Estrange piece of Paris

CHAPTER 1

"Ouch!" Napapikit ako ng mariin nang hinawakan ko ang paa ko. I bit my lips as I removed my ballet shoes and saw that one of my toe nails is bleeding again. It's been bleeding since my last fall.

"Gagi sakit niyan!" Ash looked horrified when she passed by me.

"You think?!" Umirap ako habang tumatawa. I reached for my duffle to get my medical kit. "Shit! Shit shit!"

I kept cursing when I realized I had no bandaids left. "Ubos na?" Tanong ni Ash.

"Yeah," Napatingin ako kay Ashley na nakatayo lang sa harap ko. Tumango naman siya at biglang umalis papuntang locker niya. I just sat there quiet. I was still in my tutus dahil kakatapos lang ng practice ko.

Bumalik siyang may dalang box ng bandaids. "Here," she sat beside me.

"Thanks," I smiled. Kumukuha ako ng bandaids at inilagay sa aking kuko.

I've been doing ballet since I was a kid. It has always been my dream to become a prima ballerina. Kahit mahirap, I would do anything just to reach those dreams. It was my passion to dance. To show the world what I was capable of doing.

"Also..." Ash spoke which made me look at her. "I heard Cedrick's having a formal celebration for his birthday. You're going, right?"

"Duh! Of course! He's my cousin! He might kill me if I don't show up to his birthday!" I laughed imagining Cid's reaction if don't show up. He'd go nuts!

"Yeah! Yeah!" She rolled her eyes. "But my point is, Ellaine! Tonight's not about Cid's birthday."

"Huh?" Napakunot ang noo ko. "What do you mean?"

Napatakip siya sa bibig parang nagulat pa nga. "My God, Elle! You can't remember? Ganyan ka na ba ka busy sa ballet that you forgot about the man you've been drooling over for years?"

Nakumunot ang noo ko. Ano ba Ang pinagsasabi nito? Sira na ata utak nitong si Ashley! "I still don't get anything you're saying. Ano nga kase yun-

"He's home na! Rhory Molina has returned to Querencia!" She yelled. Halos mahulog na ako sa bench nang marinig muli ang pangalan ng ka-iisang lalakeng nagustohan ko.

I covered my mouth when it finally sinkked into my head. He's home! Back from Manila! I can't believe this! It's been like four years! Muntik ko ng nakalimutan!

"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my GOD! HE'S BACK!" I shouted while jumping up and down.

Red has been my ultimate crush eversince I laid my eyes on him when I was in elementary and he was in junior high. He had always been my crush but he never seemed to ever notice me. But this time, it's going to be different! I'll make him notice me.

I made sure to wear my best formal gown and made sure I looked extra pretty. I smiled as I stared at myself in the mirror. I had worn a baby pink square neck long gown. I also paired it with a pearl headband and pearl earrings. I looked like a kid and a young lady at the same time.

"My lovely Elle." I heard a baritone voice came from my door way. "You look like a fine lady, anak." I smiled to daddy and greeted him with a warm hug.

"Dad, I've missed you." I whispered as I buried my face on his chest. Feeling his warm energy.

"Come on, Elle. Daddy's just been away for two days. Why so clingy?" He laughed and pulled away to see a clearer version of me.

"Just two days? JUST two days?" I kept emphasizing the word 'Just'. "That's too long, daddy!" Tinawanan niya lang ako at sinabihan na pumunta na raw ako sa salas. I pouted and got my bag, aalis na sana ako ngunit napa tingin ulit ako sa itsura ko sa salamin. I smiled, I do look like a fine young lady.