodding at Anna before he left the room.
She glanced at Patty as she walked over to the barre. Patty watched her with sad eyes. Nicole and Jackie greeted her brightly and they chatted for a few minutes before class began.
The morning technique class went as well as the previous day. Anna decided to go to lunch with Nicole, Jackie and a couple of the other girls in the class.
As they walked downstairs, Anna saw Aaron coming out of the studio. They both stopped and stared at each other for a moment, and then Anna gave him a sad smile and turned and walked out the studio door with her dance mates.
The other girls whispered excitedly about seeing the Company dancers. When they started talking about how cute Aaron was, Anna could barely keep the tears out of her eyes.
At the deli, Anna played with the french fries on her plate and leaned her head on her hand, trying to ignore the conversation around her. She knew she should eat, but she had trouble swallowing over the lump in her throat. Seeing Aaron had opened up the healing wound in her heart.
Suddenly the girls got very excited and Anna looked up. She looked to the doorway and saw several of the Company dancers walking in, including Aaron.
He looked at her and she stared back. He got a determined look on his face and walked over to the table where Anna and the others were sitting.
*****
Aaron walked determinedly to the table where Anna sat with the younger girls. He could hear the giggles and whispers as he approached. He didn't want to cause undue attention or questions for Anna, but he had to know that she was okay.
He'd called Alex to find out where she'd gone to lunch and Alex had happily obliged him, after eliciting the promise that Aaron would call and let him know how she was.
“Anna,” Aaron said, hesitating at the giggles and looks he got as he stood there.
Anna stared at her food. She didn't answer him so he knelt down next to her, glad she was sitting at the end of the table.
“Anna,” he repeated. “I need to talk to you.”
She looked at him with tired and hurt eyes. Yeah, she looked like he felt. He'd barely slept the previous night and it looked like she'd suffered the same.
He took her hand. “Please,” he said, standing and pulling her to her feet.
She didn't resist and for once he was thankful at her docile nature. The whispers from her table increased as he led her away to a table in the corner. Fortunately, they were there before the lunch rush.
He pulled out a chair for her and she sat, albeit reluctantly.
“Aaron, we shouldn't be together,” she said softly.
“Isaak said we couldn't date. He didn't say we couldn't be friends.”
“Friends?” Anna's head snapped up with a surprised look on her face.
It was obvious she hadn't considered the possibility of remaining friends. But why would she? Aaron was certain the only interest most men had in her was sex, and if there was no sex, why would they bother with her?
“Yes. Friends.” He looked her directly in the eye, wanting her to know he meant it. He still loved her. God, how he loved her! And she'd be in the Company soon. Then they could pick up where they left off.
She studied his face for a long moment then gave him a tentative smile. “I'd like that,” she whispered.
He leaned back in his chair, relieved that she seemed somewhat comforted. Her eyes regained some of the sparkle that he loved, though not completely.
“Anna, did you think I would abandon you completely, just because we can't date?”
She looked down at her hands clasped in her lap and nodded. She looked up a moment later with teary eyes. “I missed you last night. I felt...so alone.”
His heart ached at her words. “I missed you too.” He gave her a wry smile. “I could hardly sleep.”
She nodded again, then started to push her sleeves up on her sweater. She seemed to notice what she was doing and quickly pulled them back down, blushing and looking away.
His heart squeezed with a premonition. Why would she wear a sweater on such a warm day?
“Why don't you take your sweater off? It's rather warm in here.”
She shook her head and gave him a nervous smile. “No, I...I'm okay. Little chilly, actually.” She rubbed her upper arms to emphasize her words, but winced as she did so.
Aaron leaned over and untied her sweater and pulled it off her shoulders. He hissed when he saw the finger sized bruises up and down her upper arms. She pulled away and pulled her sweater back up quickly.
“Anna, what happened?” he asked angrily.
“I'm okay...really...,” she mumbled, not looking at him.
He put his index finger under her chin to make her look at him. “Did someone come over last night?”
She blinked several times, then nodded. “Someone I met at the banquet.”
Aaron leaned back in his chair and ran his hands through his hair. “Did he hurt you? Other than the bruises?” The bruises were enough, but he had a feeling there was more.
She shrugged. “A little, but I'm okay.”
“He raped you?”
She shrugged aga
in. “He likes it when I struggle...when I fight him.”
He stared at her, disbelieving how calm she was. Though he supposed, according to Alex, she'd been so abused that rape was just another thing that happened on a regular basis. How fucked up was her life that she didn't think anything of being raped?
“Why didn't you call me?” he asked softly, though he knew the answer already.
“We weren't supposed to see each other,” she whispered, blinking back tears. She looked up at him. “I never felt as hopeless as I did last night. Being happy with you, then...,” she swallowed, “...going back to my old life. It’s so much worse than before we were together.”
Aaron felt like he'd been hit in the stomach. Did she regret their relationship? “Do you wish we'd never met?” he asked reluctantly. Did he want to know?
“No,” she answered hoarsely. “I thought about it, but no, I'm glad we met. I'm glad I have a friend.” She looked up as if to confirm he really meant what he said earlier.
“I will always be here for you, Anna,” he said firmly.
And he meant it. No matter how much it hurt, he would be a good friend. It was the only thing he could do for her now and he would make sure he didn’t fail her.
“Thank you, Aaron.” She looked around nervously.
The Company dancers he'd come with were watching them. They knew how miserable he'd been yesterday and he'd told a few of them why. The girls at the table that Anna had been sitting with watched them with avid curiosity. They obviously didn't know what had happened.
“I should let you get back to your lunch,” he said slowly. He didn't want her to think he was trying to get rid of her.
She nodded. “Yeah, I should. I think I could eat some now.”
His heart lightened. “I'm glad to hear it, hon.” Oh, he shouldn't use his term of endearment for her. Too painful.
But she beamed at him and he guessed it was worth it. He stood and pulled her into his arms for a brotherly-looking hug, trying not to inhale her scent and enjoy her softness too much. She hugged him back, leaning her head against his chest. Oh, the agony!
He pulled away before he lost what little control he still had over his body. He held her cheeks in his hands.
“Anna, call me anytime you need, all right? Especially if something like that happens again.”
She tried to shake her head, but he wouldn't let her.
“I mean it. That's what friends are for. To be there when you need someone.”
Her eyes welled up with tears and she nodded. “I'll have to get used to this friendship thing again,” she rasped.
He kissed her forehead, then released her. He chuckled at the wide eyes of her fellow dancers. “I think you're going to have some questions when you get back to your table.”
She turned and looked at her friends, then turned back around and blushed. “What do I tell them?”
Aaron grinned. “The truth. I'm not ashamed that I fell in love with you. We're adults. We didn't do anything wrong.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
*****
Anna returned to the table with a much lighter heart. Aaron wanted to be friends with her. She wasn't abandoned.
“How do you know Aaron?” Nicole asked as Anna sat gingerly down in her chair.
Anna glanced over at Aaron's table. “Um, we dated for a while,” she answered shyly.
Audible gasps were sounded around the table. “You're so lucky!” Isabel, a small redhead, sighed. “He's so hot!”
Giggles and nods circled the table.
“Did you kiss him?” Jackie asked in a hushed voice.
Anna nodded.
“Is he a good kisser?” another girl asked.
Anna nodded again and blushed. He was a good everything. Oh, the things he'd done to her body! She chided herself. She didn't need to be thinking about that right now.
No one asked if she'd had sex with him and she didn't volunteer the information. It struck her suddenly that her childhood had been anything but typical. Some of these girls hadn't even kissed a guy before, let alone have had sex with one. The idea of not having sex was such a strange concept to Anna. She'd been doing it for so long, she didn't think anything of it.
After they’d finished eating, the girls headed back to the studio for their two afternoon classes.
When classes were finished, Anna walked downstairs to leave. She spotted Travis in the entryway, reading.
“Hi, Travis,” she said softly, not wanting to startle him. She knew how she got when she was really into a book and someone speaking too loudly could be very disturbing.
He looked up and grinned at her. “Hey, Anna. How's it going? Have a seat.”
She looked around and then sat next to him, leaning against the wall. She liked Travis. Coming from somewhat similar backgrounds made her feel comfortable with him.
“Things are going good. I feel stronger than I did yesterday.” She smiled. “I didn't expect to progress so quickly, but I'm already comfortable back on pointe.”
Travis shrugged. “That's not really surprising, considering, you know, your heritage and all.”
Anna frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Well, the...ones like your dad, they're natural artists, dancers or singers usually. Didn't you know?”
“Travis, I didn't even know what my dad was.”
“Oh, yeah. That's so weird.” He shook his head. “Anyways, yeah. Considering who your dad really is, and I should have realized it when I looked at his picture. He looks like them. Tall, blond, thin and ethereal looking. Well, I suppose not all of them are blond. Just most of them. Like elves.” Travis chuckled. “If you know what you're looking for they're not hard to spot. Fortunately, most people don't know they exist.”
Tall and blond? “Is Alex...?”
Travis laughed. “Nah. He's totally human. He's too temperamental to be...one.” He lowered his voice as a group of dancers walked by them. One girl reached out and tousled his hair. Travis winked at her and she giggled.
“Girlfriend?” Anna asked.
“What?” he looked shocked. “Girlfriend? Ugh, no. Why would I want to limit myself to one girl?”
Anna laughed.
“Anyways. So, yeah. Don't be surprised that it comes back so naturally. It's in your blood. Literally. You'll be in the Company by the end of summer.”
Anna's eyes widened at the thought of her dearest wish coming true. “Travis, don't tease me.”
“I'm not. Believe me.” He grinned at her. “Maybe we'll get to dance together.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “I don't think I'll be doing any pas de deux anytime soon. I'd be content in the Corps.”
“Not gonna happen, Anna. As I understand it, your dad went straight from the ballet school to a principal. And Aaron said you're still amazing.”
Anna blushed. “Does Isaak know about me?”
“I'm pretty sure he doesn't. But he does know you are your father's daughter.” Travis looked at his watch then stood. “I gotta get back to rehearsal.” He helped Anna to her feet and hugged her. “Keep working hard and don't be surprised at your progress. I can't wait to see you dance.”
He said goodbye and left Anna in the entryway, head full of new and wonderful thoughts.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Anna walked from the elevator to her apartment, still amazed at what Travis had told her earlier in the afternoon. She almost didn’t notice the tall man standing in the doorway of the apartment next to hers. He was holding a very large box and struggling with his keys.
She hesitated a moment before speaking. “Do you need some help?” she asked nervously.
He turned his espresso-brown eyes on her and gave her a bright smile. “I'd love some help.”
Anna guessed him to be in his mid-to-late-twenties, with short dark-brown hair and broad shoulders. He wasn't overly bulky, but she could see his biceps bulging under the weight of the box he held.
“Can you grab the keys and unlock the door?”
“Thanks,” he said with a grin. His teeth were very white next to his tan skin. He walked into the apartment and Anna waited outside. She had no intention of walking into a strange man's apartment unless she had to.
He returned a minute later and Anna handed him his keys.
“I’m Greg,” he said with a nice smile. He spoke in a gentle tone and Anna was not afraid of him.
“I'm Anna,” she said softly.
He grinned. “Well, aren't I lucky to have such a pretty neighbor?” His voice had a slight drawl to it.
Anna blushed and backed away slightly.
He looked alarmed. “I didn't mean anything by that, Anna. Just...trying to make conversation. I just moved in today.” He motioned behind him.
Anna nodded, not knowing what to say. She looked at her own apartment door wistfully.
“Well, I need to unpack. It was nice to meet you, Anna.” Greg said with a slight bow of the head. “I hope I'll see you again soon.”
Anna smiled shyly. “It was nice to meet you too.” She turned and quickly unlocked her apartment and went in, locking the door behind her.
*****
Alex's phone rang as he'd expected it to. “Hey Greg.”
“Hey, Alex. I've made initial contact.”
Alex sighed with relief. “Any problems?”
“No, though you're right. She is skittish. I said something about being lucky to have such a pretty neighbor and she backed away.” Greg chuckled. “She's cute.”
Alex knew he meant that in a respectful manner. And he couldn't help but agree. “Yes, she's beautiful.”
“I kept it brief like you suggested.”
“Good. The less you approach her, I think the less she'll feel threatened. I don't want her to be scared of you.”
“Alex, it's not like I make it a habit of going around and scaring women. But I understand.”
“Does she suspect you know me?”
“I don’t think there was an opportunity for her to get much of a read on me. Why do you want to keep it from her?”
The Life of Anna, Part 2: Entwined Page 28