Chapter Text
Ballet was the Graves’ lives. Though money was often tight, and they lived in that shitty excuse for an apartment, no matter what; they always had ballet. It had started initially after their ex-prima ballerina mother had them too young, and like any aging ballerina does with her children, then enrolled Andrew and Ashley in ballet from the time they could walk.
It wasn’t as if they were doomed to the life, far from it. How could one be doomed when one was the most promising option for casting every year? Andrew tolerated ballet, while Ashley loved it. Nearly to her own detriment. It wasn’t as if he could blame her, perse, she was incredible. Who wouldn’t love the one thing they were impeccable at? And who wouldn’t admire their sister, who was impeccable at it?
Andrew awoke that morning quietly going out to the balcony for his early morning cigarette; a bad habit almost every kid in ballet had picked up throughout their years at the school. Normally it became a social thing, girls and guys hanging in the stairwell, sneaking cigarettes and lazily flirting because they didn’t have much else to do; however, most of his fellow dancers also didn’t have Ashley as a sister. Not that he minded much, perse, but it did limit any conversations with the female dancers..
It didn’t take long for Ashley to come shuffling out, bundled in a baggy sweatshirt she’d likely stolen from him, slippers scuffing on the unfinished concrete, hair thrown up haphazardly as it so often was, a small mug of lukewarm black coffee in hand. She settled against the railing with him, the two looking out over the small city, silently waiting for the other to speak.
“How’d you sleep?” Ashley asked, little voice croaking out, still ridden with sleep.
Andrew simply shrugged, ashing the half-lit cigarette onto the ground. She always gave him shit for it, but never enough to stop him. As always, he offered her a drag, but she just shook her head and nursed the coffee. Like clockwork.
“You ready for the audition today?” He asked eventually to which Ashley chuckled.
“I guess. Now that those bitches all moved up to the finishing program I may have a better shot at getting a lead, don’tcha think?” She sipped her coffee, scrunching her nose at the watered down bitterness. Still, it kept her skinny, so who was she to complain?
Ashley was always a tad on the competitive side. She had to be, when her brother was as good a dancer as he was, she couldn’t afford to slack. Where Andrew had natural ability, she had to claw her way to, and cling on. There were never too many men in ballet, but always too many girls. Girls were always disposable. She didn’t doubt that Andrew knew about the rigor, after all, he’d caught her with two fingers shoved down her throat on multiple occasions.
“I doubt any of them will come close to the level of talent they need. They just lack the drive.” He looked at his sister, thin lips curling into a small and knowing smirk. There was hardly a doubt in his mind she could earn the spot if she so chose. She just had to work hard.
“You really think so?” She brightened a little at his words. “I mean, you’d think after years of this shit they’d finally give me a good part, but-”
“Look,” Andrew sighed, taking another puff. They both knew how this went, when Ashley got nervous, she spoke. When Ashley got nervous, it was his job to calm her down. “I know you’re probably nervous…”
“I’m not nervous.” She cut him off before he could say more. A pointed look, mind your manners , got pink eyes to nervously dart away, staring at the grime of their street below. “I’m fine. Really.”
They sat in silence for a little while longer, before Ashley spoke up again. Ever the first to escalate, and ever the first to soften. She pressed her lips together uncomfortably, pink eyes darting from the street to him, back to the street.
“Are You feeling ready for the audition?” She leaned into his shoulder gently, giving a playful nudge.
He allowed a chuckle to escape him, gently swaying back into her a bit like an eb and flow of the waves. He took a drag and shrugged slightly. “I suppose, I mean, I’ll either be a lead or chorus, one way or another, I’m getting stuck with more work.”
That was true, as of August, Andrew had enrolled in his second year of college, staying home thanks to Ashley’s persistent protests and his mother’s urging to continue dance. So he did, bending at the will of the two matrons of the house, much like his own father. However, the classwork was equally frustrating. Long nights after rehearsals at the studio, spent analyzing whatever most recent work they would be discussing in class the next couple weeks.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. You’d be so lucky to get a lead!” She grinned, before taking another sip of her coffee.
“Yeah, yeah. Maybe you’re right.” He hummed, grinding out his cigarette on the railing. “We better get moving if we want to actually be seen.”
The studio was only a couple blocks away, a route they’d been walking since about the time they could walk. It was small, dingy in appearance, the smell of sweat, dust, and tears coating the entire interior like a shitty paint job. Still, it did have some notability, something their mother cared about immensely.
By the time the two of them walked in, the place was already buzzing. Of course it was, the first company show of the year was holding auditions, meaning everyone had yet to have their spirits broken, and were still showing up with the tractionless idea that they may land a big part. The Graves knew better than to hope now. Well, Andrew hoped that Ashley knew better. The blinding optimism she was carrying that day was not only a bit off putting but dangerous if the outcome didn’t land in her favor.
The pair found a spot at the end of a long row of chairs set out specifically for the casting call today. Once they settled in, Ashley slipped off her size-too-small boots, and started to tie up her pointe shoes, tightening them to near strangulation. She kept her jacket on, not yet ready to part with all the warmth it provided. She was about to rest back against Andrew, when she heard the familiar flick of his lighter and immediately straightened up.
“What the hell are you doing?!” she hissed, trying to be as inconspicuous as she could while simultaneously trying to get him to knock it off. “Put it out before someone sees!”
A small sigh escaped him, his sister did have a point, they were under enough scrutiny as is. If anyone got the idea that he was smoking, he’d be booted from the program, no doubt. Emerald eyes rolled almost audibly.
“Alright, Alright.” he conceded, taking a quick drag, he quickly snuffed out the fresh nicotine stick, instead opting to press a quick kiss to the top of her head. He snickered watching her try to wipe away the invisible smoke stench on her hair, something he knew pissed her off. He had said he would quit… he just never said when, exactly.
Seemingly content with his complacency, Ashley gave a tense smile as she rested back against him. It was normal for her. Tight lipped and awkward, like she wasn’t quite sure how to smile pretty unless it caught her off guard. Normally, she looked like an animal bearing it’s teeth, defending something that was never to leave her side, but at least this way, Andrew had deniability.
–
The audition was rigorous as expected. Between the girls who were younger and more skilled, and the girls who were older and had a reputation among the company, Ashley fell somewhere in the middle to be erased by her own mediocrity. That never stopped her though, she gave it her all, making sure she had the straightest lines of her audition group, the prettiest turn out, and so forth. At least she stood a chance.
“Yikes… The director’s tough this year.” She muttered, rubbing her neck and slumping gracelessly back into her chair. “Judgy sonuvabitch…”
Andrew nodded, rubbing his own arms. The cohort he’d been stuck with was difficult this year. At least it was a challenge. “Sure is. I’m not sure I saw one reaction out of him.”
He leaned back in his chair, popping his chest out as he stretched his arms and back. “They tell you anything yet?”
Ashley just shook her head, a noise of dissatisfaction escaping her. “Nothing yet. They did tell me to come to the first round of callbacks though, so I’m hoping they’re considering me for Odette finally.”
Mindlessly, her fingers messed with the baggy sleeves of his sweater, fuschia eyes keeping their intense gaze averted, or rather, preoccupied. “How do you think you did? Any word on callbacks for you?”
He bristled at her tone. Competition ran thick between them as always, fighting for the highest accolade while also being the other’s only fan. It made Andrew’s head spin how quickly she’d go from adoration to challenging him. He kept his face carefully unaffected, save for a little twitch of a sneer on his lips.
“Think I did as well as I always do.” He hummed, wrapping his arm around the little ball of nerves that tormented his every waking minute. “Choreo said they wanted to try me with a bit of the show’s solo piece, see how I could do with it. I hope that it’s enough for them to select me.”
“Well they’d be stupid to choose anyone else.” Ashley scoffed, righteously mad for a situation that had yet to play out outside of her head. She felt his hand snake down to her own, replacing the fabric with a hand to hold, she took a breath.
“How long before you go back in?” She asked, trailing after him as he stepped out into the back alley for some fresh air.
“Not too long. Depending on how long the chorus boys take, I should be learning the piece in no time.” Andrew explained, eyeing the clock on the wall before they slipped out the side door.
“Ah.” Ashley couldn’t curb the flicker of disappointment that etched her features. Though, to be fair, if she had it her way, they’d always be together for everything, as if they weren’t already. “After your run through, wanna stop at the cafe on the way home? I think mom and dad are out for the evening again.”
“Sure.”
She leaned against the brick wall, watching Andrew flick his lighter, igniting the small flame before taking a drag. Scrunching her nose at the scent, Ashley decided to take the opportunity to fix her ponytail, as if something so trivial would impact whether or not the casting director would see her again.
“I don’t understand why you do that. You know you need to be able to breathe to dance, right?” She needled, both taking whatever spare moment they had to antagonize the other. It was out of love, sure, but that didn’t change how pissed off the recipient would get.
Green eyes cast a sidelong glance her way, as he inhaled, as if debating whether or not to respond. He exhaled the smoke in her direction, making her cough.
“I don’t understand why you’re always coming out here with me, but here we are.”
“Oh piss off. Just finish that up. It’s freezing out here.”
Shortly thereafter, the two were back inside, thrust into the cramped and sweaty hallway. Ashley pressed a little closer to Andrew, intimately familiar with the narrowness of the corridor, and just as familiar with the painful indifference everyone had with one another. Like goldfish at a petshop, all of them greedily vying for attention, everyone viewing the other as an obstacle to surpass. Not that Ashley had much of a leg to stand on. She fought for her own brother’s attention just as fiendishly.
Once again about to be separated, Ashley gave her brother’s hand a quick squeeze. She felt him shiver slightly, before returning with a half-hearted squeeze and breaking away. This wasn’t new, they’d seen one another like this a million times for too many different auditions. People shoved past them, stepping on Ashley’s toes as she watched that all too familiar face disappear into the strangers.
When she walked in, there were about twelve other girls stretching, either in her current level or a few years her junior or senior. As usual, the woman found comfort stretching on her own, not bothering to try and make friends with girls who would later stab her in the back the first chance they got. She knew better than to get friendly, she wasn’t the fool.
-
It wasn’t until a couple weeks later that the cast list finally came out. It had been weeks of Ashley perusing the calender at home, the bulletin board at their studio; weeks of pestering Andrew with questions about what he thought he had been cast as, what role she thought she would land, and begging him to help her practice. So when the cast list had finally come out, like many students, the siblings were en route to the studio early to try and snag a glance at what their roles would be.
“I’m gonna be Odette this year, I feel it.” Ashley mentioned for what had to be the third time in their short walk, bundling a little closer to Andrew as if to warm up. Maybe they should’ve splurged on some new coats this year.
“You’re sure that’s not just nerves?” He teased, their shoes crunching on the frozen ground.
“No way! I learned the moves, I know the music, plus, they know me.”
“Yeah, they know you’re a bit of a hazard, so try to behave today. Maybe it’ll convince them.”
“Wow, do you charm all the ladies like that?”
“Only the ones who manage to get on my nerves.” That earned a laugh from Ashley, making the boy smile a little. At least she was distracted now.
That distraction was short lived, though, as a girl in a spring yellow jacket passed them, barely murmuring an apology. Ashley grumbled, tightening her hold a little bit as the three walked in. Andrew eyed her, but shook it off, after all, there were more pressing matters than his sister’s insatiable jealousy.
As expected, the hallway was crowded, even the kids in the morning classes peering at the list to see what the older cohort had been working towards. After a few shoves and occasional stepping on toes, the two were able to read the small printed list. The moment Ashley read Andrew’s name, she beamed.
“See? I knew you’d get Siegfried!” She gave him a playful nudge, before scanning down the list for her own name.
Andrew even found himself leaning in, squinting at the list to see if he could find his sister’s name. He also watched as that proud smile morphed into a frown, the same one that meant all hell would break loose. He felt his own heart sink a little, it’s not like Ashley was ever given a chance to prove herself. Time and time again, she found herself as a chorus girl, or at best, a nameless villainess, No matter how good she was, there was always someone better.
Just as Andrew was about to ask who bested her this year, it became all too clear as a cacophony of excitement rose up.
“Oh my god! I got in!” Squealed the girl they’d passed on the street, somewhere around Ashley’s age, who looked near identical to her too, save for the face full of freckles. Andrew’s eyes flicked over to Ashley, just in time to catch her snarling. Without much thought, his hand found her wrist, a quiet little sign to behave herself in the current company. Pink eyes met his own, Ashley looking like she was about to deck anyone that so much as breathed in her direction.
“I…fucked up my pirouettes. My arms were screwed up in my développé too, I should’ve had softer hands…” She excused, making a whole hearted effort to try to shrug it off, fighting not to crumble.
“Don’t do that, you did great.” he chided, trying offer some consolation, his hand finding her waist to pull her closer.
Ashley exhaled a defeated sigh, giving a terse smile, trying to prove that she was okay. If there was anything Renee had taught her, it was that looking okay was always more important than being okay. How often Ashley managed to follow that was more debatable.
Just as she was about to speak up, the freckled girl with soft honey colored eyes came over, the sweetest smile on her face.
“Hey…Andrew, right? Congratulations on getting the Prince! You must be so happy!” She exclaimed, riding the own high from her casting, before catching the pair’s sour faces. A nervous hand flitted to play with her hair, trying to extend a nonexistent olive branch in the situation. “Uhm-...I’m Julia. I’ll be playing Odette, maybe we can work out times to practice together soon?” She suggested, handing a scrap piece of paper over, her number hastily written on it.
Taking the small slip, Andrew gave a small nod, flat eyes not betraying whatever he was thinking. “Definitely. I’d like that.”
It was only then that it was as if Julia was aware Ashley was standing there too, likely about ready to gouge the girl’s eyes out. She swallowed hard, yellow eyes flicking down. “Uh, Ashley what part did you end up getting?”
“Nothing as good as yours, that’s for sure.” the pink eyed girl grumbled, sharp eyes seemingly sizing her up, Julia looked like she was floundering, Andrew couldn’t blame her.
“...What?”
Green eyes rolling, Andrew shook his head. Ever the peacekeeper, woe was he. “Ignore her. She was hoping for a bigger role this year. But there’s always next time.”
Shoulders relaxing, Julia gave a tiny, reassuring, if not a bit condescending, smile. “Oh yeah, don’t even sweat it! I’m sure that next time you’ll land the role you want.”
“Oh I’m sure I will, Julia.” the girl glowered, making Julia bid a hasty albeit nervous goodbye, Ashley only rolling her eyes in response, muttering something nasty under her breath.
Chapter 2
Notes:
Hey guys!
Welcome welcome to another chapter. I hope you enjoy it. I wish I could set a consistent schedule for posting, but life's too busy. ;(
Chapter Text
“I dunno why you’re looking at your feet again.” Andy pointed out, as the two practiced parallel on the barre together. It wasn’t anything too complicated, but since LeyLey forgot the key to the apartment, they would be at the studio until dinner.
The shorter girl growled in frustration. Short hair only partially tied up before the flyaways had to just be hastily pinned back by her older brother. The same one who stood across from her looking unamused.
“It helps me!” She snapped, bearing little white teeth. “It’s hard enough to focus without you telling me every little thing I do wrong!”
Andy rolled those sleepy green eyes, giving a sigh but giving in all the same. Maybe Leyley’s outburst did have some truth. He probably shouldn’t have been so critical. She already looked like she was on the verge of tears.
“Sorry…I know you’re tired too.” He murmured apologetically.
Pink eyes flicked to the ground, face scrunched up in frustration. “I just-...I dunno why this is so hard! I was doing just fine in class with it!”
“Well I mean-” before he could finish that sentiment though, Ashley sunk to the ground, staring at them both in the mirror. A pair of scrappy kids. Some ballerinas they were. It didn’t matter to mom though, it was easier than summer school and cheaper than camp was how Renee had explained it to them.
“I’m not trying to be bad at this.” She said barely above a whisper against her knees. “I want to be good, I really do.”
Andy silently padded over, crouching down next to her. Thin little hands cupped her cheeks trying to smooth away the tears, when he pressed a kiss to her forehead. When Leyley leaned into his touch, she pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes, as if trying to force away the tears. She was always less gentle with herself than Andy was.
“I know you’re not Leyley. You’re the best dancer I know.”
—
Ashley awoke as usual with a chip on her shoulder, as was normal for the siblings. The two went through their usual monotony of routine before slipping out the door early in an attempt to avoid any braindead conversations with Renee or their father.
“Ugh. I hate her. When’s your first rehearsal with that skank anyway?” She asked, eyeing her own paper she’d received with dates for shows and rehearsals, hoping that some of them added up with Andrew’s
The boy snorted, eyeing his sister and her words of choice. “Relax. What’s your deal with her anyway? Are you that mad about the casting?”
Yes. “No.” Ashley scoffed “I’m not that shallow, Andy. She’s also a massive cunt, and inserts herself into everything.”
“Yeah, you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
She huffed, crossing her arms. It always stung more when Andrew said anything critical about her. Not that it was anything she didn’t know, but coming from the person who was the best stand in for a parent she had, it hurt a little.
“Andyyy I’m serious.”
“That’s not my name”
“Don’t be annoying.”
“Don’t call me by that name then.” He spat with such a venom, leaving Ashley to wrench her face up in indignance
“Why do you have such a stupid hangup about it? Andy, Andrew, potato, tomato.” she shrugged, kicking at the ice.
“It’s tomato, to-mah-to.” He corrected, to which she snickered.
“Whatever, nerd. My point stands. I know Julia, and trust me, she’s far from perfect.” Ashley muttered, wrapping her arms around his jacketed arm, exhaling a little puff of breath that shown in the freezing temperature. “I still don’t get why they need us to come in at different times! It’s stupid, just get everyone there and run the stuff with who you have.”
“Yes you do. You know it doesn’t make sense to try and round everyone up together. It’d be like herding cats.” Andrew explained.
So maybe she did kind of understand not having every rehearsal with him. It didn’t mean she liked it any better. As Ashley warmed her hands on the cup, the two kept in time with one another, snow boots crunching in the poorly scraped sidewalk.
“Why do you care so much anyway? I thought you liked having extra time to practice and show up early.”
“Because I know the moment one of those Jezebels catches you with your guard down, they’d sink their talons into you.” Ashley explained, making a show of curling her her fingers around his arm as if to claw to the tender flesh underneath. “I’m just trying to keep you safe, you know.”
“You know I can handle myself, right?” Something he always assured, but the more time he spent away from her, the less sure he was.
Ashley clicked her tongue, wearing a doubtful expression. Had it not been an insult, Andrew may have mentioned how eerily similar she looked to their mother sometimes. He kept his mouth shut, though. Thinking better than to start a conversation he didn’t have any true intention of finishing.
“Mhm, I’m not so convinced. You’re a real softie, you know. Underneath that tough guy look, you’re just a big ol’ marshmallow. Someone may decide to eat you right up.”
“You’re such a weirdo.” He snickered, pressing a kiss to her head.
Rehearsal came and went, as did stealing glances at the small studio space across the hall where Ashley was practicing meticulously. She may have hated her role, but she’d be damned if she didn’t put on a beautiful show.
When the two finally made it back to their apartment after a trek up six flights of stairs, Ashley slipped her boots off and swung her bag off her shoulder, leaving it haphazardly in the way. It wasn’t like their mother or father would be home anytime soon.
“Dibs on the first shower!”
“You can’t call dibs on something before you see it.” Andrew retorted, toeing off his own shoes and jacket, rolling his neck as he spoke.
“As far as I’m concerned it means I win fair and square AcK-!” She choked on her words when he yanked her back by the collar, sauntering ahead to try and beat her. Pale hands grasped his sweater sleeve, in an attempt to drag him away from the coveted first shower. It didn’t take long for them both to be blocking the other from the bathroom entryway, Ashley attempting to scoot under Andrew’s body which was firmly braced in the doorway.
“You asshole! C’mon! I claimed it!”
“Just because you shout something doesn’t mean you claim it, therefore, it’s invalid.”
Ashley, despite herself, snickered. “That’s such bullshit! What happened to ladies first?”
“You’re hardly a lady.”
“Screw you!” She retorted, trying to slip beside him, before he trapped her against the doorframe.
Flushing, an impish smile tugged at her lips, cocky in the idea she could win. “Why Andrew, if the only thing it’d take for you to give me first shower was a kiss, why didn’t you say so?” She teased, walking two fingers up his arm.
Thin black brows rose, as he found his own face heating up, and his words buried in the back of his throat. Regaining his composure, Andrew rolled his eyes, backing off slightly, covering his reddening cheeks. “God, you say the most out of pocket things sometimes.”
Maybe she did, but it got her the first shower, so it seemed like a win to her. “Aw, go cry about it.”
With that, he sighed, but gently shoved her into the bathroom, clearly over the conversation. “Just remember you were ready to whore yourself out for some hot water.”
“Still better than letting you hog all of it!” She called through the door, before turning on the warm spray.
When she came out, hair still dripping down her shoulders, Andrew was on the phone It was almost funny how beautiful he was, when he didn’t even attempt to be. He had long lashes, thick black hair, pretty milky skin, all things most girls could only dream of having. They fit him better, though, Ashley mused to herself, on anyone else, it’d look out of place, or too extreme. His voice was slightly hushed, leaving Ashley to strain her ears to hear.
“Thanks. You were good too.”
“...”
“I’ll see you later.”
“Were you talking to that hussy again?” Ashley asked, unable to keep the venom out of her tone. “What, she didn’t get enough of you at rehearsal earlier?”
“Does it matter if I was?”
Ashley’s face scrunched up like it always did when she got frustrated. Frustrated with his schedule, frustrated with his nonchalance, frustrated with any number of things that could send her into a spiral.
“I just wanna know how much she plans on stealing you away for entire chunks of time.”
A sigh escaped the man. He understood she hated the idea that he would be out without her, understood that she was just protective over one of the few people who treated her decently through her childhood, but that made it all the more difficult to then talk her off the ledge.
“You’re doing that thing where you get inside your own head and start worrying about things that haven’t happened. Before you’ve begun to actually think it through” He chided, twisting her black hair, to which she gave a huff of humorless laughter from where she’d gracelessly slumped back on the couch. He didn’t miss that start of a smile though.
“I’m not doing anything. ”
“Yeah? Because it looks like you’re already getting pissy about some random girl, and giving me the brunt of every Ashley feeling.”
She gnashed her teeth. He was right. He could always read her better than herself. She knew it, he knew it too. Whenever he pulled in the reigns, she’d listen. She’d bitch, and moan, but she would listen.
“Relax. I’ll still have time to talk to you and hang out, okay?”
Ashley furrowed her brows, a part of her wanted to cry. To tell him how it wouldn’t be enough. That without him, who did she have? Because no matter how much love he gave, she would still be a big gaping hole by the end of it. Greedy for every ounce of his love, and every affection. He was all she’d ever know. That without him, she was nothing.
Instead, she pasted on a sweet smile, leaning into his touch. She wasn’t ever very good at lying, but pretending, that, she could do. There they were pretending in day in day out that they weren’t completely dependent on one another.
“Okay, fine. Promise you’ll help me stretch too?”
“I promise.”
“Good.” She praised, sitting on the couch now, resting her elbow on his shoulder leaning in a little. “And do I still owe you that kiss for so graciously giving me the first shower?”
“Yeah, I may just hold you too that.” He played along, making Ashley’s candy-colored eyes widen as her heart picked up pace a little. He was just trying to get her back for earlier, that had to be it.
Scoffing, Ashley found herself trying to backtrack. Was he trying to call her bluff? When he was the one who nearly pissed himself at the thought of a kiss earlier. “…Actually, you’re fucking insane if you think I’m gonna kiss you with that cigarette breath.”
He raised a brow, challenging her, a little smirk tugging at his lips. "I could say the same for you with that B.O. you have after class."
“How dare you?! I smell like a field of roses!” She feigned incredulity, swatting at him.
"I’m just surprised. I didn’t take you as one to chicken out…" he quipped, knowing full well she was going to refuse regardless but he was enjoying how flustered she got when faced with the prospect.
She looked up as he tilted her chin up, a tiny smile coming to her lips. “I’m not chickening out, I’m just letting you save face. I know how flustered you would get.”
He couldn't help but notice the tiny smile that adorned her lips with a slight blush spreading on her cheeks. As terrible as she was, he wouldn't change a single thing about her. She could be a little bit dramatic at times but his little sister was his seldom comfort.
"I doubt that very much. You wouldn’t be able to handle any kiss of mine, because…” He paused, leaning down ever so slightly, "...I am just that amazing."
As he leaned in, her breath hitched slightly. However, the moment he spoke again, She mushed a hand into his face, mostly to save her own, before sitting up. “Oh piss off! That’s so dumb!”
He smirked as he felt her hand pushed into his face but didn't press any further, allowing her the opportunity to escape if she so chose. He kept a light grip on her arm while making no real attempt to hold her in place.
She lingered in his touch though. Even sweaty, she still would huff every little bit of smell from him she could. Hell, she’d just bury herself in his body if she had her way, to never leave him. But alas, those thoughts were pushed out of mind, and never brought up. Even as she paused and took a second to look at his lips, and sharp green eyes, always watching her.
His eyes followed her gaze to his lips, he didn't know why she looked so hesitant all of a sudden. Usually, she'd be the one who would push for more contact until he inevitably shoved her off. He couldn't help but feel his cheeks warming up slightly, the smile on his face was almost genuine with this new expression on hers.
Just then, the front door opened and closed, their mother coming in. Her gaze fixed upon the two, brows furrowed for a brief second, a grimace of disgust on her face.
“Am I interrupting something?” She asked, pointedly looking at the two. Ashley was used to her mother coming home too tired, not really giving a shit one way or another. After all, she wasn’t Andrew. She was the girl, disposable, nothing special in regards to dance.
Nearly jumping out of his skin however, Andrew released his hold on Ashley."No! You weren’t!” He said almost too quickly, face as pink as his sister’s eyes. "We were just chatting is all."
“…Right.” The older woman let her gaze flick away as if debating whether or not to address the situation that seemed to unfold before her. She didn’t, instead setting down her bag and slipping off her loafers.
“How was dance? Did that casting get announced? I’ve been telling all the girls at work about how you’re destined for the lead this year.” Of course her mother didn’t care about what she did, only Andrew. Nothing was new.
"It was fine, nothing really happened and no the casting hasn't been announced yet. We still have around a week left so it's not something to be worried about."
He hoped to change the topic away from casting, he knew his mother could talk about it for hours if she wanted to, which he very much did not.
Ashley shot him a look of confusion, but kept quiet at his sign to zip her lips. Silently, Ashley glowered, but simply rolled her eyes. This was standard for their mother. Never truly giving a shit, even if she tried to pretend with Andrew. Ashley wouldn’t play that game. She had more self respect.
“That’s a shame. I’m sure you’ll land something good. You always do.” Renee called from her room. “Let me know when tickets go on sale so I can get some for your father and I.”
She tuned out the rest of their conversation in favor of going to their bedroom, it wasn’t like Renee was going to ask about her anyway. Wrapping herself in her blanket. Ashley let the weight of practice and the cold sink into her body, ready to shut out the rest of the world, and all thoughts of competition with Andy's attention.
Fenri_bli on Chapter 1 Mon 14 Oct 2024 10:16PM UTC
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SpookyTsubaki on Chapter 1 Wed 16 Oct 2024 11:03AM UTC
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The_Aesthetic_Writer on Chapter 1 Tue 15 Oct 2024 05:36PM UTC
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