Ice doesn't break. It shatters. Bursts as tiny fractures break out in all directions. I worry about that sometimes. About shattering one day and letting everything loose. That day feels so close sometimes. So… very close.

"You're makeup looks really nice tonight, Sierra!"

I looked up from my phone and smiled at Jane. No duh, it's programmed. It's literally the exact same as every other night. "Thanks! Yours too! You ready for tonight?"

She shook out her arms nervously. "Opening night is always a little nerve racking!"

"Yeah," I sighed, glancing back down at my phone, my fingers nervously tapping the side. "Break a leg tonight!"

"You too!" Jane waved, and walked over to the others as my phone buzzed. I quickly answered after seeing my Dad's caller ID.

"Hey guys! Where are you? You forgot to text me! But that's okay. Are you here? It's about to start-"

"Circuit, something came up. We're not going to make it tonight. You know how these things are." My mom's voice was very tense on the other end of the line.

"Oh… yeah, okay," I sighed.

"We'll make it tomorrow night though." My dad chimed in.

"Yeah, that's fine," I waved him off. "Do you need me? Is it serious? Is… is everything going to be okay?"

"Everyone should be fine," He reassured me.

"Okay, just… be careful."

"Promise. We'll be back before midnight."

"Break a leg honey!" My Mom's voice was now noticeably rushed.

"Dance your heart out!"

"Will do," I tried to smile.

"See you tonight."

"Bye."

I hung up, and placed the phone down, content with my answer. It wasn't the first opening night they had missed. It wasn't really that big a deal, but it still hurt, in that strange painful way that only meaningless nothings can hurt you and slowly sink your soul.

But, you know how it is. The show must go on and all that. My ballet studio was putting on The Nutcracker, because it was Christmas, so of course they were. I had been given the role of a snowflake. It was fun and graceful and everything else you'd expect the Waltz of the Snowflakes to be. The costumes we had been given that year were a little a-typical. They were more flowing and loose to depict more the wind and flurries than any individual flakes. Which seems counter-intuitive to me, but who am I to judge?

The performance went as smoothly as it realistically could have. Once again the group performed their pique turns one 16th count off beat, so I adjusted to match them, but it still frustrated me. Aside from that, our unity aspect seemed higher than average.

Dance is so strange. Everything about it is so human in nature and yet so much of it is broken down in mechanical terms. It's magical. When my processors can work with my body to add precision, and my heart is allowed to add passion into it, everything comes together to make me feel… real. If only for a moment. Like who I am and what I do isn't so strange. That there's a place for me.

But of course, Circuit really isn't the one on stage. Sierra is. Sierra is the straight A dancer with the graceful movements, toned skin, and parents that have a very secretive and time intensive government job. Sierra is my visual cloak's name because Circuit is a bit strange for everyday use. It doesn't bother me too much. I don't make a real distinction between the two. Circuit is just a little more word specific, and Sierra has to play dumb a little more often.

But Sierra has fun on the stage. Especially tonight. The best part of any show is the end bows. The applause, the lights, the noise, the music. It all comes together to fill you with energy. Although this time I couldn't help but look out into the darkness of the crowd and think that none of the applause was specifically for me. Not this time anyway.

After the show, everyone goes out into the audience to greet their families. Today I just went out to congratulate my friends on a good show. I tapped Jane on the shoulder. As she turned around, her face lit up and she wrapped an arm around me, her other holding her bouquet of flowers now squished between us.

"Great show tonight!" She squealed.

"You did amazing!" I told her, letting go. "Your arabesque in the center gave me chills tonight!"

"I know! With all the lights and music! And It all came together! Everyone did so well!"

"Hey Sierra!" I heard a familiar voice from behind as a smile spread across my face.

"Daniel!" I turned around to see him making his way across the crowded aisles. Daniel always made me smile. I'd known him for practically my whole life. He had deep red hair the sat in long bangs cutting in between his dark brown eyes and sticking up a bit in the back. He was one of my only normal friends in a life filled with powers, responsibility, and the ever present threat of danger. And sure, maybe those followed him too but… he didn't know that. Not yet anyway. I moved towards him, briefly embracing him. "What are you doing here?! I thought you were coming tomorrow night!"

"I am," I shrugged. "But your dad called and asked if I could pick you up after the show. I figured I'd just come and watch it tonight too. Here," He handed a single pink rose, a little browned at the edges. "I didn't have time to pick up flowers, but I found this on the floor, and I figured I'd treat you to some all you can eat leftovers at my place?"

"Why thank you!" I curtsied and chuckled, accepting the flower.

"Also… maybe you could help me with the calculus review?"

"You haven't finished the review? The test's tomorrow!" I playfully hit him in the shoulder.

"That's why I need your help!" he laughed.

"it's senior year. You really need to get your act together."

"I know, aren't I such a lovable scamp who totally deserves your help?" he looked at me with cartoonishly pleading eyes.

"Of course," I smiled. "Leftover Mr. Chen's is always worth it."

"You did really good by the way! I'm not going to pretend I could always tell which blonde snowflake was you from way back here, but I think I had the right one most of the time!" We both laughed, looking out at the stage.

"Thanks. I'm glad you had a good time."

"Well, I can pull my car around front while you get your stuff, and then we can get out of here. It's pretty packed."

"Sounds good!" He started to move as an impulse in me stopped him. "Hey, thanks again for coming. It really means a lot."

He turned back, a concerned smile on his face. "Well, I felt bad about you not having anyone to watch. Your parents are always having to work late and everything, I can't even imagine. It must suck."

"Yeah…" I sighed.

"Plus, I wasn't even doing anything anyway," he shrugged. "It's really not that big a deal," he smiled nervously, shoving his hands into his pockets as we both glanced around the room for an awkward moment. "So, I'll get the car-"

"Yeah."