Chapter 1

"Very good Cece, make sure to extend properly," Miss Nancy instructed, showing me correctly how to do my legs. I copied her and she smiled.

"Lovely. Okay, I think we've done enough of a warm up, let's get cracking on this routine! Positions for the opening dance!"

I took my hand off of the barre and got into place. I was the main part of the routine; the fairy queen. I had wanted this role for a long time, and I had worked extremely hard for it. Despite being rather tired recently, I still gave it my all and won the part. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my best friend Rocky shaking out her hands and feet nervously. I rolled my eyes. She was an amazing dancer, she could have easily gotten the lead if I hadn't, so I didn't see why she was panicking so much. My thoughts were cut off by Miss Nancy pressing play on the old CD player in the corner of the room. Our dance school wasn't so much 'up to date', as in, we didn't have an iPod playing the music, and the CD player was prone to stopping and starting, but we were used to that by now.

The beautiful music began to flow out of the speakers, and slowly I rose, just as I was meant to for the dance. The song started out slow but built up quickly, and as it sped up I began to spin. The spinning was one of the reasons why I had gotten the part: most of the girls couldn't handle going as fast as I could without toppling over. As I spun I began to feel very light-headed, which was unusual for me. Normally it came naturally for me, but I almost felt sick. My head was pounding, and finally I had to stop, stumbling a little.

"Cece? What's wrong?" Rocky asked, concerned.

"I think I need a drink of water," I slurred, before falling to my knees and throwing up my insides.

"Cece!" The music stopped abruptly as everyone crowded round me.

"Take deep breaths, hon," Miss Nancy said calmly, rubbing circles into my back.

"What happened Cece?" One of the other girls asked, biting her lip.

"I-I'm fine," I wasn't fine though. My heart was beating out of my chest and my throat was sore from being sick. Just then, there was a shooting pain in my head. I cried out, and everything went black.

.

I awoke to a blinding white light in my eyes, and a sharp pain in my arm.

"Ouch," I muttered, reaching my non-painful arm up to rub my eyes so I could see what was going on. As my eyes adjusted, I realised I was in a hospital room, and the thing in my arm was an IV. I reached over to pull it back, but a hand slapped mine gently.

"No, you need that," it was Rocky, perched by the side of my bed with an obviously forced smile on her face.

"Rock? What's going on?" I asked, confused.

"We don't know at the moment, but they've run some tests..."

"Woah, tests?! For what?"

"Your parents are talking to the doctors now..."

"Rocky. Shut up for a second and let me take this in. I needed tests? Why?"

"You fainted," she replied.

"Well I know that."

"They just need to know if anything's wrong, it's probably nothing important," she said reassuringly, just as the door opened and my parents filed in, followed by a doctor.

"Cecelia Jones," he said, a grave expression on his face.

"Actually it's Cece," I responded quickly. I disliked him already for using my full name, which I absolutely hated. It was just so... posh, and totally not me.

"Cece," he repeated, "We ran some tests on you..."

My mum let out a sob, and I looked at her quizically.

"Miss Jones," The doctor said irritably.

"Sorry, sorry. So what's the verdict, doc?"

He gave me a look before continuing, "We are not exactly sure what is wrong with you at the moment..."

"So basically you don't know how to do your job," I frowned.

"Cece!" My father frowned, putting his arm around my mother, which shocked me. They'd divorced years ago, and I wondered what was with the sudden show of unity.

"Now, Cecelia..."

"Cece!"

"Sorry, yes, Cece. We have some... well, very serious news for you..."

"Spit it out," I wasn't in the mood for anymore messing around. I just wanted to know why I'd fainted so I could get back to dancing.

"We don't think you have very much longer to live."

.