It's 6am on my first day of second semester at Sam Pilchy's Academy of the Arts, also known as SPAA or dream crusher central. Sam Pilch, who founded SPAA, is one of the most well known, extraordinary dancers in the world. Only 20% of applicants get into SPAA each year and I have been working since I was 8 to get into this school. Last June I sent in my application, 3 dance videos, 2 singing videos and a singular monologue. Three months later I got the email.....WAITLISTED. Luckily Sabrina Melk, a 21 yr old girl from Manchester, broke her foot rollerskating and I could take her place. Very unfortunate for Sabrina, but this was an opportunity I could not turn down. For the last 12 years I worked day in and day out preparing for my SPAA audition and I was not going to let this opportunity out of my grasp. I accepted their offer to let me in before I could even take another breath. Zoe Wilkons, Londons next superstar. Atleast that's what my parents always tell me, and after being accepted, I actually started to the think it could become true.
Last December I made the move from Bath to London, leaving behind everything and everyone I have ever known. Small Bath to big London. I had shifted in with 2 girls, Shelby Ace and Pia Sterm. Shelby reminds me of my sister Molly. Kind, selfless and a great cook. Molly always made the best apple pastries, they'd always make my mouth water just by the sweet scent of apples cooking from the kitchen. Oh how I miss that smell. Pia on the other hand, is nothing like Molly. Pia has one main objective it seems, to make everyone around her feel small. She upsets my stomach worse than cows milk. My anxiety skyrockets whenever we're in the same room together. What had gotten me through the first few weeks living here was Shelby but Shelby ended up moving out to live with her girlfriend 10 blocks down. So that just leaves me..and Pia. Now I try my best to avoid her whenever I can. Hence why I am waking up at 6am when I don't need to leave until 8:30. I know Pia's schedule like the back of my hand.
7:43 AM: Wake up
7:50 AM: Shower and Makeup
8:10 AM: Breakfast
8:25 AM: Brush teeth and Pack Lunch
8: 40 AM: Catch Train
I always catch the earlier train so I can leave while she's in the bathroom and get to school before her. I do anything to keep my mind calm before the absolute chaos and stress of the day ahead. The most stressful part being Jazz with Sam. Sam Pilch is not only the founder of the company but the Jazz dance teacher. Sam may seem nice when you first meet him, but his mood swings from good to bad to worse and back more times than I can count. Every-time I step into the studio for Jazz class it is as though I inhale, and do not exhale for the next 90 minutes. Everyone is walking on eggshells in the studio, scared to even breathe wrong at the fear of being sharp-mouthed in front of the whole class. I like to hid myself in the middle of the sea of dancers, in hopes that I am truly invisible to this man. Sam Pilch is a frequent topic of conversation with my Therapist Jenny Kops. Jenny and I have a call once a week, I wish I could see her in person but she is still in Bath and I don't want to see someone new.
After over thinking about the day ahead on the train, I step out into the crisp air and take deep breaths the whole 5 minute walk to the academy. First up in my schedule, lyrical. Fantastic. A lesson I can feel somewhat stress-free in. When I arrive into the Academy building I B-Line for my locker and find my best friend Lolly Thump leaning against the row of lockers chewing on her hoodie sleeve. Lolly is the opposite to me, she is carefree and never stays up-to-date with assignments, unlike me who has an intensly detailed day to day schedule of when and what assignment should be done. I love her but she certainly keeps me on my toes. Lolly is from Manchester, that's how I found out about Sabrina's rollerskating incident,. Lolly moved last year to start studying so we're in different classes but I don't mind.
"Hey Zo!" I hear from Lolly before I even reach the lockers "Find any hot Bath guys on semester break?"
"The only guys in Bath are the ones I've known since kindergarten...so no" I respond sarcastically. Lolly asks me this every-time I visit home, and the answer is always the same.
"ah, bugger. I hear there's an Australian boy starting today" I start to unlock my locker as she continues on "I heard all Australian boys are hot" I laugh and roll my eyes at Lolly, she joins in the laughter. "You're a bit quiet this morning, you a bit stressed?" Lolly asks with a concerned face and a quiet voice
"Yeah. Jazz at the end of the day." I say quickly while grabbing my lyrical shoes out my locker
"Ahhh Jazz" Lolly says while she bangs her fists on the locker. "Just don't be bad or too memorable and you will survive." she says with a slightly sarcastic but mostly serious tone.
"Thanks Lol, you always know how to make me feel better." I say giggling while trying to lock my locker while juggling my water bottle, shoes and phone in one hand.
"C'mon." Lolly says as she grabs my free hand. "Let's go grab a biscuit from the vending machine."
YOU ARE READING
The Rules of Us
Teen FictionZoe is the straight A, intensive studier who is beginning her training to become a global dance star. She has just been accepted into her dream performing arts school in London where she has high expectations of how her year will play out. Quickly...
