CHAPTER 4
After class, the rest of the dancers gathered their things and trickled out of the studio. Sarah waited until everyone else was gone so she could talk to Ms. Rousseau. She had to get the pirouette right, and she didn’t want any of the other girls to see her.
“Ms. Rousseau?” Sarah said, walking over to her teacher. “Do you mind if I stay a little later? I want to work on my audition routine some more.”
“Of course, Sarah,” Ms. Rousseau replied with a smile. “I have to work on a few things in my office. Just holler if you need me.”
Sarah nodded, but she knew she wouldn’t be asking for help. It was too embarrassing.
I can do it on my own, she thought stubbornly. I have to.
The studio seemed strange without the other dancers. It felt so big and empty. Sarah took a deep breath and walked to the center of the room.
Sarah lifted herself up into the starting position for the pirouette. But this time, she didn’t even make it to the spin. She wobbled immediately and had to put her other toe down to keep from falling.
Sarah shook her head and tried to focus. She lifted her right foot off the ground and tried to balance. But again, she had to put her foot down to avoid falling over.
This is horrible, Sarah thought. Now I can’t even manage the starting position.
Sarah tried over and over, but no matter what she did, she kept losing her balance. By the time she finally took a break, her face was red and she was out of breath.
The only sound in the studio was Sarah’s heavy breathing. Suddenly, she heard the sound of footsteps across the room.
Sarah gasped and whirled around. Mandy stood there, holding her dance bag in one hand.
“What are you doing here?” Sarah demanded.
Mandy held up the bag. “I forgot this here earlier,” she said. She studied Sarah’s red, sweaty face and messy hair. “What’s up? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Sarah snapped. She swiped at her hair. “I’m just getting a little extra practice in before the auditions.”
Sarah quickly turned away, pretending to fix her hair in the mirror. She just wanted Mandy to stop looking at her.
Behind her, Mandy cleared her throat. “Um, I know it might not be any of my business,” she said, “but I kind of saw you practicing just now. Are you having trouble with the pirouette?”
Sarah stiffened and said nothing. She kept her back turned but watched Mandy in the mirror. Her face was burning with embarrassment.
“I noticed in class too,” Mandy continued. “I think your problem might be that —”
“I’m fine!” Sarah snapped, whirling around. She couldn’t stand listening to Mandy giving her advice.
I’m the best dancer in the class, Sarah thought. If anything, I should be giving her advice.
Sarah took a deep breath and let it out. “I don’t need your help,” she told Mandy tightly.
Mandy shrugged and backed up a few steps. She held her dance bag in front of her like a shield. “Fine,” she replied stiffly. “I was just offering.”
With that, Mandy turned on her heel and marched out of the studio.
Sarah stood in the middle of the empty room for a long time after Mandy left. She had a bad feeling that her chance to play the Spring Fairy had just disappeared too.