"Remember that dance has a dimension beyond the physical."
Dance Magazine
JC knew the schedules for the rehearsal rooms the way he knew his dances. At exactly 5:58, he walked into the lobby, knowing Justin would be out of rehearsal at 6:00. As he waited, he saw a petite girl he didn't know standing in the dancer's lounge and he wrinkled his forehead in thought. Shrugging, he walked into the lounge, "Excuse me, miss, but you can't be in here unless you're a dancer."
The slap that went across his cheek surprised him and he moved away.
"Fuck you." JC stared at her for a moment, recognition finally coming to him.
"Britney. Justin's best friend."
"Damn right I'm Justin's best friend. How dare you?" she bit out at him. "Dancing is his life; how could you even dare to try and take that away from him?"
"What?"
She laughed bitterly. "Oh, I forgot, he's not talking to you." She glared, "He has a good reason."
"Listen, he doesn't know the whole story,"
"He doesn't need to know the whole story," she interrupted him. "His mind is made up and I've tried everything to change it but he's fucking stubborn. I hope you know he hates you. And so do I."
"What are you talking about?" he asked, really unsure of what was going on.
"Britney," Justin's voice called out to her from the doorway.
JC turned his head to face him, "Justin."
"Don't talk to me," he said flatly. "I don't want to talk to you. I don't want anything to do with you."
JC shook his head, "You don't even know what I have to say. I want to explain."
"You don't deserve to explain. Brit, let's go."
*
"Lance Bass."
"Lance, hi, it's Joshua Chasez."
"Joshua," he said warmly, a grin taking over his face as he turned his attention away from the computer and solely onto the phone. "How can I help you?"
"That letter that I received," he paused. "Is that real?"
"Of course," he laughed in a friendly manner. "I told you I was serious about this. I think you'd do great on your own."
"It's not a joke?"
"Of course not. Are you considering now?"
In his apartment, JC glanced at a picture of himself with Justin that Louis had taken in the apartment. "Yes, yes, I'm considering. Can we set up a meeting to discuss some things?"
*
Kelliana watched JC with the dancers from the second-level viewing rooms. She rubbed her bare arms when she felt a chill run through her body, as she watched JC in his element. She would miss dancing with him, would miss always being around him. She would still see him, but it wouldn't be the same.
JC had said that he didn't have an answer yet, didn't have a decision, but Kelliana already knew. It was JC. Of course she knew. They were trained to know each other.
*
"JC." JC looked up from the magazine he was flipping through during one of the breaks when he heard Kevin's voice. The director sat next to his star dancer. "How is everything going?"
JC shrugged, "They're great dancers." He smiled. "How's your ballet coming along?"
Kevin sighed, "JC, you know I know everything that goes on with this company." JC nodded. "Please talk to Justin, clear up whatever it is that has him distracted." JC stared. "He's not living up to my expectations of him. I'm disappointed. You know what's riding on this, JC. Make sure he knows as well."
*
"Business, not trying to get personal," was the first thing JC said when Jordan opened their door. "Is Justin around?"
"Yeah," he said quietly. "Come on in."
"Justin," JC said simply when he stepped into the room. Justin's head shot up. "I have a message from Kevin. That's all."
"What is it?" he asked quickly.
He started to talk then glanced at Jordan. "Could you leave us alone for a minute?" Jordan glanced at Justin who nodded curtly. When they were alone, JC sat at the chair at Justin's desk. "Justin, listen, you know what this workshop is for, right?"
"Yeah," he said softly.
JC sighed. "Look, I know I said I wasn't going to get personal, but I have to for this, okay?" He didn't pause, didn't give Justin a chance to say anything. "I wanted you in my ballet, but I knew that it wasn't your style, wasn't your strength. I knew you could learn it, could form to it, but Kevin wanted you. I can't compete with the director of the company. You're in a ballet with one of the best choreographers of all time."
"I know. I know."
"He's disappointed in what he's seeing from you, J," and the nickname was not lost on Justin. "He says you haven't been doing your best."
"I'm sorry."
JC bit his lip, then slid onto the floor, kneeling in front of Justin on the bed. "Look, I'm not supposed to say anything, but the two of us, we have a history now that goes beyond the lights, the dances, and the stage." He waited for Justin to look at him. "Justin, you have one of the best chances of being offered a spot in the company once this performance is over. But you need to stop slacking."
Justin swallowed and tried not to get lost in JC's eyes. "I'm not going to be in the company."
"What?" JC asked.
Justin stood up and walked towards his dresser. "I'm planning on leaving after the performance. Dancing, I mean. I plan on leaving dance. For good."
*