Free Black Adagio by Wendy Potocki

remembered she had Kitri's music loaded. Finding it, the music launched with a touch of a button.
    Counting the introduction, she ran on tiptoe to the center. Pretending it was a stage, she posed, waiting for the cue. Studying her reflection, she exuded confidence. It was just the right note in which to approach the classic character. Hitting the music, she piqued on her right leg into an arabesque. A glissade into a saute de chat following, she executed a developpé à la seconde and two fast passes. Repeating it twice more, she matched the music’s vibrancy with stylized head and arm movements. An eerie paranoia descending, it began to freak her out. Suddenly wanting to stop, she was certain that she was being watched.
    The hair on the back of her neck stood straight on end. Completing the échappé, she hopped in attitude. A final series of chaines climaxing into a delicious arabesque, she held the position, checking her form. Her legs straight, her back was lifted.
    Quickly coming down to a flat foot, she rubbed at beads collecting on her forehead. The unnerving premonition hadn’t disappeared Her eyes drifted around the dimly lit room. Assuring her that she was alone, she wasn't buying it. Keeping on her guard, she saw something move in her peripheral vision. Right there in the small rectangular window built into the top of the door, was a pair of brilliant blue eyes. Belonging to the mystery man she'd almost run into leaving the cafeteria, he acknowledged her with a slight nod of his head, giving her a friendly wave before moving away.
    The gesture wasn’t threatening, but that’s how it felt. She’d never intended on being discovered. Hoping that he wouldn’t tell Una, she couldn’t imagine how she’d react. Quite sure that Una had done the same, if someone were considered proficient, it meant extra time had been put into practice.
    Retrieving her sweatshirt, she slid it over her head. Shutting off the lights, she sat hidden in the darkness, rehydrating herself with water. Her mind scrambling to understand, she wondered if this man was the one responsible for the feeling of her being watched. It was impossible. He’d only recently started visiting the academy. Besides, if he’d wanted to remain anonymous, he certainly could have. The opportunity had been there for him to duck away. No, something else haunted Velofsky’s.
    Haunted ? Had she really used that word to describe what was occurring? The tingling pulsing in her fingers drifted up her spine, letting her know that the word choice was apt. She did indeed feel as if some sort of ghost were roaming about. Spying on the young talent, she felt she was a prime object of this spectre's interest.
    The music kept her company as did the dark. Through the large, framed windows, she watched the moon through the treetops of the surrounding forest. The branches created rivulets of drama through the luminous orb, the stillness of the room was enhanced by the beauty of Chopin. Time danced by her like a chiffon scarf in autumn's breeze. Drifting off, she awoke two hours later.
    Hurriedly taking off her pointe shoes, she slipped on her boots. Gripping her bag, she turned down the thermostat, running into the blackened hallway. The light from the stairwell allowing her sight, she skipped down the steps, hearing the tapping of Viktor's cane. Coming up the stairs, she hunkered down, flattening against the side of the wall. Craning her neck around the corner, he was headed for Una's office. Angrily knocking on the door with the end of his walking stick, he didn’t wait for an answer. Barging in, the force caused the door to crash into the wall. The sound reverberating throughout the empty corridor, the door was left open, the angry voices easily discernible. Wanting to see what was happening, she crept to the door, being careful to stay in the shadows. The placid Una seated behind her desk was confronted by Viktor's hulking frame. She felt sorry for the woman dwarfed by