Chapter 2

Asher's expression darkened, and he gave a cold laugh.

"Elena, stop pretending you don't care.

"Competing again next year isn't a big deal for you. Do you really need to act like this?"

"Exactly," Mallory said with a sigh. "Asher was trying to do what's best for all three of us. Your fundamentals are so solid, you'll have no problem next year."

I stared at her sweet, innocent face.

I was so angry I laughed.

"How noble of you. Sacrifice someone else's career so the two of you can have your romantic moment."

I stood and glanced at the clock.

Five o'clock.

The theater's closing announcement came over the speakers across the street.

"Competition's over. I can go home now."

I picked up my bag and didn't bother looking at them again.

"Congratulations. I hope you make each other very happy."

When I got home, Mom and Dad had filled the dining table with food.

"You're back!" Mom said brightly. "How did it go?"

I sat down.

"Fine. Normal."

Mom happily ladled me a huge bowl of soup.

"Don't put pressure on yourself. You already have the national placement. These last three years have exhausted you.

"Sleep properly tonight. Tomorrow I'll take you shopping for new clothes."

Looking at how happy they were, I was even more relieved that I hadn't told them what happened outside the theater.

Then my phone started vibrating nonstop.

The company group chat had exploded. Everyone was replaying combinations, comparing notes, and guessing scores.

Then Mallory posted a long message.

[To celebrate the competition being over, the Keenes and the Penroses are hosting dinner tomorrow night. We'd love everyone from the company to come!]

The chat immediately lit up.

Gavin: [Asher and Mallory going big!]

Heidi: [Is this an early celebration for both of you signing with Metro Dance Theatre? Too cute.]

Colin: [I'm there. Congratulations in advance, you two!]

Then, in the middle of all the flattery, Mallory tagged me.

[Elena, you'll come tomorrow too, right?]

[By the way, I didn't see you enter the holding area before the final.]

[Why did you withdraw? Were you sick?]

I stared at the screen and laughed under my breath.

She knew Asher had withheld my competitor badge.

Now she was asking, in front of the whole company, why I had "withdrawn."

I replied immediately.

[You know exactly why I didn't compete.]

The backlash came almost at once.

Heidi: [What is that supposed to mean? You withdrew on your own. Why are you blaming Mallory?]

Colin: [Seriously. She's checking on you and you're snapping at her?]

Gavin: [I've never liked you anyway. You think being the company's star dancer gives you the right to cling to Asher every day.]

[Asher and Mallory are obviously the ones who belong together. You forced yourself into the middle, screwed up your own final, and now you're trying to smear her?]