The Forgotten Ballerina

Two

NEXT DAY

When we got to the studio early this morning for auditions and walked into the main room and found all the girls practicing. "Why don't you go stretch?" Marissa insists. I started with some pirouettes.

"Alright we will start with Marissa and...Emily. I'm sure you both are familiar with the moves?" They both nod and our instructor starts the music up. One of the girls in the room can't stop looking at Marissa's turns.

She does a jump and everyone claps. "I think she'll get the black swan." Another girl chimes in. "I bet he'll give her a solo in this and remove the other swan altogether." One more girl said. "She's good but I don't think that will happen." I respond. They shrug.

Marissa goes back and forth being both swans. She was the only one who signed up for white and black. After auditions, our instructor told us that a 'who is selected' paper will be put up the next day. Our instructor told us since auditions were this morning we will only be working on our group dance.

I am barely in it for an Eight-Count. While, Marissa is the lead. Class went by really fast and it seemed like it took only a minute to be in class. We went back to our dressing rooms to change back into our clothes.

"Cafe again?" Marissa smirks. "Not funny." I say in annoyance. "Fine, then what about pizza?" She suggests. I nod at her and we drive home. "Here, take my phone. Could you order it for me." I ask her.

"I'm driving, Lilly." She says. "I know, Marissa!" I reply in a mocking tone. We wait till we get back to our apartment and then she calls them. I sit on the couch watching tv and wait for the food to arrive.

I hear a knock on the door, must be the pizza. I open the door to the delivery boy and he hands me our food. I place it on the counter and take a slice. Marissa comes out of her room to sit on the couch with me.

We put on a movie and fell asleep on the couch. The next morning when I woke up, Marissa was the one waking me up. She was ready to walk out the door and I rushed getting dressed. "Slow down, we don't leave for another hour." She says and laughs.

"Oh my god, Marissa. You made me think I woke up really late." I say in a concerned tone. "Today is the day I find out who I got!" She says excitedly. I nod and smile trying not to throw something at her for rushing me. I take my time getting ready and we get in the car.

We get to the studio and into the room. Everyone looks at me in confusion and almost a disgusted expression. Marissa looks at the paper on the mirror and her face lights up in pure joy. "I got the black swan!" She yells.

I look at the paper too and my heart and jaw drop. "Lilly, what's wrong?" Marissa asks before seeing the sheet. "I got the white swan?" I whisper to myself. "Ugh, she didn't even audition! What's the point?" A girl screams from across the room.

"Clearly no one noticed her warming up at auditions." Our instructor states. "Her technique, the way she carries herself, and how she was watching you guys with such focus. She sold the character to me." He continued. I felt eyes rolling from all the girls.

Marissa looks at me and smiles. "You got your big break." She says. I look at her, terrified. Our instructor tells us to work on the swan duet first, and of course I know all the moves. Marissa was sure she would get the black swan so I had to be the white swan everytime she rehearsed. I did a lot of elegant moves, it was nice.

After class, I stayed behind when the girls and Marissa left the room. "Excuse me." I said, addressing our instructor. "Why would you pick me? It's not fair." I continued. He sighs and leans back in his chair.

"I chose you because you embody her. You are the white swan. Your swiftness, along with the gentleness that she brings along to her in this piece." He says.
"I know you are thought of as 'The Forgotten Ballerina' but I see you as a star, I'm giving you chance to shine."

A tear forms in my eye when he finishes. No one has really believed in me. He was right. I really do see myself as forgotten. I don't like to give myself any credit for the things I've accomplished.

"Thank you for this opportunity." I mumble. He nods and I go to the dressing room. Marissa is the only one in there. I break down in front of her. The light on her face dims as she comforts me. I apologize as I cry.

"I'm here, Lilly." She says. "I never wanted to get it." I say, referring to my role. Marissa shushes me and we go outside in the parking lot. We don't get food, we just drive home. "I'm going to sleep." I say.