Dark Possession ✔

Chapter 3: Ballet Dream

Rosalie prepared the large dance studio for all the students that were about to arrive for their first class. She swiped the towel paper across the large mirror that was gleaming, with no dirty smudges or dust any longer, which was just the way she preferred it. The light brown floors were polished and wiped down as well. All of the barre stretch bars were set at a lower height and mounted onto the walls for the younger girls, which are essential for every ballet class. A barre is a stationary handrail that a dancer lightly holds onto for balance.

Rosalie cleaned all the equipment for the first lesson. She didn't need to turn any of the lights on, since the glass windows allowed bountiful sunlight into the studio. She rolled out the radio system and plugged it in and positioned it in the corner of the room.

She had a total of twenty-five students this year including Vivian, because she knew her own limitations to only tutor that many. Only girls had joined the class too, Rosalie really wanted some boys to join, she would've loved to teach them as well. But, this year it was just twenty-five cute little girls who were excited to learn. She didn't want to have too many at the start of this new school and overestimate her abilities.

Rosalie opened the equipment closet and had racks of gleaming pink pointe shoes, many clean leotards, tights and other necessities for her students. She grabbed the keys from the counter and went off to the locker room where the students would put their belongings, change and prep before coming to the studio. Finally, the last task was to put the rock rosin at the entrance on the classroom. So, the girls would apply it on their hand and feet to prevent any slipping.

Rosalie took off her own coat and hung it in her office, that was cozy and she was glad that the room was big enough to fit quite a few people inside. If parents wished to talk to her or kids needed her help, then this was a nice place to sit. Especially since, the interior was done to perfection.

Rosalie today chose to wear her own black leotard, that was backless and had mid-length sleeves. For dancing, she usually would've opted for the camisole style, but she wasn't dancing, she was teaching today. She had thin black leggings and a black tulle skirt that reached her calves.

Rosalie took off her heels and prepared her ballet shoes, that were old and worn in, which was how they should be. The silly pink ribbon and elastic were purposely sewed on, so that the shoes remain secured on the foot while hopping and turning and balancing. It was a common mistake that many didn't know, but Rosalie never danced with a brand-new pair of pointe shoes. Rosalie was strict to tell all the parents on orientation day to break in their kids' ballet shoes. They needed to break in and form the foot snugly, if one wished to dance openly. Even with her old pair, she bent and folded the shoe before she laced it onto her foot.

A smile crept up her lips as Rosalie stared down at her feet, when she saw the shoes on. It had been a half a year since she had danced properly. Since quitting professionally and going back home to adopt Vivian, then handling all the paperwork with the lawyers, she never got the chance to practice.

Eagerly, she tied her hair into a high chignon and ran to the studio to have her own little fun before classes started. She powdered her hands and walked into the large studio with a smile nonetheless.

To her, this was home; polished floors that smelt of wood and the large mirror to help her keep her form. She had already stretched at home. So, without hesitation, she fisted her sturdy hand around the wooden barre rail and begun her old but beloved routine that she had learned long ago.

Rosalie remembered the sensation in her body. The thrill of this art as she used the grand space to practice what she hadn't lost at all. How could she lose it? When she had breathed and lived for ballet all her life. Ballet was the reason she left her home and came to New York with her trainer when she was eighteen.