Emma woke to the sound of her beeping alarm clock and she groaned as she rolled out of bed. Then sitting upright as she saw the words marked out in large letters on her whiteboard. THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE: AUDITIONS. It read in her sloppy script. Taking a few minutes to think about what the day held for her, she heard the front door slam and then the car start up.
Pulling off her pyjamas she stepped into the shower and stood under the ice-cold spray, not even waiting for it to warm up. When she got out, she felt instantly more refreshed and ready for what they would throw at her. She pulled on jeans and her favourite green dance hoody before stuffing her feet roughly in her trainers. Making her way downstairs she stopped by the breakfast bar and munched on a piece of toast which was still fairly warm on the edge of a plate. She looked down and read the note in front of her.
Dear Emma,
We would have waited for you but you weren't up and time is money as your father always says. See you tonight xx Mum (and Dad)
Emma's shoulders slumped…they hadn't even mentioned her audition. The most important day of her life, the day she had been dreaming about since the age of five and they didn't even acknowledge it! Some parents they were.
Finishing up the toast she retreated up the stairs and grabbed her dancing bag from under the bed. Packing her plain black leotard and white practise tutu in her bag, she fumbled about in the box for her worn soft ballet pumps. Happy that she had everything she needed, Emma stood up and flicked over the clasp on her jewellery box. The little ballerina began to twirl on her pedestal and a tinkling tune played softly in the background. She reached inside and scooped out the thin silver necklace that lay amongst all of the pink tissue paper.
Reaching up, she brushed her hair from either side of her neck before doing up the clip at the back of the necklace. The silver ballet slippers rested gently against her collarbone and she smiled in the mirror. Her favourite necklace from her Grandmother always made her feel special. It had been a gift for her fifth birthday along with the jewellery box. Her granny had died only a few weeks after and those were Emma's two most treasured possessions.
Looking down at a yellow sticky note on her dressing table she saw that it had been left by her Dad:
Morning princess,
You're mother was in a flap as usual but I thought that I'd write you this little note seeing as she forgot to mention it in the one downstairs. I know you'll be going to get your ballet necklace so while you're at it, look under the velvet floor of the box. Granny left it for you, it was to be kept for this day if it came and look at you now, all grown up and ready for ballet school. She'd be proud of you baby, I'll always be proud of you though. Do yourself proud, not for us or for your coach, do it for you because we all know you're good enough. Good luck baby. Love forever xxx Daddy
She slipped her hand back into the jewellery box and pushed it further down this time so she could feel the soft velvet at the bottom of the box against her fingers. Reaching under the velvet she felt the card press against the tip of her index finger and she pulled gently at it. A postcard with a professional photograph of a man and woman doing a pas de deux was on the front in black and white. The woman was standing on Pointe with one leg kicked high up in the air, her tutu splayed out beautifully and the man holding onto the ankle held above his head. They were both smiling at the camera without an air of shyness in sight. Turning it over in her hands she saw the neat cursive of her grandmother's handwriting looking up at her.
Dear Emma,
I write this in hope that you will follow in my footsteps. This is to be kept for the day you audition to The Royal Academy Of Dance. I know you'll do it sweetheart, nobody doubts that you will pass with flying colours. You may just be the tender age of five but whenever you choose to audition, it will be the right time. As you can tell by this card, I took my ballet far but for you I wish more. Never stop; never give up on your dream. You're always good enough, nothing is too much. Higher, faster…
Emma looked away, the tears dripping down her cheeks. It was beautifully written but it was just too much to see her grandmother's last words to her, especially today. Folding it up and sliding it into her jewellery box again she made a promise to herself. If she passed then she'd read the rest. It was a pact, unbreakable and now she just had to pass, if only to honour her grandmother's memory.
Again she got to her feet and picked up her bag. Slinging it over her shoulder she locked up and made her way to the tube station. Emma got on the red line and sat squished up amongst the morning commuters as they made the quick journey into the heart of London. Stepping out at the station she began her walk along the many different roads to take her to 36 Battersea Square. She stood looking up at the old brick buildings, one of which had a glass-connecting corridor with Royal Academy Of Dance printed in large black letters across the side. A sense of hope filled her and she felt as though her heart was caught in her throat.
After going through the big double doors, she looked around her at all of the students bustling from class to class. Little girls in pink leotards and spotty skirts were being shepherded by their teacher and the older students dressed in similar outfits to that which was in her bag talked and laughed with their friends on their way to their next classes.
"Emma Keane?" The receptionist asked, looking up smilingly. "Ah yes, you're here for an audition aren't you. It's the third door to the left for the changing rooms and then one of our teachers will show you through to the waiting area. Good luck and keep smiling." She said directing her down the hallway, with a smile and a squeeze on the shoulder.
The confidence the receptionist showed in her was inspiring and as Emma passed into the changing rooms she too felt confident. She stood looking around for a few seconds until she saw a box sitting on the bench with her initials inscribed in it. Lifting the lid she saw her prized turquoise tutu for the personal piece and smiled, her coach had really gone to town on making her feel good about this day. Slipping on her plain black leotard and white practise skirt, she sorted the kinks in her tights and checked the elastic on her pumps.
"Okay girls, they're ready for your warm ups." An elderly woman with a kind face said to the twelve waiting girls.
They filed into the studio and took their places at the Barre. Several basic amalgamations later and Emma couldn't even remember what they'd been asked to do, or had already done because she was seriously running on autopilot.
Waiting in the changing rooms again for her individual turn, she began to get twitchy. The fear rose in the pit of her stomach and she clutched tightly at it. "Is this your first time auditioning?" A girl asked her, coming across from the other side of the room. Emma nodded and smiled in return. "I'm Ashley but everybody just calls me Ash." The girl added grinning at her.
"Oh well I'm Emma. Have you auditioned before?" She asked confused. Before she could answer Ashley's name was called and they exchanged a quick hug before she had to get up to go and dance. Less than ten minutes later, she returned, pink in the face but still smiling. "How did it go?" Emma asked anxiously.
"Great…the best yet. Yeah I've been here twice before. Once when I was seven and then two years ago but I had to drop out through an ankle injury." Ash explained, stretching out along the bench. "How long you been dancing?" She added seeing Emma's nervousness.
"Since I was two I think. My grandmother was a lead dancer for RAD when she was in her twenties, it's been our dream for me to follow in her footsteps and make principal for a long long time." Emma said beaming at the thought.
"Emma Keane?" The voice asked through the door and she stood up, shaking her skirt out behind her. Turning to Ash she crossed her fingers and giggled nervously. Then taking a few steps towards the door she yanked it open and walked in showing more courage than she felt she had inside. "Okay Emma if you'd like to assemble the position and we'll put you through your paces." The middle judge said softly and Emma did as she asked.
After the basics, they signalled to the person at the sound system who began the piece of music for Emma's classical dance. She glided and soared through the studio with not a care in the world. As the music came to an end, Emma slowed her motions down and slid into the splits, resting her head on her leg.
Getting to her feet a few minutes later, Emma was dismissed and she returned to change for her expressive dance. Ash was sitting in a red leotard and black tutu with matching black and red Pointe shoes.
She looked amazing and was spiking the hair sticking out from the edges of her bun as Emma returned. They exchanged a small smile and Emma slipped the straps of her tutu up over her shoulders, blushing as the whole room turned to stare at her as the transformation became complete.
"Gawd you look bloody amazing!" Ash exclaimed, running over to join her. Brushing down Emma's curly hair, they fastened the silver tiara with turquoise jewel drops into her hair and Ash stood back admiring her handiwork. Emma had gone from shy and unremarkable to something truly worth watching out for. The colour of the tutu clashed perfectly with her eyes and her hair bounced elegantly as she walked. Tying the beautiful ribbons on her matching Pointe shoes, Emma felt completed.
Ash left shortly after for her personal piece which again she said went well. Emma was called forwards and she fluffed her tutu one last time before returning to the studio with the same four judges. Taking her spot in the middle of the floor she looked up and the words emblazoned above the judges heads caught her eye;
STRENGTH EXPRESSION MOVEMENT DIVERSITY EXCELLENCE
As the music blasted from the speakers, she took off and positively flew from one side of the room to the other. With as much grace and passion as she could muster, her little body bounded and swept from side to side. Rising onto her Pointes she began the tricky little piece which her and Penny had spent so long choreographing. The memory of Penny and her friends from camp compelled her to jump higher, turn faster and land with such precision that you'd have thought her feet were glued to the floor.
Again, just like when she'd performed at camp she slammed the chair down onto the floor and strutted across the front of the table. Her somersaults came off without a hitch and the song was rapidly progressing. Approaching the end of it, she took off on the double pirouettes and on the final word of the song she landed, balanced on one foot, on Pointe.
Looking up at the judges table, she saw them all looking back at her open mouthed. After their initial shock, they turned to each other, smiling and nodding. "Thank you Miss Keane for that wonderful display." The man at the end said, shooting her an admiring glance. "You will hear from us in due course."
Emma practically skipped back to the changing rooms and bumped into Ash who was waiting and listening at the other side of the door. "From what I heard and can expect from you, I'm guessing that went pretty well." She said smiling genuinely at her. Emma blushed and nodded. Scribbling down her phone number on a scruffy bit of paper, they exchanged contact details and promised to stay in touch.
As they walked down the steps of the building, Ash's mother came flying towards them and engulfed her daughter in a hug. Emma smiled softly and waved to Ash. As usual her parents weren't here, but over the years she'd stopped expecting anything from them…it only ended in disappointment when they inevitably let her down. Still…if she got in, then it was bye bye parents, regular school and the day-to-day boredom which came with them.
Looking back at the school and it's adjoining buildings and studios, she saw the block which housed the girl's who boarded. The silhouette of a girl doing pirouettes was outlined in one of the windows and Emma thought happily to herself. That could be me. Before turning on her heel and making her way back home.
All I wanted was to let it all out
Let my hair down take a good look and see
All I wanted was to show how I felt
Go a little mental, baby that's no big deal
Small town, big dreams…that's just me
So I gotta find out for myself
Even if it is my living hell
I gotta learn by my mistakes
And prove that I wasn't crazy
For believing that I might have
What it takes!
One more chapter to go...sorry it was so long although maybe you like it? Please let me know either way because I love reading your reviews. Thank you to all of my reviewers so far: To Beth, Mandi, Claire and Lynsey. Also thanks go to Woody who's been reading my fics (my roleplay buddy :P) AND MAHOOOSIVE THANKIES TO EMZIE BECAUSE WITHOUT HER I'D PROBABLY HAVE GIVEN UP AGES AGO ON THIS FIC...YOU ALWAYS ASKED FOR THIS ONE TO BE UPDATED WHEN I GAVE YOU THE CHANCE AND GOD LOVE YA BABES FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND NICE WORDS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXPIP