Focus. That’s what Donovan told himself after shutting off his alarm. It was still pretty early, but he liked to get a workout in every morning and since moving, he had been slacking. An hour run on the treadmill in the gym of his apartment complex and some weightlifting was enough to kind of give him back that spark. His mind wasn’t on Amber or Emily even, but more so on ballet. Working out helped clear his mind and it was exactly what Donovan felt he needed to get back on track. He soon made his way back to his apartment, his eyes scanning through his messages. Amber had replied, she was doing fine and she missed him as well. That should’ve made him happy, yet it just seemed to further cloud his mind with more confusing feelings that he didn’t care to think about as of now.
Donovan took a quick shower, not wanting to risk being late. He decided to let his hair air dry, especially considering he planned to be a bit more hands on today and the freer he felt the better. He made himself a quick breakfast before grabbing his belongings and heading out, locking up behind him. Knowing he would see Emily again didn’t seem like a big deal, at least now he was prepared instead of being caught off guard. By the time he reached the school, the only thing that consumed his thoughts was dance.
He had hoped to arrive before the students did, to take his time to mark a few pieces. Unfortunately he was faced with his little [I problem] early on. Emily was already warming up, an early bird he could tell and he doubted it had anything to do with impressing him. Though it seemed she had finished by the time he got there. While initially uncomfortable, he had come early to prepare himself and he wasn’t going to back down because she wasn’t in the room. It was nice, getting back into motion. His body was fluid, strong forearms that showed years of dedication to his craft; a strength that clearly presented the idea of picking someone up so easily and fluidly.
While it had only been a week or two, he felt a little out of practice but after a warmup, muscle memory kicked in. he had seen Swan lake in person with his mother for her fortieth birthday. It had been a gift from his father who had decided not to attend, for reasons they both knew. Even at a young age, Donovan was no fool to his father’s affairs. Though at least he had become more discreet with them, especially considering that in the public eye, he was still a married man.
Donovan sported a white form fitting short sleeve shirt and a pair of black joggers, tight enough to leave very little for imagination and just comfortable enough that he felt like he could [I breathe] with each flowing movement. After his workout this morning, he should’ve been exhausted and yet he felt invigorated and excited. He was sitting on the chair, drinking his water as the students began to filter in, chattering away. Though with how early it was, he could tell some were still longing for the warmth of their bed and not ready for the long day ahead of them. Donovan wanted to waste no time. He had occasionally looked up to spot Emily, but for the most part had distanced himself from her as best as possible.
“Quickly”, he stated as some students had yet to change out of their clothes. There was the warmup, Donovan carefully analyzing each dancer, from arching just right, or pointing their toe out when noticing they were flatfooted. Every now and then he would pay attention to a specific person, his hand gentle against their hip, or pressed just close enough to allow him the ability to adjust their arms. Eventually it was time to run through the Act one again. Choosing who was positioned where mattered, the best of the best to be spotlighted in each dance, no matter how little their role was. He was curious though, more so whether Emily had taken his criticism. He imagined yesterday was a bit distracting for her, but hopd after her [I long] night, she had worked on improving and would be on her A game today.
“Let’s try the pas de deux, the moment Prince Siegfried is entranced by our beautiful Odette,” he said as he motioned toward Emily. “chronicling her transition. No longer bound by fear, freed by the possibility of love.” She watched as Liam walked over toward his position. A handsome fellow who he heard good things about, Donovan had no doubt he wouldn’t be impressed. He started the music then and watched.