A/N: Wow, I am so glad there are Black Swan lovers out there like me. When I was the first one to post I wasn't expecting many reads but... please lets fill up this section! :)

About the tone of the story. This isn't all a lovey dovey story. (Although I wish someone would just write cutesty stuff about the two.). But it won't be as dark as the movie itself. This is told from a more objective view... And while there will be the dark elements from the movie, it won't be as much since Nina had already lived through and conquered those challenges.

Act I: Papercut

~ Lincoln Performance Art Center ~

Why does it feel like night today?
Something in here's not right today.
Why am I so uptight today?
Paranoia's all I got left…

The headphones blasting the music slipped off her ears with a smooth pull. A press of a button and her iPod was shut off. With a nonchalant drop of her bags, a seldom seen reflective Lily let it all soak in around her. Those big curious eyes were undressing this room as her mind acted like a reluctant sponge. Interrogating in silence, Lily was doing what anyone in this production had been doing for the past few days. Piecing together a puzzle in a cloud of confusion.

It was a make-believe performance they would never forget.

And a real world scare Lily wished she could forget.

It was hard to think about it but Lily was there to see it all happen closely from the outside. Was it really only just a few nights ago where Nina was prepping for what could have been her final performance? Lily felt the stark reality as much as the mental exaggerations conjuring in her mind. There was a surreal weight in the room, like a constant yet unknown pressure that pressed against her chest tightly. It was a harsh and haunting feeling… all in the mind she reminded herself.

This was the chair where Nina sat, resting those nimble feet for the torment about to come for the sake of art. This was mirror where she probably stared back at herself, nitpicking every flaw and blemish, grinding it away, the coats of makeup hiding the real girl beneath it all. This was the polished floor, the practice canvass where the prodigy's body and mind were tortured, all for a dancing display of perfection, one that would shock anyone who would be privileged enough to see.

This was the Swan Queen's dressing room. For a long time this was Beth McIntyre's room. For that one night this was Nina Sayer's room.

Now unexpectedly... it was all hers.

"So you're the big lead now…" Lily muttered with a critiquing glance, staring at her own pretty face in the mirror, seemingly silently interrogating herself now with eyes that peeled away the surface. At this moment her facial expressions appeared blank like a deer in headlights. It wasn't too long until she forced a big smile upon herself to calm the status quo.

This is what everyone dreams about right? … This is the ultimate goal… your ultimate goal.

Not surprisingly the reflection's smile didn't last very long.

Her own private expectations aside, the circumstances of her promotion to the highest honor was tainted as far as she was concerned. She technically didn't earn this spot nor went out of her way to be the lead. That was what she truly believed.

Lily turned her head towards the body mirror to her left, remembering the aftermath of that night. The reflective surface had been replaced with all new mirrors as expected, but the frozen images were never to be forgotten. Blood splotches on the floor, a shattered mirror, a serrated glass blade…

This isn't the way it supposed to be was it?

"So she told me you were there when she awoke."

Lily shook the initial surprise of hearing that familiar heavily accented voice, leering to herself at the audacity of the surprise entry. She turned to see the one responsible for this entire production, the boss as expected was peaking his handsome face in, blue eyes pushing his view onto Lily like the demanding man he was . Thomas Leroy was indeed the perfect figurehead and had the aura of one. He owned this thing. In Lily's opinion the girls believe he literally owns them and vice versa. The way they kissed up to him confirmed the pathetic relationship.

"Knocking on the door is not an east coast thing isn't it?" Lily quickly had her saucy self-going in no time, as she grinned devilishly.

No one owned her and she made sure everyone knew it.

"Apparently so." Thomas opened the door and stepped in without a fuss. He paced around the room with each heavy step of his boots, glancing about the compact room as Lily did, almost trying to reimagine the past days it if these walls could speak.

"How is she doing?"

"Good…" Thomas continued to circle. "She is with her mother now. They say she will make a full recovery."

"… All is well then."

"I believe so… yes."

Indeed all was well for Mr. Leroy. Lily remembered how Thomas was after Nina had been rushed to the hospital. It was like a tale of two men almost wrapped into one. Extreme and genuine concern would flash one moment of his new "Little Princess"… the next minute he'd be cursing in French about the production. Did he really care about Nina or was he afraid he'd lost his star? Lily couldn't put a gauge on it. Thomas wouldn't let anyone in on his thoughts; any woman in his life could tell you that. He had spoken to her about his concern for Nina as much as this Swan Lake production…

"This is relief for all of us." Thomas spoke bluntly in his proper voice, finally turning his attention back to Lily from behind, staring through her reflection. "I am glad you were there to appease her."

Lily nodded with little effort as she took her eyes back to the mirror as well. "Somebody had to. It was me you and her mom in a round a robin rotation." She tickled her thought of the official news of Nina's survival, replaying her awakening where for one moment Lily let her emotions through to someone. She had never cried in front of anyone in a long time. Why exactly she found Nina's near death encounter so emotionally overwhelming was as easy as an answer as it was difficult.

"… I guess I was the lucky one huh?"

"Yes, we are all glad she'll be okay." Thomas chortled in a small break of his seriousness, reaching his hand to his own neck and tapping in thought. Even he didn't know exactly where Lily and Nina stood. Were they friends? Were they rivals with respect?

Granted Thomas didn't really concern himself with that too much.

"Most importantly this is good news for you as well." Thomas advanced towards Lily in a creeping calm stroll. "Now, you can just concentrate on this part and lose yourself in this role. No more distractions."

"I never lost concentration." Lily fired back calmly as she felt his warm body inch closer, that image of Thomas closing on her reflection in the mirror.

"Confidence was never a problem with you." Thomas chuckled softly, advancing like a predator on its prey, examining her more and more with a stare that seemed to try and cut through all that Lily was from an exterior point of view. Whenever this man would eye one of his dancers they'd feel like he was undressing them. Surely in the physical sense but in the metaphysical as well. Even the most free, strong, and spirited dancers like Lily had to hold back their sensations of the strange combination of lust, nervousness, and unease.

Those tattoos of bird's wings were in Thomas' clear view thanks to Lily's skimpy black tank top. Her tan dark skin a perfect backdrop for the artwork of ink. His strong hands suddenly found themselves resting around Lily's soft shoulders, gripping down with a firm massaging touch. Lily just glanced down for a moment, having to force herself to glare back into the eyes of her teacher.

"This isn't the small time anymore Lily." Thomas accent bled a little bit of snobbish flare. "You have natural potential and sensuality that none of these girls have. I chose you because it all comes so easy for you."

Lily scoffed.

"And here I was thinking because I was just the cutest one." She bit back like a viper with sarcasm.

"And that's exactly what I am talking about." Thomas gently spun her around making Lily gasp a little, eyeing down his newest Swan Queen in the most serious and intense stares. It was silent domination. He began traveling his eyes down the wonders that was Lily's beautiful body. Starting from those thin but shapely legs. Ogling up those tight hips. Admiring her perfectly smooth midsection. Taking a few more seconds at that budding chest and finally finishing at that face of dark yet beautiful splendor.

This was the obscure and sexy mystery that was Lily. Different from Nina surely. But to him just as intoxicating of at thought to be his lead.

"This isn't a joke anymore my dear. You're in the biggest show, in the biggest role, and all eyes will be on you." Thomas tested her resolve with just that stare. "I chose you as alternate over Veronica because I believe you can put on a show like Nina did. I believe you have what it takes to follow even what happened that night."

Really? How do you… follow perfection?

"… And when she comes back?" Lily bit her lip instantly, regretting at the thought of asking that. She felt like one of those catty broads that were fighting for this spot.

"Nothing you will worry about." Thomas answered sternly. "I'll make a decision on whether or not what happens. Just be prepared like you were opening night and that's all you need to worry about."

"You got it chief."

"Remember this isn't San Francisco." Thomas pulled her in closer and whispered into her ear. "The heat is about to turn up. How you handle this is a real test of who you really are. Understood?"

Lily felt the warmth of his strong body yet cold words he had for her. It was a challenge. It was a warning. It was an ultimatum. It was an offer. With a cocky smile, unlike the rest of the girls had done, Lily wasn't going to crumble or falter. She pulled away from his strong grip, eyeing him as if he was just another person on the street. This was nothing Lily told herself. He was nothing…

"Just get ready for when I tear up the stage and add to this legacy of yours." Lily eyed him back as confidently as he would his own dancers. "You can thank me later…" she winked.

Thomas was amazed, attracted, and flabbergasted all at the same time. The confidence just oozed from this girl like it was all she was made out of. It was sexy. It was irresistible.

"That's what I want." Thomas patted her cheek gently with his hand, warming her face. "Tomorrow we'll get to work. Don't disappoint."

Lily waved as the enigma waltzed out of the room and closed the door with a soft shut. The moment finally gave way and the relief that flowed in was a nice change, like a storm that had just left an area battered but now was calm. She lets out a breath as she sat down on what was her chair now, staring into the mirror now with her hands in her hair, psyching herself into preparation of what was to come.

You've been through it all Lily.

This will be nothing.

This is for you Nina.

Lily reached into her pockets, pressing her iPod unit, putting those headphones on again. She closed her eyes, getting lost inside the music as she could finally just have time to herself.

I don't know what stressed me first
Or how the pressure was fed
But I know just what it feels like
To have a voice in the back of my head

It's like a face that I hold inside
A face that awakes when I close my eyes
A face watches every time I lie
A face that laughs every time I fall
(And watches everything)

So I know that when it's time to sink or swim
That the face inside is hearing me
Right underneath my skin…

- B – B – B -

When word got out that Nina had been hospitalized the production more or less went into a dead and screeching halt. Internal structuring aside, with press coverage from local new stations and even the bigger global entities such as NBC and CBS, made for a media headache the ballet studio didn't bargain for. Stories of a dancer pushed too far would taint Thomas and his production of course, although at the same time the media coverage of Nina's injury ridden performance seemed to cause a stir that many on the inside were taking as positive publicity spin.

Lead dancer hurt… but continues on for the show and art itself.

It was like a movie…

"It fucking worked for that stupid Spider-Man musical a couple blocks down. Why not us?" Thomas blurted out in one the meeting with his sponsors.

The sponsors were the ones most worried. The sponsors of the show who actually saw opening night were the biggest voices of concern. Thomas was as brilliant a choreographer as he was a business man and had to appease every one of them. Frighteningly for his performers that made him even more intense of a master of ceremonies. Could Lily replace the brilliance that was Nina? That was what everyone wanted to know.

The show had become the hottest ticket in town.

The pressure was on.

After the small break from the various press and consequential reasons of a fallen lead, the first Thomas Leroy dress rehearsal after Nina was going as expected. Long hours. A vicious pace. And a lot of critiquing and pushing multiplied and amplified to places no one had ever seen. A competition or bets of who would screw up first between the dancers or challenges of who could one up the other was a common occurrence and this was no different.

In the darkness of the stage any onlooker could see the art. Lily was as brilliant with her body as much as anyone was. The spotlight was all on her glittering body as the dancers stayed in formation from behind, shadows in the darkness for this snow white princess to do her work. A plié to a brise was done by second nature, a spin to a pirouette completing the formation was tight and straight. Her adagio stage was smooth and sophisticated, this dancer knowing how to play the crowd. But even as most stood and watched with admiration the lead of the group was not satisfied.

He was more like disgusted.

"Stop! Stop!" Thomas yelled out all music shutting off and production crew beginning the chatter once again. The antsy atmosphere made for the most tense of places, Lily tapping her foot as Thomas slowly made his way onto the stage.

Adorned in the costume of the beautiful White Swan Lily gave a frustrated sigh, wondering what the hell she did wrong this time. Behind she heard a few girls giggling at her expense, Lily grinding her teeth not wanting to wait to give those bitches a piece of her mind.

"Lily what was that?" Thomas flared as he motioned for the lights to come up with a wave of his hand.

"I apologize Thomas…" Lily had a deadpan response, crossing her arms. "What exactly went wrong this time?"

"Hmm, I don't know where to start." Thomas shook his head with a finger to his chin, voice full of sarcasm as he sent out a few curses in French. "Let's see how about your lines? Your form? Your effort? You're losing your technique. We need to be perfect. Do you understand?"

"… Sorry, it's just after the umpteenth time doing it-"

"You're getting lazy." Thomas huffed finishing it for her, pulling her aside by her arm and to the corner.

"Look it wasn't laziness." Lily defended as she was dragged, completely insulted. "How can you say that?"

"You're dancing like you're a fucking back up dancer at a small club." Thomas berated her in a whisper. "Your demeanor is like you're going through the motions. This is not how you usually are. You've been getting worse as we continued on tonight. Honestly? It's like you don't even want to be here."

"Look it was just a mistake and a lapse…" Lily scowled. "Let's just do it over again."

"Do you even fucking want this part?" Thomas suddenly asked as his eyes lit up with not an ounce of pity or empathy.

"W-what do you mean?" Lily gasped at the insinuation.

"Just a mistake?" Thomas shook his head in frustration, bringing her close up so his breath was on her face. "The person before you almost gave her life for this role. Her effort was unparalleled. She breathed this role. She lived this role." He pointed at her accusingly with gritted teeth. "You? You're acting like this is playtime or recess or some shit like that. This is not the girl I chose to be the Swan Queen. The girl I wanted is in there somewhere and you better find it."

"… I..."

"People that night saw perfection Lily. Don't you understand?" Thomas softened as Lily seemed to get it into her head with her more concerned face. "I'm looking out for you. You're following an act that takes perfection. That takes greatness. You can't let this opportunity slip by! You're too good for anything less!"

I am… too good… aren't I?

Lily bit her lip, just nodding towards her teacher as she stood strong and calm. Her face was defiant but her ears were listening. Thomas gave a frustrated sigh as he held his head, the pressure on him finally showing at the seams. His message got through he hoped. Even he seemed to be a bit done with his own retentive militia type commands.

"Look everyone huddle up!" Thomas motioned for all dancers to circle around them as his voice increased tenfold. Lily took another deep breath as she felt she dodged a bullet, eyeing the lines of ballerinas that passed her, getting stares from her male and female peers as they walked by.

How different it was when she was just one of the girls behind Nina. Her free west coast spirit seemed to soften up the ladies and of course all the guys loved her still. But the minute she became the Swan Queen things changed. Jealousy enraged and sides were chosen. She was the new girl yet she was now the favorite. She just stepped off the plane and now she ruled the roost. It was unfair to the rest of them they thought.

It was a cut throat business…

"You all worked hard today and since it is the first real dress rehearsal back, I'm calling this practice a night early." Thomas smiled at the good news. "From the rumors around here it seems that I'm working you all a bit too hard and I don't want to work my talent into the ground now do I?" He smirked as a few chuckled around him. "Now before everyone leaves I want to introduce to you my new talent supervisor that I am honored to introduce. Madamoiselle if you please would grace us with your presence."

The entire room turned on cue and gasped on cue as well. The young dancer they thought they had lost walked gingerly to the stage. It was a sight no one was prepared to see. And even the most jaded of dancers seemed to appreciate this sight.

"Already out of bed," Lily muttered to herself with a happy hop to her step. "Now there's a trooper…"

"Hello everyone…" Nina nodded at them acknowledging them all in one swoop of her body, coming into the circle at Thomas' side. Dressed in her usual conservative coat and scarf, she looked refreshed, actually looking better than the days leading up to opening night most would say. The ballerinas crowded around her, giving her all gentle hugs and support as Lily stood from afar smiling at the sight of a walking and interacting Nina Sayers. It was an awesome and uplifting sight to say the least.

"Nina can't dance anytime soon but she will be my assistant and adviser to all of you." Thomas smiled taking his arm around her shoulders. "We are blessed to have her back. Together we're going to make this production a success am I right?"

The ballet squad gave their cheers behind Thomas, Nina just smiling meekly at it all. Lily and her make eyes contact for a second and Nina received a wink of pure approval. The group slowly broke apart bit by bit and hit the showers, saying their byes to Nina. Lily was about to walk over and converse but Nina was suddenly pulled by Thomas in a gentle nudge and embrace. The two were making their way towards his office at a ginger pace as Lily frozen still.

The new Swan Queen paused in hesitation as Nina was looking at her but being dragged away almost against her will. It would've been just awkward to interrupt it.

"Maybe later then I guess…"

Lily didn't follow. She couldn't. She could only give a slight wave from the darkness, Nina seemingly wanting to speak but didn't resist against Thomas' insistence that they had their own private time. In seconds Lily found herself alone in the stage, glancing out to only a few of the production crew staff wrapping up.

It was clear being alone in the dim lights for her.

Being on top was a lonely place.

She was going to have to get used to it.

- B – B – B -

Back in the dressing room Lily was quick and swift, wanting to get out of here and just relax for the rest of the night because she was an aching sore of a dancer. In the many San Francisco productions she was in, they weren't nearly this furious. Being a ballerina was a seven day a week job of constant practice even in those more laid back times. Ever since the lead of this production was hers, it felt like there weren't enough days to keep up in her opinion. She needed a 'Lily'day between Sunday and Monday she would often say…

Showering the sweat and makeup off, wiping down her exhausted body, she groaned and moaned as she cracked every sore bone in her body. The rhythmic hits of water cleansed her every thought away as she was trying to just cleanse her head just as much anything else. The steam poured out of the shower room, the girl grabbing onto the nearby towel to wrap around her naked body as the cold air surrounded her yet again.

The steam produced a thick layer of condensation on the mirrors, fogging out a blurry image of herself as she tried to take a gander at how she looked. Blindly combing her hair, popping those earrings in, and picking out her trendy wear, Lily got into her own comfortable digs and began packing her bags. She grabbed her trusty iPod and quickly played the music as she ran a last check of all her things so she wouldn't forget.

I know I've got a face in me
Points out all my mistakes to me
You've got a face on the inside too and
Your paranoia's probably worse

I don't know what set me off first but I know what I can't stand
Everybody acts like the fact of the matter is
I can't add up to what you can

Lily grabbed the door handle, opening it with a twist, finding a surprise standing outside waiting for her as the door creaked away. She grabbed at her headphones smiling as she saw Nina leaning against the wall, hands in her coat waiting for her apparently.

"You know you could just knock." Lily informed her, not knowing how long this girl was waiting outside but from the looks of it she was in no hurry to see her.

Nina paused. Deep inside she wanted to tell Lily that she didn't want to go into that room. Underneath the pretty face she wanted to tell Lily she was afraid to speak to her. In all truth Nina wanted to tell her she didn't even want to be in this ballet theater for a while. It was too strange to open up about all that happened to her she thought. But dancing was her life… it was who she was.

Nina slowly grinned, looking downward slightly feeling awkward around this vixen still. "Thomas told me that you thought we east coasters don't like to knock so, I wanted to be consistent."

"Wow was that a joke I just heard from Nina?" Lily delighted in the greeting, closing her door and stepping outside, eyeing Ms. Sayers so closely with a genuine happy gaze. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"… I know." Nina it seems was still very soft spoken yet had a different vibe about her. Lily noticed a more comfortable vibe. A more satisfied with herself vibe. "Look, I just wanted to say thank you for watching over me. My mother… Thomas… told me you volunteered."

"Hey, you're one of us okay?" Lily would have none of the thanking. "I only wanted to be friendly since the day we met… it's no big deal."

"I know that now." Nina admitted as she blushed in her cheeks. She quickly turned towards the dark hallway where the stage entrance was if not only to hide her embarrassment. "I saw you dance the part of the White Swan in practice from far away." She said it, if only to take the attention away from herself.

Lily tingled as this was being brought up. The fact that she had taken Nina's spot still sat wrong with her and she didn't want any tension to exist between them. But…

"You danced the part so well Lily… I was impressed. I m-mean… I've been always impressed with your dancing but you seem to be getting even better as hard as it is to believe."

Apparently Nina didn't want any neither.

"Wow, t-thanks." Lily breathed with relief, leaning back against the doorway. A compliment from the girl who was supposed to be her rival was huge.

"It means a lot coming from you..." She looked down and grabbed a pack of cigarettes from her bag. "Too bad Thomas isn't exactly as complimentary as you are about my dancing…" She grabbed a lighter, blinking as Nina was staring. "Oh I'm sorry… cigarette?" she pulled one out and offered.

"Uh n-no thank you." Nina waved her hand to deny it, just watching as Lily shrugged, lighting the cig and pocketing the other one. She hit the nicotine like a much needed calming solvent. Nina could tell the effects of the pressure were already starting to take its toll.

"Lily, you know Thomas is just a passionate person. He wants you to be your best."

"… I know. He says it all the time." Lily looked at Nina hard as the girl was as genuine as they come. Even now as Lily used to feel this tension and rivalry between them, Nina seeming to snap and see her as some attention stealing hussy… all that seemed like the past.

Thomas is passionate like you. Maybe a bit too passionate… Seeing what happened to you Nina.

"Look, I honestly wish you the best of luck Lily." Nina smiled as big as anyone had seen her smile, probably ever since she got the lead. "I'm here to help any of you if you wish me to. I just want this show to be a success. I want you to succeed"

"Well… at this fucking rate, I think I'm going to need it." Lily puffed another inhale, shooting it out to the side. "Say, how long till you can come back on stage with us and rock the house again?"

"… I am not sure actually." Nina crossed her arms, digging deep to say the next words as if it was like trying to pull the knife out of her yet again. "I have to go to rehab and into counseling… about what happened to me and everything."

Lily could feel the sorrow in her words.

"I have to square that all away before I could even think about… ballet again."

Lily now felt she was crossing a line of conversation neither of them were ready to travel to. All Nina knew was this life of make believe and Lily had that sense about her. This life of a dancer. Of a performer was everything to her... not just a career. There was no need to put a damper on this convo and Lily would have none of it. She quickly pulled back as she stuffed her cig with a press to the wall. "Hey, you know what? Why don't we catch up on dinner or something? It'll be on me again."

Nina's eyes seemed to double as if she was about to bark up the wrong tree yet one more time. Lily sensed it, remembering her not so fun reaction to the one night they did hang out together. Ecstasy isn't everyone's friend apparently.

"Hey about last time…" Lily shook her hands, eyes wide with empathy and apology. "Nina, I assure you, no funny business. We'll just grab some grub and we'll both go home. I just want to make it up to you and welcome you back."

"Oh…" Nina shook as well, feeling Lily got the wrong idea. "No it's not that…" she sighed. "It's just Thomas invited me to dinner already and-"

"… Teach is such the nice guy." Lily broke Nina's sympathetic look with her superficial smile. "Hey I can't break up you two lovebirds right? … Go ahead maybe we'll catch up some other time."

Lily grabbed her bags and was about to make way with that signature smirk at Nina, as yet again they had just another one of those awkward stares. "Um… well I better get going then. I don't want to hold you-"

"Lily, wait." Nina stopped her previous rival with a hand to her shoulder, reaching for her phone, dialing as Lily just goggled at her dumbly. She dialed the speed dial quickly, waiting a few rings before conversing.

"Thomas… y-yes… about tonight… I um, apologize but I feel tired and I think perhaps maybe we should have a rain check on dinner… I apologize again… N-no… Lily offered to take me back because it's on the way back to her home… Yes… I appreciate everything Thomas… I will be here tomorrow ready to go… yes. Thank you, Thomas. Bye…"

The phone was hung up with a blink, as if Nina had no idea why the hell she just did that.

"Wait a second. Did you just turn down a date with a hunk to hang out with little old me?" Lily teased as she giggled to herself, stroking her own ego with a sultry look.

"Hold on." Nina got defensive. "I just figured because of the situation of the whole production and you being my replacement, we needed to clear the air."

"Right…" Lily continued to tease with her tone and demeanor.

"Ugh, please don't make me regret this." Nina sighed at the sight of that look.

"You won't. There's this awesome deli I discovered on Fifth Avenue. We're so going." Lily began walking off as Nina followed, hands connecting in a friendly grip, the two rivals side by side walking out to the parking lot.

"I'm being serious when I offered my help Lily." Nina knew the pressures of this job and while Lily seemed so strong in her eyes, she knew any kind of help would aid a dancer in this situation. Lily rolled her eyes but would find something to ask.

"Well there is a question you could answer for me Nina."

"What?"

"Remember when you thought I spent the night that one time…?"

"Oh no…"

"Well…"

"…"

"Was I good or what?"

"Surprise, I am already regretting this… guess it's my own fault."

The two girls were like opposites yet got along like friends that had been together for years. Nina was sincere but that was what made it so fun for Lily. All Nina got in reply of her discomfort was a laugh that was as charming as it creeped her out in her most paranoid state. The lighter haired girl wouldn't resist too much anymore. She was done with that. Nina was just happy she was watching someone in the lead with all the pressures in the world still laughing and having fun. With what happened to Beth and then to herself she knew this wasn't going to be an easy road.

They had a lot of work to do.

A lot of problems to face.

She was hoping to make sure Lily wouldn't make the mistake she and Beth made.

The sun goes down
I feel the light betray me
It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within
It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin..

A/N: Old Linkin Park lyrics just scream Black Swan to me...

Next chapter, dinner with Lily and Nina as they finally dig deeper into their pasts. The production steam rolls on as Lily's first showing draws close. Nina adjusts to being a helper instead of the star... not being able to dance leaves her life without much substance, and what about her living situation?

Will romance bloom yet...?

Who knows?

Stay tuned. :)