Disclaimer: I am Zachary Goode's fan girl, not his owner, seriously...
Author's Note: Thank you for taking the time to read this guys, please review, it would mean a lot! I'm a big girl (not literally, I am only 4ft 9), I can take the criticism! Also sorry if I get some of the dance terms wrong, I am not a dancer!
Everybody has a safe haven, sometimes it's at home, for others it's a certain person, but for me it's dance studio 1 on the east side of the Gallagher campus. When I'm dancing, it feels like something within me, that I never knew even existed, comes to life. When I dance, it is the one time I can truly be myself and can work to the best of my ability.
As I reached the studio, drenched in rain, I felt at home. I plug in my iPod and a composition that Liz made for me starts to play. All of my moves come naturally: arabesque, twirl, plea, and split leap, flip, and then land in a splits position.
Loud clapping interrupts my thoughts of different moves I could add to the sequence. I look up to find Madame Dabeny, my dance instructor since freshman year, smiling fondly at me. I smile back at her as I push myself out of the splits position. As I make my way to grab a bottle of water, she says with her strong French accent "You know, you are one of the best this school has ever seen. I can tell, you were born to be a champion."
I nearly choke on my water. Compliments from Madame Dabeny are very rare. "Thank you, I try and get better every day. I push myself to be the best no matter what it takes," I reply solemnly.
She starts to make her way over to me and says, "So much passion," then she smiles sadly and continues, "Just like your sister. You even sound like her when you talk about being the best." I start to tear up at the mention of my sister, but she just carries on as if I'm not having a break down right in front of her. "Just remember that being the best comes at a price. Your sister was the best, but she pushed too hard. I just don't want the same thing to happen to you my dear. Make sure you are careful."
By now I am full on crying, but Madame Dabeny just pats me on the back and walks away. She of all people knew that my sister and the way that she passed was a sore subject, even if it was five years ago. After all, she was my sister's trainer.
When my tears finally stopped, I realise that if I don't hurry back to the dorm and get changed then my friends will worry and I'll be late for dinner. Again. Definitely not a good way to start the term. As I run across the campus I get a few strange looks sent my way, but I ignore them. When I eventually reach my room and come through the door I am out of breath. Macey glares at me while Bex and Liz push me into the bathroom with my school uniform to get changed. This year the uniform consists of a short, navy and pink, checked and pleated skirt with white blouse, long white socks with pink bows on and a navy cardigan with the Gallagher Crest on it.
When I came out of the bathroom, Macey pushed me in to a twisty chair near her large vanity table and guilt framed mirror. She started slapping various weird and illegal looking makeup products on my face, whist Liz put my hair up in a tight ponytail. Once I was classed as 'acceptable looking' in Macey's standards, Bex shoved me a pair of 4 inch black high heels. At my disbelieving look she glared at me and said "Do as you're told or else." As I scrambled to put them on Liz came up behind me and sprayed me with something that smelt like roses, and when I gave her a joking evil-eye, she just stuck her tongue out at me.
"Finally, you're done!" exclaimed Macey.
"Come on girls, we better hurry or else we'll be late for dinner on the first day back, again," Liz said whilst ushering us out of the door.
As we walked into the dining hall, it felt as if everyone had turned to look at us. Talk about weird! Headmistress Buckingham just narrowed her eyes at us and pointed to the junior table on the far side of the room. As we made our way, everyone else in the hall returned to reciting the school pledge that said "We are the ladies of The Gallagher Academy. We pledge to work to the best of our ability and to utilise our skills to their fullest potential." I just rolled my eyes.
We reached the junior table just as everyone sat down, and soon the dining hall was filled with the smells of delicious Spaghetti Bolognese (the food here is amazing), the clinking of knives and forks, and the chatter of gossiping teenage girls. Just as I'd filled my plate with tons of food (don't judge, I'm a growing girl!) I was approached by three 'popular' girls, also dancers, Tina, Eva and Courtney. If you ask me, at this school, popularity was just a contest of who can be the biggest bitch. Tina definitely won.
Tina spoke first, she was the 'leader' of their little group, "Hi there Cam, Macey," she didn't acknowledge anyone who wasn't a dancer, so she ignored Bex and Liz. "I hear you are both auditioning for the winter dance show and I came to wish you luck." Macey and I just rolled our eyes as Eva and Courtney just nodded their big airheads in agreement with everything Tina said.
"Thanks so much," Macey and I said at the same time with fake sweet smiles.
As Tina walked past me she bent down to whisper in my ear so nobody else could hear. She said "When I said luck, I meant bad luck. Break a leg up there, literally." She laughed to herself, then continued on to say, "We both know I'm going to get that solo dance, even if I have to play dirty, so just stay out of my way. Okay? Glad we go that sorted." Then she just walked off, acting like she hadn't just threatened me in front of the whole population of Gallagher.
WOW! That girl has serious attitude problems. It was only a dance show for crying out loud! All of my friends sent we worried glances but I just shook my head and smiled at them, assuring them that I was absolutely fine.
Later on, after dinner, Macey and I were discussing our auditions for the dance show tomorrow. We agreed that we'd ignore Tina and her followers and try our best, no matter what.
AN: Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! I promise I will update again soon :) ~XOXO