"Okay... Okay, did we just...?" Hailey began before having a spasm over what had just happened, overreacting a little weirdly which made Lee chuckle a little.
"Yes... I think we did..." Kristyn replied before setting the pink shoes down on the table.
"Luckily that only happens once and a while." Estelle said.
"That wasn't so bad..." Ramona said. "I'm not sure if I want more adventures though."
"It takes some getting used to." Lee reassured her.
"You sound like you've been through a lot." Ramona said.
"More than you know." Lee whispered since he was also a spy for W.O.O.H.P, but that was another story.
"Trust me, Ramona, the adventurous life sure is something." Estelle told her new friend.
Tara was soon seen coming in the room.
"Tara." Ramona greeted.
"There you are! I have been looking all over for you," Tara replied as she had shoes for Kristyn. "You're a size five, right? Well, I brought you these. They're from last season. I wasn't gonna use them anyway."
Estelle was surprised to see Tara being nice.
"Break a leg." Tara smiled before leaving.
"That was... Nice..." Estelle replied to the girl.
"Yeah." Ramona added.
"There you are." Madame Katerina said as she walked over.
"Hello, Madame Katerina." Lee greeted.
"We've been looking all over for you." Madame Katerina told them.
"Really?" Ramona asked.
"Madame Katerina, the shoes... Did I...? Did we...?" Kristyn stammered from shock.
"Why, I don't know about that, but I do know, Kristyn, that it's your turn for the showcase in 15 minutes," Madame Katerina replied. "Hailey, please help her into her costume."
'15 minutes? Huh, guess time did continue while we were on that adventure.' Estelle thought to herself.
"I thought time didn't pass in adventures." Lee said to Estelle.
"I guess it did this time." Estelle shrugged to him.
Hailey soon went with Kristyn to get her in costume, but she had some special ideas to make it even better, and where everyone would be amazed.
Everyone then began to get ready in their own way.
"Oh, I hope I can do this." The blonde girl said.
"You must be Holly." Estelle said.
"Hannah." The blonde girl corrected.
"Oh, Hannah, right, sorry." Estelle replied with a small smile.
"It's okay," Hannah said. "Madame Natasha gets my name wrong sometimes too."
"I'm sure you're going to be a wonderful dancer," Estelle smiled. "I mean, nobody's perfect, even if Madame Natasha likes to think differently. You remind me so much of an old friend of mine."
"Really?" Hannah smiled back.
"Oh, yes," Estelle smiled. "She had the coolest big sister to help her through any trouble... I miss her a lot since we moved, but I know she's having her own fun."
"You really think I can do it?" Hannah asked.
"Of course," Estelle smiled. "Don't worry about being perfect or not, just be yourself."
"Okay." Hannah smiled back.
Estelle soon hugged Hannah with a smile. Hannah smiled back as she hugged back the older girl.
"You don't think I'll freeze out there in front of everybody, do you?" Hannah asked.
"I know you won't. Just have fun." Estelle smiled, though that reminded her of Kelly when they did the Nutcracker Suite together.
Hannah hugged Estelle one last time and soon went off. Estelle smiled as she then stood straight up and went to get herself ready, which was basically getting her Princess Tutu outfit on. Ramona took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself about dancing in front of other people, she loved to dance almost as much as Estelle did, but with other people staring at her, it always felt awkward.
"You okay?" Estelle asked her after getting ready.
"I guess I can do this..." Ramona said. "I love dancing, but with people watching me, it just feels different. One time, Jackson and I were at a school dance, but I was the only one dancing, and everyone then left to go to the popular kid's party instead."
"Yikes." Estelle said.
"It was a little humiliating." Ramona frowned.
"Well the important to dancing is to have fun." Estelle said.
"My mom tries to tell me that." Ramona replied.
"Well, you should listen to her." Estelle said.
"Even if she embarrasses me sometimes?" Ramona asked.
"My mom embarrasses me and my brothers sometimes too, but she can still give great advice." Estelle smiled.
Ramona paused and then smiled. "Yeah... I guess that's true for most moms."
"They may embarrass us at times, but they love us." Estelle smiled back.
"Yeah..." Ramona replied. "Plus it feels like I have more than one mom with DJ and Stephanie in the house with us. Also, sometimes their parents and uncles come over."
"I've heard quite the funny stories about Joey." Estelle smiled to that.
"Yeah, he can be funny." Ramona smiled back.
"The last story I remember hearing from my dad and Aunt Jessica is that time that Jesse and Becky got married." Estelle said.
"Yeah, they visit a lot," Ramona smiled. "They're also hoping to maybe having another baby someday since the twins are grown up."
"Aw." Estelle smiled back.
Ramona soon suddenly hugged Estelle.
"Hey, what's this for?" Estelle smiled in the hug.
"For being a very good friend, and not just to me..." Ramona smiled back. "It's tough making girl friends at this age."
"I always try my best." Estelle smiled back
Ramona smiled as she felt a closeness with Estelle now, and since their families seemed to know each other, it seemed likely that they would meet up again in the near future.
Eventually, everyone was meeting up in costume as it was about time for the show to start.
"Well, this is it." Estelle told herself.
"There sure are a lot of people." Lee said.
"You said it... But nothing I can't handle." Estelle replied.
"So brave, how do you do it?" Lee smiled to that.
"Well, I've been dancing a long time," Estelle replied. "I just usually think of the dances I used to do with Barbie and Kelly. Those were a lot of fun."
"Sounds like it." Lee said.
"Barbie is simply amazing," Estelle smiled. "She can do just about anything."
"Really?" Lee asked.
"Really, really," Estelle smiled. "Oh, Lee, the times Akito, Vincent, Felicity, and I spent with Barbie were just amazing!"
"They must have been." Lee smiled back.
"They really were..." Estelle smiled. "Maybe someday you can meet Barbie and her other sisters."
"I think I'd like that, Estelle." Lee smiled back.
Soon enough, it was time for Kristyn's performance.
"Here it goes." Estelle said with a deep breath before smiling.
The ballet scouts were shown in the audience as they began to watch the show.
"You think I can do this?" Kristyn smiled.
"I know you can," Estelle smiled back to her new friend. "Just dance in your very own way."
"You're a really great friend, Estelle." Kristyn smiled as she hugged the girl.
Estelle smiled back and hugged Kristyn back as this seemed like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
"Go out there, and make magic." Tara smiled to Kristyn.
"You're gonna knock 'em dead." Dillon added as he hugged her.
"Metaphorically speaking of course." Ramona said.
"Yes, thank you, Ramona." Estelle smiled to the girl.
"Milkmaid finale. Places, please." The stage manager told the students.
"Hey, have fun." Hailey whispered to her best friend.
"I will." Kristyn whispered back before they shared a hug.
'I just know that she's going to wow 'em.' Estelle thought to herself.
Kristyn soon took her bucket, and the set cow was lowered down from the pulley which began the milkmaid dance.
'I just know that this will be amazing.' Estelle thought to herself.
Kristyn began her dancing which was truly extraordinary in the eyes of the audience and those who were friends of hers.
"She's amazing!" Dillon smiled from backstage.
Tara was even heard cheering for Kristyn. This was quite the surprise as she had never done that before. Estelle and Lee shared quizzical expressions to each other about how Tara had changed since they first ran into her.
"Madame's going to be surprised." Hailey whispered with a chuckle.
Madame Katerina agreed as she also laughed. They were both right as the dance was more than perfect. Estelle and Lee smiled as Kristyn looked happy with her dancing, even if Madame Natasha would probably disagree.
The dance soon ended and the crowd went wild over Kristyn's performance.
"Knew it would be amazing." Estelle smiled.
"You were right," Lee smiled back before he even cheered himself. "Way to go, Kristyn!"
"You did amazing, Kristyn!" Ramona cheered.
Kristyn smiled to both her friends and the crowd, who gave her a standing ovation.
"That's what I'm talkin' about!" Dillon smiled as he came up to Kristyn and hugged her.
Estelle and Ramona could already tell those two were meant to be.
"Do you think that-" Estelle began.
"Kristyn and Dillon would be happy together?" Ramona asked.
"Yeah..." Estelle smiled.
"Yeah, I really think so too." Ramona smiled back.
"They remind me of Barbie and Ken." Estelle smiled back.
"Ken is Barbie's boyfriend, right?" Lee asked.
"Yep!" Estelle smiled. "Ken was also the camp counselor for the boys when we went to summer camp once. That was when I had a Swan Lake adventure, and not only that, but we got to meet the Care Bears."
"They're real?" Ramona asked, referring to the Care Bears.
"Oh, yes," Estelle replied. "My dad told me that he and my Aunt Cherry met them once."
"Whoa." Ramona smiled.
Estelle smiled back as this was another beautiful friendship beginning. Dillon soon brought Kristyn out as she smiled and curtsied to the crowd. Estelle and Ramona were happy for Kristyn. Kristyn soon ran backstage, and took Hailey's hands to bring her and the others out onto the center stage. Estelle giggled to that and soon curtsied while balancing on one leg like Angelina Ballerina sometimes did in her books. Lee began to bow to the crowd.
Eventually after the showcase, the dancers met backstage and some of them were given flowers for their performances. The two scouts then met backstage with them.
"Nicely done, Kristyn." Tara smiled sincerely.
"You too, Tara." Kristyn smiled back before they shared a hug.
Ramona was surprised to see the two of them hugging.
"You changed a bit." Estelle said.
"I guess I was a bit selfish when we first met, I'm sorry." Tara replied.
"Your first impression was a bit selfish, but it's nice to know that you're a nice person." Ramona said.
"I guess I was just showing off for my dad." Tara replied.
"You mean the guy that was here earlier?" Lee asked.
"Yes, that was my father," Tara replied. "He comes to all of my rehearsals."
"That explains it." Estelle smiled.
They soon heard Tara's father as he came over with the ballet scouts along with Madame Natasha.
"Then when she was 12, we actually moved to France for a year, so Tara could dance," Mr. Pennington said as they walked backstage, though he seemed to ramble. "That's where she learned French dance. So-"
"Ladies and gentlemen, the International Ballet Company offers the roles of Giselle and Albrecht to Dillon Matthews and Tara Pennington!" Madame Natasha announced as she cut him off.
'No surprise there.' Lee thought to himself.
Everyone clapped and cheered for the two as Tara then came to hug Dillon.
"But what's even more exciting, are these new dance voices you've been hiding from us," One of the scouts smiled to Madame Natasha. "Where are Kristyn and Estelle?"
Lee just knew that Kristyn and Estelle's dancing moves wouldn't go unnoticed.
"Right here." Hailey said as she brought Kristyn and Estelle over.
"I've been searching for something new, and I didn't know what it was," The ballet scout smiled to the girls. "And now I know it was you two."
"Um, what you saw tonight was utterly-" Madame Natasha began.
"Utterly unexpected, inspired, and the best dancing I've seen in years," The other ballet scout replied. "They took everything that came before it, and gave it back to us fresh."
"That's what this school thrives for, right, Madame Natasha?" Ramona winked at the woman in charge.
"Erm... Right... I mean, that's Kristyn," Madame Natasha smiled nervously. "Always giving us something new."
"Now I've been planning a new ballet, and I want to build it around you and your ideas." One of the ballet scouts told Estelle and Kristyn.
Estelle was happy to hear this. Kristyn gasped as she looked very delighted like this was a dream come true for her.
"And we're going to need these dresses!" The ballet scout smiled.
"We won't forget the dresses." Hailey replied.
"Natasha, well done," One of the ballet scouts told the headmistress. "Keep the talent coming."
"Oh, trust me, sir, she will." Ramona said.
The ballet scouts smiled as they soon took their leave.
"Miss Faraday, Miss Fudo, I owe you both an apology." Madame Natasha said to Kristyn and Estelle.
"For what?" Estelle asked.
"I see that I was trying to turn you both into other Taras, but what I really needed was the first Kristyn and Estelle." Madame Natasha said.
This made both of the girls smile.
"Class starts tomorrow promptly at 9:30," Madame Natasha told her students before leaving. "And please bring your good ideas."
Estelle was happy to hear about that.
"Congrats on the Albrecht role, Dillon." Kristyn smiled.
"Yeah, you must be really proud of yourself." Ramona added.
"Thanks, but I always thought of myself more as a Hilarion," Dillon smiled back. "Albrecht's kind of a jerk."
"And he and Hilarion end up being good friends in the end," Kristyn added before she realized what she said. "Um... Am I right, Hailey?"
"Uh, who's hungry?" Hailey smiled nervously.
"I know I am." Ramona said.
"Mazzacco Tacos in an hour?" Dillon suggested.
"I'm there." Kristyn smiled to that.
"Same here." Lee smiled back.
Madame Katerina was soon seen.
"Uh, you want some help, ma'am?" Estelle asked with a smile.
"Oh, not at all," Madame Katerina smiled back. "You kids go on ahead. I'm just tidying up."
"And putting away the magic pink shoes you gave Kristyn?" Estelle whispered to her.
"Why, yes, of course, with the others." Madame Katerina whispered back like she knew about the pink shoes being magic.
"Others?" Estelle whispered, confused.
Madame Katerina soon walked off. Estelle then secretly followed the woman.
Madame Katerina opened a closet and soon set the pink shoes down with the other pairs as they sparkled magically, but they didn't transport her anywhere. Estelle soon saw all of the pairs of magic shoes.
Madame Katerina as she then closed the doors on the pink shoes. "I'll take it that you were given some of these shoes when you were younger?" she then asked.
"Oh!" Estelle gasped as she was exposed like that. "Yes, ma'am."
"That explains how you know about them." Madame Katerina smiled.
"Yes, ma'am," Estelle smiled back. "When I was in a dance class with my old friends Barbie and Kelly, I was given the shoes, and I was transported into the story of The Nutcracker Suite."
"Amazing." Madame Katerina smiled.
"Did you deliver ballet shoes to a Barbara Millicent Roberts?" Estelle asked.
"Ah, yes, that name sounds familiar," Madame Katerina replied. "I was unable to deliver them myself, so I had sent someone to carry out the favor for me. That was a long time ago, but I remember it well."
"Well, thank you." Estelle smiled.
"You're very welcome, my dear," Madame Katerina smiled back. "I just know you were born with the gift of dance."
"So my mother has told me," Estelle smiled. "Though my mother was a tomboy growing up, she did had a skill in ballet, and so did her own mother before her. I guess it's a family instinct."
"I suppose so." Madame Katerina smiled back.
"You ever dance?" Estelle asked her.
"Not for many, many years." Madame Katerina smiled to her.
"For about how many years?" Estelle asked.
"Oh, it's just been so long since I last danced." Madame Katerina said.
"You should try it again sometime," Estelle smiled. "I could never get enough of dancing. Why, I'd probably dance as a baby if I knew how to stand up by then."
"I'm pretty sure you would." Madame Katerina giggled.
Estelle smiled and lightly giggled with Madame Katerina as they shared a bond.
"You seem to really like Princess Tutu." Madame Katerina said to her.
"That's because I am her." Estelle said.
"I... I'm sorry?" Madame Katerina asked. "What do you mean?"
"I'm Princess Tutu..." Estelle said like it was obvious.
"Hmm... Is that a fact?" Madame Katerina replied.
"It is, because I've been able to help return different people's emotion's they've lost." Estelle said.
"That's quite interesting," Madame Katerina replied. "You sound like you have an exciting life, Estelle."
"I sure do." Estelle smiled.
"I hope you have fun in this academy too." Madame Katerina said.
"I know I will... Thank you." Estelle beamed happily.
"You're quite welcome." Madame Katerina smiled.
Estelle smiled back and soon hugged the woman before walking off. "I better get going."
"All right, Estelle, you have fun now." Madame Katerina smiled.
"I will." Estelle smiled back.
Madame Katerina then went back to work as Estelle went to join her new friends for dinner.
The End