Stalking Tw - Blog Posts
nate-jones:
Whenever Nate was set on something, he was stuck until he would do it. And with his contract soon ending- just after the Sleeping Beauty run- he knew he had to find alternatives. He loved ballet, but Kal was right, even if his words had been said with absolute anger. What was he doing with his life? He had danced for years, it was only a matter of time before his body would start catching up with everything he was doing, and he needed alternatives. Either way, he wanted to improve. No matter what happened, he wanted to be the best at what he did, even if he knew he was very, very far away from it. But he could try, and he might as well start with extra lessons.
He had researched Leo Davis before making his way to NYU, hoping to find him somewhere. His success rate was amazing, he seemed absolutely perfect at what he did, and that was what Nate needed. Maybe, in some way, someone’s brilliance would rub off on him, making him at least a little bit better. However, there was one problem; he couldn’t afford the lessons. So, finishing up work, he made his way to the campus, counting on miraculously finding the class. And for once, luck was on his side; just as he was approaching one of the buildings, the man walked out, the sudden appearance throwing the dancer off his feet. He hadn’t even rehearsed the speech he was planning to give, and here the teacher was, so close!
Nate was standing there for a little too long, and by the time he snapped out of it, the man was already on his way somewhere else. That was perfect! He could try and follow him, catch up to him and stop him so they could have a conversation. That was totally normal, right? It seemed normal to Nate, especially in a city like this. So he walked, practicing the speech inside his head, murmuring the words every once in a while as he walked a good few meters away from the man, both trying to catch up to him and to make sure that he wouldn’t screw it up when he did.
All came crashing down when he realized the man was now standing still, so close to him, and Nate suddenly came to a complete stop, surprise overflowing him.
“Oh, hi! Sorry! I promise I wasn’t stalking you or doing anything shady, which probably sounds extremely shady right now, but still! I just- I know you’re a fantastic acting coach, and I was hoping I could somehow persuade you to teach me.” He always ranted when he was nervous, and yet, a small smile appeared on Nate’s face. “Sorry about that.”
-
People on the outside were constantly telling him what a success he was. Yet his mind always finished off their praises with the tag line: for an acting coach. He had the highest callback and booking rate, currently, in the university circle. He should have proud about that. All the dumb comments and directions he was giving to his students were working out for them. Casting directors were eating up the specific changes he was making to his students’ auditions. He should be so, so proud. But he wasn’t. Their successes added perfect fuel to the fire of his own failure. It proved to him that he was always meant to a teacher to the Prima Donna, and never the actual star himself.
“Good for you.” Leo replied, a knee jerk reaction to being told by student that they got a call back. He was, however, glad that the student waited till class was over to tell him. But this also gave him the itch to walk home as soon as possible. “You know where to find me if you want more help. Now if you’ll excuse me, my wife’s waiting.” He huffed, slinging his messenger style bag over his shoulder and turning to leave the room. He flounced through the courtyard, not paying mind to anyone around him, as jealousy began to blind him. His jaw was flexing beneath his beard and his nostrils began to flare as he could feel the poignant flare of rage begin to rise within him. His hands were tightening around the brown leather and he continued his trek.
With his emotions on high alert, he began to have a sense of paranoia. Was someone following him? He was not in the mood for whatever New York weirdness that was falling into his lap. Especially not in this mood. Not when he felt like he needed a drink or a punching bag. But if he turned around, he could possibly have the latter. Leo immediately stopped walking, and turned to meet whoever was matching his step pattern behind him. His eyes were dark as he met brown eyes kinder than his own will ever be. This took him back. His own surprise was being mirrored by the other’s face. Leo’s forehead pushed together as tried to hear the man through his own shock. “W-wha-what? Wait, kid, slow down.” Leo’s hand waved in the space between them, as he blinked to process all that he had said.
“Well, you were right to start off with flattery.” He quipped, feeling his previous anger begin to be taken over by intrigue. The tension in his body language was visibly leaving. “You could have just called instead of following me.” He couldn’t help but scold the kid a little about that. “Now why do you believe I need some persuading to teach you...?” He questioned, because that really caught his attention.
