[Billy]

Today was Billy's 15th birthday and luckily fell on a Saturday, this meant he had the whole afternoon off classes and rehearsals to... well to 'celebrate' with his friends. In this case celebrating meant hanging out in someone's room or going to the park, nothing terribly exciting. Or so he thought.

There were 6 of them chatting in Billy's room on 3rd floor of the Royal Ballet School when there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Yeah." Billy called, "Who is it?"

"Michael." A muffled voice replied.

Billy froze, Michael? His Michael from back home? What? How? "M...Michael?" He asked, "My Michael?" That last comment earnt him a few questioning looks but he barley noticed.

"The very same." He answered and time slowed down as Billy watched the door knob turn in slow motion and the door swing into the room to reveal his life long best friend.

Billy felt his jaw drop, this was last thing he'd expected to happen, not that he was complaining of course. This was the boy he'd grown up with, his best friend, his... his first crush. Billy quickly expelled that thought, he was over that strange phase, he wasn't a poof right?

He'd gotten a lot taller since Billy had last seen him and his face was less babyish, more grown up, more handsome. His stomach notted at the that thought but he dismissed it, still marvelling at how his Michael was stood in that doorway.

"How the bloody 'ell...?" Billy couldn't even finish his santence before Michael pulled him into a tight hug.

The boy smelled liked had always smelled reminding him so strongly of home and in that moment Billy missed everything and everyone so greatly he had to hold back tears.

They didn't notice the nudges and whispers of his friends until one of them called out, "Hey Billy we're gonna go down to get a drink. Meet ya there."

Billy broke the hug and nodded to them, "Yeah okay."

Michael waited until they'd left before he presented Billy with a neatly wrapped box. "Happy Birthday Dancing Boy."

"Oh Michael you didn't have to." But he took the box all the same and carefully tore off the paper. He was now holding a creamy white shoe box and looked up at his friend with wide eyes.

"Go on." Michael encouraged.

Billy prised the lid off with tingling fingers, his heart in his mouth, and his face lit up as he saw what lay between sheets of tissue paper.

They were the most beautiful pear of ballet shoes he'd ever laid eyes on.

"Billy?"

Billy realised he'd just been staring at the soft material but he was still speachless. "I...I..."

Michael raised a questioning eyebrow.

"I love them!" Billy carefully placed the shoe box on his desk and flung his arms around his friend taking Michael by suprise and causing him to trip and fall backwards onto Billy's unmade bed. Billy fell with him and as they landed he was far to aware of his friend's body beneath his own.

Their shock turned into giggles, as Billy rolled off Michael so he was laying next to him, and then uncontrollable laughter.

As their laughter died down Billy began to ask the questions that had preyed on his mind since his friend had walked in. "How the fuck did you get here Michael?" He asked, sitting up.

"Couple of busses." He answered vaguely, also sitting.

Billy scoffed, "A couple?"

"And a train." He paused, "and a long walk."

"And you did all that on your own?"

"Yeah." Michael looked down and fiddled with the dovet, "Dad said I either went on my own or not at all 'cus it'd be too expensive..."

"Bloody 'ell Michael you didn't have to come."

"I wanted to see you, you stupid git." And punched Billy gently on the arm.

Billy felt his face flush pink, "I'm glad you came."

"Me too."

A sudden thought hit Billy like a punch in the stomach "Oh God Michael, the shoes..." Billy rushed to his desk and brought the box back to his bed. "They must've cost-" He'd never had his very own ballet shoes; he'd always had to use the Ballet School's. They were insanely expensive.

"Don't." Michael cut him off, "It's fine the shoes are from all of us, we all chipped in, me, Tony, ya Dad, ya Nan even Debbie coughed up a couple o' quid."

"Well thanks a bunch they're perfect. Thank the others too."His heart swelled at the memory of his family.

"Will do but Billy you haven't even tried them on yet." Michael held out the box to Billy who kicked of his shoes and socks.

He held the left one in his hands so carefully as if it was the most valuable thing in the world. Then slipped it onto his foot and it was the perfect size. He grinned and reached for the other, it wasn't there! His heart skipped a beat before he realised Michael was holding it. Billy breathed a sigh of relief as his friend knelt down in front of him and slid the ballet shoe over his toes until the ankle slotted in. As he sat back Michael's fingers brushed Billy's leg, sending a current of electricity through him.

Michael looked up at Billy and their eyes connected, thoughts seemed to pass, unsaid, between them.

"Michael..." Billy started, not knowing where he was going but he didn't have the chance.

"Give us a twirl then." Michael said.

Billy smiled and stood up giving himself enough room to spin. He focused on a point: Michael's handsome - no, grown up - face, and span then added a few moves he knew would impress his friend.

And impressed he was. Michael clapped and cheered, "you like 'em then?"

"Definitely! Best present ever." Billy sat down again at took them off, placing them back in their box.

"So erm," Michael paused, "are you gonna go down and find the others or..." he trailed off.

"Yeah I guess, I mean there's not a lot else to do here unless you've got any suggestions." He wanted to spend time with Michael not the others but he really had no idea what they could do.

"Well actually now you mention it..." Michael reached in his pocket and pulled out two tickets. "Can I take you to the theatre Dancing Boy?"

Billy really was speechless. How, on top of getting here and the shoes, did he possibly get hold of two tickets to the theatre!?

"Is that a yes?"

Billy nodded, "How the fu-"

"My treat." Michael answered.

"When's the show? What's the show?"

"8 o' clock and it's a surprise. I can tell you it's got dancers..."

"Ugh okay well dinner here is half 6 so you can stay for that if you like then we can get ready in time."

"Sounds like a plan but..." Michael checked the clock, "we've still got 3 hours to kill till then."

"Lets join the others for a bit." Billy suggested.

"Alright."

"You can meet my mates." Billy said shoving his feet back into his shoes. Then he lead the way down stairs.