GUYS YOU NEED TO READ THIS NOTE! Okay, so for some reason, I fucked up, or the site fucked up, but a chapter got removed. Chapter 6 and 7 are new. It was supposed to be put up months ago, and I don't know why I didn't. I could have sworn I did, but apparently my brain did not. I'm going to go through in the morning and make sure nothing else is missing. YOU MUST READ CHAPTER 7, OTHERWISE THE NEXT CHAPTER IS GOING TO BE CONFUSING AS HELL.
Hey guys, I wanted to ask you something. Sometimes I feel like my chapters might be a little too short. I was thinking that I could start making them longer, but the catch is that the updates might not be as quick as they have been.
Mona groans when a stray beam of light connects with her eyes: she always seems to wake up this way and it is an annoying habit. Nero's slow and steady breathing behind her let's her know that he's still sleeping deeply, and probably has no intention of waking up soon. Carefully, so as not to wake him, Mona stretches her stiff body and winces slightly at the soreness. She knows it's been a while since she last had sex, but she didn't think she would be so sore. Then again, her and Nero did go at it again before the shower…and then in the shower… She can't help the smile that spreads slowly across her face at the remembrance of last night's marathon.
Rolling on to her back, Mona pulls Nero's arm across her stomach: it feels nice there and she is in no hurry to move from her current position. She pulls her arm up and looks at the black scales: they make her sick to look at and she wonders if she'll always have them. She'll have to quit dancing: she can't dance with these on her. Certainly she can cover them with makeup, but you will still be able to see their outline and their texture. Mona will have to call Charlotte and tell her that she's quitting. The news will break both of their hearts, but only one of them will get over it. Mona knows that quitting will break her spirits and put her in an incredibly foul mood.
Mona snaps her eyes away from her scales with a sudden thought: liquid latex. She can get a nude base color and put her foundation on it. If she does it well enough, people will barely be able to see the scales! As swift as she can, she slides out from under Nero's arm and starts to get dressed. She'll make Dante run out and get some for her, surely that pervert knows where to find some. Quietly, she opens the door and shuts it behind her with a soft click. The building is as quiet as always as Mona makes her way down the creaky steps.
Dante sits at his desk, feet propped up on paperwork, and a magazine over his face. He can hear Mona coming down the steps quickly, but she wasn't screaming, so nothing can be wrong. "What is it, babe? Come for condoms?"
"Don't be an asshole, Dante. It just happened," Mona snaps at him, taking the magazine off of his face.
"I'm sure it did."
"Are you pouting? You are. You're pouting. Look, I have to go to the studio, I checked my email last night-"
"You had time for that?"
Mona kicks Dante's legs off the table and doesn't continue until he looks at her. "Yes. I checked my email, Charlotte is freaking out, I have to go to the studio. I'll go alone, I'll be fine. I need you to go and pick up liquid latex. After you do that, go to Sephora, it's in the mall. Tell the girls working you need Nars Matte foundation in Benares and concealer in Cacao-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. No. Uh-uh. I'll go with you to your ballet shit, and then you'll come with me to the Spehora thing," Dante looks confused even saying the name.
Mona gives a deep sigh and picks up her duffle bag from the floor by the door. She wishes they wouldn't come to the studio with her: she just wants to feel normal again, and them being there makes it impossible. "There's no way I can get you to stay here?"
"Nope. I wanna see some hot ballet chicks," Dante explains with a smile as he stands up from his chair.
Mona throws a shoe at him playfully. He would be a distraction there, she knows it, but she doesn't have a choice. He'll be going with her whether she wants him too or not. "Fine, but you had better hurry up, or I'm going to be late," she finally agrees. She makes sure the scales are well hidden before walking out of the door. She can feel Dante walking slowly behind her, keeping an eye on her as she runs ahead of him. It's times like these when she regrets not buying a car.
The studio is buzzing with noise and shouts of instructions. Mona makes Dante wait in the lobby as she rushes to the back practice room. She knows she's going to get a stern lecture from Charlotte about being absent for so long. There's absolutely no way she'll get the lead part now. As soon as Mona enters the room it goes hushed with murmurs and whispers. Clara approaches Mona with a smile on her face.
"Guess what." Clara takes Mona's arm in hers and leads her across the room towards the mirrors. Clara doesn't seem to notice the scales that are currently beneath her skin and Mona's cardigan.
"You got the lead," Mona exclaims feigning a smile. She wouldn't blame Charlotte for giving Clara the lead: Mona is not exactly the most reliable right now. Still, Mona can't help be feel disappointed in herself and in the situation. This is all she has ever wanted, and now it's slipping out of her fingers because of some demon bitch from hell. The thought makes her fists clench in rage.
"No, you got the lead. I'm the understudy," Clara shouts smiling and gripping Mona's hands.
"What?" Mona asks completely in shock. That's not possible. Charlotte is forgiving and understanding, but not nearly this much. Slowly, a smile spreads across Mona's face as she looks at Clara. Maybe everything isn't lost…Maybe she can still be normal.
"Mona! In my office," Charlotte calls out from behind her, shattering her thoughts of a pleasant future. Quickly, Mona makes her way into the warm office letting Charlotte finally shut the door. "Where have you been? Do you have any idea how completely unprofessional this is, Mona?" Charlotte scolds her as soon as the door is shut. Mona stands quietly in front of the desk with her head down. "Mona, for God's sake, you are a professional. I don't get a call. I don't get anything. You worry me. And not just as your boss, Mona."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, but-"
"No," Charlotte says holding up her hands and cutting Mona off. "No. I don't want your excuses, I don't care. What I need is for you to show up on time from now on, or your spot will go to Clara. She already knows the dances Mona, she has a head start on you."
Mona nods and looks up at her boss. "I understand. I won't disappoint you. I'll work extra hard and put in extra time at the studio. I promise, Charlotte."
Charlotte waves her hand, dismissing Mona from her office. Mona holds her head high as she walks back over to begin her stretching. If they sharks see the blood in the water, they'll start biting. She ignores the dark shadow she sees in the mirror, and focuses on stretching out her feet. She needs to get her head on straight and focus on what she wants: Matrem is only another obstacle that she will over come. She can't touch her anyway, at least, not yet. The thought gives small comfort to Mona. She finds it difficult however to put Matrem's face out of her head.
The practice runs hard and long, especially for Mona: she has a lot of catching up to do. She's out of breath by the end of the five hour-long practice. She listens as Charlotte tells them what time to be there tomorrow and gives updates on when the opening night is. Costume fittings are in three days, and everyone is required to be in attendance. With sluggish movements, Mona removes herself from her sitting position on the floor, and picks up her bag. She finds Dante sleeping in one of the leather chairs in the lobby, his arms crossed in front of his chest. With a smile on her face, Mona leans down and kisses his cheek.
"Wake up, sunshine, it's time to go." She stands back up and looks at the sleeping silver haired man.
"So soon?" the sarcasm drips off of both words as he speaks. He stands up and stretches deeply. "The mall is closed. I called Trish, she went and got everything for you," he yawns.
"See why I wanted you to stay home? This was actually a short day. You should be happy." Mona catches his yawn and glares at him for it. Tonight a long bubble bath is in store for her aching body. The sky is already starting to darken when Mona and Dante make their way back to the office. The pair walk side by side down the black pavement. Mona can feel the tension and it makes her muscles ache even more than they already were. "What?" Mona looks at him with curious and apprehensive eyes.
"You kissed me first," Dante states, looking forward.
Mona lets out a deep sigh and rolls her shoulders. "That wasn't me, Dante. That was Matrem. And I would be lying if I said I didn't find you attractive. The truth is, he came on to me, and I didn't say no. And I won't apologize for it. It was a nice kiss, it was great sex. It actually meant something and I refuse to feel bad about it. I like both of you Dante. I love both of you. I'd do anything to keep from hurting you both."
"But you slept with the kid," he groans rolling his head up to the sky.
"I did. And trust me, he is no kid. He knows what he's doing. I enjoyed myself, and we'll probably do it again. But I want you to listen to me right now, Dante." Mona stops and looks at Dante. Her eyes stay locked on his as she speaks her next words. "Don't make me choose between you two, Dante. You'll both lose."