The Dying Swan

Chapter 3

June 4, 2042

(11:00 a.m) 

"And now children we shall warm up." Alina stated as she watched the girls and boys line up along the barre. 

All of them had looks of excitement on their young and innocent faces. She could easily see most of them were very excited that an actual ballerina is going to instruct them today. All of them were still young enough to not understand how serious dancing is. All of them have to deal with the idea that one day that not all of them will become professional dancers. 

Heart break is something all dancers have to get used to. Although Alina had moved up quickly through the ranks, she still had to deal with the fact that some of her friends had still not managed to get out of the corps de ballet and many of them never would. Though in the world of professional ballet, you were never supposed to make friends, she still had managed to make a few along the way. 

"Now lift your right leg even with the barre," She stated as the children did as she said. 

Most of them had managed to do so except for a three boys and one girl who could not manage to get their leg as high as the barre. She would have to straighten them later on if they could not do as she instructed them to do. These children would more than likely have been kicked out of her class if these student's parents had not paid for these lessons. 

Alina had decided to teach a few classes while here in America because she wanted to see how the younger children of the country were studying to become professional dancers. She had learned that most of them had only come to class because their parents had wanted them to be social. 

She walked along the line of the children stopping at the children who could not get their leg even with the barre. She pulled one of the boy's legs up and held him in place with the barre for a few seconds before making sure he had the right posture. The young boy seemed to be surprised that she had been so physical with him on instructing him, as if his instructors had never physically corrected him on the right posture. 

"Very good now keep that leg even," She instructed trying her best not to let her frustration show.

Alina did not like children for the most part, their innocence was something to be admired. However, at this age she was not innocent to pain and people making fun of her. She had to deal with it, she had to get a good job in order to have anything in the world. Even if it meant skipping lunch and dinner just to practice she would do it at the age of eight. 

The children were all quiet as she told them to do a demi-plie in fifth position. Most of them were quite well with this, however, still many of them were still not using proper position of the feet for this. Alina walked up and down the rows of the children to make sure all of them were in at least correct fifth when they returned. 

All of them were at least that, though many had little smiles on their faces of excitement that they had done something right. Or at least they thought so, many of them still had not mastered the art of remaining stone faced while warming up. 

After the warm up was over the children all looked to Alina for instruction as their innocent faces became looks of admiration. Most of them were smiling while a few made proper direction to the teacher. She made sure to keep them quiet as she instructed them on the fine points of dance and working hard. 

Though the students were far too young at this point to understand that many of them were simply too fat to ever become professionals. Or there were just parts of their bodies that were just not right for ballet, many of them still believed they had a chance to be a principal dancer in the future. What poor children? 

"Um... Miss Alina?" A student said interrupting her train of thought as she began to discuss the difficulties of dancing en pointe. 

"Yes,?" Alina asked trying to keep her accented English to a low. 

"Are you married?" The female student asked innocently. 

"No, I am not married." She replied. "In the world of ballet you most leave personal matters behind you. If you are in love yet you want to dance you most give up the love to succeed in their company."

"Do you have kids?" Another one of the children asked.

"No," She replied. "I do not have children. Children will cut your chances of ever being a principal dancer to zero."

The children looked surprised by the fact that Alina had been so open with the children. Even when they were just asking innocent questions she replied to them with the answer that she had grown up with. No children, no boyfriends or girlfriends, no friends, and above all no one outside yourself is important. 

"But don't you want kids?" A young girl asked. "Don't you like us at least?"

"Of course I like all of you." Alina replied. "And no I do not want children, I have too much work to do and I cannot have a child until I am ready and married at least."

Alina did not bother to answer any more questions the rest of class unless they had to do with her career or ballet in general. The children were more interested in hearing about her personal life for some reason. She lived with her mother, was that not enough for them?

She did not know why on earth she had agreed to teach a class filled with whiny brats, but whatever the reason was. It only justified her decision to focus herself only on ballet nothing more, even that film wasn't important to her in that moment. 

And as she watched the children leave with their parents at the end of the class period, she could not help but feel better that she had other things at least besides ballet that she could do. Alina pulled out her phone and dialed the number of Martin Lord. 

"Hello?" Mr. Lord said on the other end of the phone. 

"Yes, Mr. Lord," Alina said. "I was going to tell you that I finished the movie last night and it was very scary and very good. I am interested in starring in your remake." 

Mr. Lord did not answer right away instead he simply put her on hold while he more than likely ran off to get the contracts he needed. It was the perfect escape though for her, no matter if it took years she would not be a ballerina for the rest of her career... she was going to be an actress. 

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So I know this was really freaking' short but hey I have an upload! I told you that as soon as crestfallen was finished that I would get this up so here you are. Nothing really horrific this chapter or the next so just be prepared! 

Comment, vote, and review please! :)