What it's like to be a Cherry Blossom

Chapter 9: The Nutcracker

It's been a few weeks since the first day of classes. The other girls and I have grown close, and I think I can safely say that we've become close friends. But something is missing, we aren't exactly intimate.

Maiko is my closest best friend, we can both sit there in silence without it being awkward, or we can question life and gossip here and there, but after the first day of ballet, her past at HCSA is a touchy topic. Whenever I mention it, she flinches and changes the topic. She's definitely intimidated by Sophia, but not Colette. It's more like awkwardness coming from the French ballerina.

Luna is someone I tend to seek advice from. She just seems so easy going and mature, and so far, her advice has been incredibly helpful. She's fun to be around, but I don't really like what she did to her hair. Those teal tips of her hair subtracts her attractiveness meter. And let's be honest, she's very hot. Not that I'm into girls or anything, but she has a pretty face and a hot "mature & sexy" body, and it's kinda embarrassing being Vale's dorm-mate, who is the next level of beautiful.

Then Valentina has this weird aura that I'm extremely attracted to, not romantically or anything, she's extremely beautiful and confident. I wish I could be like her. But most importantly, I wish I could spend more time with her. Even though she's part of the preforming arts program, Vale is a singer, and I'm a dancer, so I don't get to hang with her much. Plus, it's extremely annoying how boys always go up to her and ask her out or use stupid pick-up lines. Not that I'm jealous though, I guess it's just the curse that comes with being attractive.

Faiza is super sweet, but she's shy and a little reserved. But once you're able to pull her out of her shell, she's silly in a good way. As a fashion designer, she always has her sketch pad (or iPad Pro) with her, and even though her designs are beautiful, they are quite... different. Half of the designs are completely normal for US standards, but the other half of her designs are Pakistani/Indian clothing. And she really has something for wedding Saris. She keeps sketching them, while holding one of her lockets, which I haven't been able to see what's in them.

And then I can completely positively say that Clara and I are the least close. There's a little tension between her and me when we're together, all because we have very different opinions of things, and we both have a strong attitude. When we're not discussing (which happens rarely), we're pretty chill and talk girl stuff, she that typical friend that you can talk about boys, makeup, fashion (but Faiza is so much better at fashion advice), etc.

As for school, it's hard. Not only do I have to put up with Colette and Sophie's attitude, academics at HCSA is hard. It's one of the best schools in the Americas, which is a lot of pressure for us students representing her and stuff.

Back to my social life.

The boys here are cute, but none of them have exactly caught my eye, on the other hand, a few girls are head-turners, like Vale... what's wrong with me? Anyway, I've made myself friends with the other dancers. Miss Jasmine teaches us hard choreography, and we always stay after class trying to help each other. And the best part of this is how all my fellow dancers are so different!

Beside the fact the there is some age difference, there are students from all over the world. There's a couple from Europe —Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Ireland, Russia (just one senior, and her younger sister is a singer and both of them are super sweet), France (ugh Colette and some other nice kids), England... Italy (!!!)— some others from Asia, Africa (it's pretty cool), and Oceania (mostly Australia and New Zealand). It's really diverse, and all the different types of ballet are really cool, yet almost everyone uses the same words to name steps.

One day, Miss Jasmine burst into the classroom a few minutes late with a bunch of flyers and sign-up sheets. She quickly walked to the front, sitting right in the middle of the mirror, asking us to sit down.

"As most of you know, every year, our school gives the opportunity to the Preforming Arts program to prepare a show to raise money and entertain the school body and families. This year, like all the years before, we will be dancing to The Nutcracker! All dancers from ballet will have the opportunity to audition and take place in this fun end-of-the-year project! Auditions will be held on October seventeenth, so you have a little less than a month to decide what roll you want to audition for and practice!" Our teacher announced, passing around flyers.

As we warmed up for our lesson, nobody could stop chattering about the show. The older ballerinas seemed more relaxed than the newer ones, clearly thanks to their experience, but everyone buzzed with excitement.

"I can't wait to audition as Clara! It'll be so much fun!" Amber, one of the newer Irish ballerinas, exclaimed.

"Same here! But I'm kinda nervous..." another girl said, stretching happily.

"Ugh. As if they'd choose you two." Colette said cockily, shattering the other two ballerina's dreams. "In fact, they won't choose anyone who isn't moi. I'm the best, after all! Why choose newbies over an experienced ballerina?"

"Says who? Last time I checked, you got scolded at by Miss Jasmine because you were fooling around and whining on how you couldn't land one of the jumps we were practicing a few days ago!" I mocked, earning a few giggles from the other girls. Colette just looked down, as Sophie shot me a cold glare with her big hazel eyes.

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A/N

Hi everyone! I'm baaaaaaack

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee😝

Missed me? I hope so! Sorry for posting this chapter super late, school got in the way, like it usually does (stay in school kids! It's good for you)

This chapter took a while because I wasn't sure what I wanted it to be, so I re-wrote it a lot. But now because it's winter break (yeeeey) I hope I can post soon!

But anyway, hope you enjoyed it, don't be shy and vote & comment! Until next time💕...