Asteria sat in her dressing room in front of her vanity mirror brushing her hair. Another successful night. It was both satisfying and exhausting; honestly her favorite part of the night was when she got to wash off all the makeup and shower. Her costume was now discarded on the floor, and she was dressed in her most comfortable clothes. A pair of leggings and a tank top. Tying up her hair in a ponytail she heard a knock on her door.
Without a second thought Asteria stood and answered the door. There seemed to be a small crowd of people standing before her. A blonde, a red head, and two brunettes.
"…Can I help you?" She asked scanning them over.
"Yes, we're looking for Aurora Pontellier. Do you happen to know where she is?" Asked the man wearing the 3-piece suit.
"Why?"
"Why what?" The brown-haired woman spat. Asteria narrowed her eyes slightly 'bad move girlie' she thought. Only two words and this chick was already beginning to rub her the wrong way.
"Why do you want to know where Pontellier is?" Asteria pressed.
"We're friends of hers and we would like to see her." 3- piece started.
"Friends?"
"Yes, friends." He was beginning to get irritated.
"What are your names."
The man let out an audible sigh. "I'm Wyatt Belby, this is my sister Ramona." He motioned to his female look-a-like. "This is Draco Malfoy- "pointing to the blonde "And Willow." The red head. "Satisfied or would you like our blood types as well."
Oh, he had attitude as well, Asteria didn't like it. Who the hell do these entitled assholes think they are?!
"Listen I have no idea how you four got in here. Visitors are not allowed in the dressing rooms. Also, Aurora never mentioned anything about having friends in New York. Haven't seen her since the show ended. So, I suggest you get lost before I call security." Asteria tried to shut the door, but a hand immediately flung out to stop her from doing so.
"Listen lady, you mean to tell me that your room is right next to hers and you have no idea where she went?" It was the sister talking now. "I don't buy it for a second."
"Do I look like a babysitter to you? Aurora is a grown woman she does as she likes. Since you're too stupid to understand I'll speak slowly. I. DON'T. KNOW. WHERE. SHE. IS., okay? Goodnight." Once again, she tried to shut the door, but she wouldn't budge.
"You're lying!"
Asteria sighed, she was too tired for this bullshit "SECURITY!" She bellowed out locking eyes with the woman.
"Um guys…let's just go." The redhead pleaded. "We're not even supposed to be back here.
"If you two want the embarrassment of being escorted out by all means proceed, however I am not taking part." Said the blonde and he turned to walk away with the red had in tow. A few seconds passed and the siblings turned to leave muttered what a foul bitch she was.
Asteria watched them leave, closed the door, and locked it. She went back to her seat in front of her vanity mirror and began to apply her moisturizer.
"You can come out now." Asteria said to seemly no one.
The door to the bathroom in her dressing room opened with a small creak. Aurora appeared dressed in leggings and a crop top, hair styled in a messy bun.
"Thanks for that."
Asteria turned to look at her.
"Want to explain to me why I had to hide you in here from your 'friends'?"
"Er…it's kind of a long story…"
"Oh sweetheart. I have time." Asteria smirked. "You cannot come in here beg me to hide you then have me fight with complete strangers…although I would bareknuckle box with that woman Romana(?) any day. I don't know her, but I already don't like her."
Aurora chuckled. "Yeah, that's usually the impression she leaves."
"So, what's the deal. Why are you hiding from your friends."
"I don't want to get into details, but I will say this. I went on a semi-world tour and left without saying anything to anyone before I joined the dance company."
"…. wow…"
"…yeah. Not proud of what I did so I-"
"-Am trying to avoid them because you're scared of the consequences of your actions?"
Aurora glared at her.
"Oh, don't give me that look. You know I'm right. You just hate the way that it sounds because it's so shitty."
Aurora sighed and bowed her head "Yes." She moved to lay down on the couch that was in the room, she was suddenly aware of her muscle aches. "It's overwhelming. What do I say? 'Hey guys thank you for coming to the show! Sorry for disappearing on you like that.'?"
"Not exactly how I would put it but yes, something like that."
XXXX
Finally, after a long day Aurora lay in her bed staring at the ceiling. She was exhausted and her eyes burned but sleep would not come. It felt strange being back in her old apartment. Absolutely nothing had changed, Linny did an excellent job at keeping the place in tip top shape. Linny was absolutely elated when her mistress appeared she couldn't control her tears as she hugged Aurora's legs.
"Miss Rory! Miss Rory! You have finally returned! Linny knew you would, Linny always knew! Look Miss Rory! Look! Linny has kept your apartment neat and clean!"
"Thank you, Linny, you have done a wonderful job…I'm-I'm sorry for leaving like that. Forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive Miss Rory!" Linny squeaked. "Miss Rory may do as she pleases!"
Tears were streaming down her face as she replayed the memory in her mind. She really did do a lot of damage didn't she. Her time hiding was up. They knew she was back, and it was only a matter of time before they came looking for her here. If they did, she would not run nor would she hide, she would face them. It's the least she could do.
Wiping the tears from her face she turned to her side. When she sees them again, she will apologize and will accept the consequences.
XXXX
Inside a quaint restaurant in Pleasantville a group of 5 were enjoying their breakfast. Asteria cut into her French toast as she watched Aurora take slow sips from her coffee. Ilya was retelling a lackluster story of how disappointing the nightlife was in New York, frankly no one was impressed. The dance company has been in New York for the past two weeks for the last leg of their tour. Their last show was two days ago. During their time in New York, they found the city to be filthy, reeked of garbage, vomit, and body odder and the heat only made the stench worse.
"Well, what did you expect?" Dimitri asked.
"I had higher expectations for seemingly one of the 'greatest' cities in the world."
"Paris isn't any better. Rats everywhere." Aurora interjected. "Tokyo however, WOW! I was very impressed. Not a speck of trash on the ground. The Japanese certainly know how to keep their cities clean." Aurora picked up her mug once again to take another sip from her coffee. Asteria was still watching her.
"You've been to Japan?" Vera asked with mild interest.
"Yes, before I came to Moscow. I did a bit of traveling in Asia." Aurora noticed Asteria was still looking at her, "Dear, what could possibly be so interesting about me drinking my coffee. You haven't taken your eyes off me since we arrived."
"Maybe she's trying to memorize what you look like since she won't see you for a while now that the season is over." Vera answered eliciting a chuckle from Ilya and Dimitri.
Asteria rolled her eyes. "What are your plans?" She asked to seemingly everyone.
"For?" Aurora pressed.
"The rest of the summer. I'm assuming that we'll all be going our separate ways until October-"
"Are you saying you're going to miss us?"
"Yes."
"Awwww." Vera cooed, placing a hand over her heart.
"It can't be helped! We've all spent a lot of time together and in close quarters. Also, I like you guys, so yes of course I'm going to miss all of you." Asteria eyed her friends. "I don't want to lose touch."
"Don't be sad! I'm sure we'll all keep in touch!" Vera reassured her.
"Yeah, I'll write you every week!" Dimitri chimed in.
Ilya and Aurora nodded in agreement.
"You're all planning on coming back for the next dance season, right?" Asteria asked.
"Yes of course!" Ilya answered enthusiastically.
Asteria eyed every individual sitting all the table, they all gave her a nod. When her gaze reached Aurora, she saw that she hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"You're not sure if you want to continue for another season?"
All eyes fell on Aurora.
"…Well…" She hated being put on the spot like this. Of course, she thought about continuing for another season. She loved to dance and the dance company. Originally, she thought that if she just got it out of her system then maybe she could go back home. However, being on tour and being with her new friends gave her a new sense of community and purpose. Honestly if she quit and came back to live in New York permanently what would she even do? Go back to school and continue her education? Boring. Go to work for Nathaniel? Maybe but only on her terms. Or would she just sit and do nothing and live off her parents' wealth. That sort of lifestyle would drive her crazy after 3 months, she needs something fulfilling to pursue. If she quit now, she would regret it.
With the dance company at least, she was with a bunch of like-minded people who shared her interest and cared for her. Not that she didn't have that here, but this was different. She never felt so confident and happy in her entire life. It felt right, this new community accepted the truest version of herself, why leave? She had originally wanted to quit after the dance season was over so she could cleanup here mess here…but now…why can't she do both? Clean up her mess then take off again? At least this time everyone would know where she is and if they wanted to, they could keep in touch.
"At first I wasn't sure." She said slowly. "But I love our dance company, I love to dance, and I love all of you. Don't worry Asteria, you will see me in Moscow this October."
Asteria smiled. "Good, because you're way too talented to quit! I honestly would have come back here and drag you back by force.!"
They all laughed at the threat.
Aurora looked around the table, she couldn't help but feel warm. These weren't just her dance partners they were her new family.
Author's Note:
Hello everyone. I know it's been a while, if you're still here, thank you for reading! I appreciate all of you!