Breaking Pointe

Early Beginnings.

The next morning, the soft glow of early sunlight filtered through the apartment windows, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. The clock on the wall read 7:00 AM, and the place was quiet, only the noise of distant city traffic and the occasional sizzle of eggs cooking on the stove.

Stella leaned over the kitchen counter, cradling her warm coffee mug between her hands. The scent of freshly brewed coffee provided her with much needed comfort. She stared into her cup, her mind drifting as the warmth from the mug seeped into her palms.

Across from her, Alice sat perched on a stool, her dark hair still tousled from sleep, eyes sharp despite the early hour. Bridget stood at the stove, focused on cooking herself scrambled eggs, the spatula in her hand moving rhythmically.

Stella let out a deep breath, breaking the comfortable silence. "I'm feeling anxious today," she admitted, her voice soft. "I can't pinpoint why, but it's there."

Alice exchanged a knowing glance with Bridget before turning her attention back to Stella. "You've got a lot on your plate, Stella," she said gently. "More pressure than ever before."

Bridget nodded in agreement as she moved the eggs around the pan. "She's right. You're in a different league now. It's not just classes and rehearsals anymore—you're being noticed."

Stella looked up from her coffee, meeting their eyes. "But I've been doing this for so long... why is it different now?"

"Because it is different," Alice said, leaning forward slightly. "You're constantly getting stronger and better— if that's even possible. None of us can catch up to you. And you was first student in years who was put in the corps de ballet for an official NYCB show before even graduating. That's a massive deal, Stella."

Bridget chimed in, her voice filled with warmth. "You're special, Stella. You've always been and we love you for it. The teachers see it, the directors see it, and everyone at SAB sees it..." She looked up at Stella, noticing the panic in her expression and chuckled. "That's bound to make you nervous."

Stella took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their words.
She nervously laughed. "Wow, you really know how to somehow make me feel even worse."

The girls laughed seeing her panic about her impressive reputation. Stella knew they were right though. She'd been part of the corps de ballet in the last New York City Ballet show, an honor that was rare for someone so young and still in training. It was everything she had worked for, yet the pressure that came with it was something new, something that settled deep in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

"I guess it's just hit me now," Stella said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "It's not just about the love of dance or learning new skills anymore—it's about proving that I deserve to be here."

Alice reached across the counter, placing a reassuring hand over Stella's. "You do deserve to be here. We've watched you for years and we know you've earned every bit of success coming your way, Stell."

Bridget turned off the stove and brought her plate over to the counter, sitting beside Stella. "And remember," she said, giving Stella a playful smile, "We only panic you about it, because we love you and teasing you makes us very, very happy."

Stella grinned, a small but genuine smile, as she looked at her friends. The anxiety was still there, lingering like a shadow, but it was softened by the support of the two people who knew her best. They had been through so much together, and knowing they believed in her made the weight on her shoulders feel a little lighter.

The crisp September air greeted them as they stepped out of their apartment building an hour later. The morning had a sharpness to it, a freshness. The air hinted at the changing season and the excitement of a new beginning.