It was the only time I could truly be free.
I didn’t have to earn my place because it was already mine. Every leap, every spin, every grueling hour spent perfecting my craft was a step toward a world where I wasenough—just as I was.
And now, as I listened to the audience chanting “Vampire Queen! Vampire Queen! Vampire Queen!”
Ifinallyfelt like I had done it.
I had earned my place, not just on that stage, but in this world.
It was mine.
Undisputed.
Undeniable.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back, unwilling to let them fall.
You fucking did it! You. . .are worthy. Listen to them.
“Vampire Queen! Vampire Queen!”
The curtain slowly lowered, and the cheers began to subside.
Remember that sound. Hold it in your heart every damned day.
Intermission began, and I was sure that beyond the curtain, the audience had gone off to the bathroom or to get wine.
Slowly, the wires began to bring me down to the stage.
When my feet touched the ground, I spotted Melanique hurrying my way. Her braids bounced with movement. Her brown skin glowed.
The smile was huge on her face.
This was her big day too.
Years ago, she’d been a top ballerina. Then a career ending injury forced her to go into a different role.
Now she was in her early forties and working on her third career in the industry.
And, as the only Black female director of ballet in Obsidian Bay, Melanique faced a constant challenge to prove her worth and abilities twice over. The weight of expectations and stereotypes lay heavily on her shoulders, but she worked tirelessly every damn day to break barriers and pave the way for future generations.
And her ballet,Blood Rosewas the first one to open this Fall season.
One of the stagehands hurried over to me and began undoing the wires around my waist.
Seconds later, Melanique got to me too. “Erica, you killed it!”
I wiped sweat off my forehead. “You think so?”
“You hear them screaming your name? You’re the freaking villain! They shouldn’t be chanting for you.” She laughed.
I grinned.
“This will be the best premiere of the whole month.” She helped the stagehand carefully remove the wires attached to my side. “Now we have the final act. How do you feel?”
“Amazing.”
“They’ll be talking aboutonlyyou during intermission.”
