En Pointe (Slow Updates)

Chapter 2

A/N: I feel horrible about not posting for such a long time, but here's the next chapter anyway. Please vote and comment.

"Can you believe it?!! Ria, I got in! Juilliard, every dancer's dream!" Mia squealed in my ear as we exited the dance studio.

"Awesome Mia, that's great," I managed to force a smile onto my face. I felt hollow. I wanted that scholarship, no, I needed that scholarship. Dance was my life, there was no way in this life or another that I would ever be able to afford Juilliard, or any other dance school for that matter.

My friend seemed to notice my fake smile, she had known me long enough to learn the difference.

"Oh, Ria. I'm sorry, I know that Juilliard is your dream school and all, but this is huge. I mean, maybe they messed up and haven't contacted you about your scholarship yet. That happens, right?" She had started rambling, again. That always happened when she was nervous, or upset, or angry...you know, she did that an awful lot.

"But I'm sure we could contact them and check" She continued.

I tried to interrupt her "Mia," I called. She continued her rant.

"So we'll need to check what times the office takes calls and get the phone number obviously..."

"Mia," I tried again.

"But I'm positive that this is all-"

I cut her off. "Mia!" I finally yelled, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk.

"I started rambling again, didn't I?" Mia asked dejectedly.

"It's alright Mia, let's just go home, 'kay? I'm tired and we've got school tomorrow."

"Sure, sure thing. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Ria."

She turned left at the "T" in the sidewalk, and I turned right, each of us heading to our respective neighborhoods. I kept on walking, upset with Mia, but not really mad at her specifically. I was mad at Juilliard. I deserved that scholarship, I've worked my tail off since I was seven years old, dreaming of becoming a professional dancer.

I walked up the front steps and turned the key. I opened the door, noticing that the inside of my house was pitch black. That was pretty unusual for my family at this time of night. Normally there was last minute homework being done, the TV was on, my mom was washing dishes, the usual.

I took a step inside the small doorway. "Hello?" I questioned. "Is anyone home?"

"Surprise!" My family yelled, leaping out from whatever obscure hiding spots they had wedged themselves into.

"Ah, mom. C'mon. Why'd you have to go and throw me a party?" I whined, wanting nothing more than to head to my room and be alone with my thoughts.

My mom approached me, a pink sheet came with lit candles in hand. "Of course we threw you a party! It's not everyday that your daughter gets accepted to Juilliard, one of the greatest dance schools ever!"

"Yeah, about that..." I trailed off.

"Shush baby, you don't have to say anything. In fact, you probably need your rest so you can be ready for dance class tomorrow. I'll cut you a slice of cake and send you on up to bed."

I didn't even try to stop her. There's no stopping my mom when she sets her mind to something. I accepted my corner slice of cake (the best slice you could get) and trudged up the stairs to my room.

I set the cake down on my small desk, covered in partially finished assignments. I collapsed onto my bed, not believing how today had gone from hopeful to horrible. As I drifted off to sleep, I tried to figure out a way to break the news to my family. I hoped they wouldn't be too heartbroken, or hopefully, at least not as heartbroken as I felt.