Marianna's soft eyes closed as she light the candle. Every spectrum of light from the candle reflected in the tiny tear that trickled down her ivory cheek. She felt a need for her mother's presence, a need tonight more than any night in the world. If only she could have been here to see her, to see the woman she had become but still a naive child longing for her best friend to return to her. The single flame burned silently giving a speckle of light in Marianna's dark dressing room. She smiled, knowing the night held secrets for her that she had to unlock with some kind of key that was locked away in her heart. The subtle knock on wood was heard and Marianna turned to her backside, "Yes?"
"Miss Pierre?"
"Yes...who is there?" Marianna replied.
"Guess..." Her heart started to beat. No..he couldn't come tonight...no...
"R-r-Ryan?" Her heart pounded in her chest causing her small hands to clam and scrunch up. She could hear him breathing, he could come in right now...the door slowly opened...showing a face..

"Fredique?" Marianna laughed brushing her banana-colored curls from her face. "What in the world are you doing here?" She jumped up wrapping her arms around the young man.
He chuckled a little holding the small frame of the young girl "Who did you think it was?"
Marianna laughed at herself half calming Fredique as well. "No one..just a...an instructor..."
"Yes, they must be getting harder on you day by day...and now..." he looked at his pocket watch, "...by minute."Marianna's soft face looked down to the cold floor. Fredique saw this and hugged her compassionately, "Mari, you are going to do great, I believe in you..." He held her arms softly but Marianna wanted to cower back for some reason...into the arms of a stranger but at the same time someone she knew like a brother.
"Look...ahh...ah I'm going to stretch some more...pray a little...I'd like to be alone...please Fredique?"

Fredique smiled, knowing her as a person of uncertainty and innocence. "Of course." He kissed the top of her head and walked to the edge of the door taking one last glance at her.
Oh please...he will be angry with me...please leave... Fredique gave her an encouraging smile and closed the door.

Marianna turned back to the candle feeling it's warmth and heat, closing her eyes she moved her arms and torso high into a perfect angle. She twisted and turned with the stars, she fell into the night's wonder not expecting a shadow to emerge...

"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion basking in your glory! Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor sharing in my triumph!" His voice pounded, she could feel him somewhere in the room staring at her dance.

"Lord of the Dance Speak -I listen . . .stay by my side guide me! Angel of Mother, my soul was weak -forgive me . . .enter at last, Master!"

The voice light up in his heart...hearing her compassion

"Flattering child,
you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide! Look at your heart in the candle-I am there inside!"