Chapter 4
Over the next few days, Marissa couldn’t stop thinking about the recital auditions. Even in math class, she drew pictures of ballerinas in her notebook when she should have been paying attention to algebra.
Maybe I should try out for the Rose Fairy part, Marissa thought. Maybe I’d even get it. But then what would she do about the costume? How would she dance in front of everyone?
At lunch each day, all Rachel could talk about was the audition and the recital. Rachel had decided to try out for the part of the Daisy Maiden, one of the Rose Fairy’s lost friends.
Every day, she asked Marissa if she had decided to try out for the Rose Fairy part. Every day, Marissa shook her head.
The morning of auditions, Marissa woke up feeling good. She felt strong and bold, just like the clear day outside. That was a good sign.
She decided that she would try out for the Rose Fairy part. Rachel was right. Marissa could dance the part. She might as well try out.
On the way to school, Marissa told Rachel her decision. Rachel shrieked.
She did a leap right in the middle of the sidewalk. “Now we can be in the recital together!” Rachel said, hugging Marissa.
“If I get the part,” Marissa said. “I still have to try out.”
“You’ll get the part,” Rachel told her. “I just know it.”
* * *
After school, Marissa went straight to the ballet studio. She wanted to warm up a little before the audition started.
In the empty locker room, she stuffed her bag into her locker. Then she pulled on her T-shirt and sweatpants. She was lacing up her slippers when the door opened.
Marissa looked up. Clarice and Kelly were walking in.
Marissa quickly looked down again. Instead of going to their own lockers, Clarice and Kelly stopped right next to Marissa.
Kelly put her hands on her hips. “So, Marissa, are you going to audition in your sweatpants?” she asked nastily. Clarice giggled.
“So what if I am?” Marissa mumbled.
“You should wear a leotard like everyone else,” Kelly said.
“Madame said I could wear this to practice in,” Marissa replied. She forced herself to look Kelly in the eye. “Anyway, it’s none of your business.”
“Maybe you think you’re too good to wear the same thing as the rest of us,” Clarice chimed in.
“Or maybe Marissa just outgrew her leotard. Now she can’t find one in a big enough size!” Kelly said. She and Clarice burst out laughing and walked away.
Marissa couldn’t keep the tears from piling up in her eyes.
That’s it, she thought. There’s no way I can audition now.
If those two were laughing at her, how many other people would be too? Why should she put herself through the humiliation of an audition?
There’s no way Madame Stone would give the part to me, she thought sadly.