Disclaimer: Watashi no Hetalia ja arimasen.
A/N: Tenth chapter already? I'd like to thank my awesome readers for being so damn awesome~ You guys are awesome! :D
Guilt hit Mei dead in the face as she entered the Company for the Giselle auditions. There, at the piano, she saw Xiang sitting down and conversing with Kiku, Roderich, and a few others. She had absolutely no idea that he was going to be the pianist for the auditions. Usually, this would be a good thing but Mei avoided Xiang all last week after the kiss they almost shared. It was a silly reason to avoid him like the plague but the near kiss had shaken Mei up so much, that she worried that she would lose focus for the auditions. So, Mei decided to just dodge Xiang while she practiced her butt off.
It never occurred to Mei that Xiang would be upset or hurt by her actions but when she saw the look on his face, she knew it did. Xiang just happened to glance her way and his expression revealed an array of emotions; gloom, confusion, maybe even discontent. Whatever it was, it caused Mei to feel like absolute crap. She smiled and waved slightly at him, but Xiang's face never changed so Mei decided to just hang with the other dancers and stretch. If Xiang wanted to talk to her, he would have.
As Mei sat on the ground and began to stretch her hamstrings, she looked at all of the other dancers who were trying out for the same part as she. All of them were just as talented, ambitious and beautiful; why was she different? Why should she get the role of the life time? And why would she diss a wonderful boy like Xiang for something that was so hard to attain? Mei sighed and ceased her stretching. She crossed her legs and looked up to see Natalia standing over her.
"Oh! N-natalia! You scared me…hey," Mei smiled weakly.
"Sorry." Natalia took a seat next to the Taiwanese girl. "Something the matter? You look indigo."
Mei chuckled a bit. "You mean blue?"
Natalia seemed confused but she just shrugged her shoulders. "Da, I guess. Either way, you seem upset."
Mei opened her mouth and hesitated before telling Natalia the truth. "I…I feel as if I betrayed a friend because of the whole dance thing."
"Care to elaborate?"
"I ditched Xiang last week so I could prepare for this…I really think he's upset at me."
Natalia nodded as she took in the information. "He should not be, though. The audition is something very important to you. He should be understanding."
"That's what I thought, too. But…it was pretty rude of me." Mei sighed loudly and sank in her seat.
"Perhaps, but if you explain the circumstances, he will act friendlier."
A genuine grin appeared on Mei's face. "Xie xie, Natalia. I'll do that…" Mei was about to stand up and talk about the situation to Xiang but Kiku appeared in the middle of the room. She sighed. "…not now."
The auditions had just begun and Mei figured out the hard way that waiting her turn would be a tedious job to do. The first audition was for the part of the Duke, and then those auditioning for Hilarion, Myrtha, the Wilis, and other characters followed. It was bad that Giselle rwas the last character being auditioned for, but it was worse that Mei was the last name called (due to her surname).
When Mei's name was called, she walked front and center at an achingly slow pace. It seemed as if everything was moving in slow motion for her; her steps, her heartbeat, her breathing, even her blinking. Mei was front and center in front of everyone in her company and Kiku and Xiang. Whatever happened to private auditions? She closed her eyes, assumed her starting position, and inhaled deeply.
The high and melodic notes of the piano cued Mei to begin her dance. Mei's movements were slow and fluid and graceful; her arms reached out and above in a single elegant motion as she tip toed around the floor. Mei lifted her arms and stretched her leg out in front of her, showing off the girl's unbelievable flexibility and agile strength. After that move, the music began to speed up; nearing its peak and Mei performed a series of pirouettes around her dance floor. The music slowed down once more and with poise, Mei resumed her spot in the center of the room and assumed a gentle and regal pose.
The crowd roared with applause. With a grin, Mei took her seat and watched as Kiku made some announcements. His face still made her stomach churn.
"Good job, everyone. The auditions were a success," the Japanese man said. "All performed exceptionally today. However, the judging panel and I must deliberate. So, the results will not be posted until next week."
Everyone in the company groaned but Kiku chuckled. "But this means a week's paid vacation." The company cheered. "Enjoy your vacation. See you next week!"
With everyone leaving so suddenly, Mei sought out the opportunity to speak with Xiang in privacy. She saw him packing up his sheet music and rushed over to the piano to greet him.
"Hey, Xiang!"
The young man looked up and his facial expression fell, sending a surge of heartbreak through her heart. "Oh, Mei…Hey…"
"So, I wanted to talk about these last few days," Mei started but was interrupted by Xiang speaking over her.
"No, no. It's fine. I…would rather not talk to you about this right now."
"Wh-what?"
"Yeah, sorry. Maybe another time?"
Mei nodded silently, biting down on her bottom lip so the pain could pause the tears. When Xiang left and she was sure no one was around, Mei cupped her delicate face with her hands and cried. How could it end up like this?
Yao thought a certain British man would be just another random customer, but Arthur became one of Yao's beloved regulars and friends. Arthur was like Yao in so many ways. They both retained traditional ideals, they loved tea, and they both loved to gossip. Some days, the men engaged in all three of those things. Yao also thought Arthur was a charming and handsome gentleman. But then again, everyone did.
Yao brought out a teapot, two cups, and cookies for him and his friend. He set down the stuff and took a seat right across from the blonde.
"How was work, aru?"
Arthur sighed. "I swear that idiot Alfred will make me lose my job one day."
Yao chuckled and bit into the cookie. "Mm…" He swallowed. "Well, you are rich. Why do you need a job anyway?"
"I lived with a silver spoon in my mouth for all these years; I want to live a normal life."
Yao nodded, understandingly. "I get where you're coming from, aru. It's good that your brother is working on his independence, too."
"Right. I am so proud of him," Arthur grinned and sipped some of the tea. "So, I heard that Francis hooked up with Gilbert in the boss's office."
Yao's eyes widened and he placed his hand over his mouth, hiding the shock. "Oh my…" he murmured. "I though Gilbert was dating that conductor man, aru!"
"Yes, he is. And Roderich was seeing Elizaveta on the side."
"Too much drama, aru." Yao shook his head and laughed. Arthur nodded in agreement and laughed along with his petite friend. They were so wrapped up in amusement, neither of the men notice the restaurant's door opening.
"What is this?" a booming voice inquired, shaking the two's glee. The friends stopped laughing and looked over to see a large blonde man dressed in a heavy winter coat. Ivan.
"Well…?"
"Ivan!" Yao stood up with a smile and walked over to him. "Why are you here, aru?"
"I don't need a reason to see my lovely boyfriend, da?" Yao nodded silently in agreement. "Who is that?"
"Oh, that is Arthur. He's a friend, aru." Ivan looked over at Arthur, who was nursing his tea. Arthur noticed someone's stare burying into his skin and he looked up to see Ivan. "Ah…'Ello," the Englishman greeted with a nod. Ivan just ignored him and turned back to Yao.
"Is this why you won't spend time with me?" The Russian's gaze quickly fell on Arthur and back to his lover.
"What? No! I told you I've been tired lately."
"But still…"
"But still nothing, aru!" The little Chinaman stomped his foot and balled his fist, causing both Arthur and Ivan to stare at him, in surprise. "I am so sick and tired of you treating me like I'm your…your pet or something!"
"I…" Ivan's mouth opened but the words failed to come out.
"You, shut the fuck up, aru. I'm not your property, Ivan. You don't have to watch over me 24/7."
"Do…do I really now?"
Yao folded his arms and nodded. "In that case I'm…" Ivan tried to apologize and give the smaller man a hug but Yao interrupted him and pushed Ivan away.
"Don't touch me, aru."
"Jao, I promise I won't do it again. I'll give you all the freedom you need!" Ivan said, pleadingly. His eyes seemed desperate.
"I'm sure you won't. Because I'm…" Yao swallowed hard. "I'm through with you Ivan."
"What?" the large blonde breathed. Arthur looked just as surprised as Ivan.
"You heard me, aru."
"So…I see it ends like this." Ivan looked at the floor; he couldn't stomach looking his ex in the eyes.
"Yeah, I guess so."