"Umm, Hi," Sara said with a grin as she stepped out the door, pulling it closed behind her.

"Hi," A matching grin appeared on Ava's face, "You look, great,"

"Thanks. You clean up pretty good yourself Sharpe,"

Ava tugged nervously at the sleeve of her jumper, a blush glowing on her cheeks.

"So, what time is your curfew? I don't want to get on your dad's bad side,"

Sara waved her hand, snorting, "Ignore him. He's teasing. Once I come home with all my limbs he'll be happy,"

"Somehow I think that's a bit of an under exaggeration," Ava chuckled. They walked to a car waiting on the sidewalk together, Ava rushing ahead the last few steps to open the door.

Sara arched a brow but still smiled at the gesture, "You sure know how to treat a lady right,"

"You're a lady? I hadn't realized," Ava tease, earning a quick smack to the shoulder as Sara slid into the back seat, "You met Ann before," Ava said nodding to her aunt who was behind the driver's seat, "This is their girlfriend, Pippa,"

"Nice to meet you," Sara said, shaking Pippa's hand.

"Are you excited for tonight Sara," Ann asked, looking at them in the review, "Because Ava hasn't stopped talking about this for days,"

"Ann," Ava hissed.

They chuckled as they pulled away from the curve.

"I haven't been to the ballet in years. I'm looking forward to it,"

"Ava mentioned you danced ballet,"

"Yeah,"

"Ever performed in Coppelia?"

"Oh no. Our youth theatre did your basic swan lake and the Nutcracker a lot. We did do Romeo and Juliet one year,"

"Were you Juliet?" Pippa asked.

Sara laughed, "No. I was a background dancer,"

"Really?" Ava asked.

"Yeah. Why does that surprise you?"

"You don't seem like the kind to be satisfied with the background,"

"I was when I was ten," Sara said, "But you're right I was meant the spotlight," she flipped her hair. Ava rolled her eyes and scoffed. Laughing Sara elbowed her.

The theatre was already buzzing with people. Pippa went up to the box office and asked for reserved tickets by name.

Anna whistled when Pippa lead their group to a box, "Pip, are you sure these are for us?"

"You know I have friends in high places," She teased.

"Makes me wonder why you keep my around,"

"Well, you're not my friend are you," She pulled them closer, wrapping her hand around her waist.

"They're always disgusting like this," Ava whispered to Sara.

"I think it's cute,"

"Just wait until you've seen if for the 100th time,"

As most as if on cue Pippa and Ann giggled together. Ava rolled her eyes. Sara chuckled. They took their seats. They were on a lower balcony to stage left. As the lights dimmed Sara placed her hand on the armrest. As the opening strings of the first symphony started she felt Ava's elbow brush against hers. Then her hand touched hers. She felt heat rise in her cheeks, but she reached out, hooking their pinkies together. The ballet was beautiful but that's not the reason she was smiling all night.

A few hours later Sara was looking at Pippa with wide eyes.

"What do you mean your friend is the prima ballerina?"

"Uh, just that," Pippa said, pleasantly assumed.

"How do you know her?"

"We went to boarding school together,"

"It doesn't surprise me someone with the name Pippa went to a boarding school,"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Sara shrugged, "Just that it's not surprising,"

Anna laughed, "Come on, let's go see if we can give Em our regards before she gets swamped with fans," They said taking Pippa's hand.

"Okay," Ava put a hand on Sara's shoulder, "How did she do that endless spin? It should be impossible for a human to do that,"

Sara laughed, "I know how to do it,"

"Shut up,"

"Seriously. I definitely can't do it as well or as long. But I know the basic theory behind it,"

"You have to show me,"

They were trailing behind Ann and Pippa a bit, "Right now? A little crowded for that," Sara, despite the hallway will people slowly filling out started to stretch.

Ava pushed her shoulder playfully, "You know I mean at the centre,"

"Sure, Sharpe. I'll show you,"

Ava did a little fist pump.

"If,"

"Boo. Why you have to have an 'if',"

"If you teach me something on the violin,"

"That wasn't as bad an ultimatum as I was expecting,"

Sara gasped, "It's like you expect the worst of me,"

"No, not the worst. What's the thing that's one level below worst?"

"Annalise?!"

Ava froze suddenly.

"Catharine," Sara heard Ann's voice, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see the performance, as did you I assume,"

"You came into Star City, a three-hour drive for you and didn't mention it to me. Or Ava?"

"Annalise I didn't think either of you wanted to hear from me,"

"First off, it's just Ann now. Secondly, you didn't want to see your daughter?"

Sara stared wide-eyed between Ann's back and Ava.

"Annalise, I don't get this whole thing where you don't like your name. It's beautiful, it was nana's name,"

"Yes, I'm well aware of the origin of the name I was given. And don't guilt me with the nana card. She was an amazing woman who was more open-minded about things than you are. She's the whole reason I kept it as Ann,"

"Ann, who is this?" Pippa asked.

"Um, this is..."

"Annalise is my little sister, of course,"

"Your sibling,"

"It's the same thing,"

"It's not,"

"Ann," Ava cut in, not meeting the woman's, her mother's, eyes, "Let's go. We need to get Sara home before her curfew or her dad might literally arrest me,"

"Ava," Her mother said, surprise in her voice, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see the performance mother, just as you did, I assume," Ava said icily.

"At least you're keeping with some of the arts while you're out of the house,"

"Out of the house?" Anna said.

"I can only imagine you've let all your other exposure to culture fall to the wayside,"

Ann stepped in front of Ava now, "Ava's kept her violin practice despite the insane expectations you set on her,"

"Ava, first you burden your aunt by running away to live with her and now you're making her pay for a tutor?"

"Runaway? Don't pretend like Ava had a choice in that matter. You and David made it clear she wasn't welcomed in her own home anymore. She isn't a burden on me and never will be. Nor has she ever asked me for anything beyond a necessity. She found her a tutor on her own,"

"Don't be daft, how can she afford a tutor?"

"Her tutor is at a non-profit performing arts centre. No one has to pay there," Sara said.

Ava's mother scoff, "What third rate tutor have you found for yourself Ava? Honestly, you could have first chair with any orchestra and you're throwing it away for this foolish phase of yourself,"

Ava had completely shut down at this point, looking at her feet.

"Ava could still get into any orchestra she wanted too. Just because someone does something for free doesn't make them a third rate," Sara said.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"I'm Ava's friend,"

She gave Sara a glance over and then looked to Ann "I knew living with you wouldn't help Ava get over this delusion,"

Ann fumed, "We're not the ones in the wrong here Cat," they said, putting an arm around Ava's shoulder and pushing past. Sara and Pippa were left to rush after them. They caught up with them outside. Ann was handing a handkerchief to Ava.

"I can go back and punch her if you want me too," Ann offered.

Ava croaked a laugh, "No. Don't cause a scene,"

"She deserves it,"

"Can we just go home?"

"Of course,"

The drive was dead quiet, starkly different to their time together earlier. But when they pulled up in front of Sara's house Ava got out with her, walking her to the door.

"Listen I'm sorry-,"

Sara put two fingers over Ava's lips, leaning up to kiss her cheek, "I had a great night. Thank you. Tonight reminded of why I enjoyed ballet,"

Ava looked baffled, "But what happened…"

"That doesn't change the fact I had a great night with great company. Company I wouldn't mind spending more time with in the future if it's okay?"

A blush appeared on Ava's cheeks. She looked down, toeing the edge of the welcome mat, "Maybe… that could be arranged,"

"You think Ann would want to hang out again? Yes," Sara clenched her fists in triumph.

Ava groaned, pinching her brow, "Sara Lance you are awful,"

"I think you mispronounced adorable,"

"Why do I like you?" Ava muttered under her breath.

Sara took her hands, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I will be,"

"If you ever need to talk about stuff, I'm here,"

"Thank you, Sara,"

She kissed Ava's cheek again before going inside. Ava returned to the car with a small smile on her lips.

"Wow, two kisses goodnight. You're better than me,"

"Oh shut up Ann,"

Inside Sara went to her dad's room, knocking before pushing the door open. He was sitting up in a bed, the TV on.

"Hey, kiddo," He grinned at her, turning down the volume, "How was your night?"

Sara ran to him, giving him a tight hug.

"Wow, everything okay?"

"Everything's great. You're just an amazing dad and I don't tell you that enough,"

"Okay?" He sounded happy but also confused, "You sure something didn't happen tonight?"

"I'll tell you later. But I really did have a great night,"

"That's good to hear kiddo,"

The next day, in the centre's office Gideon was in the office Amaya, Sara hanging out in the doorway.

"Do you know if your sister's band will want dynamic lights when they perform?"

"Knowing Charlie that would be a yes,"

"Okay, we'll need a rundown of their set and the lighting cues from the band at least four days before the first stage rehearsal,"

"I'll let her know."

"Thank you. And speaking off, are you all figured out your lighting cues?"

Amaya glanced at Sara who rubbed the back of her head, "We're working on it,"

"Time's ticking Ms. Lance,"

"We don't be late. I promise,"

Ava appeared in the door. Sara jumped to stand straight, "Hey,"

"Um, hi," Ava gave her a shy smile, "Can I?" She gestured vaguely at the doorway.

"Oh, yeah," Sara stepped aside to let her in,"

"Ava," Gideon looked at her watch, "Am I late for our practice?"

"No. I wanted to talk to you,"

"Of course, what about?"

"Performing in the concert?"

Nardragon- until the next page.