Ballet boy *ON HOLD*

1 - Ballet or books

"Marnie, are you busy?" mum shouted from downstairs, the panic clear in her tone. I was busy reading, but I knew that if I mentioned this to mum, she'd go berserk.

"No, why?" I asked, sliding a bookmark into the book and closing it with a sigh. Slowly, I began to make my way down the stairs.

The scene downstairs was utter chaos. My older brother, Rowan, was throwing things out of the washing machine, screaming about a missing leotard. My twin sister, Rachel, was darting in between people. It looked like she was desperately searching for something, but what, I wasn't sure.

Frequent howls and cries came from the mouth of my little brother Aiden. "I want BLUE ballet shoes," he wailed.

Mum and dad were running from person to person, trying to hurry everyone up. They were both prestigious teachers at the ballet academy, and hated being late to for anything.

In the middle of this melting pot was my littlest sister,Bliss. She was sucking her thumb, and looking down lovingly at her purple ballet shoes. Noticing me standing shell shocked on the stairs, she smiled sweetly.

"D'you like my shoes, Marnie? It's my first ballet lesson today!" She informed me excitedly.

Mum looked up and gave me a sugary sweet smile. "Can you take Bliss to her lesson?" She enquired, while shepherding everyone outside and into the car.

"I suppose I don't have a choice..." I trailed off doubtfully. Mum thanked me profusely, then jumped into the car. They pulled away, and raced down the road. Bliss looked up at me hopefully.

I sighed. "I guess we better start walking."

*•*•*

"Good morning girls; welcome to Centre Stage Ballet Academy!" The manager, Gloria, declared.

Bliss and her fellow aspiring ballerinas had formed a circle around the woman and were listening closely to her every word. Mothers sat around the side of the room, smiling encouragingly at various girls and boys.

I glanced down at my book longingly. The urge to read it was strong, but I didn't want to look like a bad sister. Bliss turned to glare at me, as if to say: don't you dare read it!

Gloria was still speaking, so I decided to tune in.

"Since it is your first ever lesson here, I have arranged for you to be taught by one of our teen stars, Finn Rider."

As if on cue, Finn ran into the room, panting and trying to catch his breath. Gloria's eyebrows were raised sceptically.

"I'm not late, am I?" Finn gasped at her, but Gloria's disapproving look was all he needed. She smiled an icy smile.

"Off you go Finn,"

*•*•*

Within the hour, the kids were spinning around dizzily, trying to perfect the dance routine Finn had just taught them. Bliss giggled, giddy from turning in a circle one too many times. She fell in a heap, suddenly silent.

Quickly, I sprang from my seat, ready to quell any screams, but Finn signalled at me to sit down. He approached Bliss, gently pulling her up from the ground and whispering a few words in her ear. Within moments, she was grinning happily again.

With surprise, I noted than Finn was annoyingly good with children. He spoke encouraging comments when kids needed them the most; he patched up every bump and bruise. He even acted like a chicken to help one girl smile again.

At the end of the session, the kids (along with their mums and dads) went to get changed. "Need any help Bliss?" I asked, turning to Bliss.

"No thanks, Marnie," Bliss smiled innocently and skipped off to the changing rooms.

My fingers itched excitedly as I took out my book and began to read. So engaged in the story, I only looked up when the seat next to me creaked loudly. Turning my head, I saw Finn, stretching his legs.

"Your name sounds so much like Flynn Ryder from Tangled," I blurted before I could stop myself.

He chuckled ruefully. "Yeah. I get that a lot,"

We sat in silence for a few more seconds before I turned to speak to him again. "You're really good with kids. And ballet."

Finn sighed. He shifted in his seat awkwardly before speaking again. "Can I tell you a secret?"

I nodded, motioning for him to continue.

"I hate ballet." He said the sentence with such seriousness that I was out of my seat in an instant.

"You hate ballet? How? I love it!" I declared indignantly, not being entirely truthful. He glanced at me sceptically. "How come you don't dance?"

Admittedly, I was thrown by this question, but reading thousands of books had its perks; I probably qualify as the worlds most imaginative liar.

"Uh...it's such a beautiful art form, I just couldn't master it! I'm so jealous of you!" I exclaimed hurriedly, my compliments easing the frown off Finns face.

He still didn't seem convinced. I tried again. "I could give you fifteen reasons to love ballet!"

He smirked. "Prove it."

Convincing someone to love a dance that I despised. Would I be able to pull it off?

*•*•*

A/N

Hi!

This is my first book, so sorry in advance for any spelling and grammar mistakes

Enjoy! :)