Barbie Transformation

You deserve to be noticed

My heart beat accelerates.

What do I do? I swiftly turn around, the scissors and my wrist behind me while I put on a fake smile, "Hi Hunter... I was just going to have some toast. Did you want?" I point my right hand at the bread on the island table.

He shakes his head a progresses towards me, "How'd you get in?" He asks and I shrug, "The door was unlocked."

When he reaches in front of me, he stops and examines my face. Touching my cheek, he frowns, "Have you been crying?"

I nod a little, "I don't want to talk about it now." I push the thoughts away and stare up at Hunter.

He gives me a sad smile and speculates my attire, "aren't you cold? It's like twelve degrees outside..." He asks me, finally walking away. I let out the breath I was holding and think about it, am I cold?

Well my heart is... "Yeah, could I borrow a jumper please?" I ask Hunter and he nods and rummages through his suitcase.

With my hands casually behind my back, I walk towards him. When he hands me an oversized navy hoodie, I grab it with my right hand and turn around to slip it on so he doesn't see my bleeding left wrist.

Hunter is my saviour, not because he just gave me a hoodie that smells like him, but he's my saviour for a lot of reasons. He's always here for me, he cares for me in a way that no other does. He's my light, he's the ignition of my world; without him I would have killed myself already.

All of that hope I used to carry when I was a child is completely gone now. The only remaining hope that I have is Hunter.

"So I was wondering if maybe we could go watch a movie?" Hunter asks me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I turn in his arms to face him properly and I sigh, "I'm sorry Hunter, I'm just not in the mood. I have a few things to do too..."

"At seven at night?" He questions and I shrug, "Yeah..." I lie.

I've decided what future I want and I want to tell Mrs Garcia as soon as possible. Hopefully she's in the dance studio at the moment.

I silently leave Hunter in his dorm as I venture down the stairs. When I reach the studio, I open the doors to reveal Mrs Garcia.

Sighing in relief, I make my way over to her. "Mrs Garcia?" I ask politely and she lifts her head and smiles at me, "Emmerson, darling, what can I do for you?" She questions and my shoulders slump, "I've decided that... I've decided that New York just isn't for me. I love ballet, I really do, but I just don't belong here." I half-lie.

I love New York, I would live here forever if I could but I just can't be in the same college as my half-brother. It just doesn't feel right. Everything is now... Awkward and distrustful.

Mrs Garcia frowns, "that's so disappointing, love. You really are a talented dancer. You do know that the lead role will be going back to Gloria, right?" She explains, hoping that jealousy might change my mind.

"I understand." I say in a monotone and she sighs, "So where will you be going?"

"Rivendale." I surprise myself by saying. It wasn't my plan to go back there but now that I've stood up to Max, I feel a lot of relief on my shoulders. I can finally go home without worrying about sitting on that lounge chair. I can eat sweet and sour chicken without feeling vile rise in my throat. I can do so many things that I was afraid would bring back memories.

But now I'm stronger; his shadow doesn't haunt me and so I can finally live my life without holding back.

"Rivendale? Oh, I do love it there. I know a few people there- Actually..." Mrs Garcia changes the subject, "There's a ballet instructor I used to work with that lives in Rivendale. She teaches young students in primary but perhaps she could tutor you too?" My eyebrows scrunch together, "Mrs Garcia, I don't mean to be rude but why do you want me to do ballet so badly?" I ask and she grins.

"Emmerson, you have a lot of potential. I made you the lead role because you have something special. It's not because of your flexibility, your structure nor your weight. I think it's your strength. When you first stepped into this studio, I think everyone felt your presence. You have this monumental appearance where everyone just has to look at you. It's very hard to explain, my dear, but if only you could see what I can; A beautiful, strong lady. You look almost fragile but yet your heart and feet are so strong. It's beautiful." Mrs Garcia explains.

I'm flabbergasted, really. I haven't heard anyone make a speech like that for me. It makes me feel very special.

"Thank you Mrs Garcia, that's very nice of you to say." I thank her and she shakes her head, "no need to thank me, darling. But if you are interested in ballet, please go and see Mary Brown. There's a national competition coming up soon and I would love for you to try and participate. You deserve to be noticed."

She writes down a phone number and an address on a small note and passes it to me, "Mary Brown's details. Thank you for coming to talk to me, Emmerson." Mrs Garcia smiles and I smile back. "Bye!"

You deserve to be noticed.

Along the way back to Hunter's dorm room, I hear a few sniffles and whimpers. I backtrack a little and open a door to see a girl leaning against the bathroom's wall.

"Are you alright, Gloria?" I ask as a few tears drop down her face. She gives me a tiny, nearly invisible smile, "I'm fine."

I frown, "You don't look fine... Tell me what's bothering you."

She lets out a deep sigh, "I work so hard, Emmerson. I've been doing ballet for my entire life. I know this is going to sound rude of me but I'm completely jealous of you. You're beautiful, kind, smart and you dance like you're the only person in the room. Even when I saw you dance with Brody yesterday, you were still the dominant ballerina. I just don't understand. You've never done ballet before and yet you take my role, you take my friend Brody and you turn Mrs Garcia against me." She sniffles and I immediately feel guilty. "I signed up for a ballet competition tonight and I completely failed it. I was trying to imitate the way you did the leap, but I fell to the floor. My entire career is over." She sobs and I pat her back, "it isn't over. It was just a competition, Gloria." I assure her and she shakes her head, "I really needed to win that one. I need it for my CV." She replies and wipes her tears away.

"You don't need that for your CV." I tell her and she frowns, "But it will give me a better job." She sniffs and I smile, "But you already have the best job. You're officially lead role again for the Nutcracker." I inform her and she stiffens and turns to face me, "What?"

"I'm leaving New York. You have the role now." I smile at her. She stares at me with a gobsmacked, alert expression, "You're kidding, right?" She asks and I shake my head, "No."

She wraps me in a huge hug, "Thank you so much Emmerson! thank you! thank you! thank you!" She shrieks in delight, crying at the same time. I laugh and hug her back.

"I can't believe it..." She whispers and lets go of me. "I'm really sorry for being jealous of you." She grins apologetically and I laugh again, "Don't be! I'd be jealous too." We giggle.

Now I need to find Hunter and tell him I'm going back with him to Rivendale...

(A/N: this one was quite boring but I can assure you the next few chapters will be VERY eventful! You won't expect them! OMG 1.2k reads! Wow, thank you! Please spread the word about this book in your books or just tell a few people :) it means a lot to me! Thank you!

M.E x)

Also, of you have any cool ideas for what you want in the book, just message me then and I'll take your ideas into consideration :)