CINDERELLA 2.0 ; 2024 EDITION

...ELLA'S JOURNEY TO THE SPOTLIGHT...

ELLA'S POV

In the vibrant city of Paris where technology blended seamlessly with everyday life, I lived in a small, modest apartment....It was a stark contrast to the opulent house of my stepmother, Tremaine, a renowned socialite, and my stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella , who were aspiring influencers with a knack for the latest trends. My days were a cycle of dancing in my tiny living room , frantically rehearsing routines while definitely not attending the exclusive parties...Instead I worked at a local dance studio, watching my stepsisters revel in their glamorous lives, strutting around in designer outfits, posting selfies from parties I wasn't invited to...I craved their excitement, but my dreams of stardom felt like mirages - distant and elusive , overshadowed by my family's superficiality and the endless chores that chained me...

Then, an exciting buzz filled the air around Paris: A high profile dance competition called 'NEON NIGHTS' was set to take place, offering a coveted prize - a year long contract with the city's premier dance company and a chance to perform at the Time square, the most prestigious venue in town...My heart raced with the thought of it...As Anastasia and Drizella primped, practicing their alluring poses, I felt a sharp pang of envy...They didn't notice me in the corner, working diligently on my own choreography...Tremaine was busy ingratiating her way into the elite circles, always desperate for more connection....

Me?? I was left to weave dreams from silence. 

On the eve of the competition, with my heart pounding, I practiced my final routine. Just then my phone buzzed with an unexpected message. I hesitated for a second before reading - a renowned choreographer known only as "Mystique" wanted to help me prepare...Skeptical yet hopeful, I typed back instantly, "I ACCEPT !"  Later that night , I was in deep practice when a swirl of lights exploded in my small apartment. I gasped as a figure appeared before me, glowing softly in the dim light..."ELLA I AM MYSTIQUE, AND I AM HERE TO HELP YOU SHINE AT THE NEON NIGHTS", the figure spoke, her voice melodic and inviting....My eyes widened in disbelief..." YOU'RE REAL"??.." IN A SENSE" She replied with an enigmatic smile gracing her lips..." LET'S TRANSFORM YOU INTO THE STAR YOU WERE MEANT TO BE"....With a graceful wave of her hand, she enhanced my simple dance attire into something beautiful....My worn dance shoes become a high tech footwear, a futuristic elegance I had only dreamed of..." REMEMBER , YOU HAVE UNTILL MIDNIGHT. AFTER THAT EVERYTHING WILL RETURN TO ITS ORGINAL STATE"...Mystique advised, her eyes sparkling with a promise..."THANK YOU SO MUCH" I exclaimed, overwhelmed with gratitude...

The next evening at Neon Nights, I walked into a dazzling spectacle of lights  the air crackling with nervous anticipation. My heart raced. My  costume caught the eyes of the audience, a perfect blend of color and movement reflecting my fervor. As I took the stage, I poured my heart into every movement; classical elegance fused with a futuristic rhythm. I danced like the world was watching, my costume shifting beautifully with each step, conjuring a visual symphony that left the audience breathless. Among the judges sat Alex Sterling, a renowned dance director with an eye for raw talent. I felt his gaze on me, intense, scrutinizing. I poured everything into my performance, hoping to captivate him. When I finished, the applause erupted like fireworks, and for a moment, the world faded away. But glancing at the clock, fear struck me—midnight was approaching. I had to leave quickly before the magic faded, but just as I turned to flee, I found Alex at my side, his expression a mix of admiration and curiosity. 

"THAT WAS AN INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE , ELLA. WHO ARE YOU ?" he asked, his voice cutting through the chaos around us. "I AM JUST A DANCER"  I replied, breathless and flustered. " I'M SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT"...." JUST A DANCER ? NO, YOU'RE MUCH MORE THAN THAT. YOU HAVE A UNIQUE TALENT THAT STANDS OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER YOU A CHANCE TO JOIN MY DANCE COMPANY" He said, excitement glowing in his eyes...My heart soared, hope blossoming in the pit of my stomach. "REALLY? THAT WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE!" As I turned to leave, I felt my  outfit begin to fade. Panic washed over me, and I tried to distract him. "I HAVE TO GO!" But he held his ground, concern lacing his features. "WAIT A MINUTE. I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU."... "I—I'll EXPLAIN LATER!" I stammered, glancing at the clock that ticked closer to midnight. "CAN YOU MEET ME TOMORROW MORNING AT THE STUDIO? I WANT TO DISCUSS YOUR FUTURE," he insisted, the determination in his voice tangible. I nodded, unable to form a coherent sentence as I hurried out, praying he wouldn't lose me. 

Next morning Ella opened the door, her heart racing at the unexpected sight of him. "MR STERLING! WHAT A SURPRISE! I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D COME HERE PERSONALLY"... Alex's warm smile lit up the dim hallway. "I HAD TO FIND YOU, ELLA...THE MOMENT I SAW YOU DANCE , I KNEW YOUR TALENT AND PASSION WERE SOMETHING SPECIAL. YOU DESERVE TO SHINE, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU FULFILL YOUR DREAMS."  His words washed over her like a tide of hope, and she felt her throat tighten as emotion swelled within her. "REALLY? YOU MEAN IT ? THIS IS....WOW , THIS IS SO BIG FOR ME!" He nodded, sincerity reflecting in his emerald eyes. "YOU HAVE THE FIRE, ELLA. I  WANT TO SEE YOU LIGHT UP THE STAGE, NOT JUST HERE, BUT EVERYWHERE. YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AS MUCH AS I BELIEVE IN YOU"... Overwhelmed, she whispered "THANK YOU , ALEX.I WON'T LET YOU DOWN"... With a determined heart, she accepted his offer....

 Soon after joining his dance company, Ella soared into the spotlight, her performances weaving a tapestry of grace and emotion that captivated audiences across Paris. Each standing ovation filled her with a joy she had never known, but it also stirred a pang of surprise among her stepsisters and stepmother. When Anastasia and Drizella glimpsed Ella's success, disbelief turned into a mirror of their own choices.

 One evening, after a particularly triumphant show, Anastasia approached her, a hesitant vulnerability in her voice...."ELLA, I..... I DIDN'T REALISE HOW HARD YOU'VE BEEN WORKING. CAN WE TALK"... Drizella  chimed in, her expression earnest..."WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND WE NEED YOUR FORGIVENESS....MAYBE WE COULD HELP EACH OTHER".. Ella paused, taken aback by their humility. "I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN JUST FORGET THE PAST,"   she replied gently, "BUT I SEE THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO CHANGE. MAYBE WE CAN START FRESH?.  With time, the walls between them crumbled, leading to a newfound respect—an unspoken bond strengthened through shared journeys and struggles. From a life of obscurity to one of prominence, Ella realized that her success wasn't just luck. It was forged through hard work, passion, and the support of those brave enough to recognize her worth. Her journey became a beacon of hope in Paris—proof that with determination and a bit of unexpected help, dreams could indeed take flight.  

And as for Alex and Ella, their connection blossomed beyond the professional. Late-night rehearsals turned into laughter-filled moments, and their shared vision for the future became something deeper. "TOGETHER," Alex said one evening, gazing out at the shimmering skyline, "WE CAN REDEFINE DANCE IN THIS CITY. LET'S MAKE IT SOMETHING THE WORLD HAS NEVER SEEN." Ella smiled, her heart swelling with possibility. "YES, LET'S SET THE STAGE ON FIRE."  With enthusiasm, they stepped into the future, ready to create a legacy as vibrant and dynamic as the city they called home......

                                                                                                                                      - VIOLET....