Breaking Big by Penny Draper

Author:Penny Draper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV031020, JUV039060, JUV039140
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Published: 2016-02-01T05:00:00+00:00

Ten

Rick’s exhausted and Mr. Acton’s frustrated. They say I’m trying too hard, but I don’t understand what they mean. How can you try too hard? The one thing I know for sure is that I hate dance. And this dance school. I’m seriously wishing I could wreck my ankle too.

Opening night is less than a week away. Maybe I could starve myself and drop from exhaustion. The fish sticks and mashed potatoes on my dinner tray look disgusting, but Mr. Acton says I have to eat, that I’m losing weight. I haven’t had time to go to the gym—I haven’t had time to do anything—but he says I have to make time to eat. But I can’t—it’s too gross. I push my tray away, grab my cell phone and head for the park.

“Hey, Mom,” I say.

“What’s wrong?”

How is it that moms always know? “Just tired.”

“I haven’t heard from you in ages, and that’s a sure sign you’re pushing yourself. You’ll be no good onstage if you’re exhausted, Robin.”

Yeah, but exhaustion isn’t what I’m worried about.

“After you phoned to say you were actually dancing, I called everybody in the family! We’ve all got tickets now. Aunt Sally, Uncle Harry, your cousins, Melissa—remember your old babysitter?—my friend Martha, her husband…”

Mom goes on and on. How do I break in and tell her I’m quitting? That I’m no good, that I can’t cut it as a dancer? That everybody hates me?

“Mom, hang on a minute, there’s something…”

“And we’ve all decided to book rooms at that swanky hotel near the theater, I can’t remember the name offhand. It’s expensive, but it’s not every day your boy has his debut, is it?”

“Mom, wait…”

“Do you know what your costume looks like? I’ve checked online, and you sure see a lot of different costumes for Puck. Are they going for green? You’ve always looked good in green.”

I can’t do it.

“Yes, I have my costume. I think you’ll be surprised, Mom. In fact, I know you will.”

“Hmmm. That sounds ominous. Anyway, listen to me go on. What were you calling about?”

“Nothing, Mom. Just wanted to hear your voice.”

“Isn’t that sweet? I’m sending a hug your way, Robin. Now get to bed. You need to sleep. Pleasant dreams, and we’ll see you soon.”

Sleep. Sure. I head back to the boys’ change room. I should go to the company change room, but I don’t think I can stand anybody’s comments tonight, and the boys’ change room should be empty.

I pull on my warm-ups, but I don’t know if I can face more practice tonight. I’m done. I can’t even get up from the bench. Everything aches, mostly my heart. Dance is over for me.

All of a sudden the door opens and Jeremy and Cam burst in, talking a mile a minute. Great. They stop short when they see me.

“Why aren’t you in the company dressing room?” asks Jeremy.

“I didn’t feel like going there.

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