Chapter 7: (The Boys) Justin vs. Michael,

Emily with many of the other dancers in her school was pacing and waiting for the show lists to be put up. Since there were only so many dancers in the school, the first quarter show was splitting into and one group was to be two dancers. There were rumors of what kinds of dances the groups were going to be performing, but none of the rumors had been confirmed.

One of the teachers, Mrs. Mouth-Myers as they called her, saw the students and shooed them into the cafeteria, complaining the whole time. "The lists don't go up for another hour."

As Justin sat down across from Emily, he spoke in a mocking voice. "The list doesn't go up for another hour. Jesus, doesn't she realize that this show is half of our final grade." He looked around the table. "No offence if anyone here is Catholic."

Emily smiled, but did not respond. She wasn't sure of who else was Catholic or religious at the table. However, she didn't say anything. People who used religious remarks like that didn't offend her. Emily didn't know why that was.

Justin turned his attention to the girl sitting next to Emily, April. She was thin and had spiked black hair with highlights and brown eyes. "So April, what music has the so-called-genius had you working on?"

"Forget it Justin. I'm not telling you anything." April said. April was known in the school for being one of the better musicians/composers in the school..

"Oh, come on April. I need something to work off." Justin begged.

"Look Justin, even I haven't been given the music for the show yet. The genius, Mr. Thebes, is giving us the music later today. Now stop bugging me."

"Me, bug you?" Justin said trying to act offended, but broke into a smile. "Even Emily doesn't think I'm annoying, right?"

Everyone at the table turned his or her attention to Emily. "I don't know. You definitely have some cheesy moments, but I don't know you well enough to call you annoying." April looked disappointed in Emily's answer. "Give me a month and I'll probably be calling you annoying as well."

Justin looked at Emily stunned. He hadn't been expecting her to respond that way. "For a ballerina, you are cold."

"Hey, I'm a dancer not a cheerleader. Don't expect me to pull out pom-poms" Everyone at the table busted out laughing. Emily had used one of the famous cheerleaders vs. dancer jokes. They were regularly used jokes between dancers.

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A beaming Emily skipped into the conference room. House instantly got nervous, but covered it with annoyance. "Why are you so happy?"

"Cast parts were given out today." Emily took out book and started to flip through it.

House looked at Emily. He could never understand how she was so giddy over something like that. "You are weird."

"Have you ever seen a ballet?" Emily asked with her attention still on the book.

"I don't see the point in watching girls dance on their toes."

"So, I'll take that as a no."

"Oh yeah."

"That someone is able to do this, doesn't amaze you?" Emily held up the book that happened to be a book on dance photograph. The picture she was showing House was of a male dancer leaning over and holding a female dancer in the full splits upside down. "Or this." She flipped the page to a female dancer on point shoes leaning backwards and holding onto a male dancer laying on his back with legs and arms outstretched while another male dancer leaped over them.

House squinted up his eyes as if he was in pain. "How is that even appealing?"

"It's a type of art just like this." Emily quickly replaced her shoes with ballet slippers. Did a double pirouette and four chaînés ending up right in front of House. "Of course I don't expect you to see it that way."

Chase looked at his daughter and House. The tension between them was building rapidly. At any moment it looked like they would rip of the each other's heads off. "Emily, don't be rude. Go sit down and do your homework."

Emily continued to glare at House, but backed down. "Sure." She sat down and started on her homework. "I got a partner dance."

Chase looked at her and smiled. He knew things like that always made Emily happy. "What ballet music are you using?"

She grinned. "It will have to be a surprise, because I'm not telling."

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The next morning, Emily walked into one of the dance studios and started to stretch. She was warming up on the bar when Justin came in. He looked at the clock and back at her, sat down, and started stretching. "You're here early." Justin said.

"Not really." It was a lie. She had come in a half-hour early.

"What, you couldn't sleep?" He said. It was as if he was ignoring her previous answer.

Emily noted that he could read her well. She was going to have to be careful about that. "No. I slept great. Thanks for asking. What about you?"

Justin scoffed. "Living in New York, you learn to sleep through anything."

"So, that means…" Emily was being a pest and she knew it.

Justin smiled. "I slept fine, but I'll be awake in an hour or two." After stretching for a few more minutes in silence, Justin made his way over to the bar and started to warm up. "So, how long have you been on point?" Justin asked trying to make small conversation.

"Since I was eight," Justin's mouth dropped. "I know you're probably thinking that's early."

"Yeah. I didn't realize you get on point that early."

"Most people don't. It's preferred to wait until you're a little older, but I advanced faster than most and training with certain companies helps with technique and such."

Justin nodded his head. "Wow. How long have you been dancing then?"

"Since I was four," Emily put one leg up on the bar and stretched. "Enough with questioning me. Let me ask you some."

"Knock yourself out."

"How did you get into dance?"

"You meet better girls." Emily looked disgusted. "I'm kidding. The truth is, both of my parents are professional dancers. My mother teaches at Julliard and my father is choreographing for a show on Broadway now. I guess I just took a liking to it."

"Are you serious?" Emily switched and put her other leg up on the bar.

"Yeah."

"That's awesome."

Justin did not seem to be very thrilled when talking about his family. He discretely changed the subject. "So, did you think about our dance at all yet?"

"Not really, but isn't the dance choreographed by a teacher?"

"Somewhat, it depends on the teacher and dancers. What about at your old school?"

"Well, when David and I did dances together, we did the main choreography then the teachers would edit our dances. "

"How long did you two dance together?"

"We had been doing partner work for about three years." Emily said casually as she took her leg of the bar and started across-the-floor exercises.

"You've been working with a partner for three years?" Emily nodded her head. "Wow. You're a very impressive dancer."

"Thanks." Emily said. She had heard that, 'she was an impressive dancer', many times before. The first couple of times, she had been happy about it. Now, it just was just something people said. She wanted it to have real meaning, not just be a compliment.

Justin could not help but check Emily out a little. He noticed the very few curves of her lean and toned body. He mentally slapped himself. Keep your mind clean. "Three years, that's a long time to be a partner with someone these days. So, what is he your boyfriend or something?"

Emily let out a little laugh. "No, my boyfriend isn't a dancer. Anyways, I'm not David's type." She made eye contact with Justin. "But you might just be."

"Right."

"What does your boyfriend do if he isn't a dance?"

"Michael, my boyfriend, is in Medical school."

"Fun." Justin said sarcastically.

Emily was about to say something, but one of the dance teachers came in and said: "Well, since you're both here let's get to work."

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As Emily got off the train in Princeton, she took out her cell phone, and checked her messages. There was one new message. She smiled when she saw the name: Michael Davis.

She played the message. "Hi. I am sorry that I haven't called you lately. You know, I have been busy with school and such—I am sorry, that is no excuse for not calling. Hey call me, flat out [ASAP,we have to talk."

Emily froze at the last sentence. She had a bad feeling and apprehensively called Michael. He never talked like that and it was scarring her. The phone rang three times before anyone picked up.

"Hello?" A very groggy voice asked on the phone.

"Hi, it's me."

"Emily?" The voice asked half awake. It was as if he was trying to comprehend who he was talking to.

"Yeah Michael, it's me. I'm sorry, do you want me to call back later?"

Michael sat up and rubbed his eyes hoping that it would wake him up a little more. "No, it's fine. You just woke me up, that's all."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad you called."

"Yeah. What's going on?"

"So, I transferred for the semester."

"What?! Where are you now?"

"London."

"What are you doing in London?!"

"Sweetie, don't freak out. I'm just taking the semester abroad."

"Why London? You hate England and there is that whole British thing."

"It's not that bad and I don't have anything against the British."

"Right, as if I really believe you."

"So, how have you been?"

"Okay."

"I miss you."

Emily's mouth went somewhat dry. "I miss you to." Her answer was earnest.

"Maybe on my next break. I can fly out and see you."

"I'd really love that, but I don't think your parents would be too happy about that."

"Hey, I'm going to Medical school, just like they wanted. I think they will cut me a little slack."

"You're not just becoming a doctor because of them are you?"

"No." Emily could tell that Michael was telling the truth.

As she neared the elevator, Emily knew the conversation had to end, even though Emily really wanted to keep talking with Michael. "Hey, I'm by the elevator."

"So, I should probably let you go." Michael said in a sad tone.

"Yeah." Emily sighed.

"You know I love you, right?"

Emily smiled. "Yeah, and you know I love you."

"Good. I'll be a better boyfriend and call this weekend okay?"

"Okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Emily smiled as she heard a soft kissing sound and knew the kiss was for her. She really did miss him.

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A/N: If anyone was interested, the dance photos are from the book, "Airborne" by Lois Greenfield. It's a great book to look at. On a side note, I've decided to put the translations of certain words/sayings in brackets. The particular example I'm referring to was in Michael's message. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please Review.