Shining Lights
"Lauren! We need you in the wings in five minutes. You Ready?"
"Yeah! Hang on just a sec." Lauren called back as she finished placing the finally bobby pin into her perfect bun. Tonight, for the fourth night this week, Lauren Lopez was going to be living her dream as a professional ballerina for the Royal Ballet Company. After only a year working with the company in New York City, the petite girl had landed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in their annual production of the Nutcracker.
Taking a deep breath, Lauren looked into the mirror in front of her and smoothed out her lacy cream bodice before placing her hands on her hips right above her platter tutu. She reminded herself how lucky she was before stepping away to jog off towards the stage. Out of millions of girls wishing to grow up and be a part of a ballet company known around the world, Lauren had somehow made it to the top.
When Lauren got the wings of the stage, she ran through her mental check list one more time. Her pointe shoes where correctly laced around her slender ankles, her tutu fell in just the right spot on her hips, and not even one stray hair fell on her face.
"Just dance like you have been dancing the last four nights and you will be perfect. Chin up, shoulders down, and breath." The arts directors said coming up behind Lauren, laying a hand on Lauren toned back.
Lauren nodded and put on a smile as she looked behind herself at the arts director. She was a woman Lauren respected and would never let any advice from lady slip past her ears. "Thank you mam" Lauren said before returning her attention back towards the stage to wait for her que.
Through Lauren had already been warm for hours, having rehearsed is several classes today, she did a few relevés back stage to stretch out her feet. Lauren's nerves where churning in her stomach, but she pushed that feeling aside as she stepped gracefully onto the stage, a smile illuminating her face.
With the brilliant lights shining down on her, Lauren found her home. She danced the piece that she knew by heart after rehearsing for months. She made all the sweet, blood, and pain worth it during another flawless performance. Every turn was precise, arabesque was square, and each little step was placed right on count. The end of Lauren's solo, her moment in the spotlight, came far too quickly, but Lauren reminded herself that she still had nine more performances to go until the Sugar Plum Fairy was taken away from her.
Running off sage, a smile was still placed upon Lauren's angelic face. Back in the dressing room, Lauren when to work, quickly taking off her pointe shoes to relieve her aching feet. She was interrupted though when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Miss Lopez, Someone is here to see you." A sharp voice said behind her. Lauren's turned on her butt to see the art director standing behind her.
Joe Walker had been dragged to the ballet by some of his close friends while having the weekend off from filming his upcoming movie. Filming for the movie star's latest project had begun in New York City a little over a month ago and Joe was all for the weekend off.
When his friends called him up early Thursday morning about getting together, Joe had expected to hit a small bar, grab a few beers, and catch up from where they had all left off. Man was her wrong. For some reason, his friends had decided to drag him off the Nutcracker. After explaining to Joe that A) they would be able to see hot girls in only leotards and tights that showed off everything and B) Joe needed to do something to get into the Christmas spirit, he had accepted their offer.
Of course, the moment he had stepped out of the cab to enter the theater, the media had surrounded him. Questions about his latest movie, personal life, and current love interest were thrown his way, but with experience, Joe had learned to ignore them all. Because the truth was, even the hottest guy in Hollywood couldn't stay in a stable relationship or find the right girl for him.
"Glad you could make it. I thought all those people might damage your pretty face." One of Joe's friends said, clapping him on the back.
Joe rolled his eyes. "Cut it out Joey. I know how much you just love making fun of me, but can we just lay off tonight." He responded, matching his stride with his friend's as they walked into the auditorium to take their seats.
"Good to see you too." Joey added with a laughed as he took his seat in one of the red velvet chairs in the box they were seated in.
Joe took his seat next to his friend and before he could respond to Joey, the lights began to dim and the Ballet started. Joe was only mildly entertained as the story being told was expressed through movements and music instead of words. It was a nice break from the movie world, but Joe had never really found the beauty in Ballet.
That statement held true until a petite brunette took the stage. Her stage presence made Joe's eyes move back and forth across the stage with her. The young woman glowed with elegance and confidence as she danced. Her movements' flowed together and not one step was miss placed.
"I have to meet her." Joe said standing after the woman excited the stage. Despite Joey's hands trying to pull Joe back down into his seat, the man raced from the box, desperately trying to find a way to get back stage. Somehow, through the maze of long hallways, Joe found himself in an area he knew he wasn't supposed to be in.
"What are you doing back here young man?" A woman said, her voice cracking like a whip over all the commotion back stage. She glided over to Joe, narrowing her eyes. "The public does not have access to the back stage area." She added, looking over Joe with a blink of her shockingly green eyes.
"I-uh-I am I aware of that mam, but I was just wondering if I could meet one of your dancers." It was obvious to Joe that this woman had no idea who he was, so he wouldn't able to pull any strings. "She just came off stage. Cream bodice and a tutu; crown on her head." He added quickly as his eyes darted around trying to spot the figure of the petite ballerina. "There." He said, pointing to the girl who was making her way to another room, a smile across her face.
"What interest do you have in meeting Lauren Lopez?" She asked after looking over her shoulder to find one of her star dancers.
"I just- She was amazing on stage. I- please?" Joe said, unable to explain his need to meet the girl that had caught his eye.
"Follow me." The woman said snapping her head around, her bun of raven hair not even moving an inch at her sudden actions.
Before Joe had time to comprehend what was happening, the woman was making her way past other dancers, not even looking to see is the young man was following behind her. When he entered the room the woman had snaked her way into, Joe caught sight of the petite girl on the floor, looking up into the Woman's eyes with curiosity.
Joe bravely took a step toward the girl he had never met before in his life. "Hello, I'm Joe Walker." He said, his award winning smile spreading across his face as he saw the young woman up close. She was beautiful.