Chapter 22
I wish I could take Blitz with me for every part of the process leading up to opening night, but the way he’s mobbed yet again as soon as he gets out on the sidewalk outside the hotel, I know it’s unwise.
“They’re just going to wait for you out here,” I say as we duck back inside. “I’ll ride with the troupe over to the theater.”
“I should spend the day with my parents anyway,” he says. “They’re lost in new cities.”
“I’ll see you after the show,” I say. “I think there’s an after-party.” I actually know for a fact that there is, but I’m not entirely sure I want to go. Blitz stealing Dominika’s big night with fans and paparazzi would not help us work better together.
He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Don’t miss the bus. I’ll see you tonight.”
We part reluctantly and I load up with the rest of the dancers.
Our last week has been entirely at the venue as the crew worked in the lights and scenery and we practiced our entrances and exits. The feel of each dance is different in the expansive space of the stage without a barre or mirrors or glass walls.
I thought I was accustomed to the glamour and beauty of lights and stage and how a final number comes together. But a classical ballet is a completely different animal from a TV show. The live orchestra makes it magical. And the lack of cameras and screens helps preserve the illusion that we have stepped into a medieval world.
I think Blitz will be dazzled by it. We’re recording the DVD version in New York, which gives us time to get everything perfect. We have the most shows there plus time for the crew to come in and film a rehearsal so they aren’t obtrusive to the audience.
The atmosphere on the bus is absolutely giddy with excitement. Every time someone reaches the top step to become visible to those already seated, a great “Huzzah!” rises up.
When I reach the position, the cries reach a fever pitch. Some of the dancers chant, “Carabosse! Carabosse!” So I hunker down to give them my best evil hunchback look.
Everyone erupts in cheers and laughter. I sit by Carla, opposite Andrew and Fiona. It’s hard to imagine that our first show is already tonight.
“This is the beginning of the end, you know,” Carla says, tucking her curls into her bun. It’s a futile gesture, as every time she gets one put away, another escapes.
“It is,” agrees Andrew. “Once we’re past opening night, it will be a blur of travel and stages and shows.”
The last few dancers load on and the driver closes the door. The girl with the clipboard, who I finally learned is named Penny, stands to look over us and make sure everyone is here.
I glance out the window to see Dominika, Dmitri, Evangeline, Ivana, Barb, and the Prince loading into a limo. I’m glad I’m not traveling with them, imagining the serious, grim-faced ride.
“Where is Weeza?” Penny says, leaning down to look out the window.
I glance over at Carla and raise my eyebrows. The three of them know I have a history with her, but not that Evangeline wanted Weeza to play Carabosse. I’m glad she got White Cat, though, and did not end up being my understudy. I’m quite sure she would have broken my kneecaps to get the role.
The driver opens the door again as Penny turns and heads down the steps. She goes into the hotel, furiously tapping on her phone.
But when she comes out, Weeza behind her, Weeza has her arm wrapped around Angelique, the girl playing the Lilac Fairy. Instead of coming up to the bus, they head toward the limo.
Fine by me.
Carla looks out and watches them load in. “I wonder why she’s moved up.”
“Sex,” Andrew says. “She’s been all over Angelique since week three.”
Oh! That possibility hadn’t even occurred to me.
“We can take a limo over tomorrow if you want,” I say. “Blitz has one hired for his whole stay.”
“Are we trading a limo for sex too?” Andrew asks.
“Sex not necessary,” I tell him with a laugh.
“Oh! A limo!” Fiona says excitedly. “Can we take it to the party tonight too?”
I frown. I’m not sure I’m going. “I have to do the meet-and-greet event with the patrons,” I say. “I might be done for after that.”
“Nonsense,” Carla says. “We will all be high as kites and ready to go out all night.”
Penny gets back on the bus and the driver shifts us out of the circle and out onto the street. We’ve been having to get ourselves over to the theater all week and mostly took the El, speeding through town on the train. But on show days, they want us to go together and be accounted for. Still, I’m sure I could get the limo cleared for us if I wanted.
Why not have a little fun?
“You guys could take the limo while I’m stuck at the patron event,” I say.
“Yes! A pink one,” Andrew says. “With white carpet.”
“Andrew, you are too much,” Fiona says. “I want it to have a hot tub inside.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Do they even make those?”
“Heck yeah,” Andrew says. “I saw it on some TV show about the rich and famous.”
We speed through the streets. It’s morning, but past rush hour. I wonder what Blitz will do with his parents all day, but mostly I try to figure out if it’s a good idea to go to the party. Especially in a hot tub limo.
Still, I text a quick note to Blitz making sure whatever he got for tonight will have enough room for three more.
Any special requests? Blitz texts back.
I mention pink with white carpet or hot tub.
Blitz’s next text is nothing but exclamation marks and other random characters.
Carla looks over my shoulder. “Is that Blitz?” she asks.
“It is,” I say.
“So wild.” Her eyes meet mine. “Famous people, sitting right beside me.”
“She’s been with you for six weeks,” Andrew says. “You should be over it by now.”
“Blitz is new,” she says. “And I may or may not have a picture of him on the wall of my apartment.”
“Eeeuuuwww,” Fiona says. “You have to take that down. You can’t have Livia’s boyfriend on your wall with your kissy kisses all over it.”
Carla tosses her empty water bottle at her. “There are no kissy kisses!” She glances at me. “At least, they shouldn’t be noticeable.”
I shake my head. I guess I haven’t really been out in the normal world with friends I would talk with like this since Blitz. Everyone in my life in San Antonio was respectful of my relationship with him, like the Dreamcatcher teachers and everyone at Jenica’s.
I forget that a significant chunk of the young female population probably has a crush on him.
“So, do we get to meet him proper?” Andrew asks. “Is he coming to the party?”
I’m not sure how to answer that. “I’m not sure if he should go,” I admit. “I think he might overshadow all the hardworking dancers. He wouldn’t like that.”
“She has a point,” Carla says. “Maybe we should all just blow off the party.”
“It’s opening night!” Fiona exclaims.
Andrew holds up his hands. “I say we go to the party until Livia arrives.” He turns to me. “You simply have to come for a while.”
I think about this. “I don’t think the meet and greet is very long. So maybe.”
“It’s all settled!” Carla says, sitting back. “This is going to be an epic day.”
I have to agree with her about that.