To Love A Nutcracker

Chapter 1

Eleven-year-old Octavia Goetia took a deep breath, swallowing the anxiety that had been building in her throat since her father dropped her off at rehearsals. Afterward, she retreated to the ladies' room, splashing cool water on her face and whispering affirmations to boost her confidence.

"I can do this. I can do this. I can do this."

Her nerves were palpable as she prepared for the first day of ballet rehearsals for the upcoming Christmas production, where she had been cast in the lead role: an orphaned match girl who spends Christmas alone in the biting cold. In this poignant tale, she stumbles upon the slightly ajar back door of a grand manor and sneaks inside, seeking warmth. Overcome by exhaustion, she falls asleep by the kitchen hearth and dreams of a kind fairy who uses her magic to bring toys to life, celebrating the holiday with her in a world of wonder. When she awakens, she is discovered by a wealthy couple who, enchanted by her presence, decide to adopt her, raising her alongside their biological daughter, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the fairy from her dreams.

Octavia had originally auditioned for a minor role, firmly believing she wasn't talented enough for anything more substantial. However, her teacher recognized a unique spark in her—something that made her the ideal candidate for the lead. Overjoyed by the offer, Octavia had long dreamed of dancing a leading role in a ballet, particularly at a professional theater. Yet, despite her excitement, she was haunted by insecurities and a tendency toward clumsiness, leaving her uncertain about her true abilities.

The prospect of dancing the lead filled her with both excitement and dread. What if she forgot the steps? What if she stumbled on stage and became the target of laughter?

Her father, Stolas, had always been her biggest supporter, nurturing her dreams of becoming a ballet dancer and insisting that she could achieve anything if she truly set her mind to it. In contrast, her mother, Stella, acknowledged Octavia's talent but urged her to temper her expectations and consider a more practical career path. Both parents offered valuable perspectives: one should pursue their dreams with passion, while also being mindful of life's harsh realities. However, the bitter divorce between Stolas and Stella left Octavia feeling caught in a tug-of-war between her aspirations and the need for practicality.

The only person who truly understood her was Loona Sanders, the fourteen-year-old adopted daughter of her father's on-again, off-again lover. Like Octavia, Loona dreamed of becoming a dancer. They first crossed paths on Octavia's inaugural day of ballet class. When Octavia stumbled during a pirouette lesson and the other students erupted in laughter, Loona was the exception. She knelt beside Octavia, extended her hand, and said, "Shake it off, kid. It's nothing to dwell on. I've fallen on my ass plenty of times."

From that moment on, they became like sisters, a fitting bond considering Loona would be dancing the dual roles of the fairy and the adopted sister in the production. Octavia was confident that Loona would shine—just as perfectly as all the other students, and just like their teacher, Mrs. Gracey. To Octavia, Mrs. Gracey was the epitome of beauty and grace; every step she took and every movement she made seemed utterly flawless. After a remarkable career performing in countless shows, she had chosen to step away from the spotlight, dedicating herself to sharing her wealth of experience with the next generation as a ballet teacher.

"Welcome to rehearsals, everyone." Mrs. Gracey announced with a warm smile. "Before we dive in, let's start with some stretches and warm-ups. I understand it's early in the morning, and not everyone may be fully awake for a new routine just yet."

For twenty minutes, they engaged in a series of stretches, extending their arms and legs with simple warm-up exercises. Once they finished, Mrs. Gracey took the time to explain the first routine to the dancers. To Octavia, the choreography appeared overwhelmingly complex, intensifying her anxiety. It felt, to her, like deciphering rocket science.