One Dream Only by Elodie Nowodazkij

Author:Elodie Nowodazkij
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult, Ballet fiction, family, novelette, short story ballet young adult, young adult book, young adult ballet, free teen fiction, free young adult short story
Publisher: Elodie Nowodazkij
Published: 2014-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

Eight hours after the audition

March 19th, 8 p.m.

Despite what I told Uncle Yuri, I take the long way back to school through Central Park. I pull out my iPod and can’t help the smile that blooms when one of my favorite of Chopin’s waltzes comes on. Waltz in C-sharp minor starts somewhat slow, but then the pace picks up. I do a pas chassé and a quick pirouette, bowing to an invisible audience. The snow falls harder and everything looks magical, full of possibilities.

My shoulders feel light, and even though I’m still a bit worried about the results of my audition, dinner with Uncle Yuri relaxed me, and now I know in my heart and in my bones that I nailed it.

An imaginary conversation with the Juilliard recruitment committee plays out in my mind.

“Miss Pushkaya, this is unusual, but we’d like you to star as the principle ballerina for the showcases, and you have free reign over the choreography,” the director of Juilliard tells me.

“I’d love to,” I reply.

I skip across the snow-covered grass, laughing. Maybe I’m worried for nothing. Mama will pick me at the airport with Papa, and her eyes will glint with happiness while Papa stands tall, both of them shining with pride.

Maybe they won’t fight this weekend. Maybe Mama won’t drink. Maybe we’ll celebrate as a family.

Together.

I hurry the rest of the way home, looking forward to seeing Emilia, to catching up with Becca, and to packing my suitcase. When I enter our room, though, Emilia’s nowhere to be seen. She left a note on my desk, between the clutter of my papers and her neat bookshelf:

Gone to rehearse.

I frown. Even I took the evening off. Most students are out celebrating. Why is she rehearsing now?

I stride out of the room and make my way to the studio. Music blasts through the speakers. I open the door and poke my head inside.

“Emilia?” I call softly, not wanting to scare her. If she’s practicing her jumps, she doesn’t need me to frighten her.

But I don’t need to worry.

“I don’t want to hear it!” Emilia shouts at Nick. “You were right. You and I . . . we’ll never work!”

“This is bs and you know it. I was wrong.” He pauses. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” Her mouth gapes open. “I want to kiss you. Tell me you don’t want me to and I won’t.” He pauses. They stare at each other for a few seconds. Emilia rises on her toes, and Nick cups her face with one hand while the other snakes around her waist.

He watches her, giving her enough time to move away or say something. When she doesn’t, he leans his face toward her.

“You’re driving me crazy,” he tells her. She’s about to say something back, but their lips meet and it’s like watching a new dance unfolding in front of me. They get lost in one another.

I can’t help but stare.

I’ve never been kissed. Not even once. Not even a little peck or while playing spin the bottle—okay, fine, I’ve never played spin the bottle.

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