Reaching for the Moon {Revamping}

Chapter Seven: It's Not a Date, Just a Friendly Dinner

Chapter Seven: It's Not a Date, Just a Friendly Dinner

"Where did you learn to dance like that?" the woman at the door asked. She looked truely interested so instead of feeding her a lie, I told her the truth.

"Um, I used to live in New York and I used to sneak into Rachel Sommer's studio..." I winced. "I taught myself a lot and I wasn't enrolled in any classes there. I used the observation side of the studio so that I could see the classes but they couldn't see me."

"I danced with Rachel at Julliard, she's a close friend of mine. She'd would be delighted to know about this," The woman's eyes danced with amusement.

"She already knows," I smiled. "It turned out that she's my aunt."

"That's a new one," she smiled. "Do you know who I am?"

"No," I looked at the youngish woman.

"I would be Cher Romane," a small smile formed on her face as I recognized her.

"No way! You're who Rachel was talking about! She was supposed to ask you to evaluate me so that she knew whether or not to enter me in competitions," I breathed in astonishment.

"I did get her message, and I have to say, after that performance there is no doubt that with a few tweaks that will be your song to compete in the first competition," she told me.

"Seriously?" My mouth gaped open.

"Seriously. When do you have gym?" she asked.

"Sixth block," I told her without even having to think.

"Then I suggest that you come here instead of gym class and come here on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after school. I'll send an email to the office to request your schedule change," Cher advised. A wide grin spread across my face and on impulse I hugged her,

"Thank you so much!" I wanted to cry from being so happy.

"You have a lot of talent, but you've never had a real instructor, so we have a lot of technique to work on. It'll be hard if you want to get into Julliard and be a solo dancer on the American Ballet Theatre. Most girls have gone to professional schools by know in order to have every second of hard rigours training that they can. I can tell you do a lot on your own, although what I'lll put you through will never compare to the hardest physical thing you've ever done," she warned me. I was definitely up for the challenge. I would do whatever it took in order to achieve my dream. This was all I'd ever really dreamed of. Apparently, this meant we'd be starting right away. I texted my Dad to let him know I'd be alot later than usual coming home. She sent me to the bar to rewarm up and teach me exactly what I'd be doing every day. I did stretches at the barre, on the floor, pliés, and every foot position known to ballet and rises.

Dad told me he'd pick me up when I was done, so I texted him and then walked out to the front steps. It was chilly and the leaves were slowly starting to turn, I noticed and sat down on the flagstone steps. Eli and Cher walked past me talking in low voices. He sent me a glare as he got into the car. Then it dawned on me, he saw.The day had been cloudy already, but now there was a breeze to go with it. Dad pulled up to the front of the school and I scrambled to my feet.

"You're a dancer?" he asked flatly. I nodded slowly. "Please tell me you're at least better than Isobelle Mecatti?"

"Well, is Isobelle dancing on pointe?" I asked. He looked at me blankly. "Toe shoes?"

"Oh. No, she's not," he grimaced.

"Well, I am, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm better. You'd have to ask Cher Romane. She's private teaching me as a class during school and after school, and Rachel is going to help too," I admitted.