"Please welcome to the stage, the one year class dancing to delirious in love, a ballet piece!" The pounding of my heart reaches my ears as I feel Sophia squeeze my hand tightly.
"Let's do this" Sophia muttered. We hurry onto the stage. I go up onto my points, a familiar feeling. I remember how badly I use to dance in point shoes. I shook my head as the curtains opened. The music started and we began dancing slowly and cleanly across the stage. I danced in sync with the others. Sophia was in lead but I have my own little special part. We finish the gorgeous dance as the crowds go wild.
We stand up bowing.
"Thank you dancers! Congrats on surviving one year at dancers 1st step academy." We cheered.
It has been a year since I had won the scholarship at the competition. I have grown as a dancer in this school at an amazing pace. I thrived under the strict discipline, being the first to class, the last to leave. Following my courses perfectly, working out at the gym daily, and keeping a steady diet. I have kept up with my studies, being a straight A student. I surpass my entire class becoming the star student except for one. Sophia. Yep Sophia's the number one girl, and I'm number two. The worst place to be in is the shadow of the star. I have fought long and hard but I can't seem to take Sophia's place.
Different than that, this year has been amazing. I have become friends with so many people! And although the school forbids dating, Me and Peter have secretly dated for over a year now. I meet him usually three or four times a week. My mom doesn't know yet either! Thankfully, my friends have helped me keep my secret.
Chloe Lukasiak is in Jeffery Ballet School. We have kept in close contact. I still talk to Kaylee and Chloe East. Sophia and I are like sisters. We share a room, are friends with all of each other friends. Go shopping together, do each other's makeup, and pick each other's outfit. Help each other with dance. Prank each other, tease each other. Fight about stupid things then just laugh because there so stupid. Yep, like sisters. I'm still super close to Kendall, but Sophia is one of my best friends too.
Right now, we are celebrating our first year Anniversary from the school. After each year you have the choice to leave with a certificate which would indicate how many years you trained there or you can continue. If you leave half way through a year, or get expelled, they will round down the years you spent their training. I have already decided to stay for another year. I love it here and I have learned so much. I can't possibly leave.
The crowd claps loudly as we leave the stage. Backstage we sit around in the loud change room. I marvel the laughing of my teammates and wonder who will leave tomorrow.
I turn to Sophia. "We are awesome!" I say whipping my hair.
Sophia laughs and sits down on my lap, to see into her mirror, fixing her makeup.
When we finish changing we go out to see out family.
"Maddie!" I hear my mom's voice. Soon she is hugging me tightly. "That was beautiful. It's been a couple months since I've seen you dance ballet. You have improved so much!"
I turn to Kenzie, my little sis. She is 12 almost 13 now. "Hey Kenzie! Missed me?"
"Naw. I saw you 2 weeks ago. Didn't miss you at all. You did good though." She said referring to my dance.
"Thanks sis" I hugged her.
"So are you 100% sure this is where you'd like to stay? Cause you have had millions of job offers Maddie."
"I'm sure mom. I want to continue my training. After I complete several years here I'll be so much better, and the certificate will make dancing jobs pathetically easy to get. It is huge dancer names school which is very hard to get into. It's going to be so useful. And thanks to my scholarship, I can do 4 whole years 100 free. Including food, residence, school, dance and transportation. That's insane if I'd waste that scholarship by only using a quarter of what it's worth."
"Oh alright. I just want you to be happy." Mom sighed.
"I am don't worry." I sighed. "This is the place I have dreamed of being in my whole life. Believe me I'm happy."
"It's my job to worry about you Maddie!" Mom laughed. "I'm sorry sweetie but Kenzie has an audition tomorrow and we need to get back and the plane leaves soon..."
"It's okay. Good luck. Bye!" I hugged them goodbye. I watch them leave. I walk back into the building. I pack up my bag.
I returned to my room. I plop down onto my bed with a sigh. Tomorrow is going to be a sad day. So many separations and transfer dancers from dancers first step academies other locations.
I can do this. I'm tough. I can take it on. I can take it all on.
So Bring it on.