River Dancer

Chapter 1- Winter Dance Academy

Today is the day I start the school of my dreams. I've never been so excited in my life. I started packing right after I got home from the audition because I just knew I was in.

"How are you so sure you'll be accepted?", my mother has asked countless amounts of time. "I know how amazing you are but how can you be sure you were accepted?"

"Mom they loved me." That's always the response I give whenever she asks.

When I get my acceptance letter, the first person I call is Caroline. She is so excited for me, you'd think she was the one going to Winter, not me.

I got to speak to Cassie and Callie, and they were excited too even though they didn't really understand.

Whenever I ask my sisters what they want to be when they grow up, they always have the same response. Callie always says "I want to be a woman", which always leaves everyone in a fit of laughter. Cassie's reply is always one to touch my heart, "I want to be a dancer and be just like you River."

When Dad hears the news, he comes right over to my house to pick me up. We go to get ice cream (it doesn't affect my diet since I burn so many calories a day) just like we used to before he and Mom had split up. He gives me five hundred dollars and tells me to buy anything I'll be personally needing for school, which is a surprise that he'd actually given me so much money.

When Dad brings me back home, I invite him in. To my surprise, Mom is in the living room waiting for me.

"Good night Nicole", Dad says in his ever sweet voice.

"You're in my house Richard", Mom says icily. "Say good night to River and then please leave", she says before going upstairs.

"Ouch. She still hates my guts", he says when she's out of earshot.

"Well you can't blame her. You cheated on her with Carrie. And what's worse is that you got married to her and had kids."

"I know, but that was almost eight years ago. You'd think she'd actually be able to have a decent conversation with me."

"Well for one, you're lucky she didn't throw anything at you."

"It isn't too late", he chuckles. "She's probably upstairs looking for a weapon right now."

"Dad come on", I say after I can control myself, after laughing so hard. I always feel comfortable around Dad. He's so funny and natural, unlike Mom who's uptight and tries to portray a perfect image.

"Anyways, it's getting late now. Good night my little River Dancer".

"Good night Daddy."

* * * *

I'm glad to be standing in front of this building again. I can't believe I'll be going here for the rest of my high school years. This is way better than that normal boring school I've been going to for years. "What a relief that I hadn't made friends there", I think aloud. "At least I won't miss anyone. They probably won't even realize I'm not there anymore anyways."

Mom and I walk to the main building where the dorms are, well the girl dorms that is. The guys are housed in a totally different building across campus so we don't get distracted easily. I don't mind that arrangement. I don't have time to focus on guys anyways.

I wasn't told which room I was assigned to when I got to tour the school, so we have to stop at the receptionist to find out.

"Good morning. I'm Tina and how may I help you?", she says with a smile plastered on her face.

"My daughter wants to find out which room she's in", Mom says trying to match Tina's smile but doesn't quite manage to do so.

"What's your name darling?", she asks, directing her question to me.

"River Daniels", I say as friendly as I possibly can.

"That's a unique name. I love it", she beams.

"Thanks".

"You're in room 1204", she says after checking her computer. "That's a great room", she says handing me my key, with that same smile never leaving her face.

"Thank you", I respond before I turn around and start heading up the stairs.

"River", she calls causing me to come to an halt.

When I turn around she says "welcome to Winter Dance Academy, and I hope you'll enjoy your time here."

I smile and say "thanks" once more and head up to find my room.

* * * *

Tina was right. My room is amazing. It has blue tiles resembling ice. The ceiling is painted to look like the sky, and it does exactly that. The walls are painted with pictures of nature; meadows, a forest and to my surprise, a river. I pick the bed in front of the river, which for some reason makes me feel secure.

Mom helps me to unpack my stuff and add my own personal touch to the room. We engage in a very emotional goodbye, well on her part, and she reluctantly leaves.

I change into practice clothes, and start my stretches. As soon as I'm warmed up, I play a ballad and start dancing. I don't even realize when the door opens and two pairs of eyes start staring at me.