Start the song on the second section of the story for the ✨effect✨

I know having song lyrics in fanfiction is looked down upon, but to me, it's like a movie, and we need sound👏🏻👏🏻

**

"Ugh!" Heather slammed the door when she got back from ballet practice. "I practiced for two hours before school today, and I still can't get my landings perfect!"

Courtney looked up from her book. "Are you serious? Mikayla is really on your ass about this."

"It's not even fair. I try ten times harder than the rest of those losers, and I get no appreciation! I swear to god she has a bias against me because I'm half Asian."

"That's the only reason I can think of. I've seen you dance before, and you're outstanding! There's no way you still need to improve."

"They're probably just jealous that even they can't be as good as me."

"That could be it too. I knew this one girl Shelley at C.I.T. camp, and she'd always tell me what I was doing wrong. She was such a hypocrite because she forgot to give the kids their daily medication one time. That is a huge mistake! When I'm off my medication for more than a day, I start to lose it."

"Um...yeah. More importantly, how am I going to show Mikayla that I don't need any more critiques on my leaps?"

"I have no idea, Heath. I think the best option is to keep doing what she tells you to."

"But I have been for weeks now! Nothing I do is ever good enough for her! She's starting to remind me of my fucking mom."

Courtney frowned. "Heather, just calm down."

"I am calm! And you know what? It doesn't matter what she says because I know I'm the best at everything I do. And I will practice until I can prove it to her and laugh in her face. She doesn't know what true talent is."

"That's right; she doesn't."

"I'm going to practice some more now since I'm not tired."

"It's 10:00 at night. You need to get ready for bed."

"I won't be able to sleep unless I get this perfect."

"And you won't be able to do your best unless you get some sleep."

"Guess what, Courtney?"

"What?" She groaned, shutting her eyes.

"You're not my mom, so I'm going to do what I want."

Courtney knew there was no use in stopping her now. "Ok, fine. But don't complain when you have to get up at 8:00 in the morning."

"I won't." She grabbed her half-full water bottle and put her ballet shoes back on. "See ya, bestie."

"Mm-hm, see you."

Heather laughed before she left the room. She had a special place to practice just across the street behind the sorority. It was a basketball court- not ideal, but perfect when it came to floors and space.

She did a few stretches and set her phone down on the ground, starting the song she would use for the upcoming recital next month. She started strong, barely up on her tiptoes.

When it was time for her to do her leaps, she stiffened up, stumbling slightly. "Ugh!!" She stopped, starting the song over again. She took a deep breath, taking it from the top.

Heather tried her leaps again and again and again- and then five more times, going harder on herself each time. On the last time, her legs gave out, and she fell on the hard tile. "Ow..." she moaned, rubbing her backside. She sighed, tears of frustration filling her eyes. She was beyond excited for this show. This was the show her dad was finally going to be able to make.

She remembered telling her mom that she didn't want her to come to her shows, and her mom gladly agreed. "I'll just be watching you desperately attempt not to fall," she had told her. But she wanted her dad there. At least he was nicer to her. Maybe because they hardly spoke in the first place.

It was hard to pretend she didn't want her mom to at least act proud of her for once in her life. But she didn't want to back down or look like the weak one, so she always told herself that she hated her and her dad since he never stood up for her. She secretly hoped her father would show up, so he would take a video to show her mother. That'll prove to her that I'm a valuable daughter. She'll never look down on me again.

**

Alejandro cursed as he drove to the college at 7:00 in the morning. His first class didn't start until 9:00, but he forgot to print something the night prior. He quickly got out of his car and went into the building.

Start music

As he walked through the halls, he heard music playing from one of the private study rooms. Curious, he walked toward the sound. He raised his eyebrows in surprise when he saw Heather. She was wearing a pink tank top with black leggings and ballet shoes. Her long black hair was pulled up into a high bun. She leaned on one of the tables until the lyrics began.

You're the light
You're the night
You're the color of my blood.
You're the cure
You're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much
So much

Alejandro was a bit intrigued when she went up on her tiptoes. But he decided he didn't care enough to watch the entire thing. He was about to leave when the music picked up.

You're the fear
I don't care
Cause I've never felt so high
Follow me
Through the night
Let me take you past our satellites
You can see the world you brought to life
To life

She started spinning around, never losing her balance for a second. Something about the way her body moved with the music captivated him. It was so graceful and elegant.

So love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do
What are you waiting for?

Fading in, fading out
On the edge of paradise
Every inch of your skin is a Holy Grail I've gotta find
Only you can set my heart on fire, on fire

She began doing small leaps, keeping her arms up perfectly.

Yeah, I'll let you set the pace
'Cause I'm not thinking straight
My head's spinning around, I can't see clear no more
Oh, what are you waiting for?

At this point, Alejandro forgot why he came in the first place

Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do, oh
What are you waiting for?

Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do, oh
What are you, what are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?

The music settled. He watched in awe as she slowly went down into the splits and arched her back, so her head was facing upwards.

Oh, I'll let you set the pace
Oh, 'cause I'm not thinking straight
Though my head's spinning around, I can't see clear no more
What are you waiting for?

Alejandro admired how focused her gaze was. If he didn't think she was attractive before, he definitely thought she was attractive now. She lifted herself back up with ease. This time, her leaps were much higher and intense.

Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (Like you do, oh)
Oh, love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do, oh
Oh, what are you waiting for?
Love me like you do, lo-lo-love me like you do (Like you do)
Lo-lo-love me like you do
Touch me like you do, to-to-touch me like you do, oh
What are you, what are you waiting for?

Alejandro was speechless. He had never seen a ballet recital before and had no idea it was this rigorous. She looked exhausted. There were bags under her eyes. He saw her chest rising and falling heavily, beads of sweat dripping down her forehead. She grabbed her water bottle and sat down.

He left before she noticed he was there and headed to the printer room. He had no idea what feeling came over him while watching her. But one thing was for sure. He wasn't going to forget the look on her face when she was doing something she was passionate about.

**

"I'm so tired." Duncan yawned, stretching out in his bed that night.

"Then I suggest you go to sleep," Alejandro told him.

"That's the thing. I can't. Courtney's having me read this shit."

"Qué?"

"You know, the list she gave me that one day?"

"Oh yes, I remember now." Alejandro couldn't have cared less about it, but he still wanted to keep his primarily clean reputation around the fraternity.

"I can't do this. I already have enough homework as it is."

"Then don't do it. Tell her she can't order you around. Take charge, man."

"I don't know how to. One minute she's super sweet, and the next, she's yelling at me for something fucking stupid like what I wear. It's like I'm dating two Courtneys."

"Maybe you're doing something wrong?"

"I do everything wrong according to her!"

"Well, some women are high maintenance." And if Courtney thought Duncan would fit her standards at first, she'll be surprised at all the standards I meet.

"It's getting annoying."

"I do not know what to tell you, amigo. Maybe think about what kind of man she wants and be that man. Ha, as if he could ever be as great as I am. Duncan rolled his eyes angrily. He covered himself with his blankets until he fell asleep.

Alejandro laid there, restless. All-day, he had that damned song Heather used for her ballet practice in his head. He found himself searching it up and putting his earbuds in to play it. He closed his eyes, recapturing the moment. He remembered every single delicate move she made. And it was all without failure. She was beyond impressive to him, and now all he wanted to do was chase her. But not because he had any feelings. No way would he ever catch real feelings for anyone. He wasn't that weak. She is going to be the one catching feelings for me.