Elegance.
This was all she had worked her life up to be. Elegant. But how well can the well acclaimed high school Ballerina Jennie Ruby Jane Kim keep up with her facade the minute her life begins to spiral out of control? Will she be able to keep d...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The rehearsal hall was steeped in a focused silence, broken only by the soft thuds of pointe shoes against the polished floor and the occasional rustle of tulle.
Jennie watched from the sidelines, her gaze locked on the principal dancers as they partook is a lift, her feet excruciatingly perfect despite the air below them.
Jennie admired Alicia's flawless technique and presence, seemingly being the only one to ever perfectly fulfill the American Ballet Theatre standards to a T.
She was the very epitome of ballet excellence, and in a year, Jennie would have to fill in her shoes.
As the rehearsal built to a climax with Alicia spinning elegantly in a series of pirouettes, all eyes were trained on her, many in marvel of her skill built after years and years of hard work.
But in an instant, the atmosphere shattered—Alicia's foot twisted unnaturally, and she fell to the stage with a sharp cry of pain.
The music screeched to a halt, and the hall erupted into chaos as dancers and instructors rushed to Alicia's side.
Jennie's heart raced as she watched the medical team quickly attend to Alicia. The director, a formidable figure known for his stern demeanor, paced the edge of the stage, his expression grave.
The whispers among the company spoke of fear and uncertainty—Alicia was not only a star but a linchpin in the upcoming productions.
An excruciating half our passed by as the director and several executives of the company discussed in harsh whispers of the situation, trying to get as much information out of the medics and gauging the damage her injury would have to not only her career, but also the production.
As Alicia was carefully helped off the stage, the director called for silence, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a knife.
"Everyone," he began, his tone commanding attention, "as you can see, Alicia's injury is severe. She will be unable to perform for an indefinite period."
The room held its breath, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. Jennie felt a chill run down her spine as the director's eyes suddenly fixed on her.
"Jennie, step forward," he commanded.
With her heart in her throat, Jennie moved to the center of the room, her legs trembling slightly. The eyes of her peers—some filled with sympathy, others with concealed envy—bore into her.
"You have been understudying Alicia for months," the director continued, his voice echoing off the walls.
"Effective immediately, you will take over her roles. Your debut as the principal will be in two weeks with 'Onegin.' Prepare yourself."
The announcement was met with a stunned silence. Jennie's mind reeled.
She had dreamed of this moment, of course, but not under such harrowing circumstances, and not with such a sudden burden of expectation.
