The Final Performance
The lights shine down and the crowd is silent. The dancers around me take their places, but I am somehow alone. Skirting eyes disappear as the light brings me up towards the sky. The dance begins but something changes. I dance through my formations, point my toes and smile. Something is missing. I think of my family and friends, all proud of me. Dancers around me disappear once more as my dreams carry me further and further from the choreography, eventually dragging me towards the center of the stage. The light helps me fly as I soar through the moves that I have created for myself, other dancers staring dumbfounded at my carelessness. The piece ends with me in the middle, my arms and legs perfectly placed in a première arabesque. I run gracefully off the stage, completely oblivious to what just happened.
In the wing of the stage, my friend Jordan grabs my arm and tells me that I need to leave right now. I am confused and bewildered; Jordan is a sweet girl and never orders people around. She has short, black hair and a smile that somehow never leaves her. I wonder what I did as she drags me out the door of the theater.
"You need to leave. Now!"
Still in a slight daze from my dazzling performance, I ask, "Why? What happened? What the-"
I am interrupted by a swarm of reporters asking me how I did it. How I had the courage to stray from the right steps. How I flew. Did they put me on wires?
"Run! Leave! Now! I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Jordan whispers in my ear just before two policemen force her to leave with them. The chaos frightens me, but I follow Jordan's instructions anyway.
My feet seem to carry me farther than they should. The noise of the reporters dies down as I near my grandfather's house. He'll know what to do, I think. I fall asleep in his guest bedroom.
…
I wake up in my bed. My clock and calendar say the day yesterday was. April 10th. I realize that it was only a dream. I start to get ready for my final ballet performance this evening. Hair, makeup, everything.
At the theatre, we have a warm up class. As always, it's extremely easy.
Once again, the lights come up and I start to dance. I start to feel light again. I remember my dream as I dance. I remember the feeling that I felt. I look at my fellow dancers and smile. I remember one thing: I flew.