NAME: Gabriella Girro
BEST FRIEND: Trevor Stevens
FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza!!!
FAVORITE THING TO DO: Dance, dance, and dance. Especially ballet.
OTHER HOBBIES/INTERESTS: I also really like to swim. We have a pool in the backyard (not in ground) but I only get to swim in it when it’s warm out.
FAVORITE COLOR: Purple. Or pink. But blue is also really nice. And yellow. Hmm…I have to say purple, pink, blue, and yellow.
FAVORITE ANIMAL: Cats. I love cats. They are so graceful and elegant, and ADORABLE!!!
FAMILY MEMBERS: Mom, Dad, Sarah Ann, Ryan, Catie, Angie, J.R.R, Margaret, Sarafina, Perry, Rick, Penny, and Dee Dee.
BIRTHDAY: January 5th. I wish it was in the summer because then I could have a pool party. But January 5th is still an awesome day.
FAVORITE GAME: Sorry! Well, my real favorite game is this game online called Skunk Sweeper, but my favorite board game is Sorry. We don’t own it, which is sad, but I still love it.
FRIENDS SAY I AM: Fast, kind, and a great dancer
LOOKS: Really stringy orangey yellowy hair. I guess it could be called strawberry blond. And my eyes are green. Like emeralds. I personally don’t think that, but my grandma says it all the time. I am average height for my age, which is 11. And I have freckles. Not that many. But they are still there.
SOMETHING I WISH I WAS GOOD AT: Drawing. Sarah Ann, my ten year old sister, is amazing! I don’t know how she does it. Her drawing: And mine:
Chapter One
“Gabriella! Time for breakfast!” Called Catie, poking her head into my room. “Gabriella! Time for breakfast!” Sarafina echoed, poking her head into my room too. “Okay. I’ll be right there.” I said, standing up from where I was sitting, which was on my soft, cushiony chair at my colorful desk. I had been writing in my notebook for school, which we were supposed to write in all through the summer. I hope next year I get a teacher who doesn’t expect us to write so much. Not all through the summer. Or if we do, it should be creative writing, instead of a journal. But I was actually happy to write in my notebook this morning, because I had a lot of stuff I really needed to get out. I was writing about all the thoughts jumbling around in my mind, and it felt good to get it out on paper. I was surprised.
I put my pencil down on my desk and Sarafina, my younger sister who is 7, said, “Come on, Gabriella, you’ll make the pancakes and bacon and everything cold.” Catie sighed. “Sarafina!” she said. “What? What did I do?” “You weren’t supposed to tell her about the breakfast.” Catie hissed. “Well, I didn’t tell her everything. I didn’t tell her about the-“ “Shh!” Interrupted Catie. Sarafina’s bright, sunshiney face crumpled up. “I’m sorry!” She wailed. Catie looked at me helplessly. I hurried over to them, standing in my doorway, and put my arm around Sarafina.
“It’s okay, Sarafina. No one meant to hurt your feelings, and you don’t need to apologize. Everyone makes mistakes, and it’s part of life. Don’t worry about it, no one cares.” I comforted. Everyone in my family says that it’s either Mom, me, or Catie that can make Sarafina feel better. Catie can’t when it was her who did something wrong, though. Then it’s me or Mom’s turn. Sarafina looked up at me with wide eyes. “Are you sure?” “Yes, I’m sure.” “Really?” “Yes, really. Come on, now let’s go eat.” I took one of Sarafina’s hands and Catie took the other and we walked down the hall to the dining room/kitchen.
When I got there everyone else was sitting at the table already. Well, not really. Sarah Ann was, but her feet were up. Margaret was sitting under the table, Rick was skipping around the room, J.R.R. was chasing him, and Penny was trying to lift Dee Dee into her high chair, but it really wasn’t working.
“There’s our dancer.” Mom said when I walked in. Sarafina beamed and twirled around. “She meant Gabriella, Dumbo.” Sarah Ann told her. Sarafina looked like she was going to cry again. Mom hurried over and picked Sarafina up while Dad glared at Sarah Ann and said, “Sarah Ann! We don’t call names in this house!” “Well, sorry.” Said Sarah Ann, but everyone could tell she wasn’t. “It’s not my fault that Sarafina is the most sensitive person alive.” “We don’t call anyone names, and Sarafina is not that sensitive.” Said Dad. “Yes she is, and we all know it.” Piped up Margaret from under the table, and no one argued with that. I sat down in my usual seat in between Mom and Sarah Ann and looked around the table.
There was a huge plate of steaming pancakes, plain and chocolate chip. There was a plate of crispy bacon and a dish of powdered sugar and the syrup bottle. There was a fruit bowl and orange juice and eggs, sunny side up, and toast with butter, cream cheese, jelly, and peanut butter. Mom and Dad had to make all this because everyone does not like the same thing. And of course, this was my special day. Usually we just had cereal or a bagel for breakfast, something we could fix easily ourselves. But this was…well, this was awesome!
“Alright, dig in, everybody!” Announced Dad when he sat down, and everyone reached for the pancake dish at once. It fell and pancakes flew EVERYWHERE! Even on my plate. Actually, 3 fell on my plate and 2 on the table next to me, three plain and two chocolate chip, so I grabbed the syrup bottle and the powdered sugar dish and loaded up. Oh yeah! I slid a sunny side up egg onto my plate and then a piece of toast smothered with cream cheese (my favorite toast/bagel topping) and served myself three pieces of bacon and a glass of orange juice without spilling anything! Normally someone would have knocked into me and the bacon would have gone flying, the toast would land cream-cheese-side-down on the floor, and orange juice would spill everywhere.
I picked up my fork and began to dig in. Well, kind of. I picked up a piece of one of my pancakes and lifted it to my mouth, but then stopped. What was I doing? I couldn’t eat! I was way too nervous, and if I ate, I would probably throw up. Then I would have to miss the most important day all summer, and everything would be ruined. The dance instructors at Ms. Clarence’s School of Dance for Girls wanted perfect attendance. So I put my fork down and nibbled the corners of my toast and took a few sips of orange juice before saying, “I’m done.” And pushing back my chair. “Ooh, can I have your food?” Yelled practically everybody at once.
While Sarah Ann, Margaret, Rick, Perry, Ryan, and Angie argued over who got my left over breakfast I placed something on each of their plates and then poured the rest of my orange juice into Sarafina’s glass. “Hey, no fair!” Said Catie. “Just pour yourself some more orange juice, Catie. Gosh.” I said. Seriously? Nobody thinks anything is fair around here. I walked back up the stairs to my room. Believe it or not, even though there are twelve kids in my family, no one has to share a room. Our house is huge. I love my room. The walls are painted purple, and almost everything is ballet themed. It’s all so pretty…I love it.
I sat down at my vanity table, on my cute silver and pink non ballet themed chair, and looked over the snow globe that always sat there, even the summer, and into the mirror. What I saw was me. But a different me. A dancer me. Not just a girl who liked to dance. A real dancer. Of course, they only permitted real dancers at Ms. Clarence’s School of Dance for Girls. You had to try out and everything. But I had gotten it. Actually!!! I was so nervous and excited, because today was the first day. I had gotten in because I was passionate about my dancing, and I was extremely excellent in ballet. Also, with a few lessons, I could be good in fast dancing, like hip hop, too. Not my words. The leader’s, Ms. Clarence. But when she is teaching ballet we have to call her Madame Clarence, because Madame is way more ballet like. I totally just understand these things.
I picked up the brush from the soft pink cloth over the small vanity table and ran it through my hair. I had already brushed it, but most ballerinas have silky, beautiful hair with no tangles or frizzes, so I brushed it again. It was still stringy, the stringiest hair ever, so I put it into two pigtails. When I put my hair in pigtails, for some reason, it looks less stringy. I stared at my reflection some more. I never stare at my reflection, but as I said a million times already, this was a special day. Pigtails just didn’t look right for ballet, so I turned them into two buns above each of my ears. There we go. Much better.
I smiled, and that made my pale face look better. It’s not that my face is always pale. It usually isn’t. But it’s just that I was so nervous, and when I’m nervous my skin gets pale, I can’t eat, and I usually feel like my body is lead. My body couldn’t be lead! Not today! I pinched my cheeks to try to bring color back into them, because blush was not an option. Even though my little sister Penny, who’s 5 and obsessed with style (and she actually is really pretty, and stylish. Way more than me or anyone else in the family. No lie.) said that my vanity table would look a lot better with makeup on it, I am 11 years old. I don’t wear makeup. Penny doesn’t either, but she still loves it. She gives herself and other people makeovers, but we all wash it off before we go out in public, even her. I’m glad she’s not that type of little girl, like she actually understands that she is 5 years old and should not wear makeup in public. She can already be a pain now. What if she was that type of girl? Ick!
I stood up and did some stretches and jogging in place to try and get the blood flowing and my body energized, and then I sank back down into the chair in front of my vanity. I glanced down at my outfit. I was wearing a pink tutu with short shorts underneath and a white blouse with a pink ribbon tied around my waist. My favorite necklace, the on that had 3 charms on it (a peace sign that said peace, a heart that said love, and a ballet slipper that said dance) was around my neck, and I thought I looked pretty good.
“Gabriella!” Called my mom from downstairs in the kitchen/dining room. “We need to leave now!” “I’ll be right there!” I called back. Well, really we had to yell. I picked up my backpack that I usually used for school and carried it with me downstairs and into the kitchen. “Do you have everything?” She asked. “Yep.” I said, glancing into my backpack. “A snack? A water bottle? Hand lotion for the bars? Your ballet slippers? Extra ponytail holders?” “Yep.” I nodded. “And a smile?” Mom leaned over and pinched my cheeks. I patted them both better and then smiled. A real smile. “Check. Let’s go.” I said. “Who wants to walk with me and Gabriella to her dance studio?” Mom asked the whole family. “Not me.” Answered Sarah Ann. “I need to practice the Halloween music on all of my instruments. Margaret, the one that you taught me. But good luck, Gabriella. Have fun.” I smiled at her. “Thanks, Sarah Ann.” I said. Even though you are so weird for learning how to play Halloween music in June. “I do!” Said Sarafina. “I want to come with! “Me too.” Said Rick. “And me!” Cried Perry. “I’ll go too.” Agreed Catie. “So will I.” Announced Angie. I beamed at all of them. Those of them who weren’t going (Margaret was teaching Sarah Ann the Halloween music, J.R.R. was training Ryan for track team in sixth grade, which was 3 whole years away, Penny was having a friend over for makeovers, Dad was watching little Dee Dee) wished me luck too, and then we set off. I walked in the front with Angie, and behind us were Catie and Sarafina. Behind them was Mom, and behind her was Perry and Rick, coming up challenges for each other and playing tag and running around. It was finally summertime, and we were all glad.
“Gabriella?” Asked Angie in that way of hers. Angie is awesome. She is probably my favorite sibling, and definitely the most real. She can be really nice, and smart, and sweet, and she’s super mature for her age, but at the same time she can be SO annoying. She just gets to me, in a good way. “Yeah?” I said. “Are you going to spend so much time dancing you won’t have time for us?” I was shocked. I hadn’t even thought of that, and I wondered if any other of my siblings were thinking the same thing. As a matter of fact, I could hear words from Catie’s and Sarafina’s conversation floating towards us, words like “forget” and “family” and “dancing”. I might have heard my name, but it also might have been gargoyle. I’m not sure.
“Of course not! No, no I will not, Angie. I will always have time for all of you. Why would you think that?” I cried. “Um, I don’t know…” Angie said softly, twisting one of her moppy, sandy brown-blond pigtails. I realized that I didn’t want to hear her answer anyway, so I said, “What are you most looking forward to this summer?” Angie’s face brightened at this. “No homework! And no school! Oh yeah, and seeing my friends a lot more, besides at school, and day camp. I can’t wait for day camp!” “Yeah, day camp is super fun.” I agreed. Our whole family goes to the same day camp every summer for 2 weeks, which gives my parents a chance to chill out. Dee Dee goes to the day care, and Penny used to. Now that she is five, this will be the first summer she can go, and I was so excited to help her through it. We all love day camp.
“And it’s Penny’s first year. Won’t it be great to have another person in our family doing it?” “Yeah, now Dee Dee is the only one left. But, uh, Gabriella? Mom said that you’re not going. To day camp.” Angie said. “What? I’m not going to day camp?” I cried. “Since when?” “Since a couple of nights ago, when Mom told all of us. She said now that you’re not going Sarah Ann will be the oldest in the family going, and she went on and on to Sarah Ann about how she had to be responsible and not take advantage of the situation,” (Sarah Ann is a known prankster and super mischievous) “and to us about how we had to listen to Sarah Ann, or go to her if a counselor isn’t around, like we would do to you. But the best thing about day camp is that almost all of us are in different age groups, and we can spend time with new kids.”
“Wait, hold on. Back up. What did you say? I’m not going to day camp? Why? How come I don’t know?” I demanded, stopping in my tracks. “Uh, you don’t know?” Angie asked in surprise. “Uh, no.” I snapped. “I actually didn’t. Did Mom or Dad tell you why I’m not going?” “Ballet, and the dance school, I guess. It runs all through the summer.” Angie replied. I had to miss day camp? NO!!!! I loved day camp! It was my favorite part of the summer…well, besides not having school or homework and hanging out with Trevor Stevens, my best friend, and going swimming in the pool in our backyard…I just love summer.
“Mom!” I called, running over to her. “Why am I not going to day camp? With the family and Trevor and everyone? And how come Angie and everyone else know but me?” I demanded. “Well, I thought you would have figured it out. You knew that ballet lasted all summer. And you know the hours. It just won’t work, Gabriella. I’m sorry. I know you love day camp.” Mom answered. “But I know how much this meant to you, doing the dance school, and I thought you could handle it.” Mom’s right. I thought. I can handle it. I am an eleven year old dancer, enrolled in Ms. Clarence’s School of Dance for Girls. It doesn’t matter if I miss day camp this summer. I am getting too old for day camp anyway, and I cannot be freaking out today. Not right now, because this is too big for me. I thought, and swallowed hard. This was no big deal, because it was just stupid day camp. “Right. It’s all good. I was just wondering.” I said, and ran to join Angie again.
“So what’s going on with you and day camp?” She asked. “It’s cool. I’m not going this year because of the dance school, and that’s it. I don’t really care.” I said. Angie got quiet. “Well…” She looked really sad, and I felt a little bad. “It’s no big deal. What’s wrong?” I asked her. “It’s just...well, now Sarah Ann is in charge, kind of, and that’s never good.” I laughed. Angie giggled a little too.
Just then, Perry and Rick ran up to us, shoving each other aside. “Gabriella! This is-“ began Rick, before Perry interrupted him. “Gabriella, we’re at-“ He started. “No! Perry!” Whined Rick. “I get to tell her!” “Nuh-uh! How come? Yeah? How come you get to tell her?” Argued Perry. “Because I noticed it first. I really did, Perry, I really did.” Replied Rick earnestly. “Alright, noticed what? What are you two fighting about?” I asked. “Gabriella, this is Trevor’s house!” They both cried at the same time.
I looked up and realized it was true. We had been strolling down Trevor’s street, and then his block, and now we were in front of his house, and I hadn’t even noticed! I ran up the porch steps. I was about to ring the doorbell when I heard a voice. “Gabriella! Hey, what’s up?” I looked around. Trevor was sitting on one of the chairs on his porch, drinking a glass of lemonade and flipping through a Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine.
“Oh, hey! I didn’t even see you there.” I said. He laughed as he came over to me. “Aren’t you so excited that summer is here? Like, it’s the first week and it’s going to be awesome! So many days of no school, or work, or anything! Just swimming in your pool, and swinging on my swing set and playing in my clubhouse, and finding ways to get Sandy and Max away from us. I have some great things planned. Where are you going?” He rambled excitedly.
Trevor forgot about dance school? After all this time I spent talking about it, he honestly forgot? I wondered. “Um, we’re walking to Ms. Clarence’s School of Dance for Girls. Today is my first day of the summer, remember?” I might have just imagined this but I’m pretty sure Trevor’s face darkened a little bit. “Oh yeah. So, what are the days and hours? We’ll still have lots of time to hang out and have fun, right?” “Well, yeah, I guess. I mean, it’s only Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to 3:30.” “Yikes, poor you. It’s like school!” Trevor exclaimed.
“Not really, because it’s something I want to do.” I corrected. “Whatever. We can still get together in the afternoon when you get home and on weekends.” “Uh, yeah, Trevor? About that…Sunday is family day in the summer, remember?” “Not really.” Trevor shook his head, and his stringy, shaggy black hair flopped. “And on Fridays afterwards there’s this thing where you have to get together with your ballet group, and work on stuff the whole afternoon and evening. We get homework, lots of it, I heard, and that will take me a long time. Plus, I promised Ryan I’d help him with swimming because he says it’s good strength training, which he needs for the track team, and with running, because you know how everyone thinks I’m really fast. And I need to sort of do this tutoring thing with Sarah Ann, because she asked Margaret to help her with schoolwork over the summer and Margaret asked me to help her help Sarah Ann, so I also have to do that.” I told him, beginning to feel very awkward.
“Oh.” Trevor wasn’t looking at me now. “Trevor, I’m sorry.” I said. “Yeah, whatever. I don’t care. This is a big thing for you.” He said, hanging his head. I plastered on a big smile, and it wasn’t that easy. “We can still hang out all day Saturdays. We’ll have a whole day each week. It will be so awesome!” Even to me, my voice sounded strained and fake. “Yeah. It will be awesome. Good luck!” He said, getting up and opening his front door. “See ya. And I’ll call you when I get back today, first thing.” I promised.
“Okay. Sandy might be on the phone, though, so if I don’t pick up that’s why.” Trevor told me. “Bye.” And he went inside. Is it me, or did that door just slam louder than usual? I thought. I couldn’t help it, but my heart felt heavier, and the spring in my step was gone. I shook my head. No. Not today. Everything will be fine, I’ll just dance it out, and it will all be so fun, and great, and perfect. I told myself. Nothing is perfect, Gabriella. An annoying, sneering voice nagged at me from the back of my mind. Nothing can ever be perfect.
Chapter Two
I had made up my mind on the walk over to the dance school. I would not worry about day camp or Trevor or anything at all. It would ruin everything, and I was already nervous. Mom pulled open the door of the huge dance studio and bells jangled.
All my siblings who had come along followed me in noisily. We walked across the polished floors to the huge desk. The lady there was tapping away noisily at her MacBook. “Excuse me?” Said Mom. She looked up. “How may I help you?” The lady asked with a tight, stretched thin voice. “We’re here for the summer ballet school.” Mom told her. I nodded and rocked back and forth on my heels. “Name?” Asked the lady. “Gabriella Girro.” I said. “Eleven years of age?” I nodded. “Right up those stairs.”
That’s when I realized that there were staircases behind frosted glass doors lining the walls. We headed up the one that the woman at the desk had pointed to. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask all the other kids to stay down here in the lobby. Madame Clarence doesn’t like distractions.” She told us. “Right. Angie, Catie, Sarafina, Perry, Rick, stay down here. Catie’s in charge. Well, of course, the woman at the desk is, but she’s not going to babysit you. Catie, please try to keep them at least semi under control. I’ll only be a minute upstairs.” We continued up. Finally we reached the top and we opened another door, and it led to the fanciest, awesomest ballet studio I had ever seen.
The walls seemed to stretch on for forever, and the shiniest mirrors in the world lined every single one of them. There were glossy bars along some walls and padded chaises in the relaxation area, which had a barrel of water and little cups to pour it into, plus 2 mini fridges. There were yoga mats for body warm ups placed evenly across the floor, and a High Tec sound system was set up, with speakers in every corner and a huge CD player/radio with a remote. There was a case full of ballet CD’s and an overhead projector set up for playing dances we were going to have to learn or fabulous performances like The Nutcracker. I was amazed. I had never performed in any studio as awesome as this before! “Wow. Looks like you’ll have fun here, Gabby.” Mom said. “Yep. Looks like it!” I said, bouncing up and down on the balls of my feet. “Good luck today. Have fun! I’ll pick you up at 3:30. Love you!” Mom said. “Love you, Mom. Bye!” I said back. “PERRY! GIVE IT BACK!” We heard from downstairs. “I’d better go.” Mom said, and hurried out of the room.
Girls were scattered everywhere, warming up or talking in small groups. It looks like everyone already knows at least 1 other person. I thought with a bit of panic. No. Stop it, Gabriella. You are good at making friends. I told myself, so I walked up to a friendly looking group of girls at the bars. Two girls were doing something on their cell phones (Lucky! I get a cell phone when I turn twelve.), one was doing amazingly flexible stretches on the bars, and the other was staring at her reflection in the mirrors, finger combing her already silky blond hair.
“Hi.” I said nervously. The girl looking in the mirror looked me up and down in the mirror, then turned around to face me. The girl at the bar stopped warming up, and the other two dropped their cell phones in to their small duffel bags. Glossy-hair raised her eyebrows at me and said, “Hey.” “So…what grade are you guys going in to?” I asked them. “Sixth.” Glossy-hair said again, smirking. The others smirked too. Then I made a mistake. I probably shouldn’t have gotten too personal, but I did. “Um…are any of you nervous at all? I mean, I kind of am. I don’t know what to expect for middle school. I love elementary school. So basic, ya know?”
They all snickered into their delicate, nail polished palms at the exact same time. Was it planning or a coincidence? I wondered. “No, I don’t know.” Answered Glossy Hair. Was she the only one that talked? “Elementary school is so boring.” Added Texting Girl #1. I guess not. “Totally babyish.” Chimed in Bars. My face grew red. “Oh.” I said quietly. Maybe this wasn’t the right group for me. I started to slink away but Glossy stopped me.
“What’s your name?” She asked. “Gabriella.” I answered. “High School, Musical!” Sang Texting Girl #2 under her breath. They giggled. “What’s your name?” I asked. “Victoria.” She said, turning back around to face the mirror like she was done with me. I seriously hoped she was. There had to be nicer girls here. She took a ponytail holder off of her wrist and in one swift motion she put her hair in a perfect side ponytail. She admired herself in the mirror. Motioning to the cell phone girls she said, “They’re Leah and Isabella”, they waved un heartedly and Victoria motioned to the bars girl, “and this is Kaylee.”
“Hi.” I said. Kaylee started warming up again. She was really, really good. And it was just the warm ups. “You’re great at this.” I told her. Kaylee smirked. “You kind of have to be to get in.” “So why are you here?” Victoria asked me in a snobby, fake curious voice. My mouth fell open but I quickly clamped it shut again. My stomach felt limp. The only thing I could think of to say was, “Cause I am.” Then I turned on my heel and walked away. I also made the mistake of looking back.
Victoria, Leah, Isabella, and Kaylee started laughing very very loudly and whispering into each other’s ears. I quickly looked away and hurried over to the lounge part, where I sat down and put on my ballet slippers. Then it was time to begin.
*****
“Girls, girls!” Said a unusually loud voice. It was weird, because the voice was floaty and calm, yet loud. Very loud. Everyone turned to look at Madame Clarence. She was a woman of medium height, with light brown hair (with some gray hairs in it) that was in a high swingy ponytail. She had on a real, super good quality pink skirt, the kind that you wanted her to twirl around in so you could see how it poofed out. Underneath that, despite the June heat, she had on white tights with not a single rip or patch of dirt anywhere, and the fanciest pink ballet slippers I had ever seen (besides on dancers in shows). “Young and blooming dancers, please listen up. Each of you, pick a yoga mat and sit down on it. I have prepared some things to talk about with you, and I know it sounds unprofessional, but we’re going to play a name game.” Madame Clarence continued.
Just as I had suspected, Victoria and her friends rolled their eyes and smirked. Victoria raised her hand. “Yes, Victoria.” Said Madame Clarence, nodding at her. I guess they already met. Maybe Victoria’s one of those get on the teacher’s good side kind of girls. It wouldn’t surprise me. I thought, then scolded myself for thinking that. Victoria may have been mean to me, but that doesn’t mean I had to be mean back. Victoria flipped her ponytail over her shoulder and then flipped it back again. “Madame Clarence,” Victoria started with a completely different voice than she had used with me, “we are dancers, and we are working at becoming professionals-“ ”Good thing you’re teaching us!” Interrupted Isabella. “Isabella, no interruptions.” Snapped Madame Clarence, but you could tell she was pleased.
Victoria continued. “I really don’t think that we should play…name games. I think we should go around and introduce ourselves. I’ve already met some people, though.” When Victoria said some people, she looked over at me and made a disgusted face, then whispered something into Kaylee’s ear. “Excellent idea, Victoria. That is exactly what we are going to do. Dancers, find a mat in 5 seconds! Chop chop!” Ordered Madame Clarence. We all hurried over to the mats as Madame Clarence began counting down. She counted rather fast. The mats were going fast. I looked around. One mat left, and Madame Clarence was at 3. I ran over and plopped myself down.
They laughed. They meaning, well, you know who I mean. Tori and friends. I guess I must have looked pretty funny, so I laughed too. Except then I stopped, because I was stuck next to Leah. Who had just been super mean to me and hurt my feelings. I wasn’t quite ready to laugh yet. On the other side of Leah was Victoria, and on the other side of her Isabella and Kaylee. She leaned back behind Leah and smiled at me. She was really pretty when she smiled. Then she gave me a quick little wave. I waved back, unsure. Um, what exactly had just happened?
“Silence!” Madame Clarence roared. There was silence. “Thank you. Now, we will say our names, starting at this end. GO. We don’t have all day.” She motioned to the end closest to me and Victoria, and they started.
“Abigail Martin.” “Sophia Obraro.” “Minnie Shorenstein.” “Eliza Edwards.” “Carly O’Brian.” “Samantha Stewarts.” “Kay-“ Kaylee began, but Victoria interrupted her. “I’m Victoria Gregory and this is my third year doing the summer ballet school. I was a sugar plum fairy in The Nutcracker, which held statewide auditions and was a traveling performance troupe, and I have also been in the junior productions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.” She said. Then she nudged Kaylee. “Go!” “Oh. I’m Kaylee Henderson, and this is my third year doing the summer ballet school. I was a sugar plum fairy in The Nutcracker, and I’ve been in the junior productions of Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. I also toured with The Pink Slippers, which was a country-wide traveling troupe that taught workshops and dances to younger ballerinas. Oh yeah, and I’ve danced for-“ Victoria nudged her again. “TMI.” She snapped. “Right. That’s all.” Kaylee said quickly. Then Isabella went, and then Leah. They each went on and on about their list of ballet achievements. What in the world would I say?
“Abigail Martin.” “Sophia Obraro.” “Minnie Shorenstein.” “Eliza Edwards.” “Carly O’Brian.” “Samantha Stewarts.” “Kay-“ Kaylee began, but Victoria interrupted her. “I’m Victoria Gregory and this is my third year doing the summer ballet school. I was a sugar plum fairy in The Nutcracker, which held statewide auditions and was a traveling performance troupe, and I have also been in the junior productions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.” She said. Then she nudged Kaylee. “Go!” “Oh. I’m Kaylee Henderson, and this is my third year doing the summer ballet school. I was a sugar plum fairy in The Nutcracker, and I’ve been in the junior productions of Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. I also toured with The Pink Slippers, which was a country-wide traveling troupe that taught workshops and dances to younger ballerinas. Oh yeah, and I’ve danced for-“ Victoria nudged her again. “TMI.” She snapped. “Right. That’s all.” Kaylee said quickly. Then Isabella went, and then Leah. They each went on and on about their list of ballet achievements. What in the world would I say?
“I’m Gabriella Girro, and uh, well…um, I’ve taken dance classes since I was 4-“ “I’ve taken them since I was 3.” Interrupted Victoria. My stomach lurched. Madame Clarence silenced her. “And I have performed for over 50 people at HUGE family parties on my aunt and uncle’s dance floor in their basement.” I finished. They giggled. Yes, they. “Wow! She performed for mommy and daddy!” Whispered Kaylee to Isabella just loud enough so me, Victoria, and Leah could hear. Madame Clarence clapped her hands and said, “No more life stories, dancers! We need to get through this!” The rest of the girls said their names and then Madame Clarence began telling us all about herself. Basically her life story and all her fantastic accomplishments. Wow, I’m having a professional ballerina teaching me! I thought excitedly.
Madame Clarence explained about the studio, her rules, the schedule, and her expectations. Then she said, “Here is something that is new this year, so even those of you, like Victoria, Leah, Isabella, and Kaylee, who have enrolled in this same ballet school previous times, have never done it before. You may have read a little about it on the website page or in the brochure you received in the mail. You are each going to have a dance group of four girls.
“Every Friday you are expected to get together with your dance group, and sleepovers, but sleepovers where you work hard on your ballet steps, are recommended.” Cool! An excuse for sleepovers! I barely ever had sleepovers. Sometimes I had them with my closest friend who’s a girl, Patricia Ingalls, but since the friend I spend the most time with is a boy, I don’t have many sleepovers. Plus, my parents are not that into them. Being the oldest of 12 kids, they need my help.
“Every Friday you are expected to get together with your dance group, and sleepovers, but sleepovers where you work hard on your ballet steps, are recommended.” Cool! An excuse for sleepovers! I barely ever had sleepovers. Sometimes I had them with my closest friend who’s a girl, Patricia Ingalls, but since the friend I spend the most time with is a boy, I don’t have many sleepovers. Plus, my parents are not that into them. Being the oldest of 12 kids, they need my help.
“You and your group will be assigned many songs, and you will be expected to come up with a group dance, ballet only, of them. They count for much of your score, and you must be ready, prepared, have all the steps and timing memorized, and work well with your group by the day you are expected to perform them. Costumes and props are not required, but will be approved. We will start that tomorrow.”
A whisper fell through the girls. I looked around and saw that most of the girls were clutching the hands of the girls around them, already forming their perfect friend dancing group. I didn’t even want to look at VILK (Victoria, Isabella, Leah, and Kaylee) but I couldn’t turn the temptation away. Victoria was saying, “Perfect! Best dancing group ever, right here!” and motioning to her and the other members of VILK. “OMG, I am so excited!” Squealed Isabella. “We have got to have a team name. We have GOT to have a team name. Oh, and a logo too! This will be awesome!” Cried Leah over and over again. “We are gonna knock everyone else’s ballet slippers off!” Cheered Kaylee.
“Madame Clarence knows it, some other people might not-they obviously haven’t seen us dance- but we are so the best dancers here. We have professional experience. I have the greatest new ballet moves that I learned from my mom’s professional ballerina friend, so I can so teach you, being the group captain.” Victoria said loudly. “Oh, and since I was in the Pink Ballet Slippers we learned a ton of awesome stuff there, so I could-“
“Okay, let’s huddle! Everybody in! No gaps!” Victoria cut her off. VILK leaned in together, putting their arms around each other’s shoulders. After a quick check to make sure no one would be able to hear anything, they started whispering and giggling. My stomach twisted. Who needs them? Not you. Mean girls only happen in books and movies. They cannot be that mean. So, just, stay calm, make other friends, and dance your best. That’s why you’re here. Get it, Gabriella? Got it, Gabriella? Good. I told myself. “LADIES!” Screeched Madame Clarence. “Victoria. Eyes up here.” “We’ll finish this discussion during break.” Victoria took out her cell phone from the silver duffel at her feet and waved it, indicating that they would be texting, not speaking out loud.
Then she un huddled and faced Madame Clarence again. So did ILK. I guess Madame Clarence figured out that all she had to do was tell Victoria to do something and the rest of VILK would too. “First we will do some basic warm ups. Just quick stretches that I am sure all of you are quite familiar with. Always stretch before and after dancing so you don’t hurt your muscles. Now, stick out your left leg like this and put your right foot to the left knee. Lean over and touch the toes of your left foot. Stretch!”
Directed Madame Clarence, and my first day of the most prestigious dance school in Kowtow (the name of my town, yes it’s weird) had begun.
