For the Love of Ballet

Chapter 1

Being a ballerina has always been a dream of mine since I was a child. Seeing the production of Swan Lake with my parents when I was eight, was a real eye opener. Ever since that night, I begged parents to sign me up for ballet lessons. I never thought that one day my dream would have come true, but it has. Now I was entering in my third year in the most prestigious ballet school in the whole country, L' amour de Ballet Academy. Was it out of pure luck? Sometimes I feel that I was lucky.

I was getting my suitcases out of my father's car when someone wrapped their arms around my waist, "Missed me?"

Turning around I squealed and wrapped my arms around my boyfriend's neck, "Oh my... Ezra I missed you so much!"

"Me too babe, now let me help you with your belongings," he leaned in and gave me a quick peck on the lips and waved at my father who politely nodded and went inside his car and drove off.

"You're father doesn't like me, huh?" Ezra commented as he got my stuff.

"I wouldn't say he's a big fan of you. After all, you're dating his only daughter," I winked.

He chuckled as we walked inside the school. Many students were getting imside their dorms and chatting away how their summer break was. Beside being a ballet school filled with ballerinas and danseurs, it acted like any school filled with teenagers. Ezra and I tried to walk down the very crowded hallways. I smiled when we reached the sixth floor. Most of the walls were made out of glass, that gave a spectacular view of the city. If it looked amazing during the day, it would look beautiful at night.

I began to search for my dorm number, "Hmmm... 601, 602, 603. Ah, 604!"

I quickly swiped my room card and walked inside, with Ezra following behind. He let a sound of relief as he dropped my bags on the floor. He wiggled his eyebrows and pulled me to him. Our kisses turned into passionate ones. A moan escaped my lips, making Ezra chuckle. I playfully smacked him and we let go.

"So how was your summer?" Ezra asked.

"Oh you know, enjoying the California weather in the summer. Being home was great, but I missed you," I told him as I sat on his lap.

"I missed you as well. During winter break you're so coming with me to Dublin," he kissed my cheek.

We gazed into each other's eyes, until someone cleared their throat.

"Am I interupting anything?" an all too familiar voice said.

"Anabelle!" I jumped out of Ezra's lap and went to hug my best friend.

"Someone missed me," she laughed.

"Of course! How was your break?"

"Oh you know, I love my beautiful Canada! But I'm glad to be back, I can't wait to start! Have you practiced?"

"Yes! I can let myself fall behind, especially after head ballet mistress Emily was on me non stop."

"Didn't you both hear?" Ezra got in the conversation, "Madame Emily got transfered to France. We have a new head ballet mistress."

Anabelle and I both looked at him in surprise. In the news letter that got sent, it didn't say about a new head mistress.

"Yeah, apparently our new head mistress is none other than Veronica de Luc!" Ezra explained, "Remember her tragic accident. Well she's retired now and what I hear, she isn't to happy to be here..."

"Well, her career was cut short... is she still in a wheel chair or finally walking?" I asked my boyfriend.

"No one has seen her babe, but I hear shes walking with a cane. We have an assembly in the dining hall in like fifteen minutes," he said while checking his phone.

We got out of the dorm and made our way to the dining hall in the center of the academy. Ezra stealing a couple kisses, while Anabelle ocassionally rolled her eyes. The academy was remodeled. It looked so sophisticated. Glass walls, and beauiful decorates dry walls. Pictures of few famous ballerinas and danseurs hung up. It had a modern art kind of atmosphere.

We finally reached to huge double wooden doors. Many students were already sitted down by year level. We sat down next to a couple of students our level. They were talking about the new head mistress.

The chatter died down as the faculty entered the dining room. All of the mistresses and masters dressed in the latest fashion trends. They all awaited for the head mistress to come in. Just before anyone had a moment to think, the double doors opened and there stood a young woman. She wore a long black flowing skirt. A black polka dot, long sleeve blouse, that hung on her loosely. Her golden brown hair was in a very tight looking bun, and her right gripped on a black cane. She looked beautiful, though she looked a lot older, she was only twenty-three. No one in the right mind dared to speak as she slowly walked down the dining room. She looked ellegant as ever.

A ballet master helped head mistress, Veronica de Luc up the stairs. Her face looked pained as she stepped each stair. People watched her intently. She thanked the master and stood in front of the podium. She took a few deep breaths before speaking.

"Welcome fellow ballerinas and danseurs! Another marvelous school year is ahead of us," she began.

A few students began to cheer, but quickly stopped and let head mistress Veronica speak.

"I want to make this school year productive. So, all third and fourth years... this is an important year for you all. Ballet companies will come in search for new dancers and what better way than the spring production. You will all get vote this week and next week, I'll be informing which production you'll all be doing."

People around started whisper which productions to do. Anabelle beemed excitement, of all the productions, I knew which one she wanted to do.

"Swan Lake," she whispered.

I quickly shook my head, "No! That's going to be awkward after... well, you know what."

She looked over to wear headmistress Veronica stood. She was patiently waiting for everyone to stop their chatter. I think doing the production of Swan Lake was really disrespectful, since it was the production Veronica de Luc injured her hip and cost her, her career. Veronica's light green eyes oozed sadness. As if she noticed my stare, she turned around and looked me straight in the eyes. Not wanting to embaress myself any longer, I faced Anabelle who gave a sad smile.

"You okay babe?" Ezra asked.

"Uhm, yeah I guess," I lied.

The talking died down moments later, and Veronica was now sitting down, "Well that's it for now, and wish you all a productive school year. Dinner will be served at six o'clock."

People walked backed to their dormatories. Ezra gave me a quick peck good bye, before heading to his dormatory. Anabelle and I gossiped about the different events that happened during the summer. It was great to have my best friend back, it was a tad boring without my partner in crime.

Not much happened after the assembly earlier. A few students were still shocked that Veronica de Luc was in charge now. Many ballet mistresses and masters asked her what it was like to work for The Ballet Theatre, I guess they were shocked as well. It was finally nine o' clock in the evening and I laid on my bed. The Moody Blues, "Nights in White Satin" played through my headphones. I gently closed my eyes and imagined myself dancing in a huge stage, with people all over the world watching me. It was a huge dream of mine, but I doubt it would ever happen to me.

"Good night Dania," Anabelle yawned, "Got to wake up early. Class starts at eight o' clock sharp."

"I know, good night Ana," I yawned back as well. I slowly drifted off to sleep not caring if I still had my headphones on.