Yes, Miss Manoban

 JOSHUA   He can't feel his legs.   The raven-haired boy dashed through the empty streets, urging his long legs to move faster. Clothed drenched from the pouring rain, he continued to follow the path in front of him 'til he reached a familiar building complex where he grew up and grew accustomed to.   With a loud slam, the door of a 200-square foot apartment flew wide open startling a middle-aged woman and her husband for the sudden noise.   "Joshua?" the dark-haired woman--with bits of gray hair here and there, shot her son a glance of curiosity as he hurriedly came in. "Why are you drenched--"   The boy did not even spare his parents a single glance. Instead, he sprinted straight to his room, entered and locked it. With that he unzipped his jacket revealing a white shirt—splotched with red all over, and immediately removing it from his body before shoving it in his backpack.   His hands trembled as he zipped the bag close and when it was completely hidden, his knees buckled—causing him to fall on the carpeted floor. His eyes stung as he fought the urge to break down. His breathing became heavier and heavier by the second as he stared at his huge wall full of Serena posters that used to calm him down. But tonight, it doesn't seem to be working. The beating of his heart was erratic—something he cannot seem to control.   "Honey?"   His mother's voice was glazed with worry as the light knocks came one after another. His emotions were at an all-time high that when he finally opened the door, his arms immediately wrapped around his mother. This shocked the older woman as she knew he wasn't the most affectionate child growing up.   "Josh? Is there something wrong?"   "Mom I... I think I killed someone..."   ...   Joshua gasped for air as he shot up from his bed. Beads of sweat trickle down from his temples as he brushed his damp hair back. He turned to his bedside table and grabbed his beeping phone.   CEO calling...   He heaved a heavy sigh—his attempt to compose himself, before answering his boss' call.   "Yes, Miss Manoban?" - MISS ROBINSON   She watched as her heart shattered  into a million pieces.   Her chocolate brown orbs followed every movement the ballerina did. Every crisp turn, every elegant wave of her arms and every precise pirouette. The way her body molded with Siegfried’s; the black Odette was indeed the center of everyone's attention. The way her arms flapped mimicked that of a real swan and her sharp turns had left everyone breathless.   A lone tear dropped on her cheek as she watched herself take the final pose, arms behind her and the audience on their feet—applauding her stellar performance as the Black Swan.   Vivid memories of her receiving her first pair of ballet shoes came in to view. Her first successful pirouette. Her first stage performance. Her first competition. Her first win. The first time she received her letter from Julliard.  Her acceptance letter into the NY Ballet Company.   Her last performance...   With all her might, she commanded her legs to move. To help her get off the damned wheelchair once and for all. But they wouldn't cooperate. Her knees buckled and with a loud crash, she fell on the carpeted floor.   Her loud scream echoed within the four corners of the room as she threw the nearest object towards the television. The clip stopped as the screen cracked and her older brother came running towards her.   "Astrid!" he blurted out as soon as he stepped inside her room. "Assie..."   Tears streamed down her face as she screamed.   Why? Why does it have to be her? Out of all the people that night... why her? She worked damn hard all her life without stepping on anyone. She gave everything to her craft. But why her? Why did it have to be her legs?   "Shh..." her brother whispered as he tried to console her. "You'll recover soon enough, Assie. I promise. After a few months of therapy, you'll be able to dance again..."   How she wished it were true.   ...   Her trance was cut short when the door to her office suddenly opened. A raven-haired man in a formal black suit walked in with a tablet at hand.   "Secretary Jeon, please see to it that all bo—"   Before she could finish her sentence, she felt something soft on her cheek. Her head tilted up a bit only to be welcomed by a pair of deep coffee brown eyes. His knuckles being the soft something on her cheek.   "It's my job to take care of you," he whispered as he leaned back after wiping the lone tear, she didn't take notice of.   She cleared her throat and regained composure.   "I uh—Please notify all board members to be present for today's meeting."   The dashing secretary smiled and gave her a curt bow.   "Yes, Miss Manoban." -