Page 6 of HIS GIRL.

The next day, Hera threw herself into her contemporary class, losing herself in the expressive movements and emotive music. She felt a sense of freedom and release as she danced, her worries and concerns melting away with each step.

After class, she headed back to her dorm room to grab a quick snack before her next rehearsal. As she munched on an apple, she checked her phone and saw a text from Eryx.

"Hey, just wanted to confirm our plans for tonight," he wrote. "I'll pick you up at 7, and we can grab dinner before working on our pas de deux routine. Can't wait to see you!"

Hera smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. She quickly typed out a response, confirming their plans and expressing her own excitement.

As the day drew to a close, Hera took a quick shower and got dressed, her mind racing with anticipation. She had a feeling that tonight was going to be special.

At 7 pm sharp, Eryx arrived at her dorm, looking handsome and charming in his fitted jeans and black leather jacket. Hera's heart skipped a beat as he smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, offering her his arm. "Shall we?"

As Eryx arrived at Hera's dorm, looking handsome and charming in his fitted jeans and black leather jacket, Hera's heart skipped a beat. But just as she was about to take his arm and head out, her phone buzzed with an incoming text from her rival, Nina.

Hera's eyes narrowed as she read the message. "Don't think you can steal the spotlight with Eryx," Nina wrote. "I'll make sure you're left in the shadows."

Hera's face darkened with anger, but Eryx noticed the change in her expression. "What's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

Hera hesitated, unsure if she should reveal the drama with Nina. But something about Eryx's kind and genuine nature put her at ease. "It's just Nina," she said, rolling her eyes. "She's been trying to sabotage me all semester."

Eryx's expression turned stern. "Don't worry about her," he said. "We'll show her what we're made of. Shall we?" He offered Hera his arm again, and this time, she took it with a newfound sense of determination.

As they walked out of the dorm, Hera felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She was ready to face whatever challenges came her way, with Eryx by her side.

But little did they know, Nina was watching from the shadows, her eyes blazing with jealousy and resentment.

And she was just getting started.

As they walked to the restaurant, Eryx couldn't help but notice the tension in Hera's body.

He knew that Nina's text had gotten under her skin, and he wanted to make her feel better.

"Hey, let's forget about Nina for tonight, okay?" he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "We're going to have a great time, just the two of us."

Hera smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Okay," she said, her voice softening. "I'd like that."

As they arrived at the restaurant, Eryx pulled out Hera's chair and helped her sit down. The waiter came over to take their order, and Eryx recommended the special of the night, a delicious-sounding pasta dish.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Eryx reached across the table and took Hera's hand again. "I'm really glad we're doing this," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "I feel like we're really connecting, you know?"

Hera's heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze. She felt the same way, like they were building something special together. "I know exactly what you mean," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Just as things were starting to feel romantic, Hera's phone buzzed again. She hesitated for a moment before pulling it out of her purse.

Her eyes widened as she read the text. "It's Nina again," she said, her voice tight with anger. "She says she's going to make sure I don't get the lead role in the upcoming ballet."

Eryx's face darkened with anger. "Don't worry, Hera," he said. "We'll deal with Nina together. You're an amazing dancer, and you deserve that lead role."

Hera felt a surge of gratitude towards Eryx. She knew she could count on him to support her, no matter what. But little did they know, Nina was just getting started, and she would stop at nothing to sabotage Hera's chances.

As they finished their meal and prepared to leave, Eryx's expression turned determined.

"We're going to practice our pas de deux routine tomorrow, and we're going to nail it," he said, his eyes locked on Hera's.

"Nina can try to sabotage you all she wants, but we're not going to let her get in our way. "

Hera felt a surge of admiration for Eryx's confidence and determination. She knew that with him by her side, she could overcome any obstacle.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Eryx put his arm around Hera's shoulders, pulling her close. "We're in this together, okay?" he said, his voice low and reassuring.

Hera nodded, feeling a sense of comfort and security with Eryx's arm around her. She knew that she could count on him to support her, both on and off the stage.

As they walked back to Hera's dorm, the night air was filled with the sound of crickets and the distant hum of traffic. Hera felt a sense of peace wash over her, knowing that she had Eryx by her side.

But just as they were approaching the dorm, Hera saw a figure lurking in the shadows. It was Nina, her eyes blazing with anger and resentment.

"Well, well, well," Nina sneered, her voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here. The little dancer and her boyfriend, thinking they're so perfect together."

Hera's heart skipped a beat as she felt Eryx's arm tighten around her shoulders. "Nina, what do you want?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.

Nina's smile grew wider. "Oh, I just wanted to remind Hera that she's not as special as she thinks she is," she said, her eyes glinting with malice. "And that she'll never be good enough to get the lead role."

Hera felt a surge of anger and determination.

She was not going to let Nina get to her.

She stood up straight, her eyes locked on Nina's.

"I'll show you what I'm capable of," she said, her voice steady and confident.

Nina's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Oh, I'm shaking in my boots," she sneered, rolling her eyes.

"You think you can take me down, Hera? I've been dancing since I was five years old. I'm a prodigy. You're just a...a..."

Eryx stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. "That's enough, Nina," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You're not going to bully Hera anymore. She's an amazing dancer, and she deserves respect."

Nina's face turned red with rage, but she seemed to realize that she was outnumbered. She spun on her heel and stormed off, leaving Hera and Eryx staring after her.

Hera took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks for standing up for me," she said, smiling up at Eryx.

Eryx smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime," he said, putting his arm around her shoulders again. "We're in this together, remember?"

As they walked back to Hera's dorm, Hera felt a sense of gratitude towards Eryx. She knew that she could count on him to support her, no matter what.

But little did they know, Nina was not one to give up easily. She was already plotting her next move, determined to take Hera down and claim the lead role for herself. The battle for the top spot had only just begun, and it was going to be a fight to the finish.

As the days went by, Hera and Eryx continued to work tirelessly on their pas de deux routine. They practiced every day, perfecting their lifts and turns, and their chemistry on stage grew stronger with each passing day.

But despite their hard work, Hera couldn't shake off the feeling that Nina was still plotting against her. She would catch glimpses of Nina watching her from across the studio, her eyes narrowed in a calculating gaze.

One day, as Hera was leaving the studio, she noticed that her dance bag had been tampered with. Her pointe shoes were torn, and her favorite leotard was missing.

Hera's heart sank as she realized that Nina must have been responsible. She felt a surge of anger and frustration, but she knew that she couldn't let Nina get to her.

She took a deep breath and walked back into the studio, determined to confront Nina once and for all.

As she entered the studio, she saw Nina standing by the barre, a smug look on her face. Hera marched right up to her, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Nina, I know it was you who tampered with my dance bag," Hera said, her voice firm and steady. "But you're not going to get away with it. I'm going to report you to the director, and you're going to face the consequences."

Nina's smile faltered, and for a moment, Hera saw a glimmer of fear in her eyes. But then, Nina's expression hardened, and she sneered at Hera.

"You'll never be able to prove it was me," Nina said, her voice dripping with malice. "And even if you do, I'll just deny it. You'll never be able to bring me down, Hera."

Hera's anger boiled over, and she took a step closer to Nina, her fists clenched. But just as she was about to confront Nina further, Eryx appeared out of nowhere, his eyes flashing with anger.

"That's enough, Nina," Eryx said, his voice low and menacing. "You're not going to bully Hera anymore. She's had enough of your games."

Nina's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she looked like she was going to back down. But then, her expression hardened again, and she turned on her heel and stormed out of the studio.

Hera let out a sigh of relief as Eryx turned to her and put his arms around her. "Don't worry, Hera," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "I've got your back. We'll get through this together."

As Eryx held Hera close, she felt a sense of comfort and security wash over her. She knew that she could count on him to support her, no matter what.

Just then, the director of the dance academy, Madame Butterfly, walked into the studio. "What's going on here?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.

Hera took a deep breath and explained the situation with Nina. Madame Butterfly listened intently, her expression growing more and more serious.

When Hera finished, Madame Butterfly nodded thoughtfully. "I'll speak with Nina and remind her of the academy's code of conduct," she said. "But in the meantime, Hera, I want you to focus on your dancing. You have a lot of potential, and I don't want to see you let Nina's antics hold you back."

Hera nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to prove to Nina, and to herself, that she was a talented dancer who deserved to succeed.

As Madame Butterfly walked away, Eryx turned to Hera and smiled. "You're going to do great," he said. "I'll be right there with you, every step of the way."

Hera smiled back, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Eryx. She knew that she could count on him to support her, both on and off the stage.

Together, they walked out of the studio, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

But little did they know, Nina was not going to give up easily.

She was already plotting her next move, determined to take Hera down and claim the lead role for herself.

The battle for the top spot was far from over. ....