So I am finally updating this thing. I would have done so last night, except I was insanely tired and desperately needed to go to bed. But anyways it's here now. Please RR! It's helping me a great deal.
Also, there are many, many things in this chapter you might not understand unless you're a dancer, so if you have any questions just send me an email, and I'll explain them.
The sunlight drifted through the shifts of the shades, which covered the single window in the small yet cozy dorm room, and fell on the face of a tiny form, wrapped in several blankets. Serena slept soundly, dreaming of a certain dark haired man who had shown her the ways of dirty dancing the night before.
Her alarm clock rang shrilly as she groaned and wrapped the blankets around herself in an attempt to block out the horrendous sound. She slowly drifted back to sleep, the incessant beeping now blocked out of her mind.
On the opposite side of the room, Mina's eyes shot wide open at the sound of Serena's alarm and sat quietly in her bed, willing Serena to turn the damn thing off. When Serena's sleeping form did not budge, Mina angrily threw her blankets off and climbed out of bed. She stalked to the other side of the room, pounded Serena's clock into silence and leaned over the owner's sleeping body.
"SERENA! IT IS TIME TO GET UP!"
Serena let out an unearthly shriek as she jumped three feet in the air, her blankets flying off around her, landing in a messy pile on Mina's feet.
"God! Mina I was getting up! Geez."
"Ok, well I just wanted to tell you that class starts in an hour." Mina smiled sweetly at a fuming Serena before walking into the bathroom.
Serena slowly slide out of bed and walked to the dresser. She pulled open the drawers, searching for her dancing outfit for today. She rummaged through the many leotards she had until she found a simple black on with spaghetti straps that crisscrossed in the back. She then found a pair of soft pink convertible tights, and quickly undressed to her skin. No underwear was allowed when dancing; that had been a rule even when she was young.
She slipped on the tights, pulling her feet through the holes at the sole of the foot, wrapping the rest of the tights high on her shin. She then pulled on her leotard, straightening the straps in the back.
She then found a pair of flip flops, putting them on, before picking up her dance bag, along with a brand new pair of soft crème colored satin pointe shoes. She dug into her bag, pulling out a box of hair supplies and then pulling her hair up into a bun at the top of her head. She then fastened all the stray hairs in place with bobby pins before tying a baby pink ribbon around it. She smiled at her appearance in the mirror, hoping that she would make a good first impression.
Mina came bounding out of the bathroom, also dressed, smiling at Serena hoping that Serena did not take the morning's events personally. When Serena returned the smile, the two grabbed their things and left through the door arm in arm.
The class was assembling at one end of the room, their bags strewn out across the floor when Mina and Serena walked in the studio. They quickly picked out a spot, and set their stuff down, starting on stretching and making their shoes comfortable to wear for class, when a tiny frail lady walked in the room, and a thick French accent was heard. The rest of the class quickly stood up and lined themselves up in front of what Serena assumed was the teacher.
"Good Morning class. It's lovely to be seeing your bright faces this morning. We have a new student who has joined us here at ABT." She motioned for Serena to come forward, who was already heartily embarrassed because she was not prepared as of yet.
"Her name is Serena Carmichael, so let's all give her a warm welcome." The rest of the students clapped for her, as she turned blushed.
"Class begins in fifteen minutes, Make sure you are at the barre when I begin. Serena, may I please speak to you for a moment."
Serena followed the older lady to the opposite side of the room, hoping the conversation would be short for she still needed to break in her shoes before class.
"I realize that you are new here, and do not yet know the teachers. I am Madam Simone and I will be your teacher for the company and female classes. Monsieur Pierre is the instructor for the Pas de deux classes, and Madam Meioh will be the head of your private lessons."
Serena stared at the small woman in shock. Had she said what she though she said?
"Excuse me, Madam, but did you just say that Madam Meioh will be my private lesson teacher? As in Sestuna Meioh?"
"Oui. She requested that she be your teacher, but I must impress upon you the seriousness of this matter. She is one of the best dancers that this company has seen for many years, and if there is anything that is not to her satisfactory, rest assured that she will work you until you are unable to stand, so it is better to have it perfect the first time around. Your first lesson is tonight at 6pm. Do not be late. Madam Meioh does not tolerate tardiness."
Serena nodded, and left to where Mina was sitting, who was busy cutting off the edge of her pointe shoes. Serena quickly picked up her own and began bending them between her hands, weakening the soles in order for them to mold better to her arch.
When lunch came, Mina and Serena dragged their sweaty bodies out of the studio and down towards the cafeteria. Serena's muscles were in a slight bit of pain, as she had never worked that hard in a class before. Serena had never seen so many wonderful dancers. They were all extremely talented, and they did not even cringe in pain, whereas Serena could not help massaging her legs at the end of the woman's class.
There was also one girl who had raven black hair who seemed to be the most talented of them all, and the teachers always had her demonstrate the routines during class. She seemed kind of uppity as she snubbed Serena from the very first moment of contact.
"Hey Mina, who was that girl in class? The one with the really dark black hair that danced wonderfully?"
"Oh her. That's Ray Henderson. She was recruited when she was fifteen years old, and has been here ever since. She's all the teachers' favorite. Not that I blame them, because she's a beautiful dancer, but her attitude definitely is the exact opposite."
"Oh I get you. That's why she glared at me this morning during class."
They quickly got into the lunch line, and loaded their trays with salad, and sugar free desserts. As dancers, they were both well aware of what gaining a few pounds could do to their careers, but they also made sure they did not become anorexic, so they watched their diets carefully.
"Well, Serena, I really wouldn't worry about it too much. She's probably just jealous because you dance much better than her."
"Haha Mina, right. She's an absolutely wonderful dancer."
"Whatever you say Serena."
"Welcome class! Grab your Pas de deux partner and we shall begin!" Serena quickly decided that Monsieur Pierre was definitely one of her favorite teachers. He was so energetic and just a tad bit feminine (AN: if you catch my drift…). She enjoyed being around him very much.
"Serena, today you will partner with Chad Montgomery. I am eager to see how well you two work together."
Serena nodded, and then turned to find this Chad guy, when someone tapped her on her shoulder.
"Hello, you must be Serena. I'm Chad, and I guess I am your partner for today."
Serena smiled at him, and blushed when she took in his looks. He had short messy brown hair that fell into his eyes and he was extremely muscular. He seemed like a nice guy.
"Okay class, we begin! Men, get down on one knee and hold your hands out to the lady. Girls, I want you to Pas de bourrée and then do a pirouette and grab onto the guys' hand into an arabesque penchée. Guys then stand up and take her in a promenade. Ok, did everyone get that? Good! Let's begin."
Serena smiled as Chad went down on one knee, holding his hands out to her. The music began and she danced towards him, her steps flawless. She kept complete eye contact on him, as she allowed him to lead her through the promenade.
"Wonderful! Simply splendid!" said Monsiuer Pierre excitedly.
"Okay! Class dismissed!"
The students filed out slowly with Serena and Mina at the end of the line. They were quickly discussing the day's events, when a voice was heard.
"Serena! Wait up for a second!"
Serena turned to see Chad calling her. He was racing to catch up, so she stopped Mina and told her to go ahead. Mina smiled and continued walking, just as Chad caught up to her.
"Hey Serena, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me to dinner tonight."
"I'd love to Chad, but I have a private lesson tonight."
"No problem. I'll be at your room at 8:30. What is it again?"
"417. Is it alright if have a small something to eat now? I'm kind of hungry."
"Sure, just make sure you leave room. I'll see you at 8:30 and make sure you dress up." He winked at her and then disappeared around the corner.
Uh oh…Look like Darien has a little bit of competition! LoL. Anyways. Hope you liked it. I'll try to get the next part out as soon as I can.
