His Precious Flower

Chapter 14

Jac seems very surprised, Enough to drop his pencil and stutter for a moment.

"You-you want... That's highly unusual. I thought you and Malcom got along well?"

I shrug and notice Malcom staring at me through the mirror.

The other partners are already stretching and I revel in how awkward he seems.

He deserves it.

"We did. I can't work with him anymore though. I need a change. I'm sure it will greatly enhance

my performance too."

Changing partners would normally due the opposite, but I feel adrenaline already and that

combined with my newfound determination will drive me.

Jac nods and looks around for a moment.

"Luca!"

The sandy blonde haired ballerino pauses his stretching and holds a finger up to his partner

before jogging this way.

"Yeah, coach?"

I smile at the blatantly guy thing to say.

"Flavia needs a partner switch. You and Brenna have only been working together five months so

I thought you wouldn't mind a change?"

Luca scans me, not in a mean or lustful way, but as if he's sizing me up.

"How could I turn down the new girl who got the lead?"

I bit the I side of my cheek. So he only wants me in hopes of getting the lead with me in this

play. It's disapointing, but anything's better than dealing with Malcom in my mind.

Jac nods in approval and calls Brenna and Malcom over.

Enjoy the news asshole.

Luca holds his arm out dramatically and I take it with the roll of my eyes.

"Okay, I don't like asking get to know you questions. Only the serious ones, so just give me a list

of things you like."

I appreciate my new partners straight forwardness and as we begin to stretch our legs on the bar,

I do my best to come up with answers.

"I like ballet."

It's sad that I need to think hard for more answers, but I come up with some a few moments

later.

"Coffee is good. Sleep too. That's about it, though."

Luca looks at me with an 'are you serious' face.

I shrug and switch legs.

"What do you like?"

He clears his throat before answering sarcastically.

"Well Flavia, I have many likes. There's food, soda, ballet, sports, television, swimming, music,

and gardening to name a few."

"Gardening?"

He nods.

"It's relaxing and pretty."

That makes sense.

"Dislikes," he asks.

We begin stretching our backs now and I hardly have to think for a list of things I don't like.

"Wet doorknobs, the color orange, most vegetables, most fruits, excess light, excess darkness,

technology, cologne or perfume, Malcom, and shoes aren't so great either."

Luca laughs and agrees with most of what I say.

"So two questions. Are you afraid of the dark? Also, what did Malcom do for you to de-partner

him?"

I think back to making Dimitri put night lights in because of how dark his room got with the

blackout curtains.

"I'm a little afraid of the dark, yeah. Malcom is just an asshole, though. He's being the

stereotypical guy, no offense."

Luca waves his hand and we switch to our arms.

"Honey, I'm bi. So I'm practically gay which means I may as well be one of the girls. You're

right. Those guys are pesky things."

I know he's half joking due to his know all eyes.

The next half hour is spent loosening our muscles to make sure we're all still in shape and just as

flexible as before.

When it's time for lunch, we all pack up and I ask Luca if he wants to join Dimitri and I at the

coffee house.

He agrees and goes to pack his bag.

While I'm putting everything I thought I'd need back in, Malcom comes up behind me

unexpectedly.

"Flav! I shouldn't have said what I did okay?! I didn't know you weren't sleeping with him, but

why would you change partners?! We're great together!"

I shake my head and refuse to respond. I know I'll only get riled up and things will get worse.

"Don't ignore me," he says harshly while his face scrunches in anger.

"Flavia!"

His hands grip my upper arm painfully and I scrunch my own face to hold back tears.

"Hey!"

With that, Malcom is shoved to the ground where he scrambles up to face off with Luca.

It's embarrassing that everyone is watching like it's a TV show, but that's overshadowed by the

fear of someone getting hurt. We have a production next month!

"Stealing my partner huh? Classy," Malcom spits to his lighter haired counterpart.

"Manhandling your EX partner? Classy," Luca retorts stepping closer.

I grab Luca's hand and work on pulling him away, which becomes easier after Jac yells for

everyone to get along.

Picking up my bag, Luca and I head to the foyer where Dimitri is already waiting.

"Flower," he greets with an excited smile.

He drops his head low to reach my mouth and we share a quick kiss.

He turns more serious when he notices Luca has stopped behind me.

"Who's this?"

My partner emits a small wave and I smile assuringly.

"This is my new ballet partner, Luca."

"I'll take good care of her sir," he says in a weird voice like he's talking to my father. Dimitri

grins at that and nods in approval.

"You'd better."

Now is the moment that I'm sure of the conversation I had with my dominant six days ago.

He thought the age Gap would be too much for me. I thought it would be too much for him. As

we concluded that day, our age difference is special and neither of us mind.

The way Dimitri took Luca's dad joke in stride cemented my confidence in his answer and I'm

glad he doesn't look at me like a child, but doesn't mind being seen as a father figure. I suppose

that's why calling him daddy was one of his options.

With that we're off to get coffee.

It only takes two minutes to cross the street and walk in the door, but when we do, I'm met with a

surprise.

My best friend.

Or... My angry best friend.

On her face, she wears the same sour look other people in ballet practice had this morning.

Don't tell me I'm about to lose my best friend too.