ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟐.𝟎𝟑- 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞'𝐬 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢 ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

Monday, October 31st, 2011- Halloween. The day had crept up on Emily without much warning, hidden beneath the constant demands of dance practice and rehearsals. She had barely thought about the holiday with everything else going on, but now that it was here, she felt a spark of excitement. Halloween was a chance to break away from the usual routine, to dress up, and just be a kid.

She had managed to put together a costume despite her busy schedule. This year, she was going to be a princess- a classic choice, but with a twist. She'd chosen a vibrant red and gold gown and a crown that glittered like real jewels. It was fun and a little different from the typical ballerina costume she wore for dance recitals. Emily looked forward to feeling like a different person, even if just for a night.

Katie, her mom, wasn't able to take her trick-or-treating this year because of her pregnancy. Emily understood, of course, but it was still a bit of a bummer. She was used to her mom being there for Halloween. Ezekiel had offered to take her along with the twins, but Emily politely declined. She loved spending time with her almost siblings, but this year she wanted to do something different.

When Melissa had asked if Emily wanted to join her and her daughters, Maddie and Mackenzie, for trick-or-treating, Emily had jumped at the chance. It sounded like a lot of fun, and she hadn't spent much time with Maddie outside of dance lately. It would be nice to hang out without worrying about routines or competitions. Plus, she knew that the Zieglers would have a blast- Melissa always went all out for holidays.

Molly, on the other hand, had made plans of her own. She was going to a haunted house with a bunch of friends, and she seemed excited- more so than Emily had seen her in a while. Molly had been going through a bit of a rebellious phase lately, sneaking out and pushing boundaries, but tonight she was just a teenager enjoying Halloween. Emily was happy to see her sister looking forward to something.

Derek had also made plans; he was going to a sleepover at his friend's house. It was a bit of a tradition for him and his friends to stay up late watching scary movies, eating too much candy, and telling ghost stories. He'd been looking forward to it for weeks.

As the afternoon wore on, Emily began to get ready. She carefully slipped into her princess costume, adjusting the gown so it sat just right. She added a little glitter to her cheeks and smiled at her reflection. Tonight was going to be fun. For once, she didn't have to think about dance or school- just candy, costumes, and Halloween fun.

Melissa arrived at the house right on time, her car pulling up into the driveway with Maddie and Mackenzie already in costume. Maddie was dressed as a witch, complete with a tall black hat and a broomstick she had decorated with purple ribbons. The broomstick had been from a witch dance they did as little kids. Mackenzie, the youngest, was a cute little pumpkin, her costume puffy and orange with a green stem hat that sat adorably on her head.

"Emily!" Melissa called out cheerfully from the car. "Are you ready?"

Emily grabbed her trick-or-treat bag, a small pumpkin-shaped one she had picked out, and rushed to the door. "Coming!" she replied, feeling a surge of excitement.

As she hopped into the car, she was greeted by Maddie and Mackenzie's cheerful giggles, "You look amazing!" Maddie exclaimed, eyeing Emily's costume with admiration. "I love the crown."

Emily smiled, feeling a little shy but happy at the compliment, "Thanks! You look great too. I love the ribbons on your broomstick!"

Melissa glanced back at the girls from the driver's seat, her face lighting up with a warm smile, "Alright, everyone ready to go get some candy?"