After a hot shower and a long nap, I walked to my new dance studio located near school. It was a hike, but it wasn't so bad. I made sure to pack plenty of clothes in my gym bag just in case I really did decide to run away this time.

The fact that this small town even had a dance studio made me wonder how the owner kept the doors open, but who was I to judge. I knew my mom would pay plenty every month, so hopefully, my attendance would help business out a little bit.

When I walked into the changing room, I ran into my worst nightmare. Jenny the makeout queen.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Jenny stood at the mirror, applying pink lipstick to her full lips.

Why was she doing that? Makeup was only for performances. This was practice.

I didn't acknowledge her. I wasn't in the mood to argue, and I still hadn't planned how to get revenge. Instead, I walked by without a glance in her direction and rounded a wall of lockers, successfully blocking her from view.

"Tyler's mine, you know? We've been together since middle school." Jenny's annoying voice bounced off the walls as I got dressed. "Tyler probably told you he doesn't date or do girlfriends, but I'm the closest thing he's ever had to one. I mean, we get with other people, but he always comes back to me. I know he loves me."

Ew, okay. And why was she telling me this? I didn't care about who she and Tyler got with. Every guy like him was a nightmare, and I had no interest in being anywhere near him ever again.

In fact, I already had a plan to go directly to the counselor's office in the morning. I had to get my locker changed and switch any classes I might have with Tyler, Lucas, and Justin.

If the counselor asked me why, I would tell him a stupid story about how they reminded me of my awful past, which would ruin my chances of performing to the best of my ability. I would turn on the waterworks and whine about how I didn't want to ruin my precious opportunity of getting into Juilliard.

It was a long shot, but I was prepared to sit inside the counselor's office until he gave me what I wanted.

"Did you hear me, skank?" Jenny asked just before a group of girls entered the changing room. Jenny started making her crappy chitchat with them. Thank God.

Fixing my ponytail, I shoved my bag into a locker and snuck out the rear exit, so I didn't have to pass the group of girls. I wasn't here to talk. I was here to practice and workout.

As I stretched, I thought about how I needed a car. I would have to search the local listings tonight. I didn't want to be around Missy anymore. I hadn't even been here for a day, and she had made it absolutely clear I was not welcome. I still couldn't believe Missy actually expected me to apologize to Jenny this morning.

Yeah. No. An apology would never happen. Jenny was in her own class of bitch, and even though I was partly to blame, Jenny stooped to a new level when she punched me with my back turned. The more I thought about it, the more I believed that Missy was in on it. She should've given me a heads up, but instead, she'd let the whole thing happen with barely a glance in my direction.

Then again, what the hell could I expect from the snotty cousin who always stole my stuff and pushed me down? I loved Aunt Debbie, but her daughter was an egotistical monster.

"Ember?" Nina walked out of her office to greet me. She was so petite and slender, it made me a little envious. Her thirty-something face was even cuter with her light brown hair pulled up in two tight buns. If we lived in a world of fantasy, I'd bet money Nina was a pixie.

I gave her a tight smile. "Hi, Nina."

She stopped in front of me and flashed her signature smile. "Good. You look ready for ballet. Where are the others?"

Did I mention I hate ballet? "How should I know?"

"Okay. Finish getting warmed up." Nina instructed.

"Why do I have to dress like a ballerina in my stupid leotard? This is dumb. I never had to dress like this at my other studio." I complained.

"Yes, you did, Ember." Nina chided, pressing her lips into a thin line. "I've spoken to your previous instructor, and she says you're extremely advanced in all forms of dance, so wearing the required outfit shouldn't be a problem for you. Frankly, I'm just hoping we'll be able to challenge you properly. Yesterday, I took the plunge and made a call to a close friend. I asked her to come in today. She says if you're good enough, she'll give me a hand with your training."

"What? Are you kidding me? You asked some stranger to come watch me dance? That's just gross." I scrunched my nose as I turned my ponytail into a tight bun.

Nina grimaced. "I have to admit I might be in over my head when it comes to you. She isn't just some stranger. She's a well respected, award-winning dancer. I should warn you, she doesn't put up with attitude, so I'd watch what you say around her."

"I'll try." I drenched my tone in sarcasm.

I stood, ready to start class just as Jenny walked out of the dressing room, surrounded by five other girls. They all seemed to glare daggers at me.

"Nina, why is she here?" Jenny demanded in a snotty tone as she crossed her arms.

"You're a smart girl, Jenny. I'm sure you can put two and two together." Nina clapped her hands and glanced at the clock. "Pick up the pace and get warmed up, girls. Ember is prepared to start at the right time. Where have you girls been?"

It was clear that a couple of them were embarrassed for not being on time, but no one responded before they started stretching, and Nina said nothing about it.

This class was super laid back. My previous instructor would've been penalizing all of us at this point.

Fifteen minutes into class, I realized this place was amateur hour. None of the girls knew how to properly perform even the most basic of moves. I hated ballet and was far from perfect when compared to my classmates at home, but this group was frigging hard to watch.

Nina continued to use me as an example in everything she told us to do. It was embarrassing.

Even though the makeout queen kept sending me evil looks during class, the other girls were gazing at me like I was amazing, which I was far from. I was used to incessant yelling from my instructor, telling me to do better. This was a new change of pace, and I didn't like it at all. This studio was going to make me worse.

After class, every girl other than Jenny told me how good I was, which made me realize how small this town really was. I was used to competition type girls who barely spoke unless they were talking shit. Confused about how to respond, I quietly thanked them.

One girl with big brown eyes, cute freckles, and a brunette French braid wouldn't leave my side. I quickly discovered her name was Lucy.

"Where did you learn how to do all that?" Lucy's eyebrows raised in excitement.

"I've been in dance since I could breathe." I shrugged as I changed back into my regular clothes.

"Really? I have too, but I'll never be as good as you." She bent to tie her shoes.

"Hey, don't say that." I tugged out my hair tie. "You can get better. You just literally have to work your ass off. Don't beat yourself up. My parents make sure that my life revolves around performing, and they're not nice about it."

"Really? I'm so jealous. How's your hip-hop and jazz?" Lucy looped her bag over her shoulder.

"Okay, I guess." I shrugged. I loved hip-hop, but I didn't have time to practice it enough since my instructors were usually focused on old school crap like contemporary.

"I bet she sucks at hip-hop and jazz," Jenny announced as we all walked toward the exit. A girl with short dark hair giggled at Jenny's announcement.

Glancing at Jenny, I decided to take the high road and ignore her. Honestly, I felt bad for her. She might've been one of the most popular girls at school, but she sucked at dance. Bad. She needed to find another hobby.

"Are you doing the Talent Show this year?" A fifty-something woman with short grey hair stood at the studio's front desk. Her sharp facial features mixed with her strict, no-bullshit expression was scary.

I glanced around, trying to figure out who she was talking to, but everyone just stared at her with their mouths open. Okay, what was I missing?

When I glanced back at the woman, her dark eyes were honed in directly at me.

"Um... what?" I asked, taking a swig of my water.

"Did I stutter?" The old lady barked, nearly causing me to choke.

"Talent show?" I was totally lost.

"Well, look at that. The child knows how to use her ears." The woman barked again.

What the fuck?

She closed her eyes and audibly exhaled through her nose as she nodded. "Yes, Miss Pearl. I was asking if you plan on performing in the Talent Show this year."

"I... uh... don't know what that means." I made sure to hold eye contact with her. Showing weakness wasn't really my thing.

"I'll fill you in. I've decided to help Nina with your training. Lord knows you need it, child. I have also spoken to your mother. She tells me a scout from Juilliard is coming after the holiday season." The scary lady examined me, and it felt like she was calculating if my stupidity was an act. "So, allow me to answer the question for you. Yes, you are participating in the Talent Show, and we have less than two months to prepare."

💙 💙 💙 💙 💙 💙