Breathless

Chapter One

My thoughts were racing as I paced the length of the narrow hallway. Any of the confidence I once had was dissipating by the second. You can do this. Breathe. You are only competing to get into the dance school of your dreams. Well, besides Julliard. You have been dancing since you were three years old, so it is not like you don't know what to do. Remember, flowing movements, think of the music, and not the judges.

Summers had been spent in Paris studying under ballet masters, perfecting pirouettes and fouettés. My parents did everything they could to help me prepare for my college auditions. Preparations started the day I set foot into middle school. Each instructor they hired was more intense then the last. All the blisters and scars I received would be worth it though.

I could dance circles around everyone in this hallway. Yet, this dreadful sinking feeling in my stomach wouldn't wear off. It was as if I was on a roller coaster full of steep drops. The ones where your stomach meets your heart, but your heart has social anxiety, so it starts to freak out. I think I am going to be sick.

Anyone who attended this school went on to have a successful dance career. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood and Broadway graduated from here. My dream was to perform for my whole adult life. Chances of getting in were a tad bit higher than Juilliard. But still slim. Maybe five of us would be accepted or asked to attend another round of tryouts. That's if any of us were lucky. We could all suck and be asked to never dance again.

Soft bewitching laughter filled the confined space. It had come from four flawless students who huddled together in a secluded corner. The group was in their own little world, paying little to no attention to any of the rest of us. Each of them was polished; not a hair sticking out of place, with skin that looked like smooth undamaged porcelain. I wanted to see if my hand would glide over theirs like it did when I touched the marble statues at home. A red-headed boy towered over the group. His hair was so orange he could have been related to the Weasleys. Confidence oozed out of his non-existent pores. I'm willing to bet my college tuition that they were classically trained. I mean I was too, but I couldn't help overthinking. Therapy was definitely not paying off.

I stopped my pacing to watch a tiny girl across the hall bounce on her heels. For a brief moment I zoned out staring at her shiny leotard reflecting the light like some 80s disco ball. At glance, she looked confident and just anticipating her turn. But there was something in her eyes that betrayed her. An ever so slight glint in them telling me she was as nervous as I. Mom pulled me away murmuring something about being rude, for staring at the poor girl.

Everyone's attention snapped to the auditorium as the door slowly creaked open. A slender woman with flawless caramel skin appeared propping it ajar with her hip. Her dark eyes fixated on the clipboard she held, ignoring our perfervid stares. Another student emerged behind her; head held down. There was a glassy shine in his eyes; a faint hint of tears welling up. A man who I presumed to be his father hugged him. Did he mess up? Oh gosh that could be me. Bile rose, burning the back of my throat at the insane thought. I could fake being sick and just go home.

"Aurora Winters." My heart stopped for a millisecond at the sound of my name. So much for faking illness. Blood drained out of my face making me ghostly pale. I mentally screamed at my legs to move, but I was petrified. I wanted this to be a bad dream. Reacting this way at an audition did not look good. Negative thoughts came rushing in once again. What if I wasn't good enough? Dance is literally all I know how to do. The hallway fell into an eerie silence when no one moved. You could hear a pin drop.

A slight pressure on my hand brought back my senses. I glanced down recognizing my mom's gaudy sapphire ring. She kept her grip on my fingers while looking up at me. A soft smile on her thin lips. 'You can do this.' She mouthed.