1
Dancing is my life. Really, ever since I was two years old I have been spinning on my toes around the house, playing music and "choreographing" dances on the linoleum floor in the dining room. My mom has tried her hardest to support my obsession by sending me to the local dance school for four years now. But having watched the dancers in Swan Lake so many times, I know I'll never make it as a professional dancer.
I've pretty much made the dining room into my dance studio, and I spend most of my time there when I'm not working on homework.
"Sweetie, dinner's ready." mom says as she leans her head into the dining room.
Her eyes light up when she sees me land my Pirouette.
"Beautiful." she sighs with a wink as she leaves the room.
I've been working on that one for weeks and the ballet school has been skipping over it to work on "less complicated things". Dad is afraid I'll hurt my leg attempting things I haven't had practice with, but I usually ignore his pessimistic attitude toward life.
"Lynnea, before you break your ankle, come to dinner." Dad calls from the kitchen, only to be hissed at by mom.
I let my hair out of my messy bun and slide the first tank top off before walking out into the kitchen.
"Don't tell me you were dancing in your socks again." dad snaps. "You know that's a good way to split your head open on that floor."
"Tom, try to support your daughter!" mom snaps at him
"I'm washing my dance shoes." I say through the glass cabinet.
He says nothing, but nods and goes back to eating. Mom is smiling at me through her naturally pink lips, and her green eyes are sparkling.
"I think you should try out for the National Academy Lynn." she says with a straight face. "All kidding aside, Tom, you have the natural potential and the skill."
"And if it counts, the body." Dad added slowly.
The thought has crossed my mind before, but I never thought to bring it up at all. The National Academy of Dance is a top school in Sidney, and I'm not sure if I would make it there.
"It crossed my mind, but I'm not sure I can make it." I consider this while saying it.
"Of course you can, and besides, The Academy is a school as well as a theater," mom starts, "they can teach you the skills there that you haven't covered."
"I'll try it then." I announce as shovel the last glob of rice into my mouth and pick up my plate.
My phone rings from the other room and I dash in to pick it up.
"Hey Nikki, I'm auditioning for the National Academy." I burst out before she can say anything.
"Really, no kidding?" Nicole asks in disbelief, "The National Academy of Dance, you know that's where the best of the best of the best dancers go Lynn, right?"
"Of the best, but I think I'm ready." I respond
"Well, good luck, but can we get to my news?" she asks.
"Go right ahead." I emphasize the right.
"I'm trying out for cheerleading, for the Wombats football team." she announces proudly. "Maybe I'll join you at the Academy someday."
"That's great N!" I cheer into the phone. "It would be awesome to have you there."
I guess there is some telepathic thing that we share, because I swear I can feel her smiling on the other side.
"Have fun in the land o' dance girl." she says before hanging up the phone.
I spin on my toes and land on the ground in a giggling heap. I'm actually about to pursue my life- long dream of becoming a dancer, and not only that, I'm auditioning for the National Academy of Dance. I drag the barre out of the corner and extend into my Arabesque, turning out my arm and leg and extending my chin. Dancing is all I can think about, every second, and I'm not really sure why, but I'm not going to stop until I find out.