After my afternoon with Haydn, the thought of being at home alone was enough to make me cry, so instead of heading back to my house, I took the scenic route to my mom's studio. My mom always told me she couldn't imagine doing anything other than dancing and teaching others. She had her studio for about ten years and has slowly become the most sought-after instructor in the city.

"Hey, Angela, which room is my mom in?" I asked as I walked into the air-conditioned reception of the luxurious three-story building. Angela was one of my mom's closest friends since she started working with my mom when my parents moved to America 20 years ago. They first worked together at a law firm, but they were both unhappy there and decided to leave to pursue their dreams.

"Hi Cristina, your mom is in-studio five teaching a ballet class- she'll be happy to see you." She smiled and I quickly headed back to my mom's office where I kept my dance shoes. I didn't dance often, and I was nowhere as talented as my mom but, I was good enough to be a part of the dance team during the seasons I wasn't cheering.

Since I kept a spare workout outfit in my car, for Logan's spontaneous practices, I just had to change and go- which I was thankful for since my mom's class was ending soon, and I wanted to see her before she headed to the next one.

After getting changed into my workout clothes and shoes, I walked over to studio 5 and when I peered through the window, I wasn't surprised to see my mom's toned and lean body demonstrating all types of moves to a bunch of awestruck little girls. I remember when I was that young, seeing my mom dance for the first time, she was amazing (still was) and is the main reason I got into dance in the first place. It was too bad I'd never be as talented as she was.

"Well, if it isn't my oldest and most favorite student." My mom teased as I walked in, and I laughed as a bunch of girls started giggling uncontrollably. "Are you here to join in on the remainder of the lesson?" She asked, mostly for the little girls benefit because I knew she normally didn't mind me joining any of the group classes, no matter what the age.

"I would love to, you girls won't mind, would you?" I asked them and they shyly shook their heads so as soon as I got their confirmation, I made my way to the back and began to stretch as my mom continued. The girls' eyes all stayed glued to my mom as she demonstrated simple-looking moves and explained the importance of them all, I even joined in on some but not too many since I seemed to distract the girls too much.

My mom didn't mind though, she loved having me in her classes, she always had, and I thought it was her way of sharing her passion with me, but I learnt I was pretty lucky to share it with her in the first place. It started when I was about three, first my mom would bring me to the studio and let me watch but within a few months, or so she told me, I was mimicking her, or at least trying to and my love grew from there. I used to take dance seriously and compete in competitions but by the time I hit high school I discovered cheerleading and dance became a passion I kept to myself, only practicing a few times a week and sometimes a routine in the gymnasium.

I waited until all the girls had exited the studio before I approached my mom, I had an overall terrible day and all I wanted from her was a hug. As soon as the last little girl went bouncing out the door and into the reception area, my mom came over and wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close. It's crazy to me how she always knew exactly what I needed, or maybe it was just those maternal instincts that everybody talked about.

"You have no idea how much I needed this," I mumbled into her shoulder, and she just squeezed me tighter before pulling back.

"Did you have a bad day?" She prodded gently and I sighed deeply as I nodded. "Would you like to talk about it?" She asked and I shook my head.

"No, not yet." I reassured her and was met with an understanding smile.

"Well, if you don't want to talk about it, this studio is free for the rest of the day, and I only have to leave at seven- so go nuts." She smiled sympathetically as she caressed my hair and then face before walking out the door and to her next class- high school students doing contemporary.

As soon as my mom shut the door, I connected my phone to the sound system and played some Charlotte Day Wilson as I stretched. I focused on the emotions I was feeling and trying to express as I gracefully moved from stretching to the music to slowly moving and then escalating to dancing. My dance moves were precise and smooth as I moved to the music, getting out all my pent-up emotions from today.

In the mess and emotions of it all, I completely lost track of time so when I saw my mom standing by the door, I knew it was time to go. I didn't, however, expect my mom to tell me it was already eight o'clock.

"Why didn't you come and get me sooner?" I asked as I turned down the music to a soft lull as my mom walked in.

"It seemed like you needed a time out." She explained as she took a seat and patted the space next to her and I walked over and sat down. "Want to talk about it?"

"High school sucks," I mumbled as I fidgeted with my hands, and I felt my mom wrap her arms around me and pull me closer to her.

"Don't worry, it gets better- this is just one of many phases of life." She reassured me before letting me go and I sighed.

"I don't believe you," I muttered childishly, and she smiled at me as she gently caressed my face.

"You are still so young, there is still so much life ahead of you- you will find your way and whatever you're upset about won't seem to matter. Cristina you are simply too beautiful, amazing, and talented not to succeed in this life." She promised and I smiled, my mom had the ability to put everything into perspective. She was right, soon I was going to be in college and whatever some idiots in high school said really wouldn't matter anymore.

"You always know the right thing to say." I smiled as I leaned into her. "Thank you, Mama." I smiled at her, and she kissed my forehead. "How did you and dad meet?" I asked after a few silent seconds, and she laughed.

I knew it was a rather random question, but I was curious and the turmoil that was my love life made me ask.

"When last did someone ask me that?" She smiled as she thought reminiscently. "Well, I was lucky, I met your dad when I was still young. I was twenty-one actually and your dad was about twenty-seven, he was still working as a mechanic in Russia when his girlfriend had moved into my building. I was working in Madrid as a nanny for a very wealthy family and teaching dance classes on the weekends for a lot less than I make now and I was perfectly okay with my independence and my small apartment and living one day to the next, but I guess the universe had other plans for me." She laughed as she shook her head gently. "So anyway, there was this one Friday, worst day of my life, where everything that could go wrong went wrong- from missing my train and spilling my coffee to having my dance classes cancelled, stuck in the rain with no umbrella and losing my house keys.

"It was this same day that I met your dad, so I guess overall it was one of the greatest days in my life but back then I was too focused on everything going wrong in the moment. Your dad seemed to be having an equally bad day because that same day he decided to surprise his then-girlfriend but was instead surprised to find another man in bed with her. He was furious, stormed out her apartment and went barreling into me on the steps, I remember thinking how my day couldn't get any worse but as soon as I saw him it was like I'd known him for years. Long story short, I invited him up for a drink while he figured out what he wanted to do, and a drink turned into a night and a night turned into a weekend and the rest is history." She smiled, rolling her eyes a little. "It wasn't the most normal way of meeting but, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"So, you consider dad to be your soulmate?" I asked and she nodded as she smiled brilliantly.

"It seems silly but yes, I think he is."

"Do you think I will find my soulmate?" I asked, biting my lip as built up the courage to ask my next question.

"Of course, my, but you're still so young- don't worry about that yet." She smiled reassuringly and I tried to swallow my fear.

"And if my soulmate is a girl?" I asked carefully and I saw her features soften.

"Sweetheart, as long as you are happy, we do not care about that, boy, girl, trans or non-binary, it does not matter as long as you are loved and respected." She reassured me and I immediately feel all my anxiety and worry completely dissipate.

"I love you, Mama." I sighed as I hugged her tightly before pulling back.

"I will always be here for you Cristina, your papa too. Now what do you say to getting some pizza on the way home, I don't feel like cooking today." She winked playfully and I grinned.

"That sounds really good," I grinned as I stood up and offered my hand to her and helped her stand up. "It's good you brought up the pizza because I am starving."

I gathered my stuff and headed to my car, promising my mom to stay right behind her all the way home- she already ordered the pizza, so we'd get home just before we got our food. My dad had already started calling to find out where we were, he was starting to worry why we were taking so long.

I genuinely loved my parents so much; they were definitely the most supportive and kindhearted people out there- I don't know where I would be without them and I'm happy, I didn't have to even think about it.