The Storm Before the Calm by Cate Ashwood Read Free Book Online

forward, her flowing skirts swishing around her as she moved, and performed a small curtsey.
    “We also have a few junior teachers this year, members of the company, who will be helping out in your classes.”
    A group of dancers stood over to the side, three girls and two guys. My gaze landed on the man closest to Grace, and for some reason, I felt drawn to him. He was everything I wanted to be. I could tell, just from the way he was standing, that he was powerful and graceful at the same time. His dark hair, styled into a sort of Mohawk, spoke to his rebellious nature, while the way he carried himself hinted at a strict technical regimen. The tank top he wore displayed the sinewy muscles of his arms, and his shorts showed off his tight calf muscles. He was so beautiful. I was so busy watching him that I missed most of what Grace was saying.
    His gaze locked with mine, and I quickly looked away, hoping I hadn’t been too obvious. I could feel the blush creeping into my cheeks. I took a sip of my water, trying to quell the rise of heat. Looking up, I saw the guy still staring at me. I dropped my gaze to the ground once more.
    I could feel my pulse pounding, and it was difficult to swallow. I wanted to sink into the floor. People looking at me had always made me feel uncomfortable—unless I was dancing, that is—but somehow this guy, who was possibly one of the most beautiful people I’d ever seen, looking at me sent me into a tailspin of self-consciousness that left me dizzy.
    The students erupted into applause, a couple of people adding some whistles and whoops to the upsurge, pulling me out of my head.
    “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you have a wonderful intro day!” Grace said, clasping her hands in front of her chest.

Chapter Six
     
     
    I WAITED my turn as all the students rushed to the back of the room to read their placement for the day. When most of the group had cleared out, I checked the list, running my finger down the list of names until I saw mine. I was to begin in the contemporary class in the room across the hall. I smiled. I loved contemporary. It was one of my strengths and a good way to start out.
    I walked to the room, wiping my palms on my shorts as I did. Just because I was excited didn’t mean I wasn’t still nervous as hell. Most of the dancers were already in the room, stretching and warming up. I took a spot near the back and did the same, looking around and taking it all in while I stretched out my hamstrings.
    There were six girls and one other guy. It looked like most small classes I’d ever taken, predominantly female, most of them wearing tight shorts and sports bras, a couple with leg warmers. The other guy was sitting across the room and looked nice enough. Short brown hair, tall and slender. Two of the girls sat at the front talking together. They obviously knew each other from somewhere. Everyone else basically kept to themselves. I felt suddenly self-conscious when I realized I was the only person wearing shoes.
    I walked quickly to the side of the room, peeled them off my feet, and dumped them next to my water bottle on the floor. I hoped no one had noticed. I knew shoes were a stupid thing to feel self-conscious about, but it was the first day. I wanted to make a good first impression. Most of these people were probably from New York. I didn’t want to be thought of as the country bumpkin who had no clue what he was doing, even if that’s exactly what I was. Well, maybe not the country bumpkin part, but I had no idea what I was doing.
    I took my place once again at the back and resumed stretching. I was midway into a backbend when a girl walked up to me and stood in front of me expectantly.
    “Hi,” I said hesitantly.
    “Hey,” she said, grinning widely at me. “I’m Andy… well… Andrea. But everyone calls me Andy.”
    “Nice to meet you. I’m Charlie.”
    “Nice to meet you too.” She plopped down next to me, sitting cross-legged while facing me.