Trapped on Pointe
A glimpse into my new short story.
I remember the first time I met Marie. I was in the junior ballet class, and she had transferred from another ballet school to teach at mine. I had recognised her as the prima ballerina of her year. I remember the way she would smile at all of us with such hope for our futures. Her music box that would sit in the corner with the little ballerina inside that spun when you turned the cog. I so wanted to be her little ballerina.
From that day forward and for many years to come, I showed up and fought for Marie’s attention. To be her number one, that she would focus on. I didn’t realise how wrong I’d be years later. How her praise turned into words that cut deep.
I made myself into the perfect ballerina for her. I lost weight, worked out, got the best costumes; all for it to turn her once smiling face into a snarl. All my life, I had wanted her approval, but now, as I got older, her praise turned into disapproving looks and snarky remarks…
Let me know if you’d like to read the rest of the short story <3