This is a "Five Meme" response to thecricket's prompt


First Position

Simon remembers his mei mei's ballet slippers.

River was never a pretty child. She wasn't popular; she didn't have beaus or friends. She was willful, stubborn, spoiled and proud. Although Dr. Simon Tam has always loved his sister unconditionally, he knows he has no illusions about her flaws.

Simon is quick to explain that his baby sister was not malicious or haughty. She never mocked a peer for failing an assignment, never even squashed an ant if she could help it. She was brilliant and lonely; like any child, she craved love and attention, and the elder Tams, though well meaning, could never quite give River what she so desperately needed.

They gave her lessons, to keep her busy and entertained and to make up for their own inadequacies.

When River began dancing, Simon knew she had found her true love. Not even physics, her strongest subject, had ever brought as much joy to her face. Simon thinks this is because her abilities in the science earned his sister scorn as much as—if not more than—praise. Adults often felt threatened; peers, bewildered, excluded River.

But everyone could appreciate the dancing. Everyone understood the beauty and grace with which River moved.

And River could forget everyone—everything—but her own breathing and the careful kinetics of her arms, legs, hands, and feet.