I was excited. I had new shoes. I had the whole outfit. I was smiling. I was nervous. I got over it. I learned to plié. I perfected it. I learned to passé. I practiced. I learned how to do a bun. I put tights on by myself. I got a skirt. It was white. I got a costume. I performed. I smiled. I got a bouquet of roses.
I signed up again. I got tap shoes. I learned how to tie my shoes. I laughed. I got to be the leader. I asked for a new skirt. It was purple. I practiced at home. My parents clapped. I got a costume. I put red lipstick on. I posed for pictures outside my house. I went to the stage. I got in position. I smiled. I got two bouquets.
I changed studios. I had a new teacher. I met a new friend. I practiced. I made up my own dances. I made a stage in the basement. We put on a show. I learned how to do a drawback and a buffalo. My favorite was the time step. I got a costume. I waited for our act to be called. I broke a mirror backstage. I performed. I got a bouquet of roses.
I changed studios again. I loved my teacher. She was strict. I did a split. I learned to waltz. I got moved up a level. I went to class. I was in the newspaper. I got new shoes. I got two costumes. I performed in a bigger venue. I hugged everyone. I got a bouquet.
I got jazz shoes. I practiced breaking them in by wearing them around the house. I learned jazz position. I learned a jazz pas de bourree. I got to stand center stage. I got a costume. I performed in the talent show. I got a costume. I felt insecure. I got a different size. I performed and got a standing ovation. I got a little pot with a perfect purple orchid.
I signed up for four classes. I had to order a new leotard. Bigger. The orchid got bigger. It got annoying to have on my counter so we moved it away. That’s what people do with big things; move them away. Forget about them and when they need them most it’s almost too late. I got laughed at. I pushed people away. Food was always there for me.
I looked in the mirror. I tried to forget. I went to class. I felt insecure. I went to a swim practice. I loved it. I signed up for four practices a week. Dance was in second place. I moved up three swim groups in two weeks. I got to dance late. I got a costume. I performed my heart out the best I could.
I stopped swimming from the headaches. I signed up for ballet and jazz again. My teacher was happy. I plastered a smile on my face. I got a spot front and center. I got a costume. Girls got jealous. I lost my split. New girls came to the studio. I taught them routines. They loved it. They signed up for more classes. They got better than me. I got lazy. I got stared at. I stopped talking. I got offered a duet. I took it. They got annoyed. I performed. I fell. I got up. I cried. I had to wear a different costume than everyone else. I felt insecure. I smiled. I danced. I got a bouquet of roses.
I signed up. I came to one class. I got stressed out. I wanted to stay home. I cried. I went. They took my spot. I blended into the backdrop. I got more homework. I didn’t sleep. I was worn out. I quit. I signed up for a younger class. I was the tallest one. By about three feet. I got a costume. I hated it. I performed. They laughed. I let my eyes water. I left. I packed away my shoes. I packed up my tights. I packed up my leotards. I gave my costumes away. I packed up my skirt. I quit for good. You win, Society.