To Dance
Well, she's a dancer
Ever since they were little
dancing's been her life
Telling a story with her body
feeling as if she's flying
There's nothing
that beats it
And, he believes in her
She can make it
no magic necessary
Just pure talent
she has it all
It probably helps
he's in love with her
Starting school hinders her
Schoolwork means
less time to dance
As it happens
there's no place to dance
It feels as if her life
is gone
Her summers are spent running away
Her dance studio
is her favorite place
It's more of a home
than her real home
Her parents don't
approve
Life isn't the greatest for her
But she gets on that stage
and everything falls away
Leaping and twirling
soaring across the floor
She could never
leave this behind
He's her biggest fan
His support
never fails
He knows her skills
are off the charts
All he wants
is for her happiness
She comes of age
Now she can follow
her dreams
Nobody can
stop her
A life of
dancing is ahead
But then he reveals his secret
His feelings for her
– they're love
She's never felt like this
her whole life
And now she's
at a crossroads
Passion for love
Is that a choice
she's willing to make
A risk that she's
willing to take
Can she give it all up
for one boy
But, he's not just a boy
He is her
best friend
He's been there
through it all
He has been
her lifeline
Is it one or the other
Does she really have to
give it all up
Can she have dancing
and him
Why must she pick
why not both
Life doesn't work that way
Long hours of practice
cut into dates
Anniversaries
cut into practice
She has to choose
passion or love
The performance is over; the last routine has been danced. She steps out from behind the curtain to thunderous applause, curtsies, and leaves. She heads back to her dressing room to remove her costume and make-up. She is ready to go home. As much as she loves her job, sometimes it tires her so much.
"Lucinda?" asks a cheery voice from outside. The query is accompanied by a hesitant knock on the door.
"Yes?"
"There's someone here to see you."
"Let them in."
The door opens, and a young man steps in before it snaps shut once more. He has chin-length blond hair, brown eyes, and a bemused smile.
"Merlin, Luce, you look…" he trails off, not sure how to accurately describe her.
"Oh, you're here!" she squeals, propelling out of her chair and towards the man. "I didn't think you'd make it, but you did! You're here! I've missed you so much!"
She hugs him, and his bemused smile becomes amused as he hugs her back. "Of course I'm here. I promised, didn't I?"
She steps back to take a look at him. He looks so…rugged. "I know," she says doubtfully, "But…after what happened last time…I wasn't sure if you'd actually want to show up."
"I will never be able to stay away from you," he admits, "Enough about the past, though. You were fantastic out there!"
"Was it really good?" she asks worriedly, wringing her hands, "I was a little weak on my fouetté en tournants."
"They were amazing, as always," he assures her, reaching his right hand up and tucking some flyaway hairs behind her left ear. She stares at him, her brown eyes wide.
"Luce…I missed you," he whispers, his eyes never leaving her.
"I missed you, too." She casts her gaze towards the floor. She's never been great at dealing with awkward situations.
"I can't go a day without thinking about you, you know," he informs her, moving a little closer. Only inches separate them, and the closeness frightens her. Only a little, though. She can't deny that she's missed his touch. "I haven't been able to do a solid day of work in months."
"I..I'm sorry." She's whispering now. He's too close for her to speak in a normal tone. They haven't been this close since…well, it's been a very long time.
He chuckles. "Why are you sorry? I'd rather be distracted by you than do work, no matter how much I love my job."
She keeps her gaze lowered. There's no telling what she'll do if they make eye contact. She's hormonal, he's ridiculously attractive, and he's standing too bloody close.
"What was the performance about?" he asks conversationally, not moving closer, but not moving away. He cups her cheek. Goosebumps rise on her arms.
"Divine intervention…wait, weren't you watching?" she questions, irritated. What was he doing for the three hours he was sitting there?
"Of course I was watching. Well, I was watching you, at least. I did not know it's possible for a sweating girl to be that attractive, but you proved it."
"Your flattery won't get you anywhere."
"Did you notice the copious amount of men in the audience?" She nods her head in response to his query.
"Well, those are the hearts you break, baby."
"I told you, flattery won't help you."
"It's not flattery if it's true. Well, it kind of is, but that's not the point." He smiles ruefully. "Did you know that, since you've started performing here, male attendance has gone up by 70%? You're making history for this place."
"Men actually wanting to watch ballet? What is the world coming to?" she mocks. As long as she doesn't show him how he affects her, everything will be fine.
He strokes her cheek with his thumb. She shivers. Maybe her plan is flawed. He doesn't need to see how he affects her. He already knows.
"You are the most…exquisite creature," he murmurs, tilting her face upwards.
"You're lying." She's still avoiding his eyes.
"Since when have I ever lied to you?" He's right. She can always count on him to tell her the truth, no matter how harsh. It's one of the numerous things she loves about him. Merlin, how long has it been since she acknowledged her love for him? Way too long.
She starts crying, and he wipes the droplets from her cheeks, bringing up his other hand to cradle her other cheek. "Why are you crying, love?"
"I love dancing. It's my life. It's been my dream since forever!"
"But…?"
"But I don't know how much longer I can let it keep me from you."
"I just want you to be happy, Luce. That's all I've ever wanted. Even if it means we can't be together…"
"But you make me happy! My fouetté en tournants were sloppy tonight because you kept popping up in my mind!"
"Dancing's your first love, though." He's confused. What is she getting at?
She shakes her head, giggling just a bit. The one time he has to be completely oblivious. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that first loves aren't forever?"
"You're my first love," he murmurs, feeling nervous, "And I know that I want to be with you forever."
"Well, most first loves aren't forever," she amends.
"Luce, can you be blunt for once?"
She giggles again. Silly boy. "Dancing's been my life for a long time, now. I've thoroughly enjoyed my years of practice and performance. But I think it's time for me to write this chapter's ending, and begin a new one."
"Luce…"
"Tonight was the show's last performance, and I haven't yet been cast for a new one. I think it's time for me to leave the stage for a newcomer. Teaching shouldn't be that bad, right? I've always thought that Hogwarts could use a dance class. And I happen to know that you've been offered the Care of Magical Creatures post."
His face says it all. He's overjoyed. She grins. They kiss for the first time in many years, and she knows that she's made the right choice.
