Taking Flight

Chapter 1 ~ Renee Goyle School for Performing Arts and Literature

I look up from my phone at the big, ancient building approaching in the distance. The neatly and well manicured hedges surrounding the equally immaculate grounds. I see some students lugging massive suitcases with expensive laptops tucked under their arms, rugged up in massive coats, scarves and beanies. There are other cars parked in the gravel entrance, mostly fancy four wheel drives and SUVs.

Mum turns around from the passenger seat and gives my leg a quick squeeze.

"You'll be fine Essie, just be yourself,"

Of course she says that. Every mother uses the 'just be yourself' line for every big moment in their child's life. Well this is the biggest moment so far and all she can come up with is the generic encouragement?

"Thanks Mum," I smile back. I turn to look back out the window and roll my eyes as I go. I am super scared and I don't think anyone can make the fear go away. I was going to be leaving my parents and living and working and INTERACTING with strangers!

"You know Essie, you shouldn't be worried about this. You should be excited! Pumped! Ready for anything!"

Of course I can count on Dad to make this nerve wracking experience somewhat happy.

"Thanks Dad, I'm just...nervous,"

"Which is totally normal! I remember when I was in your shoes, my first day at this very school. Of course I was completely and utterly petrified, but look where I am now! Happy family, great job and promising daughter. Hard work pays off Esmeralda," Of course Mum has to butt in.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, my name's Esmeralda Chanel Garcia, Essie for short. I come from a big Spanish family on both sides, but I'm American. Today is my first day at the prestigious Renee Goyle School for Performing Arts and Literature. I know, long name right?

I come from a long line of women who have attended this school, including my mother, grandmother, great grandmother...you get the drift. They've all attended the school for the singing part, but I'm breaking tradition as a dancer.

But now I'm making it sound as though I want to be here. Well, I don't.

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As we pull up in the large driveway, a suited young man opens the door for me and helps get out my luggage with Dad.

"Ah, I miss my days here so much Essie. You're going to have the most amazing time!"

"Are you sure about that Mum?" I'm not exactly convinced.

"Sure?! I'm positive! Esmeralda, you can be such a wally sometimes. This school is the best thing that has ever happened to me! Well, apart from you and your siblings, of course," Mum says with a grin.

The Gomez Grin, Abuela calls it. All the girls on Mum's side have it. Our perfect straight teeth poke out nicely from our big, plump lips, topped off with the two massive dimples on our cheeks.

"Your bags, Miss Garcia," Suit-Man says to me as he hands me my oversized tote bag and laptop carry case. Dad takes my two big suitcases and Mum grabs my dance bag.

Laden in bags, we make our way up the marble stone staircase and open the large front doors.

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I'm hit with the sound of hundreds of voices talking all at once. Then a yell erupts from the crowd.

"DANIELA GOMEZ!?!?!"

Everyone in the vast entrance hall goes silent. I feel my cheeks getting redder and redder as I spin around to see a lady running towards my mother, multiple scarves flailing around in the air.

"REBECCA WALTERS!?!?!"

The mystery lady, who I know assume as 'Rebecca Walters' pulls Mum into a tight hug while everyone watches on. I pretend I have no idea what's going on, but that doesn't seem to last long. Soon enough, the unknown arms start advancing on me.

No. No. Please, no.

"And you must be ESMERALDA!!!" she squawks at me.

"Uh...hello,"

"Essie, this is my old friend from my Renee Goyle days, Rebecca. Well, Ms Walters to you,"

"Oh, uh...nice to meet you, Ms Walters," I stutter as she flashes me a wide smile.

"And to you, Ms Garcia. Now, I see you are arriving here at Renee's for the first time, how about I let you skip the queue a little bit and I'll help you around?"

"I-"

"That would be lovely, thank you Rebecca," once again, Mum butts in.

"Mum?" I need to talk to her about this.

"Yes sweetie?"

"Can you please let me have some of my own choices around here?"

"What? Oh, uh yes of course sweetie,"

"Thank you," I huff as we follow Rebecca through the path the crowd has made.