Forgotten Nights With Mr. Compton (Boys of Chicago Series 3)

“Good job, Quessandra!” Miss Helenes, our dance coach, praised me after I finished my routine for my upcoming ballet competition. She clapped her hands and smiled widely at me. “That was a good routine!” she beamed as she walked to me. I smiled, contented that I impressed my coach with the routine I choreographed. I was the only one without a choreographer because I couldn’t afford one. I am an orphan—my mom died because of cervical cancer while my father died followed soon because he was depressed. I grew up in an orphanage and was set to live free when I turned eighteen. Since then, I worked double jobs to afford a small room and my everyday expenses. Until I came across the G. Helenes Dance Studio. There was a free sign up and everyone is encouraged to join so I tried my chance. And now, I am studying dance here under the famous Georgina Helenes. “It was only three months and you’re already this good,” Miss Helenes told me. “I wonder if you still have a lot under your sleeve because I can see a lot of potential.” I smiled widely, overwhelmed at her words. I started later than the others so I am a bit behind when it comes to skills and preparations so to hear her tell me that she can see potential in me makes me happy and proud of myself. “Continue your routine and put some twists in the middle and the end. The judges love that. You may go home today and just come back tomorrow. You need to rest your body so it wouldn’t give up on you,” she told me before she proceeded with another ballerina. I nodded and went on to fix my things when someone came to me. “Hi,” a lady with a long hair and blue eyes was in front of me. I smiled weakly. “Hello,” I greeted back. “I’m Marie Howell…” she told me as she reached her hand out. “You’re new here, right? Because I am and I don’t know anyone here yet,” she added. I smiled and accepted her hand for a quick handshake. “Quessandra Collins,” I told her. “And yes, I am relatively new here as well. I only started three months ago.” She sighed. “I started last week but I didn’t get to see you. I have been watching your routine since this morning. Who choreographed that?” she asked. I shook my head. “Just me,” I replied. Her eyes widened. “Just you?” she asked in shock. “You’re brilliant!” I smiled shyly. “Thank you,” I replied. “I couldn’t afford a choreographer…” I explained. She sighed. “Me, too. But I wish I am half as good as you. Right now, I am working double jobs just to afford one. Miss Helenes helps in some routine but I think I will need an extra choreographer…” she sighed. I looked at her and saw her pouting until she let out a huge smile. “Anyway, we can hang out some time after practices…” she told me. I smiled and nodded. “Sure…as long as I don’t have work,” I replied. She nodded enthusiastically. “Good! Can I get your number?” she asked me. I took my phone out from my bag and handed it to her. “I want your number, too,” I told her. She giggled and gave me her phone while she received mine. We exchanged numbers and our friendship seemed to have progressed from there. She was in full support when I won my first competition. She treated me for dinner after and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I am not alone—that I have someone in this world even though I lost my parents a long time ago. I found a friend—a best friend even. “Are you ready for your biggest competition?” Marie asked me and I nodded. We’re at the backstage of the biggest ballet competition of this year. Miss Helenes encouraged me to join this after watching me perform one of my most complicated routines in front of everyone in dance class. She told me she could see me turning into a big star and this could be the start of my ballerina journey. “I am nervous, though…” I said as I let out a deep breath. Marie smiled. “It’s normal to be nervous,” she said as she sat beside me and held my cold hands. “But don’t your nervousness take over in your performance, okay? We’ll be supporting you all-out!” She pumped her fist and wrinkled her nose with an encouraging smile. “Thank you,” I told her quietly, slightly relieved with the anxiety I am feeling. She nodded enthusiastically. “Just enjoy, Ques. I know you worked hard for this so claim it!” she told me and that was the only thing I needed to hear before I go on up there and show them what I’ve got. “Besides, Evan Mendez is here to judge! Can you believe it? He’s here and we’re all dying because of how handsome he is!” I frowned. “Who’s that?” I asked. Marie rolled her eyes at me. “A rising actor! He’s the brother of Jennifer Anniston in her new drama series. Are you not watching that?” I shook my head. “I don’t have a TV.” She sighed. “Well, when you win, you should buy one. Jen’s new show is lit!” she beamed at me. I nodded, even though I don’t think it is necessary to have one. I am always out. I only come home to sleep. I don’t have the luxury to watch TV or even videos on my phone. It was not long until the show started. I am the fourth to perform that’s why we were called to come to the side of the stage earlier than the others. I can see the judges from where I was standing. I know most of them because I have joined different competitions before so I’m kind of used to their scrutinizing stare. But one. There was a man wearing a navy blue tuxedo and a white inner V-neck shirt. His hair is slightly disheveled as he watched with serious eyes. His jaw is very prominent and his eyebrows are thick. His lips are red like he’s wearing lipstick but I guess it’s only the natural color. I cannot be mistaken. This is Evan Mendez, as what Marie said. My heart thumped against my chest when my name was called to perform. I smiled widely to mask the nervousness creeping in my whole system. I never felt this nervous before but as Evan’s eyes went to me, I seemed to have lost all the confidence in me. But I cannot let them see that! I need to win this! “You can do this, Quessandra,” I whispered to myself as I went on my starting pose. I mentally repeated that until I heard the music of my piece play. I can hear Marie’s voice cheering me from the audience as I willed myself to focus on my routine despite the intense stare of Mr. Mendez from the judges’ seat. It was an agonizing time performing but when I heard cheers from the audience, I felt more confident. It even felt better when the judges complimented me after knowing that it was me who choreographed the routine I just showed. “And the winner for Miss Prima Ballerina for this year is…” the host trailed to give all of us more thrill. All of the contestants are lined up on stage, holding hands and praying for our names to be called next. “Quessandra Phoebe Collins from Georgina Helenes Dance Studio!” My eyes widened as I heard cheers and applause from the audience. My co-competitors all went to me and hugged me to congratulate me while I was still in awe of what happened. I won? Did I really win? “Congratulations!” Mrs. Powers, one of the judges came to me and hugged me before handing the trophy. Mr. Liven smiled widely at me before handing me the cash prize and some of the giveaways from the sponsors. “Congratulations, Miss Collins…” I smiled and thanked the both of them before I saw Evan Mendez walking towards me with a sash on his hand. I smiled nervously as he put the sash on me. “Congratulations,” he said in a low baritone and with less enthusiasm than the other two judges but my heart seemed to have liked it more. “Thank you…sir…” I stammered. “Just call me Evan,” he said before we posed for a picture. Evan’s hand was on my waist and I couldn’t help but blush. It stayed there the whole time were photographed and I almost sighed in disappointment when he removed it. Mr. Liven and Mrs. Powers proceeded to greet the other contenders but Evan stayed beside me. He turned to me. “Are you celebrating after this?” he asked. I nodded. “Yes, si…I mean, Evan…” I smiled awkwardly. Damn. Can the earth just eat me alive?! He smiled. “I’ll just text you, then…” he said. My eyes widened. “What?” He shrugged. “I got your number from the form. I hope that’s okay with you…” he told me as he rubbed the back of his neck. My lips parted. “Wha—okay…” I bit my lower lip and tried to gather all the sanity that’s left inside me. His lips suddenly rose into a smile. “Good. Maybe we can have dinner some other time?” he asked me and I nodded, not knowing what to actually say. I mean…can I turn him down? He seemed friendly! “O-okay…” He smiled widely. “Okay, nice meeting you, Quessandra…” he told me in a soft and gentle voice. I smiled and nodded. “Nice to meet you, too,” I told him before we went separate ways.