Rhythm of the Heart

Ch. 01: A New Arrival

### Chapter 1:  A New Arrival

Summary: Jade Monroe is introduced as a diligent but reserved dancer who constantly compares herself to the academy's top dancer, Mia. Meanwhile, a new student, Noah Carter, arrives at the academy, shaking things up with his unconventional style.

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Jade Monroe stood in front of the full-length mirror, her eyes fixed on her reflection. She adjusted her posture, straightened her shoulders, and forced a smile.

"Focus, Jade," she whispered to herself. The rehearsal room was silent except for the soft creak of the floorboards as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. It was early—too early for most students to be here, but Jade preferred it that way. The quiet gave her space to breathe, to think, to prepare.

Today was a big day. Auditions for the National Dance Championships were coming up in just two weeks, and she was determined to land the solo. It wasn't just about the competition. It was about proving herself—proving that she could be more than just the second-best dancer at Wellington Academy.

Her mind wandered to Mia Blackwell. Perfect Mia, with her flawless technique and magnetic presence. Mia made everything look easy, as if she was born to dance, while Jade felt like she had to claw her way up every single time. Jade shook her head, pushing the thought away. Comparisons wouldn't help her today.

The door to the studio creaked open, and a familiar voice interrupted the stillness.

"Starting early, as always," Mia said with a smirk as she walked in, her long legs and graceful movements filling the space with an effortless elegance. Mia's shiny blonde hair was pulled into a sleek bun, and her designer dance gear made her look like she'd just stepped out of a magazine.

Jade didn't answer, but she felt her muscles tighten. Mia always seemed to have a way of making her feel small, even without saying much.

Mia sauntered over to the mirror and adjusted her bun. "You know, the judges love confidence. It's not just about technique."

"Thanks for the tip," Jade muttered, barely able to suppress the sarcasm in her voice.

Mia raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Just trying to help. But you do you."

The tension hung in the air for a moment before Mia finally stepped back, leaving Jade alone with her thoughts once again. She exhaled slowly, reminding herself that this wasn't about Mia. It was about her—her dedication, her passion, her future.

As Jade stretched her arms overhead, a loud commotion from the hallway distracted her. Laughter, chatter, and the sound of skateboard wheels rolling on the polished floors echoed through the quiet corridors.

"What now?" Jade muttered under her breath. Wellington Academy was strict, and the headmaster, Ms. Davenport, had a zero-tolerance policy for anything that disrupted the school's image. Whoever was making all that noise was asking for trouble.

Curiosity got the better of her, and Jade peeked out into the hallway. A small group of students had gathered around the source of the commotion—a tall guy with messy dark hair, wearing a leather jacket, black jeans, and sneakers that were clearly meant for anything but dancing. He had a skateboard slung under one arm and a mischievous grin on his face.

"Who is that?" Jade whispered to herself.

"He's the new transfer," came a voice from behind her. Jade turned to see Allie, her best friend and fellow dancer, walking up with her usual wide smile. "Just got here from New York. Apparently, he's into hip-hop or something. Can you imagine?"

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Hip-hop? Here?"

Allie nodded. "Yeah, he's supposed to join our dance program. His name's Noah Carter."

Jade studied him for a moment. He was leaning casually against the wall, completely unfazed by the attention he was getting. His whole vibe was the exact opposite of the academy's polished, buttoned-up image. Wellington was known for classical ballet, contemporary dance, and elite standards. How was someone like Noah supposed to fit into that?

"He's not gonna last long," Jade said, crossing her arms.

Allie giggled. "You never know. Maybe he'll shake things up around here."

Jade didn't respond. She wasn't looking for anything to be "shaken up." She liked the structure. She liked control. People like Noah, who seemed to breeze through life without a care, were nothing but distractions.

"Come on," Allie urged, pulling her back into the studio. "We need to practice if we're going to survive auditions."

As the two girls stretched and ran through their routines, Jade's mind kept drifting back to Noah. She didn't know why, but something about him made her uneasy. Maybe it was because he seemed so different from everything she knew. Or maybe it was because a small part of her wondered what it would be like to let go, to dance with the kind of freedom he seemed to embody.

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Later that day, the entire school gathered for their first assembly of the semester. The headmaster, Ms. Davenport, stood at the front of the room, her gray hair pulled back into a tight bun and her sharp eyes scanning the crowd.

"Students," she began, "as you know, the National Dance Championships are fast approaching, and Wellington Academy has always set the standard for excellence. This year will be no different. Auditions for solo and partnered routines will begin next week. I expect all of you to bring your very best."

Jade sat up a little straighter in her seat. This was it. This was her chance to finally prove she could outshine Mia.

Ms. Davenport continued. "We also have a new student joining us this semester. Noah Carter."

There was a murmur in the crowd as Noah stood up, flashing a charming smile at the room. He didn't seem remotely intimidated by the serious faces around him.

Ms. Davenport didn't smile back. "Noah comes to us with experience in... a different style of dance. I trust he will respect the traditions of our academy and integrate himself appropriately."

Jade watched as Noah shrugged, as if to say, "I'll do what I want."

When the assembly ended, students filed out of the auditorium, buzzing with excitement about the upcoming competition. Jade and Allie walked together, but they weren't alone for long. Mia caught up to them, her eyes locked on Jade.

"Ready for auditions, Monroe?" Mia asked with a sly smile. "You know they're not looking for second best this year."

Jade clenched her jaw. "I'm ready."

Mia's smile widened. "Good. I wouldn't want you to get your hopes up."

As Mia walked away, Jade felt a surge of determination rise within her. She was going to win that solo spot, no matter what it took.

Just then, Noah appeared at her side, his skateboard still under his arm. "Hey," he said casually, as if they were old friends. "You're Jade, right?"

Jade blinked, surprised that he knew her name. "Uh, yeah."

"Cool," Noah said, his grin never fading. "I hear you're the one to beat around here."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Depends who you ask."

Noah laughed. "Well, good luck with that." He started to walk away, but then paused and looked back at her. "See you around, Monroe."

As Noah disappeared into the crowd, Jade couldn't shake the strange feeling he left behind. He wasn't like anyone she'd ever met before, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't know what to expect.