The red-head must catch on quickly because her eyes widen almost immediately and her jaw drops.
“Oh! I’m so sorry…I just thought—”
“That you could touch me even though we’ve never met before because my hair is unusual?” I ask, a small smile breaking my hard exterior as the girl chuckles awkwardly.
“Sorry about that…I promise to keep my hands to myself from now on. I’m Daisy, by the way.” Daisy’s cheeks brighten a light shade of pink, highlighting her freckles as she holds out her manicured hand for me to shake.
Grabbing it, I nod. “Sienna. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. What brings you to Summerfield? You have that fish out of water vibe.”
My brows raise and my cheeks burn as a larger smile breaks out across my face. This could be the fresh start I was searching for—a new friend!
“Is it obvious?” I ask, chuckling softly as Daisy nods, her red hair swooshing as she ties it into a bun. “My old school sucked, so I moved here for a fresh start.” I shrug, looking away to our professor at the front of the room.
She’s an older Black woman with deep brown skin and bright red lips. She reminds me of my aunt Melody with her short and petite physique.
“Ah, same! I just moved, too. There’s someone here that I missed so I’m hoping that he and I can reconnect…” Her light cheeks redden even more as she curls into herself slightly.
My brows raise as I take in her words. What a coincidence—there’s someone here for me, too, at this school…only he’s dating someone else.
Daisy and I spend the rest of our first class of the semester focused on our professor—who goes by Coach K—sharing little chats here and there. Coach K tells us about all things to be prepared for over the course of this semester, including our final exam. Since Ballet 3303 is a hands-on dance course, we will all work on partnered projects and add a creative spin to our favorite dance pieces for the Winter Showcase.
The Winter Showcase, as Daisy and another student, Reagan, explained it, is a four-hour long event at the end of the fall semester where every arts major will showcase their work over the semester. Students with dance concentrations will perform their project and be graded on technique, routine, costume, and overall presentation.
The dance is worth forty percent of our final grade.
Daisy and I agree to partner up, so we exchange numbers at the end of class.
My body feels light and my brain is cleared of all fog as I make my way to my car parked near the quad.
The first day of classes went by without any casualties, and everyone hasbeen nice so far.
I’m buzzing with excitement for tonight’s lesson with my Minis. My girls are like little rays of sunshine, and since I’m already in a good mood, I’m going to get them a small treat.
The Sweet Tooth, an Alice in Wonderland inspired bakery, is just five minutes from the studio. My body practically hums with energy as I step into the sweet-smelling shop. The building smells of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and is warm, like a hug.
“Hey, lovely, what can I get for you? Lavender Love?” Saree, the main baker greets me as I step inside, and my body warms.
I should feel embarrassed that Saree knows my order is lavender macarons off the top of her head, but nothing can beat the thrill of happiness that I’m feeling right now.
I made a friend and she’s not bitchy!
That shouldn’t be something to celebrate, but if you’ve met the people that I have in life…you’d feel the exact same way as me.
“Actually no, I’m getting treats for the girls! Can I get a dozen red velvet cupcakes and three Lavender Loves?”
A grin breaks across my face as Saree nods and gets the cupcakes. Nothing can break this good mood I’m in. Today’s going to be an amazing day, I can just feel it.
Wait, no …that’s just my phone buzzing.
It takes me a minute to fish my phone from my purse with it being lodged between my e-reader and notebook. Giving myself a pat on the back when I find the lavender phone, my smile falters as my boss's name flashes across the screen with a new message.
Madam Dupri
Sienna, report to my office after you clock in. We have business to discuss.
Business? My shoulders deflate as I reread the message.
