Striving for Greatness: A Vladimir Chigvintsev Story

22

The day has come. Maks and I are standing in the airport awaiting our plane ride home to America. It has been four long weeks away from our families. I'm sure during our week off before my training begins wih Maks, I am not going to see him at all. I need to focus on my dad and brother and he will want to be with Peta and Maddox.

"Flight 232 Paris to New York City, is now boarding" the announcement was made.

Maks and I grabbed our bags and then began approaching the gate when suddenly, the person I was least expecting to see came running up to us.

"I am so glad I caught you." Julian said "I didn't know you were leaving today. "

"Yeah.." I said confused. "Maks this is Julian, Penny's partner.."

Maks nodded and shook his hand.

Julian struggled to catch his breath and when he finally did he spoke again.

"Penny heard from her father that Artem was willing to train us. I want to know, is it true, is he really willing?"

I hadn't even talked to my father about it, in the last week I had totally forgotten about the offer I had made Jacque.

"Yes, but.. your father.." I said

"I don't care about my father." He shook his head. "I care about dance, I care about Penny. I know that if we want to win we need someone like your father to coach us. Penny and I have decided with his approval that we will come to America. To train."

Maks took out his phone and made a call. I assumed he was on the phone with my dad.

"Last call for flight 232, last call!" The final announcement was made. If Maks didn't hurry up and convince my dad to agree to this, Maks and I were going to miss our flight.

"Artem agreed." Maks said and Julian silently celebrated to himself. He was happy, to him Artem Chigvintsev is his idol, I can't imagine what that must feel like to be able to meet and train with someone that important in their life growing up.

I have been around Maks and Artem my whole life. They are my idols for different reasons.

We said 'see you soon' to Julian and then rushed to get on the plane before the doors closed. We made it by a split second and hurried to get in our seats.

"He said he is going to have a word with you when we return though for volunteering him, Vlad.." he warned me. I got uneasy. Did he agree to it but not feel the passion for it? That could be worse than returning..

"..but," Maks said "I could tell he was really happy.. excited even. Artem is back."

Hearing those words humbled me a bit. 'Artem is back.' I now will have competition, my father is a greater dancer than Maks is. I don't know that I will be apart of the best team come spring, but I will work my butt off every step of the way to prove myself, despite this new dream team I had just created.