This Way is an unforgettable, emotional journey of love, resilience, and the uncharted roads that shape our lives. Alina's world is turned upside down when she leaves Georgia and heads to New York, chasing a dream while battling the shadows of her p...
Nothing, absolutely nothing, could have prepared me for this moment. My life unfolded in ways I never could have anticipated, each twist and turn shaping me into who I am today. Looking back, it feels like a whirlwind of choices, experiences, and emotions, all woven together in ways both beautiful and unexpected. And now, standing here, I realize that if given the chance, I would do it all over again. Not because it was perfect, but because I would want to relive every moment—just to be able to say "I do" again, with the same heart, the same love, and the same conviction.
It had been a year since I graduated, and I still remembered sitting in the kitchen, locked in yet another argument with my dad about my future. My decision to take a gap year wasn't just controversial—it made my whole family look down on me, like I was wasting my life. To them, it was irresponsible, but I refused to follow the same path everyone else seemed to be on. I didn't want to be just another girl spending thousands of dollars on a degree, only to realize years later that she hated her job, buried in student loan debt with no way out. No, that wasn't going to be me.
I told them all I had different plans, that I was going to move to the big city—New York. They laughed in my face, told me I'd never make it and that I'd probably end up homeless on the streets. Their words stung, but I didn't care. I was determined. I worked hard, saved up every dollar I could, and as soon as I had enough, I booked a one-way ticket and flew straight out of Georgia. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once, but I knew deep down this was my chance to create the life I wanted, no matter what anyone else thought.
One night, I found myself in an audition room, the fluorescent lights flickering above, making the whole place feel more like a hospital waiting room than a space for dreams. I stayed up all night, rehearsing routines over and over again until my muscles screamed and my stomach churned like I might throw up. My hair stuck to my sweaty neck, my legs wobbled beneath me, but I refused to give up. I forced myself to smile, adding a little cheeky wink here and there, hoping my charm would make up for the exhaustion settling into my bones.
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I gave everything. I danced like my life depended on it, because in a way, it did.
Finally, the moment came. The casting director, a stern-looking woman with sharp red glasses, called out, "Number 47, you can leave now."
I froze. Those words hit me like a punch to the gut. Leave now? I blinked, my mind scrambling to process what she just said. Rage and humiliation boiled up inside me, threatening to spill over. I felt my face flush, but I swallowed it down, not wanting to let them see me break. I grabbed my bag, my fingers trembling as I shoved my shoes into it, biting my lip hard enough to taste blood just to keep the tears at bay.
I couldn't believe it. After all that, after everything I'd sacrificed, it came down to those five words.
I stormed out of the room, barely noticing the other dancers still rehearsing or the assistants scribbling notes. As soon as I hit the street, the cold, rainy New York night slapped me in the face. I kept my head down, my hair sticking to my damp forehead, and started walking aimlessly, my feet sloshing through the puddles on the sidewalk. I didn't care. I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and cry like I had done so many times before.
