"The Academy Workshop is coming up." Mary Krouse standing at the front of the studio with a class of eager students listening to her every word. "The tryouts and auditions for it will be on Wednesday. Myself and Andrea Viscova will be choosing the leads. Be sure that you are ready." She finished sternly.
The class nodded in unison and took their places at the barre, ready to being the morning with a good workout. Usagi's plies had greatly improved over the last week, and Krouse was pleased to see it. It was uncommon that a student received a compliment from Krouse, and Usagi was working her way up to teacher's pet.
After Krouse's class, Usagi met up with Demitri in the lounge.
"So where are you off to next?" Demitri was tying his black ballet shoes.
"I have academics, then the pas de deux class." She responded--not looking up, for she was massaging her feet with a bottle of Smoothies.
"I guess I'll see you in pas de deux then." Demitri got the impression that Usagi was not up for talking.
"Yeah, see you then."
Usagi was reading in her dorm, when the mail came. She skimmed through the letters: there was one from home, and one from Mamoru. Tossing the letter from home aside, she ripped open Mamoru's letter.
Usagi,
I miss you every day--why haven't I gotten a letter from you yet? How's it going in New York? A lot have things have changed since you left.
I've been promoted at the café, I'm now the assistant manager. I've also met a girl, her name is Toyoe. She's a new waitress. I think you'd like her--when you come back to visit you two will have to meet.
Speaking of which--when are you coming back? I can't wait to see you again. Everyone sends their love, and Chibi-Usa has been hiding out at my apartment for a while…
Love Always,
Mamo-chan
The thought of Mamoru having met a new girl was startling. Perhaps the two were becoming more than friends--what if Mamoru was having an affair? Usagi then thought of her and Demitri. Mamoru would go ballistic if he knew about him. Better to keep it quiet for now, Usagi thought.
The letter from home was just the dates when Usagi was due back in Japan for a vacation, and one round--trip plane ticket to Tokyo. July 18th…that was a about a month and a half away. Usagi couldn't wait to get home and see her parents. She might even be able to teach Shingo how to do a rond de jambe.
Usagi put the letters in her desk drawer--where she noticed she was acquiring quite a pile of academic work. She had an essay to write by Monday on Balanchine and his contributions to ballet (there were a great many in SAB history), and it was Thursday. She also had to have a report on sixteenth century artists done by Tuesday.
With her schedule booked, Usagi hunted for a place on her calendar where she could fit a date with Demitri.
It was Sunday morning around eleven when Demitri rolled out of bed--literally. "Damn bunks." He grumbled as he threw on some dirty clothes and headed for the lounge.
On his way, he met up with a resident that lived across the hall from him. "Hey! Kyle Froman. Demitri Suslov, right?"
"Yeah," The two began a pleasant conversation. "You live across the hall, don't you?"
"Yes. I've been meaning to ask you, do you have a roommate?" Kyle took off his baseball cap and ran his fingers through his hair."
"Nah. I didn't get one this year." Demitri kept walking.
"Mind if I move in with you? Mines driving me up a wall. One of those really nerdy types--you know?"
Demitri chuckled at Kyle's comment. "I was going to the lounge, but seeing as I haven't eaten since noon yesterday, want to join me for breakfast?"
"I'd be an honor, Demitri Suslov."
Usagi was in Studio three working on her tour en l'airs when another student barged in.
"Sorry to disturb you, but I'm looking for Usagi Tsukino. Have you seen her?" She had shiny black hair that was pulled back into a barrette, and she was carrying a carpet bag.
"Found her." Usagi walked over.
"Hi," She held out her free hand. "I'm Elena Bar, your new roommate."
"I thought you weren't coming till the winter term?" Usagi placed her hands on her hips.
"Change in plans. I was bumped up from my old studio. Just looking for ways to get rid of me I guess." She tried to crack a joke.
"Here, let me help you with your bags." She left to help Elena unpack and get settled in their room.
"Sorry it's a mess." Usagi threw some clothes that were on the floor onto her bed. "This will be your bed, desk, and closet. Oh," She opened a drawer. "This is your room key."
"Thanks." Elena sighed as she dumped her things into the tiny dorm. "Man, I'm starved. Airplane food stinks. Wanna grab something to eat?"
Usagi smiled. "Yeah, come on."
In the cafeteria, Kyle and Demitri were laughing hysterically at a competition judge they had both once seen. Their laughing ceased, but they still smiled once they saw Usagi and Elena enter the food court. Demitri motioned for them to come over.
"Usagi, this is Kyle Forman, my new roommate." Demitri pulled out a chair for her.
"That is so ironic--my roommate just came today too. Guys, this is Elena Bar." The girls sat after wiping some crumbs of the chairs.
"Nice to meet you, Elena." Demitri, Kyle and Elena exchanged handshakes.
"Likewise." Elena scooted forward. "So, Usagi," She gestured towards Demitri. "Is this your boyfriend?"
