My Boyfriend Sabotaged My Final Dance

One minute before we were due in the holding area, my boyfriend and dance partner, Asher Penrose, who'd been holding both our documents, handed in only his own competitor badge. When it was my turn, he stood there empty-handed and said as if it were perfectly reasonable, "I didn't bring your competitor badge or your state ID. Withdraw from the final and give your spot to Mallory." I stood frozen. I never imagined he'd sabotage my final for Mallory. Mallory Keene was the understudy in our company. For all three years I'd been there, my scores and technique had consistently ranked above hers. I stared at the man I'd loved for three years, so angry I laughed. Then I turned and walked away. Behind me, Asher shouted in exasperation, "Your fundamentals are so strong. What's wrong with competing next year? "If you withdraw on a whim now, what is everyone going to think about Mallory? Do you really want the whole company assuming she forced you out?" I didn't even turn around. Withdraw on a whim? He had no idea. Two weeks earlier, I'd already earned a direct placement in the American National Ballet's Principal Artist Development Track. I'd only entered today's competition to go through the motions with him, for the sake of our three years as partners and as a couple. If he didn't want that anymore, fine. Our relationship could end here too. Chapter 1 I didn't go straight home. If I showed up this early, Mom and Dad would immediately ask why I'd left the competition so early. And if Dad found out Asher Penrose had deliberately kept my competitor badge and state ID from me outside the theater, he would drive straight to the Penrose house and demand an explanation. I didn't need the drama. Besides, I had already secured a direct placement in the American National Ballet's Principal Artist Development Track. Today's competition had only ever been a formality for me. If Asher was willing to throw away three years together just to clear the path for Mallory Keene, then at least he'd done me one favor. He'd shown me exactly what kind of man he was. I crossed the street and went into a coffee shop opposite the theater. I figured I'd sit there until the competition was over, then go home and pretend I'd finished normally. About fifteen minutes before the final awards, two familiar figures came through the theater doors. Asher and Mallory. They were holding hands. Both of them looked relaxed. Reporters waiting outside immediately rushed forward with microphones. "You two look pretty confident. Happy with how you danced today? Any companies you're hoping to sign with?" Asher turned toward Mallory. His eyes were so soft they practically melted. "We both danced well. We've already talked about it. We want to sign with Metro Dance Theatre together." Mallory blushed and nodded, leaning toward him like she belonged there. I chewed on my straw and watched the perfect couple on the TV screen. A strange, heavy sadness crept over me. Three years. Asher had been my boyfriend and my dance partner for three years. We'd spent nearly every day of those years together. Even after he started getting close to Mallory, who was technically the understudy, I kept telling myself that what Asher and I had was different. My first year in the company, a few dancers got jealous because Asher had been assigned as my partner. They started spreading rumors that I was obsessed with him, that I had chased him shamelessly, that I had come between him and Mallory. When Asher heard about it, he kicked over a rehearsal table in front of the whole company. He pointed at the girls who had started the rumors and shouted, "Elena is my girlfriend. If any of you lie about her again, you'll answer to me." Back then, I thought that meant I mattered. Now? Maybe it had only been part of the image he liked to sell—loyal, protective, devoted. The bell over the coffee shop door chimed. I looked up. The interview was over. Asher had walked in with Mallory, and his eyes landed directly on me. He paused. Then his mouth curled into a mocking smile. "I thought you'd go home crying to your parents after missing the final. "So this is where you're hiding? Too scared to go home and explain yourself?" Mallory gently tugged at his sleeve. "Asher, don't say that. Elena must already feel awful." I looked at the two of them running their little double act and suddenly felt nauseated. "Awful?" I leaned back in my chair and looked Asher straight in the eye. "Why would I feel awful over people like you?" 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?] Chapter 3 I stared at the familiar profile pictures and the vicious messages piling up beneath them. In three years with the company, I'd spent most of my time rehearsing. I rarely bothered with their little social circles. To them, Asher was handsome, wealthy, and the company's leading male dancer. Mallory was sweet, pretty, and camera-friendly. Of course they belonged together. And somehow I, the woman who had actually been Asher's girlfriend and partner the entire time, had become the desperate third wheel. Right on cue, Asher appeared to play peacemaker. [Everybody calm down. Elena's emotional today. Having to withdraw probably hit her hard.] [Elena, you should still come tomorrow. It might help you clear your head. I'll figure something out for next year's competition.] What a generous boyfriend. He sounded like he was defending me while casually cementing the lie that I had chosen to withdraw. I watched message after message praise him and tear me apart. Then I felt tired. Arguing with people this brainless was a waste of my life. I opened the group settings and left. Less than thirty seconds later, Asher messaged me privately. [Why did you leave the chat? Who is this victim act supposed to impress?] [You're coming tomorrow. Don't make my parents think I'm being inconsiderate.] I didn't even have the energy to answer. Block. Delete. Done. The next morning, I was still asleep when Mom ripped the covers off me. "Elena, why are you still in bed? Get up. We need to leave soon." I sat up, blinking. "Leave for what?" Dad was wearing the suit he normally saved for board meetings. Mom had put on one of her favorite dresses. "What do you mean, for what? Asher and Mallory's celebration dinner." Dad adjusted his tie. "Mr. Penrose called first thing this morning. Our families have known each other forever. He invited all three of us personally." I froze. Asher's parents had invited my parents directly? It took me about five seconds to understand. Asher knew I wouldn't show up just because he ordered me to. So he'd gone around me and gotten his parents to pressure me through mine. I frowned. "Mom, Dad, I don't want to go." If I showed up, the fact that I never danced the final would almost certainly come out. Dad's face hardened. "Mr. Penrose called personally to invite us. If you don't go, you'll embarrass him." Mom came over too. "I know you and Mallory don't get along, but this isn't the time to make it obvious. Everyone from your company will be there. "If you don't go, what are people going to say? That you're jealous because she danced well? Hurry up and get ready." I looked at both of them, already dressed and ready. I had no excuse I could use without telling them the whole story. Finally, I sighed. If I stayed home, I really would look inconsiderate. Chapter 4 The Penrose and Keene families had gone all out. They rented the ballroom of a five-star hotel. Almost everyone from our dance company was there, spread across several large tables. My parents and I were seated at the head table with Asher's parents. "Martin, Diane, Elena—come on, sit down!" Mr. Penrose said warmly. Our parents exchanged pleasantries and congratulated Asher and Mallory on their performances. Not long after, Asher and Mallory came over to our table with glasses of sparkling cider to make a toast. Asher was dressed formally. He glanced at me, a hint of mockery touching his mouth. Then he sighed theatrically. "Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, I'm honestly glad Elena came. "After she withdrew from the final yesterday, I thought she might be too embarrassed to show her face." Silence hit the table. Mom turned toward me. "Elena. What does he mean, you withdrew?" Dancers at the surrounding tables were already leaning closer, delighted. I hadn't told my parents because I wanted to spare both our families the embarrassment. Apparently Asher had no such concern. He was willing to humiliate me—and them—in front of an entire ballroom. Dad lifted an eyebrow. "Elena, you didn't dance the final yesterday?" Before I could answer, his face cleared. "So that's why you came home so early." There wasn't a trace of anger in his voice. Why would there be? My direct placement had been finalized two weeks ago. Whether I danced one more competition round made no difference to my future. Mallory mistook Dad's calm for forced composure. She put on a sympathetic expression. "Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, please don't blame Elena. "Maybe the pressure got to her, and she made an impulsive decision not to enter the holding area. "But don't worry. Asher already said he'll help her find the best coach possible. "Preparing for another season next year will be hard on both of you. Just make sure you keep an eye on how Elena's feeling." Mom blinked. "Preparing for what?" She set down her fork, pulled out her phone, opened an email, and laid the screen on the table. "Elena was accepted into the American National Ballet's Principal Artist Development Track two weeks ago."