Love Gracie

Chapter One

{2015}

I landed back into first position, as the music swiftly came to an end. Dancing in my bedroom wasn't the easiest option, but I have a dance exam tomorrow - so I have no choice. Let me introduce myself. My name is Grace Jackson, and I'm 15 years old. I have an older brother called Joe, and a younger step-sister called Sophie. I guess you could say my Dad moved on quickly after Mum left.

"Grace," a voice comes from my door as I see my Dad stood there peeking through. "I think it's time you go to sleep now, yeah? It's 11pm"

I point my toes as I practice my en pointe position and sigh, "Dad, I need as much practice as I can get"

"I think you've had enough, sweetheart. Besides, the two other girls in your group will be doing it with you, so you have no need to worry" He switched off my speakers which my phone was playing my music through, and kissed my forehead. "Goodnight, see you in the morning".

I give him a weak smile as he leaves the room, but of course I don't stop rehearsing. I quietly went over the 3 minute routine several more times before eventually flopping my overtired body into bed. Still then, I kept replaying all the moves in my head - and I even found myself moving my feet whilst laying down.

Memories of my Mum came flooding back. She used to be a dancer, a really good one. Other than the fact I love dance anyway, picking it as a GCSE option seemed like a great idea to me seeing as my Mum had said she could help me. But I guess things have changed, now that I don't see her anymore.

- the next morning -

The sound of my alarm going off caused me to groan as my body began wriggling out of the duvet. My mind wasn't fully awake, until the realisation of what was happening today suddenly came over me. Dance exam. The thought of it and everything that could possibly go wrong made me feel hot and my hands clammy - thats something that had been happening to me a lot lately. I squirmed out of bed before changing into my school uniform - black tights, black skirt, a white shirt and blazer... not what I would personally pick.

I washed my face and put some concealer over the huge bags under my eyes. With all the stressing I was doing last night, I hardly slept. My hair was styled back in a tight bun, which all dancers are expected to have it in today.

The smell of Dad's cooked breakfast wafted up the stairs and into my bedroom. He only did these on special occasions, or maybe sometimes weekends, so I knew this was to try to make me feel better about the upcoming exam I have. My groups turn is at 9:10, so we only have 25 minutes to get ready and prepare.

"Morning, Gracie" my step-mum grins. Her brown locks hang just below her shoulders and her dark brown eyes beam.

I send her a dagger, before my Dad shoots me a look of warning. Only my Mum ever called me Gracie, and she knows that. I sit down at the table, as far away from her as possible, which unfortunately for me was only two seats away.

"Bacon, sausage, and beans for you!" my Dad exclaims, placing a plate in front of me as he stands there in his pyjamas and slippers.

"Thanks" I say softly, although I have no appetite whatsoever.

The rest of breakfast included Sophie whining because she didn't want to go to school whilst I nibbled on the edge of my bacon. What if I ate it all and then I was so full my leotard didn't fit? Or it then made my position not straight enough? All the worst case scenarios ran through my head, me blocking out the conversation my family were having.

I glance down at my phone which is on my lap and I see the time - 8:04. "I need to brush my teeth and leave now, thanks for breakfast." I mumble, scuttling up the stairs, dodging my school bag and dance kit I had packed the previous day. I overhear him and Louise (which is my step-mum by the way) wish my good luck, but I don't reply. My school bus leaves at 8:15 and the last thing I want is to be late.