The Punk and the Ballerina

Dreams Coming True

Ari's point of view. May 2008.

A year and a half together. A year and half of forbidden love. A year and a half of sneaking around. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Despite us being a secret, Sebastian had made me feel so loved and happy. His band was getting more popular, playing in nearby towns and getting more popular on MySpace.

My mom was modeling again, signing with a new agency, so that's been keeping her busy. Sebastian and I both had our own cars, which made it hard for my parents to keep me on a tight leash. Just one more month, and we'll graduate and we'll be free.

I hadn't been feeling well. I couldn't keep food down. I thought it was nerves because Sebastian and his band were waiting to hear back from the booking agent from Vans Warped Tour. It had been almost four days and still no word back.

Sebastian was also working on graduating early. He promised his parents, both high school dropouts, that he would graduate high school. With a life changing tour as a possibility, Sebastian was eager to get out of school as early as he could to join the rest of the band (Jeremy was a year older and had already graduated, Cody and Mace both just finished their exams and got their diplomas). With his dyslexia, Sebastian was never a good test taker and I was helping him as best as I could. He passed all his exams so far, just waiting on his English exam, the one he struggled with the most.

I had my audition for NYADA and was being offered a hefty scholarship. Because my father made too much money as a professor, they couldn't offer me a full ride like my parents had hoped for. But Mom was too excited most of tuition was paid for, her dream for me was coming true. I was elated all the years of hard work and dedication had paid off. Soon I would be in New York and dancing, free from my parents' control.

Sebastian called me to meet him at his house. His tone was flat, this had to be bad news. I drove to his house. His used blue Sedan was sitting in his driveway. I remembered our many make out sessions and intimate moments in that Sedan, I smiled as I made my way up the porch.

Before I could open the door, Sebastian swung the door open and picked me up in a hug.

"I passed my English exam! I got an 86!"

Relief filled me. One of our worries was gone. He tricked me, I thought he failed. He kissed me a million times over my face. "I'm so proud of you!"

He finally put me down. "You really are my lucky charm! Ever since you've come into my life, everything has been amazing! I can pick up my diploma tomorrow!"

Sebastian always called me his lucky charm, it still gave me those silly butterflies. I looked down at my butterfly mood ring. Purple. Happy. This guy rarely made my mood ring have sad colors.

"My parents are gonna have a party and want me in the cap and gown. You have to come over tomorrow."

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world." He kissed my lips.

His cell phone rang. He gulped. It must've been the booking agent from Warped. I gave his hands a reassuring squeeze. I hoped he would have more good news. His mom joined us in the living room. We held hands as we waited the verdict.

He answered. A lot of uh-huhs, yeses, and short answers. Hm, that could mean anything. He finally hung up. He turned to us. His face broke into a smile.

"I'm going on tour."

His mom and I screamed. She threw her arms around him. "I'm so proud of you baby! My little rock star!"

I jumped in his arms. "Your dreams are coming true!"

He peppered my face in kisses all over again. These smooches were more intense than the last ones. After almost two years of watching him get rejected, playing at shady clubs, Sebastian was on his way to being a rock star. His band was going to get a once in a lifetime opportunity to play on the Warped Tour. I had such an amazing feeling for him, this was it, his big break. My gut knew it was his time.

Oh no my gut. Nausea took over and I was running to his bathroom. I barely ate anything today, a cheese stick and yet I was barfing again. Maybe I was getting a bug, or maybe I needed to see a doctor for medication for my anxiety.

Sebastian's mother knocked on the bathroom door. "You okay, dear?"

I felt like death but wasn't about to let her know that. I didn't want to ruin the celebratory mood. "I'm fine, must've been something I ate."

Once I was sure nothing else was going to come back up, I flushed the toilet and wiped my face. My face looked so drained. Had I always looked this tired? I came back to the living room. Sebastian's mom handed me a can of ginger ale.

"What's wrong my sweet charm?" Sebastian moved the hair out of my face.

"I think I might be coming down with something, I'll be fine."

"Go home and lay down. I don't want you puking at my graduation/celebration party tomorrow." He kissed my forehead.

I waved goodbye from my car and started the familiar drive home. A sudden wave of sweat poured out of me. God, what was wrong with me? I never felt this sick before. I had to pull over on the side of the road and vomit again. I managed to get home. Thankfully, my parents weren't home. I didn't want to be babied or smothered for some fluke flu.

I went upstairs and crashed in my bed. I had to be getting my period, I told myself. It was unusual for me to be irregular. Nerves, they would go away. All of this was temporary.

Little did I know.

                                                                                            ***

Sebastian's point of view.

I was going to be a fucking rock star. I was going on the Warped Tour. Every single person that doubted me were now going to eat their words raw and I hoped they fucking choked on them.

Ari was there for me every step of the way. I was grateful everyday I was with her. She was more than my lucky charm, she truly made my life better, and me better. I couldn't have done this without her support and push.

What the hell were we going to do when she moved to New York? I shoved the thought away, we would worry about that bridge when we got to it. I needed to concentrate on the now and now was feeling pretty damn spectacular.

Warped Tour, here we come!