Chapter Two
777 Words
Present-day
“Hailey,” I lifted my eyes at the sound of Elizabeth’s voice laced with concern.
The room came into view when my daze dissolved and I was reminded of my surroundings. A dark theatre with only the stage lights streaming on the dancers who showed up for Elizabeth’s auditions.
I got sidetracked by the fifth Port de Bras and mostly annoyed with Elizabeth who made me a judge ballet dancer for her upcoming dance competition.
The fun part of the ballet faded and all I was seeing was the dark side and how it sucks the life out of a dancer. I had to say my farewells to more than one ballet dancer back in the day and it was hard standing in front of their tombstone while being aware I was the next to dig myself a grave.
There are so many days where I wish I broke through her chains a lot sooner and acknowledged that I was sick of the things I did to stay thin. My body took a hard punch and took years to recover from it—I’ve not only gained a chance at a good life but I’ve lost pieces of my soul that I will never recover from.
Pieces that still up till today haunt me when I am asleep or awake. Memories follow me around the room, making me see what I’ve done to myself to impress a person who will never be impressed no matter what I do.
Elizabeth started discussing the dancers she hand-picked for her upcoming dance competition to join my dance group since I am also eligible to compete.
She soon came to realization I have no desire to pick any one of them, but that didn’t stop her to go with her selection to join her dance program. Elizabeth always had a plan up her sleeve and I trusted her judgment when it came to seeing things before I did.
“I am starting to get worried about this silent treatment you are giving me,” Elizabeth noted when we dismissed all the dancers who came out today.
“Are you still mad at me about the part where I asked your mother to be one of the judges for the dance show?” She asked, sounding a twinge worried that I was pushing her away.
It was quite a blow I took when I found out that Elizabeth was in contact with my mother.
“The question is why? And why are you only recruiting ballet and contemporary dancers? Weren’t you the one who came to me and told me that you are working on recruiting all different kinds of dance styles?”
“Why do you think I made Jaylin one of my dance instructors?”
It still didn’t justify what she promised. “That’s one studio, Elizabeth and it’s only big enough for twenty dancers which aren’t even enough,”
“I get that you hate ballet, but it’s still a dance style with a beautiful technique and strong background,” Elizabeth was still convinced I hated ballet which I didn’t, I hate the person who made me dislike the beautiful dance because I stopped seeing the good side of the show.
I shook my head. “I don’t hate ballet. I hate what it has done to me and the person who…” I stopped talking when I realized it was a waste of my breath.
I followed Elizabeth out of the orchestra and over to where her car was waiting. “Yet, you are standing as tall as a mountain and not letting it get you under,” She noted, with credibility.
“I wasn’t left with much of a choice,” I clarified.
I greeted her driver and handed Elizabeth’s belongings over to him.
She gave me a questioning look. “Aren’t you joining me for dinner?”
“I have been on the road with you for five years,” I began and helped her into the car. “I just want to go for a walk and familiarize myself with my hometown and my friends.”
Jaylin in particular. The last time I saw her was with our final goodbyes—she came home. I didn’t.
“Can we at least give you a ride?” Elizabeth offered.
“I’m fine, Elizabeth. I know my way around this city and I will call when I do need help,” I softly shut the door and waved at her.
Sometimes it’s hard to place one foot in front of the other, particularly in my case where I ran away from home leaving things unresolved.
- Writer
