Almost Blind [First draft] / On hold

02

"Tombé, pas de bourreé, assemblé, sous-sus, plié!" words were heard in rhythm spoken in ordering tone, piercing the hallway that connected dance halls in the studio. Lightly squeaky, yet strong voice belonged to lady Sting, ballet instructor, as well as the owner of the particular dance studio. Thin, tall madam, wearing red gown like dress tapped the rhythm with her foot and spat out the instructions to her pupils. Lady seemed fussed, however she managed to keep herself calm until the end of the lesson.

"My, my. You do seem to be right on the clock and not a minute early, so you would join the group practice." She said as one of her pupils nearly ran into her as she stepped out of the hall to the hallway. Young woman in plain black summer dress halt to a stop. She was heading towards the dressing room, but unlucky for her she got caught by her instructor first.

"I am so sorry Madame! My lecture was a bit longer than I expected. I'll do my best to be here sooner next time. As I can't promise that it won't happen again." Answer said in between quick sharp inhales targeted to excuse the little lady as fast as possible, so she could get ready for her dance lesson.

"Eloise." Woman started with light sigh escaping her lips. "I don't mind if you're late. You know that. I am aware that you're in college and that it takes a lot of time from you. But I would appreciate if you'd call or text me to tell that you will be late, so we won't wait for you. After all, we have a show in a month. We have to get ready."

"I know, I know! Next time, I'll text!" Eloise yelled back, bolting down the hallway to the dressing room once again.

Eloise Vincent was a ballet dancer ever since she could remember. Her originally French parents naturally signed her in Lady Sting's dance studio at the age of three and that's where she stayed her entire life. Now at the age of twenty-one she started a solo dancing career under the wing of her old instructor, Madame herself.

Lady Sting often called her the 'Miracle child of ballet' after all it seemed as Eloise was made to be a ballerina. Just as her moves were taught to her, she had a natural eye for grace, beauty and elegance. Her thin and tall structured body along with slightly sharp yet round face features and huge dark eyes, which made her look, like a doll, were only a bonus that helped her with the career.

As a good pupil, Eloise didn't waste time. She changed her clothes quickly and headed towards the dance hall. While walking, she put her long straight hazelnut brown hair into a tight bun. Putting her lips into a little pout Eloise stepped into the hall and start with the warm-up and stretching, before Lady Sting came back and started with their routine.

Eloise adored the old lady and admired her hard work, even at her age. However other people at the studio weren't so fond to her and often called her Lady Devil, behind her back. It was true that her methods were sharp and she demanded discipline in every cell of their body, but that was exactly the reason why Eloise found her so amazing. She couldn't help but to observe the Lady trough her practices. Knowing how she moves, what kind of face she makes when mistake is made or when you do something right, how she fix her grey hair into a bun. Those observations were Eloise's little joys while she did her best to impress her instructor.

"Eloise! Quit spacing out! Pay attention now." Sharp ordering voice pierced young woman's brain and she instantly collected her thoughts and focus on rehearsing.

"That is not how you do it. Look!" She got scolded again, but this time Madame stepped to her and lead her trough the steps.

After an hour of practice, Eloise plopped on the floor in deserved five-minute rest, before finding herself a drink. She took her time, knowing her instructor won't mind and soon slipped into a daydream. Her thoughts spiraled around the upcoming performance because she was told to think about how it will be done. She had the steps, but not the story for it.

Another hour of practice began sooner than expected, sooner than Eloise desired to do so, but she knew how important it is for her and her instructor, that her to have a great performance at the show. Her whole future depended on it.

Girl crashed on the floor once Madame announced that the practice is finally over and handed her a bottle of water. Lady Sting could see the exhaustion in Eloise's eyes, yet she couldn't afford to be soft about it, not now, not at the edge of the breaking point towards the stars for her most valued pupil.

Eloise laid on the floor, for few moments, just to catch her breath, looking as her instructor left the room. Soon after, she got up too and headed to the dressing room. Once she changed her clothes and packed her things, she headed out, hoping to catch Madame before leaving and talk to her about the performance set up. But because she failed to find her, she headed out.

"Eloise?!" Madame yelled and nearly ran after her, before girl could walk out of the studio. "About your performance, how do you feel about violins?" She smirked, taking her hand in her boney old firm, yet gentle grip and lead completely confused woman out of the dance hall and headed to the main performance hall, without further explanation.

NCY