Dancing in the Dark

13. Dancing through Summer

Life can be full of wonder, but it is also full of distractions.
That's what I did to keep myself happy. I kept myself distracted.
Dancing was that key.

To find a distraction, it is too find something you love to do. To put your heart and soul into it, your love and time.

The rewards are marvelous and you should be proud of them, but even prouder for the effort you put into it.

It is a long and tedious journey, it can break you even, but I promise, my darling, it is worth it. No matter what you strive for, it is worth it.

Because you are worth it. Every tear, every scream, every smile, you are worth it.

May 2018
"I am Milla, I am your instructor." Came the strong french accented voice. Milla was a tall and lean dancer, retired from performing and now, a teacher. "From this moment until your final bow at the end of the performance in September, you all belong to me." She stated, her voice loud and clear.

"I will be working the main parts of this performance. Belle, Gaston and Beast, step forward." She told us and I took a step closer to her with Peter and Pierre.

"You three, know each other well. The next four months, you three will be on call, none stop. I dont care if its lunch time, or if it's two in the morning." Milla continued. "Any spouses or other commitments that either of you have ceases at this moment. You will not be rushing out of here any time soon. You will start every morning, in this room at six in the morning, you will not be leaving here till seven at night."

I took a deep breathe. I knew right from the start what I will be getting myself into.

"You're diets will consist of nothing but fresh fruit, water and steamed vegetables everyday. Brown rice and wholemeal pasta also. Plus a decent amount of protien and iron so plenty of meat. I don't care if you get ill. You will practise. Everyday. Sun up to sundown. Am I clear?"

All of us nodded, standing still and straight.

"Excellent. My three, with me. The villagers, next door to Cordelia and the furniture, across the hall to Marie and Antonio." Milla ordered. When there was just myself, Milla, Pierre and Peter, we started.

"Right, I will begin at the end. We will start of with Gaston and Beast, fighting, while you Belle, you will be in the background.

We practised non stop for five hours before we got a break for food.

It went on for weeks, like this. Non stop rehearsals. After every practise, I found myself in the toilets, hurling back up water and I wasn't the only one.

Many of us were pushed to the limits, our muscles protested but we all continued like we weren't going to be sick. We had to.

July 2018
"And go." Milla screamed through the megaphone. We were at the scene where Gaston rallied the town together to kill the beast.

I watched from the sidelines, already done with my dance in this section.

He had just started rehearsing on the stage a week ago.

"No!" Milla screamed. "Left forward, right back!" She yelled at one of the dancers. "I cannot make it any more simpler. From the top. Belle!"