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...
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The day of the performance dawned bright and clear, the sun's rays streaming through the windows of the ballet company's lounge where Jennie sat, her costume and makeup flawless, her heart a tumult of nerves and excitement.
Today, there would be no rehearsals, no last-minute corrections.
Today, it was about preserving her energy, about focusing her mind and spirit for the performance.
Surrounded by the buzz of other dancers preparing, she felt a strange calm settle over her.
She couldn't rehearse today, but in her mind, she danced through every step, every turn, every emotion that Onegin demanded of her.
She visualized the audience, the lights, the orchestra's cues, running through the performance in her mind's eye until it felt like second nature.
Throughout the day, she remained mostly silent, conserving not just her physical strength but also her mental energy. The dressing rooms were bustling with activity as dancers prepared for the performance.
She found her way to her designated space, where her costume hung—a beautifully detailed period gown that perfectly captured the essence of her character. The costume's intricate lace and delicate fabric spoke of a different era, transporting her into the world of Onegin.
She then focused on her pointe shoes, the foundation of her performance. She took out a fresh pair, meticulously preparing them as she always did.
She sewed on the ribbons and elastic with precise, strong stitches, ensuring they would support her through every jump and turn. She then applied a thin layer of glue to the tips to harden them slightly, giving her the extra support needed for the demanding choreography. As she worked, her hands steady and practiced, she felt the reality of her debut sinking in.
The company had provided a quiet room for the dancers to retreat to, a space where she could center herself without distraction.
As the hour drew closer, the flutter of nerves she had managed to keep at bay began to rise. he took deep, steadying breaths, each inhalation a reminder of the years of preparation that had led to this moment.
As the time drew nearer and the production crew began ushering dancers to get ready, Jennie finally allowed herself to stop thinking and start acting.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up her pointe shoes and slipped them on, tying the ribbons around her ankles in firm, neat bows.
Each movement was familiar and grounding, a ritual that had always brought her a sense of calm. Today, it felt even more significant, each step a reaffirmation of her readiness.
Her hair was styled in soft curls, pinned artfully to frame her face, completing her transformation into Tatiana. The heavy makeup couldn't mask the nervous flutter in her stomach, but as she stepped closer to the stage, a calm determination settled over her.
