The days leading up to the performance were a whirlwind of activity and emotions. While Leo was consumed by his rehearsals, Ari found herself grappling with her own internal struggles. The more time she spent around Leo, the more complicated her feelings became. What started as infatuation was growing into something deeper, and it terrified her.

Ari had always been someone who wore her heart on her sleeve, but with Leo, things felt different. She didn't want to risk their budding friendship by revealing too much, too soon. Each interaction with him was a delicate dance of emotions, and she found herself constantly second-guessing her actions and words.

One evening, as she sat on the studio’s bench watching Leo practice, she couldn’t help but admire his dedication. His movements were a beautiful blend of strength and grace, each step executed with precision. Yet, there was tension in his body, a sign of the immense pressure he was under. Her heart ached for him, and she wished she could do more than just offer words of encouragement.

As he took a break, Leo walked over to her, his expression a mix of exhaustion and determination. “Hey, Ari,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “How’s it going?”

“Hi, Leo,” Ari replied, forcing a smile. “You’re doing amazing. I can see how hard you’re working.”

He sighed, sitting down beside her. “It doesn’t feel amazing. It feels like I’m constantly falling short.”

Ari wanted to reach out and comfort him, but she hesitated, unsure of how to bridge the gap between friendship and the feelings she was struggling to contain. Instead, she opted for words. “You’re too hard on yourself. You’re an incredible dancer, Leo. Don’t let the pressure get to you.”

He looked at her, his eyes searching hers for reassurance. “Thanks, Ari. It means a lot coming from you.”

As they sat there in silence, she felt a wave of emotions crash over her. She wanted to tell him how much he meant to her, how his presence had become a bright spot in her life. But she couldn’t find the words. Ari's feelings for Leo were tangled and complicated, and she feared that revealing them would only make things more difficult.

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Over the next few days, her internal struggle only intensified. Leo’s presence was both a comfort and a source of confusion. Each time he smiled at her or shared a moment of vulnerability, her heart swelled with affection. But with the performance approaching, she knew that now was not the time to complicate things further.

One afternoon, as Ari was leaving the studio, she ran into her sister who was going to remain in the studio till night. Mia had noticed her distracted demeanor and decided to confront her about it. “Ari, what’s going on with you? You’ve been acting strange lately.”

Ari hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “It’s nothing, really. Just…thinking about stuff.”

She gave her a knowing look. “Is it about Leo?”

Mia's words hit her like a jolt, and she realized that her feelings were more transparent than she thought. “Maybe,” Ari admitted quietly. “It’s just…complicated.”

“Feelings usually are,” Mia said with a sigh. “But if you like him, you should tell him. Life’s too short to keep things bottled up.”

Mia's advice echoed in her mind long after she left. Ari knew she was right, but the fear of rejection and the potential impact on their friendship held her back. She didn’t want to risk losing what they had, especially when Leo needed support more than ever.

The night before the performance, Ari found herself lying awake, thoughts of Leo swirling in her mind. She replayed their conversations, his smiles, and the moments they had shared. Her feelings for him had grown beyond infatuation, but she wasn’t sure if he felt the same.

The next day, as she entered the studio, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Leo was already there, going through his routine one last time. He looked focused, but there was tension in his movements that mirrored her own inner turmoil.

Ari approached him during a break, her heart pounding. “Leo, can we talk?”

He looked up, his expression softening when he saw her. “Of course, Ari. What’s up?”

Ari took a deep breath, her palms sweaty. “I just wanted to say…good luck tonight. You’re going to be amazing.”

He smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. “Thanks, Ari. I appreciate it.”

As he turned to go back to his practice, Ari felt a surge of determination. “Leo, wait,” she called, her voice trembling slightly.

He paused, turning back to face her. “Yeah?”

“I…I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens, I believe in you. And…you mean a lot to me.” she said.

Leo’s eyes softened, and for a moment, Ari thought she saw something more in his gaze. “You mean a lot to me too, Ari. Thank you.”

His words gave her a glimmer of hope, but the unspoken desires between them remained tangled and unresolved. As she watched him walk away, she knew that their dance was far from over, and she was willing to take the next step, no matter how uncertain it felt.