It felt weird to be in Japan like this. Just a few weeks ago I was traveling around Europe performing sold out shows but now… I was going to high school. And some stuck up prep school at that. Sure, schools in France were pretentious as well, but this school was more like a party – a bad one at that – than an educational facility. What was with the frilly yellow dresses as uniforms!? Screw that. I don't want to waste any of my earnings on an ugly dress that I would never wear. I'm sure I'll find something similar from my performance wardrobe. Thankfully, I still have one more day to dress comfortably.
After meeting with the chairman of the school to get the final paperwork in order, I was encouraged to explore the school in order to learn my way around. He suggested that I even visit my class to meet my teacher and classmates, but I decided that I'd rather wander around Ouran Academy. I wanted to find a place to practice in case another show was to pop up unexpectedly. My manager loved to surprise me with impromptu shows. I will be in class tomorrow anyway. After picking up my suitcase full of my belongings that I had hidden before my meeting, I found my way to a quiet part of the school. On the top floor of one of the many buildings, I found an abandoned music room. Perfect! I thought to myself trying to open the door. It was locked. As if that would stop me. I pulled a bobby pin out of my long strawberry blonde hair, allowing my hair to fall around my shoulders. I had been locked out of my own home enough times to learn how to get through any door. I quickly picked the lock and slipped out of the hallway.
"Bingo~" I sang to myself as I looked around the large space. There were several tables and couches arranged around the room. Leaving my suitcase by the door, I moved some of the furniture out of the way before setting up my iPod speakers.
"What to practice…" I spoke to myself, going through my music. I wasn't in the mood for anything too edgy, nor did I feel like making too much noise that might attract people. I finally came across a song that would be perfect. I slipped on a pair of spandex shorts under my skirt and put on my ballet pointe shoes. It had been awhile since I got back to my roots, it would be good to practice some ballet. I put on Mozart's Sonata in D Major for Two Pianos and allowed myself to be taken back to my childhood when I was first learning how to dance.
"Lori! Want to practice with me?"
"Hehe sure!" I slipped on my shoes as he took a seat on the piano bench in my home. The music slowly began and I carefully practiced my positions and turnouts. As the music continued I decided to try and stand up all the way on my toes like the older girls could do. I wanted nothing more than to be able to dance en pointe. I was almost up all the way when my ankles gave out on me and I fell to the ground. Tears of pain, frustration, and disappointment clouded my eyes as I remained where I fell. It took me a moment to realize that the music had stopped and I looked up to see why. My friend was sitting on the ground next to me, placing an arm around me and looking worriedly down at me.
"Are you okay Lori?" he asked, whipping away my tears.
"I'll never be able to be a ballerina." I replied, giving in to my sadness and sobbing.
"You can do it Lori! It just takes practice! That's why we practice together, so we can get good at this stuff. Do you want to practice singing for a while instead of dance? I can play anything you want!" He was smiling so reassuring at me that I immediately felt better. Sniffling a little bit, I nodded and let him help me off the ground. He held my hand as he led me to the piano bench and began to play my favorite song.
As the song I ended I spun on my toe quickly; unfortunately, the ground was a bit slicker than I was used to. As I tried to end gracefully, my foot slid and I was quickly headed to the ground. I tensed up, shutting my eyes and bracing for impact, but before I hit the ground something warm wrapped around me, holding me in place midair. I opened my eyes to see a familiar pair of unique purplish-blue eyes staring down at me.
"Lorraine?" An equally familiar voice asked.
"Tamaki?" I replied, realizing whose arms I was in.