Imperial High

MEI

Georgia, 1981

"And a one, two, three, Start!"

The tape started and I fell into position. All the hours of practice in the backyard would pay off. It had to. I ran through the formation in my head. It would kick off with a plie, then a releve before the we did a saute. I calmed down and let the music flow through me. I was a ballerina, petite and graceful, twirling and dancing. The dance and I became one. Everything was just a blur till I heard the tinkling of the bell signaling the end of the routine. I ended with a pirouette and a curtesy.

I turned around and opened my eyes. Everyone was staring at me. I saw Adeline giving me a silent round of applause. Brittney's mouth was agape in shock. I smirked. Now she had no excuse to call me her horrible nickname for me, 'Wingless Butterfly'. But there was only one person who's reaction mattered. I turned to face Ms. Agnes.

Her face was red, and her mouth was drawn in a tight line. She looked furious.

"Mei Miller! What in the name of the Holy Mother was that?"

I heard Brittney snicker and I started feeling my cheeks begin to burn.

"This is a ballet studio for young, respectable, ballet beginners, not a club for rickety, spineless, grasshoppers."

Brittney started laughing out loud. My eyes began to sting.

Adeline stepped forward. "That's enough, Ms. Agnes! Mei did her best and I believe that particular piece was fantastic!" She shot me a supportive nod.

Ms. Agnes' eyes locked onto Adeline's with a death glare. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the little four-eyed bookworm come to save her equally hopeless friend. Well, let me tell you something. The next time I want your opinion, I'll make sure to look for it in the dustbin, where it belongs!"

Adeline's face burned a bright red and tears pooled in her eyes.

Anger pooled in my stomach and rushed upwards. "Why are you always so mean! Adeline didn't do anything! She was just defending a friend! Although, I don't expect you to understand what that is seeing as you don't have any!"

Stunned faces stared at me from all around. I clapped my hand over my mouth. Ms. Agnes' face was a horrid shade of puce. Her whole body was visibly shaken. She stalked up to me and slapped me across the face.

"You filthy, little brat! Get out! You're banned from this studio forever!"

I could feel the heat emanating from where she had slapped me. I snatched my bag from the stands and ran for the front door. I tripped over the stairs and fell on my face. Now, the tears flowed openly.

I stayed there till I heard my dad's truck pull into the parking lot.

"Mei? Darling? What happened? Tell Papa, darling." He pulled me into him and hugged me close. I could smell his familiar, comforting, vanilla and peppermint scent. I cried and cried till I couldn't breathe.

When I had finally caught my breath, I told him what had happened. His face grew stonier and his body stiffened till he was barely moving by the time I was done. He shot a hatred-filled glare at the front window of the studio.

"I'm going to go there and give her a piece of my mind! The nerve, bullying a child like that!"

I got up hurriedly. Going there would only make it worse. "Papa, it's okay. There's no reason to give her that satisfaction. Let's go and order some pizza, alright? Plus, I'm not a child, I turned 13 two months ago"

He gave the studio a last, hard glance before pulling out of the lot.

He drove towards the pizza store before stopping in front of it. He shot a glance at me then cleared his throat.

"Mei...I've decided that you go live with your brother in Japan. He seems to be bringing in stable income from his construction business and don't forget, you'll be able to see your old friends again. There's nothing for you here, Mei. I'm just barely able to pay for your ballet classes, let alone actual school. I'm not doing a good job as a father and I don't want you to suffer because of that. Okay?"

I looked at him in horror. I didn't want to go back to Japan! I had left with Papa because no matter how much he denied it, he needed me. I was staying here in Georgia with him because I wanted to!

I shook my head firmly. "I'm staying here with you, Papa. I'll work at the downtown coffee shop and give out fliers to bring in extra cash. Plus, Kaito likes being alone and not having to take care of his baby sister and while I miss my old friends, I'm making new ones here. Like Adeline. We're doing fine, Dad. I'm not leaving you."

He looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes. "If you insist then. But whatever happens, know that you'll always be Daddy's Little Girl."

He took my arm in his.

"Now let's go and get ourselves some pizza, hm?"

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