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My ballet instructor.
My eyes widen, my jaw going slack. "Leona," I gasp, "What are you doing here?"
She grabs my arm, giving it a squeeze with a bright smile on her face. "I couldn't have my favorite student go on without watching her, now could I?" Her hands trail down to mine. She squeezes my fingers. "How do you feel?"
"Like I'm going to be sick," I mumble, pressing my hand to my stomach.
She looks me up and down, critiquing and appraising me at once. "Look at how much you've grown. Still the perfect ballerina." She clucks her tongue, shaking her head. "I'm glad you got back into it, Luna, you were made for this."
I glance over my shoulder, my eyes flitting over the seats again. Still no Roman. "I don't know… Roman isn't here yet."
Her eyes soften. "Still with that boy?"
I lift my hand toward her. "Engaged, actually."
She runs her finger over the diamond softly, watching it shimmer in the dark light. "Mmm, I would have guessed nothing less. You guys had something special, I will give you that."
My stomach twists into a knot. "He told me he'd be here. I want to wait until he gets here."
Her eyes narrow. "You aren't waiting for anyone. This is your time, Luna. You either take this chance, or you let it go."
"I don't want to let this go, I just—"
She shakes her head, grabbing my hands again. "Listen, I've known since the first day you walked into my small studio that this is what you're meant to do. If Roman is late, he's late. I can see in the way you're standing that you've practiced to death on this routine. Your spine is straight, your toes are already pointed…" she sighs, "Luna, take a chance. Go for it. This is your destiny."
I gnaw on my lip, knowing she's right. I'm meant to dance. I'm meant for every second of this. If Roman is late, then he's late. But I can't wait any longer. I have to do this.
He'd want me to do this.
I nod. "Okay. I'm ready."
She glances up at the clock. "Good, because you're late. Get out there." She turns, ready to walk out to the auditorium. "Wait, what song are you playing?"
I smile at her. "Did you have to ask? You should already know."
She grins, giving me a single nod before leaving the back of the stage. I watch as she walks down the side steps, taking a seat right beside the panel. With one last glance and one last check at the door, I press up on my toes as the first notes ofCanon in Dbegin. I lift my head, snapping my spine straight, and make my way out to the stage.
The lights dim as I walk out, and I dance. I dance like every note has a clear path to my heart. My toes ache, my eyes water, but I stay strong. I dance like this is the best dance, the only dance, thelast danceI'll ever do. I feel tall, like the tallest person in the world as I trail across the stage. Every move, every step is perfect. Not once do I falter, or slouch. The music runs through my blood, playing me for a puppet. The music plays, and plays, and plays.
I feel alive.
I can't stop the smile that breaks over my face from dancing on this stage. I've waited my entire life to be here, to perform, to do what I do best. This is where I'm meant to be.
My toes barely touch the ground as I dance from foot to foot. I spin, my fingers wrapping around my ballet slipper as it lays flush against my side. I keep my chin up as I leap, my spine held so straight, so perfectly aligned it aches. I leap into a split, feeling like I float across the stage as the notes from the music lift me higher than I’ve ever been before.
I’ve never danced this well.Ever.
My spine arches as I bend back, the crescendo of the music moving my body with each note that flows through my veins. I don’t step a foot out of place during the entire routine.
I am perfect.
My body hums by the time the last note hits, and tears are streaming down my face. I end in a leap, my back to the judges. Taking a large breath, I can't stop the tears from streaming down my face this time. I'm sure my makeup is smearing, rivers of black trailing down my pale cheeks.
I turn around slowly, breathing through my sob. I watch the five sets of eyes, Leona’s included, all staring at me.
No sounds. No clapping.
Nothing.
