Chapter 7

Ruby snorted loudly when she heard that. Wandering over to where we are, Ruby joined me on the floor. She smugly teased Tawny, “I told you so.”

“I forget that you two are so violent.”

“You also forget that you're annoying.”

“I’m not annoying!” Tawny scowls, “I’m unique. My mom says it's a part of my charm!”

I giggled, “Uh-huh.”

“Right.” Ruby sarcastically agreed.

A playful scowl grew on Tawny’s face as we giggled at her. It took Ruby’s giggling turning into her familiar cackling snort for her to break. She shoved Ruby, “You sound like a pig!”

“I can’t help it!” Ruby covers her face as she snorts again. “I’m unique! My mom says-”

Tawny’s cheeks slowly began to bloom into a bright red. “Ruby!” She whines, “Shut up!” 

Ruby cackles at the sight of her flushed face. “Y-Your face!”

“I can’t help it!” Tawny placed her hands on her cheeks. She slowly began to rub them, attempting to will the redness away. 

I raised my hands above my head, stretching my aching limbs as I listened to Tawny grumbled and Ruby snicker. I ignored them for a moment. Reaching over to untie my ballet slippers. It took a moment to disentangle and unwrap everything. “Gosh,” I grumbled to myself. “I hate this sometimes.”

“I think we all do.” Ruby agrees. “I can’t wait to go home and take a nap.”

“I want a bath.” Tawny adds, “My hair really needs a good wash. Today was brutal.”

“The concert is only a few months away.” I spoke. Finally untangling the wraps, I slipped off my left slipper. I breathed a pleased sigh as my foot could finally breathe again. “My toes.” I whined.

“I’m going to soak my feet in a salt bath.”

“That sounds amazing.” I gasp, “Does it help?”

Ruby shrugs, starting to untangle her own slippers. “It helps me.”   

It wasn’t long before Tawny joined us in our mission to take off our shoes. Most of the girls have already begun to do so at this point. Though I adored my ballet slippers, there was nothing like slipping my feet into a pair of my cozy boots. They were cushioned at the bottom and the insides were covered in the softest fur. 

Slipping on my boots and gathering my bag, I waited for my friends to do the same. Heaving my bag over my shoulder, we made our way out the room towards the lobby.

“Noémie!”  

I perked up at the sight of Antonio. Rushing over, I raised my arms high, wiggling my fingers towards my brother. “Please?”

“Bag first.” He held out his hand. Handing it towards him, Antonio shouldered my practice bag onto his shoulder and turned around. Kneeling onto the floor, he glanced back at me. “Be careful getting on.”

I carefully climbed onto my brother's back. As I wrapped my arms around his neck, he hooked his elbows under my knees. He waited until I was settled properly on his back before he rose off the floor. He carefully turned around to face my friends. “Do you two need someone to walk you guys home?” He asks.

“My dad is coming.” Ruby answered.

Tawny shook her head, “My mom is picking me up.”

He nods, “Call Noémie when you two get home. She’s a worrywart.”

“Dad says I get it from papa.” I chirped.

“Yes you do.” Antonio cooed, “At least you don’t have his crazy.”

“Dad says you have that.”

“Don’t believe everything dad says.”

I giggled, waving goodbye to my friends as Antonio turned to walk away. I ignored his grumbles as we passed the usual gaggle of girls that sat in the lobby. They stared at my brother, whispering and giggling amongst themselves. 

I flashed them a weird look.

They do this every time Antonio or Joaquin picks me up from practice. I don’t really understand what’s so funny about them picking me up.

“They’re weird.” I huffed to myself. 

“Who’s weird?”

“They are.” I jabbed my thumb towards the group we passed. “Everytime you or Joaquin comes to pick me up, they stare and laugh at you two. It’s weird.”

“Stay innocent like this forever, Noémie.”

“What-”

“So how was practice?” 

The walk home was never long, especially when I have my dad’s or brothers with me. Their legs are a lot longer than mine, making the trek home way shorter than it would be if I walked myself. It was one of the few reasons why I always ask them to carry me when they come to pick me up. 

On days when it was freezing cold and I didn’t have much to talk about, I didn’t mind the short walk. On days when I had a lot to share, I would dread it at times. 

As I blad about my day, trying to add in all the details I could with the little time I have, Antonio listened attentively. He wasn’t all into ballet like I was, but he did his best to keep up whenever I shared my stories.

“Salt baths do work.” Antonio agreed, “I take them all the time after training. Joaquin and dad do too.” 

“Maybe I can soak my feet when I get home.”

“I’m sure dad or papa will help you if they're not busy.”