"Ok everyone. Gather around."

Everyone had been waiting for those words from Miss Lacey.

All pairs had performed the piece for her one by one and today was decision day. Leo and I had performed ours last week and today the last couple did theirs.

I had been longing for this moment way before performance was set. Months of practicing and learning all built up to this moment.

We all gathered in the middle of the dance studio. Leo stood on the opposite side of the group, occasionally glancing over to me but ever since we did our dance for Miss Lacey, I pretty much blanked him. I didn't really need to speak to him anymore, only if we were chosen.

"I know you have all worked hard for this and I want to say how very proud I am of every single one of you. You have defied my expectations massively." Miss Lacey looked genuine when she spoke which actually made me feel good. She was never a particularly mushy person when it came to these things but you could tell she was telling the truth.

"But, of course, only one pair can go on to perform in the county finals next month."

The county finals. God, that felt like forever ago and now its literally 30 days away.

Basically, all the top performers come down from all over the country to win the competition. People who have won this before have gone on to do dance in music videos and going to America to even open their own dance studios.

I wanted that so bad.

"I'm happy to announce that the pair that will be going to the competition is..." Miss Lacey's eyes darted around the room, landing on every single person.

"Millie and Peter!"

There was an applause from everyone and watched as the winning pair hugged and thanked Miss Lacey. After that I zoned out.

Fuck.

Fuck.

I didn't win.

Did I not do good enough? I had practiced so hard for so many years for this chance... And blew it.

I couldn't even stay for the congratulations that were being thrown around the room. I grabbed my gym bag that was lying next to the mirrored glass and slipped out before anyone noticed I was gone.

Call me rude, but I just couldn't handle the fact that I didn't get it.

All the work I did... Spending extra hours training nearly everyday after school... The diet... Even the god damn eating disorder I put myself through to make sure I was perfect for it.

Fuck.

I didn't even realise the tears falling out of my eyes but luckily as soon as I got outside, the heavens opened and blended with the droplets down my face.

Home was the last place I wanted to be right now. I knew Harvey was going to be waiting in the front room for me burst in and give him the news that I won.

It made me laugh inside, Harvey thought the world of me and just automatically assumed I would win at everything like he did.

I guess it isn't a twin thing.

After around 10 minutes of walking and shivering from the rain, I found myself at the park I used to do runs on.

Due to the weather of course, not a soul could be seen so I plonked myself on the swings and cried.

"Mind of I sit?"

I jumped inwardly at the voice, but my body was to cold to even attempt to show a reaction.

Leo had followed me. I should've known. He'd been keeping his distance with me as he knew I was avoiding really talking to him so he didn't ask any questions which I was grateful for.

But honestly? He was the last person I wanted to speak to right now.

"It's a free country." I muttered under my breath but Leo heard me, laughing a little.

He sat on the swing next to me, lightly going back and forth like I was.

"Wanna talk about it?"

I finally turned to look at him with a blunt look "I'd rather not."

Leo nodded his head and I looked back forward. The rain began to pour down by this point.

The field that surrounded us turned more and more into a muddy, swampy mess with every drop of rain that hit it. The grey skies matched my mood perfectly, as if the universe knew today wasn't going to be my day.

"I was around 8 the first time my Dad hit me."

I stilled completely. Why was he talking about this now?

I looked back to him to find Leo staring aimlessly into the field ahead.

"I thought he was just playing around, you know? Rough play and shit like that. But it wasn't until I was 12 and ended up in A&E with a broken arm one night that I realised it wasn't a game." Leo was breathing deeply as he talked, as if he had never spoken these words out loud to anyone.

"My Mum left him after that and he got arrested. Haven't seen him in around 7 years now." Leo brought his hand up wiped away his hair that had started to stick to his face from the rain.

"Leo... Why are you telling me this?" I asked softly, not wanting to sound rude, but I was concerned for him.

"Because I know what dance is to you. It's the same thing for me. An escape. Something to focus on other than the reality around you. When you're dancing, nothing else matters apart from the steps and the movement. I used to fight, which is why I got kicked out of three schools, so I decided to do ballet instead. Less destructive, more freeing."

"And the drugs as well I assume?" I questioned, knowing there was more to his 'Bad Boy' persona than he was letting on. He hadn't mentioned anything else about the drugs since what happened in the alleyway and I knew he wanted me to keep it that way.

Leo laughed a little again "Yea, that's something I got caught up in when I moved to a school up north. Unlike fighting, it's a bit harder to just quit from."

I could understand that. I knew drugs wasn't a major thing from where we live now, but I can imagine that people jumped all over Leo when he turned up and started dealing.

"I understand." Nodding my head slightly, I turned to be facing the field once again.

I don't know how long Leo and I sat there for, but it was long enough for me to start to finally understand Leonidas Taylor.